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0 pointstoyg3y ago0 comments

Typing. I've always been a self-taught hunt-picker, but for some reason, as a teenager I picked up a terrible technique that involves using thumbs for keys to the side of the spacebar.

Later in life I trained myself into touch-typing (and then to use Colemak), but for some reason I can't seem to shake off this annoying thumb bit.

0 comments

thomastjeffery3y ago

Is using your pinky really any better?

The only way to truly get an economically "correct" typing posture is to use a keyboard that actually has keys under your resting hands' fingers. That means using a keyboard that was designed to match the shape of hands, not the shape of a 19th century typewriter.

There is no ergonomical way to use a traditional keyboard. All you can do is pick your favorite compromise. Using a better layout (like Colemak) helps a lot, but it can't fix the whole problem.

toygOP3y ago

I agree wholeheartedly. I use a split keyboard and it helps a lot. Unfortunately, keyboards who really go all the way are still prohibitely expensive for most of us.

rgoulter3y ago

I think a reasonable compromise is "keyboards with 2-3 keys for each thumb".

Rather, with 2-3 keys for each thumb, and either using home row modifiers (with tap-hold, or with chording): it allows for really minimizing the need to use pinkies, and eliminates needing to reach for the corners where Ctrl/Gui/Alt are typically placed.

hbn3y ago

I think using your thumb for Cmd on Mac or Alt on other keyboards (i.e. the closest modifier key to the spacebar) makes sense and feels like less of a position shift from homerow compared to using a pinky.

And in fact I'd find it very hard to hit something like Cmd+Q with just my left hand if I use the pinky for Cmd.

truculent3y ago

How did you train yourself into it?

toygOP3y ago

I used GTypist but it was a long time ago.

These days there are excellent tools online: ratatype, typeracer, keybr, keyzen-colemak, typelit.io, typing cat, speedcoder, etc etc.

The main approach is:

1. don't look at the keyboard. Print out a layout, better if color-coded to indicate which finger should be used, and put it near the monitor. Whatever happens, don't look at the keyboard, ever.

2. index fingers on the two central keys with the little rubber bit (F and J in qwerty).

3. accept that it will take weeks to be as productive as you were before, but then it will (should) be much easier to go faster.

truculent3y ago

Thank you, that is really helpful.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse

0 comments

thomastjeffery3y ago

Is using your pinky really any better?

There is no ergonomical way to use a traditional keyboard. All you can do is pick your favorite compromise. Using a better layout (like Colemak) helps a lot, but it can't fix the whole problem.

toygOP3y ago

I agree wholeheartedly. I use a split keyboard and it helps a lot. Unfortunately, keyboards who really go all the way are still prohibitely expensive for most of us.

rgoulter3y ago

I think a reasonable compromise is "keyboards with 2-3 keys for each thumb".

hbn3y ago

And in fact I'd find it very hard to hit something like Cmd+Q with just my left hand if I use the pinky for Cmd.

truculent3y ago

How did you train yourself into it?

toygOP3y ago

I used GTypist but it was a long time ago.

These days there are excellent tools online: ratatype, typeracer, keybr, keyzen-colemak, typelit.io, typing cat, speedcoder, etc etc.

The main approach is:

1. don't look at the keyboard. Print out a layout, better if color-coded to indicate which finger should be used, and put it near the monitor. Whatever happens, don't look at the keyboard, ever.

2. index fingers on the two central keys with the little rubber bit (F and J in qwerty).

3. accept that it will take weeks to be as productive as you were before, but then it will (should) be much easier to go faster.

truculent3y ago

Thank you, that is really helpful.

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse