06-26-2002, 02:29 PM
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Editor Emeritus
Join Date: Sep 2006
Posts: 3,060
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A Very Unique Input Method
http://www.inference.phy.cam.ac.uk/dasher/
Described by some as "Attack Of The Killer Alphabet," the Dasher input application is like nothing you've ever seen before.
Once a user starts to enter text using the character list on the right screen margin, Dasher uses rules of probability to help anticipate the specific words that the user is trying to input. Unlike other input methods, though, with Dasher the words "flow" across the screen as letters are selected. (Check out the video clip on the Dasher site to see what I mean.)
The Web site makes this appear to be more the result of an ongoing research project than an attempt to create a commercial product, but there is a Pocket PC version available for download. Dasher's creator, David MacKay, admits that it can be slower than a regular keyboard, but is very helpful for users with special needs. For example, the PC version can be paired with an eyetracker for computer users unable to use a conventional keyboard.
This kind of product research is great, because it helps make computing available to even more users. Thanks to Dylan Verheul for the news tip.
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06-26-2002, 03:24 PM
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Thinker
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 390
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This is fun! Tho, being ADD that I am, I think I would concentrate more at playing with it and wondering what the software predict next rather than thinking what I am going to write.
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06-26-2002, 03:42 PM
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Pupil
Join Date: Nov 2006
Posts: 38
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move the cursor directly to the right of the "home" position and watch it generate some pretty funny stuff (mostly random).
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06-26-2002, 05:47 PM
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Ponderer
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 52
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a whiff of practicality?
Is there any practicality in this software at its current stage, or perhaps later? I'm downloading it right now.
EDIT- Okay, maybe it does have some use after all:
http://www.infosync.no/news/2002/n/1989.html
"The resulting kinetic mess looks more like a video game than anything else, and some users may find the constant motion distracting. However, as nutty as it looks, Dasher is fast. It could be the fastest input method available for a keyboard-less Pocket PC, faster than Fitaly. It would take some getting used to, but the speed could be worth it."
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06-27-2002, 02:36 AM
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Pupil
Join Date: Jun 2002
Posts: 47
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Highly impressive... not to mention innovative. Me likey.
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Linear Mode
