Fast Typing: Keyboard Layouts
codefaster.substack.com
Fast Typing: Keyboard Layouts
1–10 of 86 posts
Re: Fast Typing: Keyboard Layouts
#2“ Almost every serious programmer I interviewed painfully developed RSI in their 20s. I didn’t even know until I asked them! Me? I was 24 when it struck. No warning. Just pain. ”
Re: Fast Typing: Keyboard Layouts
#3Switching to dvorak definitely helped me. I did as the author suggests, learned dvorak and switched to Emacs. Ever since, I've never struggled with RSI
Re: Fast Typing: Keyboard Layouts
#4Thanks for this article. It made me buying a Kinesis Advantage. Since long I wanted to “get rid” of my notebook‘s touchpad and start using HJKL and all the other navigational commands in vim (instead of 2-finger scrolling on my touchpad). With that ergonomic keyboard, I will have no other choice. Looking forward to relearning my typing habits!
Re: Fast Typing: Keyboard Layouts
#5The post strongly recommends two different split keyboards to prevent RSI: the Microsoft Natural Ergonomic 4000 [0] and the Kinesis Advantage [1].
I'm curious how these would compare with the Keyboardio Atreus [2], which I've been considering for a while. The Atreus isn't tented, but it's also significantly smaller, which seems like something that might be helpful in reducing RSI
[0]:https://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Natural-Ergonomic-Keyboard-...
[1]: https://www.amazon.com/Kinesis-Advantage2-Ergonomic-Keyboard...
Re: Fast Typing: Keyboard Layouts
#6If you're willing to go down a rabbit hole, designing your own keymaps and hacking on a layout can go a long way to alleviating RSI symptoms. The author doesn't touch on it but QMK will change the way you interact with a keyboard and make those tiny 40% and smaller boards feel a ton bigger.
When I made the layout for GergoPlex[2] I designed it around Vim/i3/Programming and other uses secondary. But because you can easily change it for your specific workflow weakpoints that you identify can be dealt with.
>Actuation force and travel probably matter more for RSI
I am not a doctor, but this matches my experience. I use 12g Low-Profile Kailh Chocs and noticed a good change in flare-ups as I kept driving it lower and switching to a non-MX switch.
I was able to get Kailh to manufacture lighter weighted Choc switches (gChoc, 20g Linear) for use on boards like GergoPlex and others. Reviews seem good across the board on those for people suffering from RSI, so I'll keep at it.
I'd argue that the main factors to be optimized for in decreasing order are: Split, Stagger, # of keys, layout, Spring weight, Travel distance. But getting there is a very, very strange time[1]
[1] https://blog.gboards.ca/2020/01/weird-keyboards-programmable...
Re: Fast Typing: Keyboard Layouts
#7I use a weird layout and vim everywhere. I have a remapping I have to apply in every software I use vim keys in so that the home row is reverted. Overall it’s doable but not really worth it, but now I’m stuck.
Re: Fast Typing: Keyboard Layouts
#8Programmers, and people working with computers in general, should really take better care of their neck, shoulders, scapulas, wrists etc. I just realized that the cobra[0] is in some ways the inverse of sitting down and is beneficial for "resetting" some effects of prolonged sitting. But there are many excercises and stretches that should be performed regularly. I've started getting pretty bad scapular pain that one day started impeding my work and it's a real pain to fix once it gets that bad. Having good gear is nice, but it should always be accompanied by a good stretching and excercise program.
Re: Fast Typing: Keyboard Layouts
#9I agree with most of this, except the vim part. I use vim, dvorak and a Kinesis Advantage keyboard and have never felt that it held me back. If anything, I think it encouraged me to use more appropriate controls a available in vim. If you're moving around in vim one character at a time you're probably not getting the most out of it.
I did learn dvorak before vim though, I can imagine unlearning and re-learning to be harder.
Re: Fast Typing: Keyboard Layouts
#10If you're willing to go down a rabbit hole, designing your own keymaps and hacking on a layout can go a long way to alleviating RSI symptoms. The author doesn't touch on it but QMK will change the way you interact with a keyboard and make those tiny 40% and smaller boards feel a ton bigger. When I made the layout for GergoPlex[2] I designed it around Vim/i3/Programming and other uses secondary. But because you can ea…
> I was able to get Kailh to manufacture lighter weighted Choc switches (gChoc, 20g Linear) for use on boards like GergoPlex and others.
What are your thoughts on linear versus tactile switches as far as preventing RSI goes?