I can definitely recommend the Dvorak layout. If you think Colemak will be even better then go for it!
I think QWERTY + a foot switch, like this from Kinesis (http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/), makes for more fun.
Ask HN: What are your best life hacks/best tools in life/time savers?
21–30 of 140 posts
Re: Ask HN: What are your best life hacks/best tools in life/time savers?
#221. Reading on the toilet
2. Getting rid of the TV
3. Exercise
4. Sleep
5. Org mode
Re: Ask HN: What are your best life hacks/best tools in life/time savers?
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
I agree that sleep is very important, but like I said before, I'd like to try polyphasic sleep. That would be an impressive hack, giving me more time and maximizing REM phases. Reduce multitasking - that is, focus in a single task at a time, agreed!! Eat less, exercise more - agreed! That is in fact one of my pending points. Don't commute more than 20mins each way - I would add... unless you can do something useful w…
I highly doubt the effectiveness of polyphasic sleep. I myself found myself physically fatigued when I tried something like that. So, based on my own (little) experience, my muscles need the long rest that a good night's sleep gives. And doing "something useful" while commuting... Well ain't there a sure sign for disaster? Hmm. Now don't get me wrong, but your post seems to be coming from a guy who's heading enthusia…
I think the original commenter was envisioning a bus/train/van-pool/subway/ferry commute rather than a car/bicycle/walking commute. My last job involved a long subway trip and I found that a Kindle really helped. The trains were too crowded to make reading on, let alone working on a laptop feasible.
Re: Ask HN: What are your best life hacks/best tools in life/time savers?
#241) a collection of autohotkey scripts (key remapping, fast toggling for show/hide hidden files, toggle selected text from upper/lowercase and a heap more)
2) sms reminders on google calendar (free!)
3) learning as many kb shortcuts to your software as you can
4) automatic filters and a well thought out label system in gmail
5) sumatra pdf viewer, or any really quick pdf program
6) electric blanket on a timer, makes going to bed when I should seem so much more appealing
7) sysinternals process explorer instead of the usual taksmanager
8) a large good quality whiteboard hung somewhere you cannot ignore it (I have 3 main sections: Do, Dates & Buy)
9) write well thought out shopping lists before you leave for the store
Re: Ask HN: What are your best life hacks/best tools in life/time savers?
#25I can definitely recommend the Dvorak layout. If you think Colemak will be even better then go for it!
Something I've always wondered... If you learn a new keyboard layout, does that make it hard to use a regular layout? And what about if someone else uses your computer?
I wouldn't say hard, but it can take me a few minutes to get back to full touch typing. Before switching to Dvorak Type 2 (plus + homerow mapped to for programming) I did already have to switch between QWERTZ (German) and QWERTY (UK, sometimes US) on occasion, which may have prepared me for it. Though the differences between QWERTZ and QWERTY are pretty minimal compared to Dvorak.
Re: Ask HN: What are your best life hacks/best tools in life/time savers?
#26I can definitely recommend the Dvorak layout. If you think Colemak will be even better then go for it!
Something I've always wondered... If you learn a new keyboard layout, does that make it hard to use a regular layout? And what about if someone else uses your computer?
When I switched back (from Dvorak to Qwerty), I was faster than ever.
When you relearn the old layout, you can avoid your bad habits.
Re: Ask HN: What are your best life hacks/best tools in life/time savers?
#271) a collection of autohotkey scripts (key remapping, fast toggling for show/hide hidden files, toggle selected text from upper/lowercase and a heap more) 2) sms reminders on google calendar (free!) 3) learning as many kb shortcuts to your software as you can 4) automatic filters and a well thought out label system in gmail 5) sumatra pdf viewer, or any really quick pdf program 6) electric blanket on a timer, makes g…
excellent number 6.
Re: Ask HN: What are your best life hacks/best tools in life/time savers?
#28Buy a starter pistol, you know the kind that they use at tracks. This is still considered a valid weapon for airport screeners so this "tip" applies only to non-carry on luggage. Put the pistol into your luggage and declare it before depositing it with the airline. It won't be lost, tampered with or diverted, ever. The reason is simple. They have to treat luggage with firearms different from normal luggage. It goes i…
As I understand it using this trick means the TSA cannot open your luggage without your presence, so keep an ear open for your name on the PA.
Re: Ask HN: What are your best life hacks/best tools in life/time savers?
#29I can definitely recommend the Dvorak layout. If you think Colemak will be even better then go for it!
Something I've always wondered... If you learn a new keyboard layout, does that make it hard to use a regular layout? And what about if someone else uses your computer?
Personally I find it damn near impossible to use QWERTY after going to DVORAK, even after several years. As for someone else using my machine, well my friends refer to my work machine as having "the klingon keyboard". Handy for keeping people the hell outta your workspace though ...
Re: Ask HN: What are your best life hacks/best tools in life/time savers?
#30Vimperator for Firefox. Granted, this is mostly a time saver for time wasting...