The BAT: Infogrip's keyboard good pick for alternative input device.
MacWEEK, July 27, 1993, v6, n27, p71
by Wayne Yacco

The BAT chordal keyboard from Infogrip Inc, is available in either left- or
right-hand models.

It occupies about half as much space as an Apple extended keyboard, yet its
seven keys - one for each finger and three color-coded keys for the thumb -
are capable of entering any key on a standard Macintosh keyboard.  That's
because the seven keys are used in combinations, much like single notes on
a piano played together produce musical chords.

To enter the letter "A," for example, you simultaneously key the white
thumb and the first three fingers.  The blue thumb, ring and little fingers
produce a right arrow.  The number of chords you can produce with seven
keys is enough to cover the entire Mac character set and still leaves 180
others vacant for macros.

Getting started.  Installation is fairly simple.  You can connect either a
single BAT keyboard or a pair to any Mac that uses the Apple Desktop Bus. 
You also must install a 48K driver file.

The driver requires either MultiFinder or System 7 and must be running to
operate the BAT.  Both the BAT's customizing utility and tutorial require
HyperCard 2.1, which is included.

The BAT's customizing utility is necessary to remap the keyboard or create
macros that can reduce complex sequential keystrokes (such as
Shift-Option-Down Arrow, which otherwise requires three strokes on the BAT)
to a single chord.  Unfortunately, macro definition is difficult to fathom
from BAT's technically tense documentation.

The BAT is lightweight yet sturdy.  It is similar to standard keyboards in
its basic construction, with a conventional stroke and feel.  If you
dislike keyboards that click, you'll probably appreciate its quiet lack of
tactile feedback.

The two functionally identical keyboards allow either hand complete
dominion over data entry, while the other can remain on a pointing device
that can improve productivity in mouse-intensive applications.  Either
keyboard also can serve as a surrogate 10-key numerica keypad.

Ergonomic benefits.  An elevated pad provides the BAT with a comfortable
rest for the heel of the hand, which reduces fatigue.  Moreover, the BAT is
sloped to match the natural geometry of the hand, wrist and arm.  And
either a single BAT or a pair can be independently angled to eliminate the
unnatural bend in the wrist that a linear key arrangement produces.  This
reportedly eliminates several of the factors contributing to repetitive
strain injuries such as carpal tunnel syndrome.

Additionally, the BAT might help satisfy some of the requirements for
employing the disabled mandated by recent legislation.  The ability to
operate the BAT with a single hand, and without moving the hand between
disabilities such as amputation, paralysis and blindness.

Learning curve.  Besides single-handed operation, chording has another
advantage over typing.  Learning to type with a conventional keyboard takes
weeks.  According to InfoGrip, the time required to learn chording is
measured in minutes - usually about an houe - and proficiency comes in as
little as 20 hours.

Our own experience was close to matching those claims; chording is much
easier to learn than you would expect.  However, another chording system,
MicroType from Datalux Corp. of Winchester, Va., with its mnemonic system
of key assignments was even faster to learn than the BAT.

Rather than being design for mnemonics, Infogrip claims its system builds
more keying speed and productivity.  The utility that lets you remap the
BAT keyboard can be used to customize to whatever layout you are
comfortable with, however.

Infogrip's documentation is adequate, and its ADB driver provides a useful
window that displays the results of keystrokes.  Its HyperCard-based
tutorial, however, does not take advantage of that program's interactive
training capabilities.

Nevertheless, the BAT should still reduce training requirements.

It is well-suited to any jobe where profiency is desired but infrequent
keyboard use makes the cost of conventional training prohibitive.

For data-entry-intensive applications, two BAT keyboards can be used
together for additional productivity.

And during training, a standard keyboard can be left in place as an aid.

Inforgrip maintains that data-entry rates can match those of standard
keyboards.  We feel, though, that the keystrokes themselves are inherently
slower than those of a standard keyboard.

Conclusions.  At $495 a pair, or $295 for a single unit, the BAT is rather
expensive as a simple keyboard replacement.  Nevertheless, it will pay
continuing dividends if you need to support simultaneous use of a pointer
and keyboard, reduce repetitive-strain-related injuries, reduce training
costs or provide a keyboard for the disabled.

Infogrip, Inc. is at 5800 One Perkins Place, 5F, Baton Rouge, LA. 70808.
(504) 766-8082.