BugLess
BugLess exploits some common browser rules (i.e. allowing tabbing through textareas that have no apparent visible shape) in order to allow greater command of the interface through the keyboard.What I wanted: a way to expand form fields (particularly textareas) to a larger editing palette using a single keyboard stroke. [see below - Fig. 1] It's a work in progress, but it's been suitable enough for my needs that I thought I'd share.
Figure 1. - "Enter" to open, "Esc" to close.
I dunno...does it seem intriguing? Give it a whirl and see if it's something usable. (Go ahead and login to the proposed BugLess interface)
However... This prototype, though, is Mozilla 1.2+ and IE5.5+/Win only. And some of the keyboard commands don't work on the Mac. Please understand, I own and use a Mac. Everyday. I just haven't had the time to do all the cross-platform stuff. And I've been lax in finding easy ways to make some of the more complex CSS and Javascript work just as well in IE on the Mac. (I'd like to expand my skills in that way if, y'know, I'm not like touring and stuff.)
I'm not naive enough to believe I'm the first person to make an interface like this, it's a big web and I'll bet there's similar implementations out there in the digital wild. Nevertheless, if it's an idea you think you'd like to adapt (or have already created concurrently/previously) let me know, I'd totally love to learn where it would succeed or fail in application.
Also...Hat tip to Scott Andrew who, in an earlier version, politely showed me where I was being brain dead in regards to Fitts' law. :)