Dasher - A keyboard alternative for mouse users

By Ricky Buchanan • December 25, 2007

Dasher is an information-efficient text-entry interface, driven by natural continuous pointing gestures. Dasher is a competitive text-entry system wherever a full-size keyboard cannot be used - for example,

when operating a computer one-handed, by joystick, touchscreen, trackball, or mouse;

when operating a computer with zero hands (i.e., by head-mouse or by eyetracker);

on a palmtop computer;

on a wearable computer.

The eyetracking version of Dasher allows an experienced user to write text as fast as normal handwriting - 29 words per minute; using a mouse, experienced users can write at 39 words per minute.

Dasher can be used to write efficiently in any language.

Dasher is fast and fun to learn. (If you don’t believe us, see what users round the world say.)

It’s difficult to understand how Dasher works without seeing it, I suggest that you read the How does Dasher work? page and try it out.

Website: Dasher Project

- Ricky Buchanan, ATMac

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Categories: Geek, New Software, Primary Mouse Users, Users
Tags: apple, free, keyboard alternative, mac, on screen keyboard, onscreen keyboard, opensource, os x, unusual input devices, virtual keyboard

About the Author

Ricky Buchanan

Ricky Buchanan is 33 years old and the founder and main writer for ATMac. She's bedridden with severe CFS/ME or perhaps a primary mitochondrial disorder - the doctors are not sure. When she's not working on ATMac or her other websitse she composes music, listens to audio books, does other disability advocacy, watches TV with her flatmate, and enjoys her cat.

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