Thread: Keyboards - Split from "Do you touch-type or hunt-and-peck"

I use a conventional ergonomic keyboard. I would have to hunt & peck on a standard until I got used to it again. The TypeMatrix looks very interesting. I imagine I would have to retrain my fingers if I were to switch over to that. Do you find less strain in the fingers and tendons using it ?

I use a 1984 IBM Model M (84-key) keyboard. Fell in love with it on my first PC-AT, and though I've tried various other keyboards over the years (including the 101-key Model M) I prefer the 84-key version for its narrower width and shorter reach to the mouse.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

Is multi-touch the same as chording? I used to like The Microwriter concept, I thought it was a shame it died out, but it seems to live on today in the CyKey.

You mention a small but important idea - vertical key alignment. It's clear why manufacturers feel the need to stick with QWERTY, but why do they still have the rows of keys offset sideways? Typewriters needed it for mechanical reasons, computer keyboards don't. Nor do typists. I'm sure trained typists could adapt easily to aligned keys.

I already have a near-perfect solution for gaming, the Nostromo N52te. The main advantage is that you rest your hand on this controller and 14 programmable keys lie under your 4 fingers in a 5x3 grid (one position has a scroll wheel.) It has other supposedly game-friendly features, but having many keys within easy reach without having to look is the big selling point in my eyes.


My ideal input device would be similar to having two N52s side-by-side, one for each hand. Each would have 18 keys for the fingers in a 6x3 pattern, making them all insanely easy to reach from the central 4 home keys. Add in 2 or 3 buttons for each thumb.

Multitouch is different from chording. The Touchstream, which was a multi-touch keyboard, had two functions. One was a zero-force typing mechanism and the other was the ability to "gesture" on it such that you didn't need a mouse and could do lots of shortcuts. It's hard to explain, but you can check it out here TouchStream LP -- Zero-Force USB Keyboard with Integrated Pointing and Gesture Shortcuts.

I also have an N52, but the older version. I love it for gaming but wish it had more buttons.

Originally Posted by JimmyHAD

I use a conventional ergonomic keyboard. I would have to hunt & peck on a standard until I got used to it again. The TypeMatrix looks very interesting. I imagine I would have to retrain my fingers if I were to switch over to that. Do you find less strain in the fingers and tendons using it ?

It didn't take me long at all to adjust to the layout, and I find I can switch between the TM and a conventional keyboard very easily. I don't notice any difference in strain, but I never noticed any strain anyway. Rewiews say that it is supposed to be excellent for reducing strain and repetitive motion injuries, though.

I just found a page debunking the Dvorak vs QWERTY war:
Typing Errors: The standard typewriter keyboard is Exhibit A in the hottest new case against markets. But the evidence has been cooked. - Reason Magazine
If you skim past some boring stuff there's some strong evidence that the benefits of the Dvorak layout have been (ahem) exaggerated.

I was toying with the idea of trying it. I'll put it on hold.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

I just found a page debunking the Dvorak vs QWERTY war:
Typing Errors: The standard typewriter keyboard is Exhibit A in the hottest new case against markets. But the evidence has been cooked. - Reason Magazine
If you skim past some boring stuff there's some strong evidence that the benefits of the Dvorak layout have been (ahem) exaggerated.

I was toying with the idea of trying it. I'll put it on hold.

From what I've read about Dvorak, alot of the appeal is that its alot more comfortable to use, not just accuracy. The most frequently used keys are under your fingers (home keys), so you don't need to move around the keyboard as much. As a matter of fact, I think I remember reading a some forum posts by DVORK users, and I think they said that their typing speed had gone and stayed down from their qwerty use, but they still liked dvorak better. That being said, its too much bother for me to mess around with.

I use one of those funky split "ergonomic" keyboards. Started b/c they were what you had to use at a place I worked, and I grew to really like them. This is what I use-

Amazon.com: Logitech 967692-0403 Cordless Desktop Comfort Laser (Black): Electronics

Originally Posted by holli4pirating

Just wanted to write a bit about my previous keyboard, the Logitech G15 (first Gen).

That's the one I had. I bought it mostly for the 18 programmable macro keys (54 macros with the 3 shifted states.) Although they are great, the layout doesn't really lend itself to gaming, they are more useful for Photoshop or something like that. Key feel was good for a membrane keyboard, but nothing special.

Originally Posted by jockeys

I use a Das Keyboard and a Nostromo N52 (orange and black one, few versions old)

I have that version too. Only reason I "upgraded" was that the scroll wheel on the old one kept going offline due to a driver problem. Believe it or not some people rip out the electronics from the old N52 and put them into the N52te case. That way they get 4 shift states instead of 3 and the superior older software, but in the new casing that feels slightly improved.

Originally Posted by Pete_S

From what I've read about Dvorak, alot of the appeal is that its alot more comfortable to use, not just accuracy.

Good point.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

I have that version too. Only reason I "upgraded" was that the scroll wheel on the old one kept going offline due to a driver problem. Believe it or not some people rip out the electronics from the old N52 and put them into the N52te case. That way they get 4 shift states instead of 3 and the superior older software, but in the new casing that feels slightly improved.

hell, i don't even use the drivers, i just treat it as a normal usb keyboard. i bought it because it was more comfortable for long twitch-fps sessions.

If anyone's interested, you can get a bargain Dell clicky keyboard for $20 on ebay today. Not quite an IBM Model M, but close.
Some info on that model here.

I would get it myself if it wasn't for the $48.50 shipping to the UK.

Originally Posted by Rajagra

I just found a page debunking the Dvorak vs QWERTY war:
Typing Errors: The standard typewriter keyboard is Exhibit A in the hottest new case against markets. But the evidence has been cooked. - Reason Magazine
If you skim past some boring stuff there's some strong evidence that the benefits of the Dvorak layout have been (ahem) exaggerated.

I was toying with the idea of trying it. I'll put it on hold.

I had never actually heard an argument about accuracy - I thought it was more about speed and the reduction of repetitive motion injuries. While I do like to point out that some common errors (such as teh) are far less frequent in Dvorak, I assume the actual errors and frequency of those errors has just as much, if not more, to do with the typer (typist?) as the layout.

All I can really say is that, personally, I type faster on Dvorak than I did on QWERTY, and that includes the time it takes to proofread.