Lerdeaux One-handed Keyboarding Program

In most cases, this is due to an upgrading of Java.  Below are steps to recreate the shortcut for Windows and Mac OS X.  If you are using another operating system and need assistance, please contact .

• Windows:
  1. Go to Start>Settings>Control Panel>Java and open the Java folder.
  2. Go to the Advanced Tab>Shortcut Creation and select Always allow.
  3. In your web browser, go to http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/apps/player.jnlp.  Alternatively, you can us the Start menu.  start>Run and type in javaws -viewer (there is a space between "s" and the - sign) and press the OK button.
  4. After it starts, select the Lerdeaux One-handed Keyboarding application.  Using a right mouse click select Install Shortcuts.
• Mac OS X:
  1. Go to Applications>Utilities>Java>Java Webstart>Select JavaWebStart
  2. From the file menu>Preferences>Desktop Applications Options>Select Always Integrate.
  3. Run http://java.sun.com/products/javawebstart/apps/player.jnlp in Safari.
  4. Select the Lerdeaux One-handed Keyboarding application.
  5. Go to the tool bar and select Applications>Create Shortcut

Go to the Download Page.  Then go to the bottom of that page and click on the Install Lerdeaux link (Starting Java comes up on the screen and then installs the Lerdeaux Program).nbsp; After the Program is installed, at the Lerdeaux Program Page open up the Help menu. Select the Registration option and then enter the "license key" in the Key field.  Enter the registeration number and Click OK.

Most of the time it is a keyboarding error at the beginning of a page that creates a low percentage.  An extra space, say in the first line, would throw off all other letters in that line and sometimes in the following lines.  For example, the following lines are to be copied by the student:

• ff gg hh jj
• gg hh jj kk
• fg gf hj jh
• gh jk kj hg

The student does the following on the first line:

• ff gg  hh jj

  (Two spaces are between the gg and hh and adds another space at the end of the first line, which does not show on the screen.)

The first line already has five errors as the letters are now off by one space.  Also, by touching the Space Bar after the final letter j another error was added.  Thus, even though the student thinks only one error was made, in reality several mistakes were made.

If only one extra space is added and the rest of the letters are entered flawlessly, everything from the extra space to the end would be counted as errors.  Therefore, a low score is given.

It is important to inform students that it is more important to be accurate than to have speed.  This is especially true through Lesson Six.  They should not be discouraged if they have to repeat some of the first few lessons, as being accurate will "pay off" in latter lessons.  Students must realize they have to take their time.  Speed is not important.

The Lerdeaux One-handed Keyboarding Program is based on JavaTM technologies, version 1.4.2 or later.  Sun Microsystems does not support DOS/Windows OS prior to Windows 98.  Trying to install Java on a non-supported version of Microsoft Windows will cause the installer to generate this warning: "We recommend that you do not install this Java Platform for the following reasons: This Java Platform does not support the operating system or operating-system service pack on this machine."

Speed of most one-handed persons learning the art of keyboarding seems to be about the same on all of the systems available.  In theory, persons using One Handed Dovark Program should be faster, but research shows that is not the case.

How long it takes for a person to learn keyboarding has nothing to do with using one hand or two.  It will depend on the student.  Some persons may memorize where the keys are—without looking—in a few hours.  For others, it will take longer.  Most people have at least played with a normal keyboard and have a vague idea where the keys are.

As to specifically know how long is actually is going to take to learn to keyboarding, ask yourself—how long did it take you to learn to read?  Or ask—how long did it take the person in the desk next to you to learn to read?  As stated earlier—it depends on the student.

Is seems that over 90% of persons trained on one of these alternative keyboards leave them in the closet or elsewhere to collect dust, and instead use the "hunt and peck" system on a standard keyboard. Why? Because the majority of two-handed persons in the work palace, school and/or at play who do not know keyboarding are just hunt and pecking at the keyboard anyway.

A person using only one hand may get the same speed as his two-handed friends.  Why should the student use an adaptive device and forever be put in the position of being "different"? Since a one-handed student will probably be using a standard keyboard at a workplace or school, why not spend time learning to have keyboarding skills? Then, the student who has learned keyboarding on a standard keyboard can be a competent and competitive person.

Selecting and alternative keyboard makes a student feel apart from the peer group.  Being adept to the keyboard that others use at work, school and/or play, the standard keyboard gives the person self esteem and self value a tremendous boost.  The reality is, the easier it is to bring a person in the workplace, the more appealing he is as an employee.

The keyboard for a person using only one hand is offset to the side; depending on which hand the person is using. If the right hand is used, it is offset to the right.  If the left hand is used, it offset to the left.  In general, keeping the elbow of the arm doing the keyboarding pressed lightly to the side and lift the lower part of the arm so it is the same height as the keyboard.  Ideally, the arm does not reach upwards, but comes straight out.  The beginning lessons of the Lerdeaux One-Handed Keyboarding Program explain it in more detail as to where to place the keyboard.

NOTE: The student should not use those keyboards that split the keyboard in two halves.

After the student learns the one-handed keyboarding system, there will be more need for the use of a mouse.  At that point the person will need to adapt to his circumstance.  Normally the mouse is placed on the same side of the keyboard as the hand that will use the mouse.

Placement of Mouse Using the Less-able Hand

If the student has any use of the less-able hand, then one may try to use the mouse with that hand.  This should balance the workload of the body and help the person to keep sitting up straight.  Whatever hand is used to operate the mouse, however, it should be placed directly in front of the arm that will use the mouse.

Placement of the Mouse Using Only One Hand

If only one hand can be use, the student will have to experiment with the mouse.  Consider placing it between the keyboard and the screen.  Or, one might find a thin but wide book on which to set the mouse pad and mouse.  The one good hand is going to be very busying keyboarding.  So, whenever possible use keyboard commands instead of the mouse.  There are keyboard commands for almost everything one needs to do on a computer.

There are several types of mice from which to select.  Go to a large computer store and see which one feels best for your use.  The student will need to play with several to see which one fit or "feels" the best.  Ask about the store's "Return Policy" as it may be best to use a mouse a few days before one becomes accustomed to it.