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geekhack Community => Ergonomics => Topic started by: labodd on Thu, 02 January 2025, 10:08:38

Title: What keys are frequently pressed between mouse movements?
Post by: labodd on Thu, 02 January 2025, 10:08:38

Hi All,
Planning out my keyboard layout for an ErgoDox EZ (on order). Looking and millions of threads, photos, diagrams, blogs, discussions.
Lots of information, opinions out there about key use frequency, but I still expect to use a mouse regularly https://19216811.cam/ (https://19216811.cam/)  https://1921681001.id/ (https://1921681001.id/) .

Seems like there ought to be some very common patterns for mixed kbd/mouse use, for example:
  * mouse selects, keyboard copies, mouse moves insertion point and keyboard pastes.
  * right-click mouse for a contextual menu, arrow keys up & down to select, enter, back to mousing

With this in mind I'd like to put frequently used keys, for these scenarios, on the left hand.

So...
  * anyone ever do any studies on this?
  * any anecdotal "evidence" out there?
  * other thoughts and opinions?

Thanks!

Title: Re: What keys are frequently pressed between mouse movements?
Post by: Findecanor on Thu, 02 January 2025, 15:29:05

These gestures are mainstream:
 • Shift, Alt or Ctrl together with dragging.
  - in file managers, to select between copying, moving and creating a link (or shortcut)
  - in drawing/painting programs to constrain against an axis, or to link both axes together (to draw circles/squares instead of ellipses/rectangles)
 • Click, Shift+Click to select a range, Ctrl+Click to toggle within the selection.
 • Ctrl + Scroll wheel to zoom
 • Alt (or Super) + Drag to move window
 • Alt (or Super) + Right - button drag to resize window

Title: Re: What keys are frequently pressed between mouse movements?
Post by: zegonix on Mon, 06 January 2025, 08:32:35

 /\_/\
( o.o )  "Mouse?"
 > ^ <

Title: Re: What keys are frequently pressed between mouse movements?
Post by: Leslieann on Tue, 07 January 2025, 04:03:18

And of course WASD and space for games.