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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)

#91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Dvorak is supported by almost every computing device under the sun today. Old Apple models (I want to say the IIc?) even had a hardware button to switch layouts. Switching between Dvorak and Qwerty is usually an easy to find User setting. (If doing it on someone else's user account, you just have to remember to be kind and switch it back when done.) As a Colemak touch typer I envy that some days. Colemak is available…

I switched when I was a teenager and have Thoughts (TM) about typing Dvorak, though I'm locked in at this point. The most painful experiences typing with it are: 1. Using a shared machine for something important. I've had to hand write and then hunt-and-peck essays on shared machines when I was still in college. 2. Typing something on a friend's computer when I'm inebriated. Not a huge problem nowadays with phones an…

It's also interesting how #2 is shifting in recent years. These days it is more likely to be someone handing you their phone to change a Spotify playlist and while I touch type Colemak, I tend to swipe type QWERTY on phone keyboards, so it's not as tough now than when it was someone's laptop/desktop running the playlist.

Also, Apple Music's SharePlay is such an interesting modern approach too, where multiple people can control the same playlist from multiple devices.

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

#92
post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

This is true. We’ve been so formatted by big keyboard that I never considered just the tip of my fingers. I hope you’ll make good use of our opposable thumbs in this new keyboard paradigm

I agree. I blew out my left arm for a year from too much typing, so I switched to kinesis style keyboards so I could put modifier keys under my thumbs. I dunno if your suggestion was meant to be serious, but it's still great.

It wasn’t, but the reason I like to explore absurd looking ideas is because of the serendipity that lateral thinking opens up. Thanks for exploring that!

What would be a cool use case for thumb controls here? Is this something you could do with those gamer keypads?

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

#93
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

For those who type on German keyboards or in German, there are a number of layouts that have evolved around the Neo 2 layout [1]. The main driving force is ergonomics, but since not everyone works the same way, many variants have emerged (and still do) [2]. Interesting is the craftsmanship, including customized programs to optimize the layouts [3]. [1] https://www.neo-layout.org/Layouts/ [2] https://maximilian-schill…

German layouts with [ ] { } in such horrible positions are killing all joy when programming, especially in curly brace heavy languages. Changed to US qwerty 30 years ago, never looking back.

You don't save much. {} still requires a modifier key. You get [] for "free".

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

#95
post #88
post #3

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

Exactly, a key should never be in the same place twice in a row- that's just wasted movement that could be better optimized. Letters the computer predicts you probably won't use should automatically disappear, and be replaced with numerous copies of others based on the things it thinks you will type. We should extend this concept of constant automatic optimization to all aspects of everyday life- for example your wor…

A good part is that it will do nothing to improve security and will actively harm peoples' ability to type things correctly, and the best part is when it makes its way into scientific literature and algorithms. Good luck reproducing that which was entered incorrectly!

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

#96
post #81

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I agree. I blew out my left arm for a year from too much typing, so I switched to kinesis style keyboards so I could put modifier keys under my thumbs. I dunno if your suggestion was meant to be serious, but it's still great.

It wasn’t, but the reason I like to explore absurd looking ideas is because of the serendipity that lateral thinking opens up. Thanks for exploring that! What would be a cool use case for thumb controls here? Is this something you could do with those gamer keypads?

I was pressing control and alt and shift with my pinky fingers, and that's how I blew out my arm.

I switched to a Kinesis Advantage keyboard and now I have control, alt, hyper, super, backspace, and shift under my left thumb. My right thumb has control, alt, hyper, super, enter, and space.

I don't know anything about gamer keypads, is there one you suggest I investigate?

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

#97
post #93
post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

German layouts with [ ] { } in such horrible positions are killing all joy when programming, especially in curly brace heavy languages. Changed to US qwerty 30 years ago, never looking back.

You don't save much. {} still requires a modifier key. You get [] for "free".

There is a whole usability universe between shift and AltGr, the former being accesible with the other hand.

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

#98
post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly, a key should never be in the same place twice in a row- that's just wasted movement that could be better optimized. Letters the computer predicts you probably won't use should automatically disappear, and be replaced with numerous copies of others based on the things it thinks you will type. We should extend this concept of constant automatic optimization to all aspects of everyday life- for example your wor…

A good part is that it will do nothing to improve security and will actively harm peoples' ability to type things correctly, and the best part is when it makes its way into scientific literature and algorithms. Good luck reproducing that which was entered incorrectly!

Presumably if something is sufficiently impossible to interact with in any capacity both for the intended audience and nefarious actors, it is also "secure." For example, if your computer keyboard layout is scrambled through a one time pad, where no copies exist except the internal one, inputting non-random data of any kind would be provably impossible.

Air gapping is a legitimate security technique. However, in this case the air gap would be between the ears of whoever designed it.

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

#99

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 lette…

I had the idea this week to use the Rocksmith USB adapter to develop a stenography system that allows me to control my computer using my guitars with chords, notes, and riffs.

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

#100

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 lette…

I had the idea this week to use the Rocksmith USB adapter to develop a stenography system that allows me to control my computer using my guitars with chords, notes, and riffs.

There's a Rocksmith mod that allows you to control the menu using the guitar. Also, the Rocksmith USB cable is simply an ADC (with lower latency than most)
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