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Typing and Keyboards

lzon.ca

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Re: Typing and Keyboards

#61

Post by cam_l »

ivraatiems wrote: post #12

I type 120 wpm using a bizarre method I acquired through trial and error as a kid. It uses mostly my thumbs and index fingers and has been described by observers as "disconcerting". But it works great for me, and about perfectly matches the speed of my thoughts. My typing teachers hated it. It's touch typing in the sense that I don't need to look at the keys, but it is definitely Not Right. It does mean that I can't…

I also mostly use only my thumbs and index fingers, but probably only up to 60 words a minute because that is how fast (or slow) I think.

I always thought I was a touch typist because I rarely look at the keyboard. But then I got a keyboard with blank keycaps and realise how very much I rely on my peripheral vision.

Re: Typing and Keyboards

#62

Post by tom_ »

stavros wrote: post #5

Does anyone here use a numpad? What for? I made my own macropad[1] but I struggle to find a use, the only thing I use it for is CAD shortcut keys. Any ideas are welcome! [1] https://immich.home.stavros.io/share/GE_noaUx1_cayK9WDVvzutr...

I have a number of AutoHotKey/Hammerspoon numpad shortcuts for arranging windows.

In Visual Studio, on the suggestion of a colleague at my first job, I use Numpad + for copy, Numpad - for cut, and Numpad * for paste. (I've never managed to train my hand eye coordination to use these in any other program. Which is a bit of a shame, because they're actually pretty useful. Whichever side you mouse on, you can find some way of hitting them without much effort.)

The numpad also comes in handy sometimes for typing numbers.

Re: Typing and Keyboards

#63

Post by Groxx »

bonyt wrote: post #13

I'm a fan of scissor switch keyboards, which I think makes me a bit odd - I got used to them from laptops and now I have an MX Keys Mini that I really like. I like the short travel and the tactile nature of them - I tried a slim mechanical (Nuphy Air75) but it still slowed me down considerably and was uncomfortable. I touch type but not home-row, so maybe my chaotic typing style doesn't work on heavier keys.

I definitely prefer shorter travel keys too - full size MX feels like an unnecessary workout. Though personally the mechanical ones with a bit more distance than scissor is where I think my sweet spot lies. And Mac's butterfly keyboards are way too short, they slow me down noticeably.

Re: Typing and Keyboards

#64

Post by Groxx »

raincole wrote: post #34

How do people (especially programmers) actually type )_+={}\'" I know the touch typing says they're all typed by pinky, but after so many years it still doesn't feel right for me. Why is the weakest finger in charge of so many keys?

tbh when typing both together, I just shift my hand and press with my index and middle fingers. otherwise it's my pinky.

Re: Typing and Keyboards

#65

Post by Groxx »

ebbi wrote: post #33

My journey went from using membrane keyboards (not knowing there was anything else available), to finding out about mechanical keyboards after watching a game streamer and his clacky keyboard, to going out and buying one...only to find out it was a membrane keyboard that was marketed as mechanical-like (!). After a few proper mechanical keyboards (trying to chase the 'thock'), then to low-profile, I'm now on a low-pr…

"Low-profile split mechanical" is I think my ideal too. Though I really like cupped keywells, the Advantage2 definitely convinced me that it's more comfortable than flat.

Re: Typing and Keyboards

#66

Post by ekropotin »

thatguy00 wrote: post #57
ekropotin wrote: post #31

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use Colemak DH for many years and Dvorak before that and I am of an opinion that alternative layouts are way overrated. I even somewhat regret inventing so much time in learning them. QWERTY is just fine! The matter I want to preach about tho are split ortolinear keyboards. I believe absolutely every typist should use them. Conventional keyboards are just bad from ergonomics perspective and eventually it’d have a t…

Why ortholinear and not split column?

Because of my ignorance, I thought it’s the same thing.

What I actually meant to say is “not staggered”.

Re: Typing and Keyboards

#67

Post by snvzz »

harel wrote: post #45

Mavis Beacon thought me to touch type on my Amiga as a kid, and I'm grateful to her. In recent years I've been using a Logitech membrane keyboard. It's great for a membrane but mostly it's quiet. I work at night and that's a hard requirement. I'm looking for a mechanical as quiet as the Logitech and it's a struggle. Feels like there is a gap in the market for (really) quiet mechanicals.

Consider Topre, e.g. a Realforce R4 keyboard.

Re: Typing and Keyboards

#68

Post by onetom »

bonyt wrote: post #13

I'm a fan of scissor switch keyboards, which I think makes me a bit odd - I got used to them from laptops and now I have an MX Keys Mini that I really like. I like the short travel and the tactile nature of them - I tried a slim mechanical (Nuphy Air75) but it still slowed me down considerably and was uncomfortable. I touch type but not home-row, so maybe my chaotic typing style doesn't work on heavier keys.

I just received this Keychron B11 Pro semi-split kbd with scissor keys:

https://www.keychron.com/products/keychron-b11-pro-ultra-sli...

pretty amazing so far. put together a SpaceFn layout, with partial home row keys, in no time, with their web usb based, online configurator.

i tried and/or assembled keyboard.io model 01, (falba.tech bamboo) minidox, troy fletcher signum 3.0, egodox ez, leopold, glove80 before, but this device is a pretty amazing compromise among many dimensions, like portability, price, familiarity, split-ness, extra layers, thumb keys, connectivity, portability.

what's clearly not great is its serviceablilty and only time will tell how durable is it.

if the battery dies in it and puffs up, it's most likely have to be thrown away, so it's not really an end-game keyboard, in that sense.

Re: Typing and Keyboards

#69

Post by animal531 »

ivraatiems wrote: post #12

I type 120 wpm using a bizarre method I acquired through trial and error as a kid. It uses mostly my thumbs and index fingers and has been described by observers as "disconcerting". But it works great for me, and about perfectly matches the speed of my thoughts. My typing teachers hated it. It's touch typing in the sense that I don't need to look at the keys, but it is definitely Not Right. It does mean that I can't…

I kind of wonder what the key difference is over 40 years for typing text vs code.

I type text at a rather slow rate due to poor training and never having really tried to improve, but when it comes to code I can output code sequences so much faster.

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