What's a good foot pedal for Mac OS X?

Question

One of the neatest ways I've heard to avoid repetitive stress injuries is to use foot pedals for the modifier keys (Option, Command, Alt, Shift, &c.). Does anyone have any experience setting up such a system on Leopard or Snow Leopard? Any recommendations on a make/model? Is there any particular software you recommend for managing the settings? (I'd prefer something in a preference pane, but I'll take what I can get.)

Answer 1

Kinesis Corporation makes a variety of ergonomic devices, including footpedals. Looking at the compatibility page of one of their USB footpedals I noticed the following note:

"Note: Modifier actions from one USB device cannot modify the input of a second USB device due to limitations designed into the Apple operating system.

Example: Shift, Control, Command, or Option keystrokes programmed into the footswitch cannot modify the input of a separate USB keyboard or mouse. However, a key sequence like 'Cmd-W' or 'Cmd-Shift-left arrow' will work on a Macintosh if the entire sequence of keystrokes has been pre-programmed into the footswitch. (Footswitch can only be programmed on a Windows PC)."

Personally, I use one of their Contour keyboards on my Leopard computer. They do make a footpedal that attaches to a Contour keyboard which can then be used for modifier keys. The reprogramming is done through the keyboard and, if it is anything like reprogramming the keyboard keys, is very easy. They aren't cheap but my keyboard has certainly helped my wrists.

Answer 2

X-keys Programmable Foot Pedal (3 switches) ($119.95)

Replace repetitive keystrokes or mouse clicks with the action of your foot. Enter, Tab, Shift, Ctrl, Alt… anything you can type on the keyboard can be memorized by the X-keys including Key combinations like Copy (Ctrl+C), Paste (Ctrl+V), Save (Ctrl+S), and Next Program (Alt+Tab). Left Click, Right Click, and Center Click easily program into the X-keys USB Foot Pedal.

Keyboard Control Foot Pedals and Programmable Foot Switches ($139)

vPedal ($75)

Answer 3

You don't mention your reasons for asking, but foot pedals are only worthwhile if you suffer from RSI, or are in danger of it (IMHO). For "normal" users, such devices aren't very effective -- instead, a combination of a "natural keyboard" with soft keys (minimal pressing resistance) and office changes/good posture habits will be more sensible.

You could also research some zero-force keyboards. These are rare and can be expensive; search eBay for "FingerWorks", for example. Essentially, these are giant touch pads that you can touch-type on and use as touch-mousepads at the same time. No typing force needed, and no reaching for the mouse!

I've got very good experiences with FingerWorks TouchStream (a full-sized keyboard) and also with the smaller FingerWorks MacNTouch (also known as Digitouch). Both are USB devices that Windows/Mac/Linux sees as a normal keyboard and a normal mouse. (See Fingerfans to learn more.)