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geekhack Community => Ergonomics => Topic started by: cogito_ergo_sum on Tue, 20 October 2015, 14:57:48
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Has anyone had success with remapping the numbers (either numpad or the regular numbers) into a non-standard layout, i.e. not the numpad layout?
I have the numpad remapped to the left hand on a Kinesis Advantage. I use a foot pedal to momentary-toggle back to letters.
I have sporadically tested various remappings, but have always gone back. However, I am curious to see if anyone has successfully used anything similar.
example layout:
sdf 456
jkl 789
wer 123
u 0
Pros:
1) Divides labor between 2 hands.
Cons:
1) This remapping throws off the logical layout of my other remappings and macros. I can't keep like things together.
2) I'm okay until someone calls, then I grab my standard qwerty. (I always leave it attached.)
3) I can't mouse with the right and enter numbers with my left. I could solve this by having a full numpad on the left and extra numbers on the right, but that wastes keys.
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I haven't tried it yet but I was toying with the idea of asdfc mjkl; 12345 06789
That is, home row plus index finger shift row for 5 and 0. Symbols would probably go above home row.
I found traditional keypad design really awkward on column staggered boards. Now that my other layering issues seem to be resolved it might be time to try this out.
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I have actually tried this layout, among others. Besides the other issues I noted, I decided against it because it puts more work on the pinkies, and I have numbness in those fingers. Also, I type in lots of credit cards at work, so I like 3456 (amex, visa, mc, discover) on the same side. It does leave the upper row available, as well as zx and ,. instead of z and . on the ends.
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(http://i.imgur.com/YM93O5K.png)
This is the numbers-layout I use (just the numbers), it's the most convenient one so far. Seems to play nice in theory, too. The obvious downside is the index finger has to operate 4 numbers, but I rarely notice. And the index finger is pretty dexterous, anyway.
Edit: Just wanted to add, I've also tried a layout that divided the numbers between hands, but I found it to be inconvenient even after weeks of using it.
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How did you arrive at this particular layout - particularly the row 9876 instead of 6789 - I simply like to know the rationale for certain layouts, not to criticize. My current layout is simply moving the numpad to the left for lack of better ideas. I also have an extra 0 in the right thumb cluster, so I don't have to reach down further. However, I use the 0 on the left when I mouse.
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All these layouts are bad, if you're entering numbers with distribution adherent to Benford's law.
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What makes you say that? If Benford's law holds (for the numbers you usually type I mean) and you believe the index finger and thumb are the most dexterous fingers and should carry most of the weight, I think the layout fares pretty well. Plus, there's no row-jumping at all.
I've tried 6789 as the top row, too, and I've tried both the left-handed and the righthanded versions, and this is the one I personally like best.
I haven't run the numbers though, so if you do, I'd be interested.
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I use a foot pedal to momentary-toggle back to letters.
Very interesting! Kind of unrelated to the OP, but do you have any other uses for a foot pedal in your setup? It seems like it could streamline workflow if you used it effectively.
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What makes you say that? If Benford's law holds (for the numbers you usually type I mean) and you believe the index finger and thumb are the most dexterous fingers and should carry most of the weight, I think the layout fares pretty well. Plus, there's no row-jumping at all.
1 operated by the least dexterous fingers. All I see is a=1 (pinkie, the shortest and weakest finger) or w=1 (ring finger).
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I use a foot pedal to momentary-toggle back to letters.
Very interesting! Kind of unrelated to the OP, but do you have any other uses for a foot pedal in your setup? It seems like it could streamline workflow if you used it effectively.
The left pedal is 'tab', the middle pedal is 'momentary-toggle layers' for the Kinesis, and the right pedal is 'F4' (because of a program I use at work). I have used 'enter' and 'alt' for a short time, before settling on this layout. I have considered using 'shift' on the right and using it to trigger macros, but I modify my layout gradually, so I haven't gotten around to that idea.
I use the Kinesis pedals with telephone-jack which attaches to the Kinesis Advantage. I want to add a mouse pedal (either the Kinesis usb or the X-Keys usb model), but haven't decided yet. I may instead use the X-Keys switch, which would allow me to flexibly position switches at various positions.
https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/products/#foot-section (https://www.kinesis-ergo.com/products/#foot-section)
http://piengineering.com/XkeysSwitches/index.php (http://piengineering.com/XkeysSwitches/index.php)
http://piengineering.com/XkeysFootPedals/index.php (http://piengineering.com/XkeysFootPedals/index.php)
The foot pedal offloads a lot of work from the hands. You do need an non-leaning-back and non-wobbly chair and good arm rests (I use homemade bean bags.) or the shifting of your weight when using the pedals puts stress on your elbows. I almost gave up on foot pedals before I figured this out.
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All these layouts are bad, if you're entering numbers with distribution adherent to Benford's law.
Now that I know about Benford's Law, I may be able to use that information.
There's also this link:
http://blog.lumberlabs.com/2011/04/credit-card-numbers-and-benfords-law.html (http://blog.lumberlabs.com/2011/04/credit-card-numbers-and-benfords-law.html)
It might be of use for those who enter credit cards.
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The following keypad layout might be good for people who enter credit cards frequently:
left hand
654
321
987
right hand
k remapped to 0 (though I might keep it as down arrow, since I am so used to that remap)
or thumb-spacebar on the Advantage
The direction arrows and other navigation keys could be remapped to the other parts of the right hand matrix:
uio
jkl
m,.
I will likely try this layout or something similar this winter. I already have the direction arrows and other navigation keys remapped to the right matrix, so it will just involve the numbers.