steppingintorivers.com

It all started today while listening to an episode of MacbreakTech. The boys were discussing ways to freshen up your computer and make the experience feel new. They caught my interest on the topic of input peripherals.

Do you know about the Frog Pad? Once past the pop-up flying windows, and giffing gifs, you’ll see this crazy one hand keyboard. That’s right, a full keyboard that is executable with just one hand. Seems crazy? I want one!

Since the days of Mr. Rae’s typing class, I’ve been a speedy typer. I’m slightly proud and slightly embarrassed to say that I was chosen to represent my high school at a regional competition. That’s right, some kind of Office Games, and your truly was typing for glory. Needless to say, I didn’t win and the cereal box sponsorship fell through.

I love learning new things, and I think these hands would love the challenge of an entirely new input system. My mind goes thinking of how I could use this as a controller for Max/MSP or Logic.

The next thing they talk about is a dedicated controller for audio or video: The Contour Design ShuttlePro. I want one!

Finally, I think I’ve found something worthy of my Christmas wish list. (Just typing the words Christmas Wishlist take me back to my “Dear Mumsie and Dadsie” Walkhome fiasco. I throw up in my mouth a little.) Where was I? Ah ha! Montreal dealers! I look, and there’s one walking distance from work. It’s Friday and I feel like a little adventure on my way home.

I make my way to Sigmawave, a place I had walked by half a dozen times and never noticed. Does guy know what I’m talking about? Yes! They stopped carrying them 2 years ago. Apparently Contour Design changed policy so that minimum shipments were 50 units. *sad face*

I’ll keep hunting, this looks like the perfect little tactile transport to help me peel around my time-based editors. I see it on Amazon.com but not Amazon.ca. We’ll see how much this is going to run up in shipping/importing. Bless you, poor American dollar. I want some peripheral action!

…$81.95 before shipping/tax. And surprise surprise, it only ships inside the US. Next plan, see if I can find a Vermont dealer. Hair-brained scheme if I ever. Sigh.