published
updated
a11y
Having been plagued by RSI issues since i was young, I've developed an interest in accessibility tech. My first keyboard was an Ergodox after all. Part of this quest is finding the most comfortable way to compute. Recently consumer tech has unlocked a new form factor for mobile computing. With HMDs getting good enough to read text on, and common enough to be purchased off the shelf, you can strap computer to you very easily now. With a little bit of craftiness I've managed to put together a very simple setup that allows you to rest in any position you want.
[Picture of me using it still pending]
Here's a photo of me sitting down with my wireless keyboard on each side. I have attached magnets to keep the keyboard in place. I can walk around comfortably writing any code or working in a terminal on my phone. In fact I shell into my laptop, and write my notes with all the comfort of nvim configured how I like. This is only viable because I do self-host a wireguard network into my home lan, but so long as mylaptop or home server are online, things stay running.
Components:
- xreal air
- urchin
- DP alt mode supported device
I have used this setup on the bus so far and it is much more comfortable than actually using my laptop. The keyboard is a bit loud though. I'm also not as proficient at using a 34 key keeb yet. I did use to own an FX Tec, back in 2020, and now look what I need to mimic a fraction of it's power. I will say, I think i'm faster with this keyboard than that one. So not quite a fraction. It's not as easy to pull out for day to day stuff though. Tradeoffs 🤷. At least it also is much more comfortable than the smart phone.
I've spent quite a bit of time using the HMD with a regular laptop, and especially in bed, it's very powerful. Before, I got my urchin, i could only use the frames this way, hooked up to the atrues. While this accomplished supine computing to my enjoyment i knew i could go farther. My phone is a Sony Xperia 1 iii, that I got second hand specifically because I knew i could plug my glasses into them. This keyboard, phone, glasses combo, really does unlock a different experience with computing. I don't think it's something most people would enjoy, but if you feel like you struggle to use your phone effectively because you don't have a keyboard. This could be a solution for you. Welcome to Programming on your Phone.
Some of the main drawbacks include, not being able to comfortably use a mouse, luckily for me, I've been into the mouseless aesthetic due to aforementioned RSI. Vim lyf, terminal till I die 🤘.
This is also hopefully where my follow up comes in. I'd like to take an mnt reform pocket, and put the daylight computing display on it. Ideally with a sim card as well. The dream is a DIY e-ink pda, that I can HMD. I like to think I will enjoy and be more "productive" with a main computing device like that instead of a smart phone. But another part of me is certainly going to miss scrollinig memes on my curated RSS feed list.
This is actually the first time I'm ssh'd into my laptop to add a note to Kitaab. For a long while I actually hvaen't been able to edit Kitaab remotely, without both taking, pulling out, and then using my laptop when I travel, which I have been doing fairly frequently. The lag is certainly noticable, but I am able to get around it for the most part. Being accurate helps a lot in that regard. I still seem to have some issues with the home row mods. Shift isn't always triggering correctly, mostly mis clicks. Despite all these issues I'm really happy I get to be able to continue to use this sestup. Nothing else seems to stick as much, despite trying other writing tools.