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Markov Keyboard: keyboard layout that changes by Markov frequency (2019)

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Re: Markov Keyboard: keyboard layout that changes by Markov frequency (2019)

#22
post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There were, for awhile, some security systems had on-screen keyboards that would change layout on every key press.

I think that this is an attempt to stop the “clean key” problem. Security system keypads (especially outdoor ones) tend not to be cleaned, so as time passes, it is easy to spot the dirty keys. Dirty keys are not being pressed and are therefore not in the passcode. So look for the clean keys and try combinations from there. In a 4 digit (0-9) keypad, knowing the clean numbers drops the possible codes from 9999 to 24 (…

Interesting. This would also stop keypress extraction via analyzing audio.

Re: Markov Keyboard: keyboard layout that changes by Markov frequency (2019)

#23
post #13

I learned recently that there are way, way more alt-layouts than the ones you've heard of: Dvorak & Colemak. Not only that, people just change them to suit their needs! They use things like Hands Down [0] as a guide , and make up their own layout. Wild. [0]: https://sites.google.com/alanreiser.com/handsdown

And there are modal editors, who switch keylaouts depending on the need of the minute.. debug/edit/search

Re: Markov Keyboard: keyboard layout that changes by Markov frequency (2019)

#25

I switch between English and German a lot. I wonder what that does to the algorithm.

There is an old joke that seems approproate:

https://old.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/2o4rkq/english_to_be...

> (…) In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter. (…)

Re: Markov Keyboard: keyboard layout that changes by Markov frequency (2019)

#26
post #5
post #3

Yes! I have been wanting this forever. Keys are in too predictable a position

There were, for awhile, some security systems had on-screen keyboards that would change layout on every key press.

It’s still a relatively common thing for pin-coded door/gate security.

Re: Markov Keyboard: keyboard layout that changes by Markov frequency (2019)

#27
post #25

I switch between English and German a lot. I wonder what that does to the algorithm.

There is an old joke that seems approproate: https://old.reddit.com/r/Jokes/comments/2o4rkq/english_to_be... > (…) In the first year, "s" will replace the soft "c". Sertainly, this will make the sivil servants jump with joy. The hard "c" will be dropped in favour of "k". This should klear up konfusion, and keyboards kan have one less letter. (…)

[deleted]

Re: Markov Keyboard: keyboard layout that changes by Markov frequency (2019)

#28
Took me 1 year to rewire my brain to switch from Qwerty to Dvorak (I struggled with from RSI for nearly 6 years) and nearly 2 years to gain full speed. It is hard, very hard for the brain. It is mentally tiring to rewire your brain like this and you will do your job at a much worse efficiency (forget pair programming for a while). You need new keyboard stickers also. Great job at making this idea but it is not practical.

Re: Markov Keyboard: keyboard layout that changes by Markov frequency (2019)

#29
post #5
post #3

Yes! I have been wanting this forever. Keys are in too predictable a position

There were, for awhile, some security systems had on-screen keyboards that would change layout on every key press.

This would be an interesting one to integrate into password entry forms... although you'd need to show the randomised keyboard layout on screen.

Or have a keyboard with oled or e-ink keys, like the Optimus Maximus [0] promised to deliver. It's kinda weird that nobody else seems to have picked up on this concept since then. Probably just impractical or too expensive.

I read that its patents expired in 2016; around 2015 there was a concept for an e-ink button keyboard, but that site is now a plain gambling ad. There's also https://www.nemeio.com/ that still works, but its buttons look like sunken screens under plastic domes.

[0] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimus_Maximus_keyboard

Re: Markov Keyboard: keyboard layout that changes by Markov frequency (2019)

#30
This project brilliantly points out that we are limited and shaped by how keys and layouts are presented to us.

What I don’t understand is why not go all the way. Why not also change the concept of what’s needed to enter a character? It would make sense that keys aren’t the ideal affordance to express a key every time.

Use a volume slider for a letter, use radio buttons, on/off toggles. What if I could draw the letter on my trackpad?

I hope this opens the door for a thriving ecosystem of expansions.

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