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Rotating keyboard for italics

 Rotate the keyboard when italic text is input
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The base of this keyboard attaches to the desk with suction cups. A bearing allows the keyboard to rotate around its centre. A position sensor switches the word processor into italics mode when the keyboard is rotated by fifteen degrees clockwise.

A powerful electric or hydraulic motor is also present to move the keyboard automatically if you move the cursor into a block of text which is already italic. It needs to be relatively strong to move any paperwork or cups of tea that might happen to be in the way. There will be a small chance of breaking your wrist while it does so, which should help to avoid over-use of italic text.

Combined with a recent idea on italic cursors, it will also make the cursor keys point in the correct direction for their desired movement.

—Srimech, Nov 01 2007

Non-vertical cursor movement in italicised text Non-vertical_20curs...20italicised_20text
Inspiration for this idea [Srimech, Nov 01 2007]

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       Would it not be simpler to rotate the screen a little counterclockwise?   

       And while we're about it, why do italics always lean to the right? Why can't we also have antitalics that lean to the left?
—MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 01 2007
   

       how about each button on the keyboard individually rotates 15º.
—xaviergisz, Nov 02 2007
   

       //how about each button on the keyboard individually rotates 15º//   

       Macintoshes already have that. If you press the corner of the case, just to the right of the front-loading CD drive, all the keys rotate about 15 degrees counterclockwise. Not only that, but the enture keyboard housing, trackpad and screen rotate in synchrony. The "undo" function is on the back right corner of the casing - pressing there reverses the rotation. Sometimes I wonder if PCs will ever catch up.
—MaxwellBuchanan, Nov 02 2007
   

       I agree with [MaxB] - the screen should rotate. I'm now worried I've initiated a rash of italic-themed ideas.
—hippo, Nov 02 2007
   

       Ha! This sounds hilarious! I don't think of it as a very useful thing, but it would be funny to watch your over-italicizing co-worker have all his stuff knocked off his desk...   

       [MaxwellBuchanan] Seriously? The keys rotate? Awesome!! But is it for italicizing, or for passing control to a partner, without getting up? Still, cool.
—TahuNuva, Jan 05 2008
   


 

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