How can one-handed work in Ubuntu be eased?

Posted by N.N. on Ask Ubuntu See other posts from Ask Ubuntu or by N.N.
Published on 2012-03-24T18:56:38Z Indexed on 2012/03/24 23:39 UTC
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My right hand is temporarily immobilized and I would like to do some minor general work on my computer. Mostly web browsing, mailing and file and directory browsing and editing. For this I currently use Firefox, Thunderbird, Nautilus and the GNOME terminal (I have already asked a specific question about Emacs). Are there ways to ease such, or any other general, one-handed work in Ubuntu?

I have found http://stackoverflow.com/questions/2391805/how-can-i-remain-productive-with-one-hand-completely-immobilized but that is not exactly what I am asking for. I want to ease whatever little time spent one-handed in Ubuntu and this is also interesting for situations where there is no injury involved, such as when one hand is occupied. I do realize I should avoid unnecessary strain.

The main thing that is much slower one-handed is writing. Since I am only temporarily immobilized it seems to make no sense learn a new keyboard layout. I would be surprised if I managed to learn and become more effective with a new keyboard layout (than one-handed QWERTY) before I can use my other hand again.

What I have already found:

  • Sticky keys for making it easier to enter keyboard commands.
  • When writing one-handed there are more cases of where it is useful to paste in phrases rather than to reenter them.
  • It is easier to use Super+S rather than CtrlAlt+arrow keys to switch work space.

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