My handwriting was always pretty bad and erratic; no doubt because I spent most of my time at a keyboard. But a couple years ago I decided to basically engineer myself a style of handwriting, first designing an alphabet, then training myself to use it (and only it). That project has grown to something of a full-fledged writing system. I would recommend to any geeks that they take a couple weeks to work out something for themselves and then try to learn it. It's been quite satisfying.
Ask HN: Has your handwriting suffered from years on the keyboard?
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Re: Ask HN: Has your handwriting suffered from years on the keyboard?
#12My handwriting quality has actually improved, but I've been using a computer since I was about 4 so I guess the only thing that could happen was improvement!
Re: Ask HN: Has your handwriting suffered from years on the keyboard?
#13Yep. It's nuts. The only thing I write by hand is to-dos into my small notebook. And it really sucks when I can't figure out what I have to do because I can't read what I wrote.
Re: Ask HN: Has your handwriting suffered from years on the keyboard?
#14I can'r really comment on the quality of my own handwriting (nerve damage in my right arm from motorcycle accident years ago means limited dexterity in that hand) but observing others, like my daughter, her friends, etc. handwriting - yes, handwriting quality seems to be suffering. As is grammer, sentence structure, and punctuation. ;^)
I fear that like many of the skills we as people used on a daily basis, computers, automation and our 'convenience oriented' lifestyles are causing us to lose those skills like handwriting.
Re: Ask HN: Has your handwriting suffered from years on the keyboard?
#15Of course it has. Especially since in the last 3 years, I haven't written one sentence on a piece of paper(I don't count filling out checks, signing credit card slips, or writing a shopping list).
In fact my writing is so bad, I find it easier to type out a shopping list in notepad and print it out, than write it on a piece of paper. Why? Because if I write it on a piece of paper, I most likely won't be able to read all of it, when I actually get to the store.
Re: Ask HN: Has your handwriting suffered from years on the keyboard?
#16My handwriting has been very neat and tight. I write in cursive and in pencil, since being left-handed is horrible with pens, but people complain about it being too small and too light.
Woe is me? :P
Re: Ask HN: Has your handwriting suffered from years on the keyboard?
#17I actually have pretty good handwriting, so no. My handwriting has perhaps only improved from years on the keyboard. Coding and related pursuits are, for me, creative activities; my handwriting, I feel, is a manifestation of this temperament.
Re: Ask HN: Has your handwriting suffered from years on the keyboard?
#18I think more than a few of us start typing so early that it's hard to separate the two. OTOH, I find that the kinds of pen & paper I use have a significant effect on the quality of my handwriting.
Gotta love that Pilot G2
The Sharpie Pen (which has the feel of their marker, but an extremely fine point) is the best writing implement that I have ever used.
Re: Ask HN: Has your handwriting suffered from years on the keyboard?
#19No, because I usually plan things out on paper.
Re: Ask HN: Has your handwriting suffered from years on the keyboard?
#20Earlier quoted context omitted.
I was in that same position about a year ago. On a whim, I decided I'd try one of those split keyboards and it helped enormously. I hated it for about a week (typos), but then I adjusted and the pain is gone.
Interesting. I might look into that thx. Although the major sourceo f my problem comes from using a laptop on my knees.. so :(
Don't take RSI lightly. If it hurts when you do that, don't do that. RSI is not protected by ADA, and it can take years to recover from.