Necessary Roughness

CNet News reports that Microsoft’s research department is working on a program that will use a foot controller to check email.

The software maker’s research unit has developed a prototype e-mail program in which cubicle dwellers can wade through e-mail and delete messages using their feet. The StompMail program uses a standard dance pad, such as might be used with a video game such as “Dance Dance Revolution.”

The genesis of the footwork project is that computer input is a continual strain on the hands, while other tasks, such as playing the piano or riding a bicycle, use both hands and feet. It’s part of a broader look at the role feet can play in computing, an effort dubbed “Step User Interface” (StepUI).

Dance Dance Revolution is near and dear to my heart, and something like this might cause me to shelve my TaeBo DVDs. Unfortunately I don’t see many desks that have the floor space for something the size of a DDR pad. Most pads, except for the $3000 metal platforms, also require that the user take their shoes off. Shoeless in an office, or worse, a field camp? Ewww.

Plus, if my DDR performance is any indication, my feet and legs would never be able to meet the speed and accuracy of my touch-typing. 50-65 wpm sounds like bad knees, foot ailment aggravation, and a lot of irritating noise for your cubicle mates.