Hi everyone, what a great community.
I've been reading a lot here for a few weeks, but now I'm about to get my happy hands on an ergodox, I need to make a decision.
Which layout should I learn?
I write novels full time, so immediately, my needs are different than most people's. I write a LOT of dialogue, so need to use ' and " a lot, and use a lot of commas, full stops, and capital letters too. Plus I start new paragraphs much more than most people do when they type. Also ellipses, em-dashes and hyphens get a bit of a workout too. Well, now I just sound needy and whiny. But, hey, no wonder I need a great keyboard and layout, right?
I've never learned to touch-type, so I feel like that's an advantage in a way — I won't have any qwerty muscle memory to confuse me.(I'm easily confused!)
I've been typing about a million words a year, but hope to increase that now I'm really full time, and without developing any nasty RSI issues, and to do this the rest of my life.
I have large hands, good finger strength, but my dexterity isn't good — and after reading a lot and fiddling about with my fingers, Workman seems to make sense to me. I definitely seem to have great difficulty getting at the bottom row with my middle and ring fingers in particular. But I'm just guessing, and very open to the ideas of those more knowledgable than me.
I don't need to type at outrageous speeds like some of you do (smoke must pour from your fingers, seriously!) but if I could be consistent at 50 to 60WPM without destroying my body long-term, that would be amazing.
At this stage, I plan to learn on the Ergodox, then change to an Axios or Keyboardio 01 (both? C'mon Wifey, I NEED them) once they're available. I can't believe how much great stuff I've read here, and how fascinating and addictive all this is, even though I don't even yet have delivery of my keyboard! Oh, this is going to get expensive, isn't it? But fun.
I'd be really grateful if someone with a better understanding of this than myself can steer me in the right direction. Please?!?
PS Not sure if I should have posted this elsewhere, stoopid noobs huh? Mods please move if I got it wrong. Thanks, Hugh.
