Re: Integrating Midi into Emacs

[Christopher Allan Webber <cwebber@dustycloud.org>]

David Kastrup writes:

> One advantage of tieing Midi input in at a basic level might also be
> that one can use it to convey modifiers like Hyper and Super that avid
> Emacs typists might want to enter using foot pedals.  The number of USB
> computer keyboards providing for Emacs-friendly foot pedals is
> minuscule.  Midi-capable footpedals, however, are not exactly a dime a
> dozen but they are quite ubiquitous.
>
> So being able to exploit Midi signals with a timing accuracy making it
> possible to match them to computer keyboard input would make it much
> easier to acquire workable modifier pedals even for regular non-musician
> uses.
>
> Thoughts?

This is an interesting idea.  I use foot pedals myself for coding to
mitigate my RSI.  It's hard to recommend to people though since the ones
I have from Kinesis are a little pricey (but not as pricey as having RSI
issues).

BTW, I've been meaning to document if for some time but haven't, but if
anyone here is using foot pedals for typing, I highly recommend turning
the foot pedals *backwards* so you press it with your heel, and prop
books up in front of the pedals... this means that pressing ctrl & alt
requires only small movements.  I found that pressing ctrl and alt with
my foot forward-facing was irritating my foot very quickly.

 - cwebb