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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: nsix on Wed, 04 December 2013, 03:51:05

Title: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: nsix on Wed, 04 December 2013, 03:51:05
Looking to get a gift for someone who does a little bit of mistyping even though they are staring at the keyboard.

I'm looking at Cherry MX Blues, buckling spring or alps. Am I on the right path?

I'm thinking that maybe even Greens would limit the mistyping, but I don't think they would be into the workout.

Ideally looking for a 10 keyless board. Around $65 would be a dream. CM sells a few at that price on sale, all the premium boards are 2x the budget.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: terran5992 on Wed, 04 December 2013, 03:51:54
Get something tactile.

Blues , browns, clears, topre
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: Oobly on Wed, 04 December 2013, 04:10:07
Looking to get a gift for someone who does a little bit of mistyping even though they are staring at the keyboard.

I'm looking at Cherry MX Blues, buckling spring or alps. Am I on the right path?

I'm thinking that maybe even Greens would limit the mistyping, but I don't think they would be into the workout.

Ideally looking for a 10 keyless board. Around $65 would be a dream. CM sells a few at that price on sale, all the premium boards are 2x the budget.

A QFR with Blues sounds like it would fit: http://www.coolermaster-usa.com/product.php?product_id=3060

Do they do a lot of gaming, too, or just typing? If they game, too, then Browns would be a good choice, but the Blues give better feedback when they actuate, so it really does help more with mistyping.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: spremino on Wed, 04 December 2013, 04:42:33
It depends on why they mistype. If it's because they tend to press keys involuntarily, then stiffer keys would help. Otherwise, maybe you should be looking at a good auto-correction software instead.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: MKULTRA on Wed, 04 December 2013, 04:45:55
I'll just be honest, a mechanical keyboard probably isn't gonna fix this issue for you.  Yes mech's are nice and comfortable to type on, but this seems like a disregard of proper typing technique.  Take the time to properly learn the home row, where all keys are, and then on to touch typing.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: Tony on Wed, 04 December 2013, 04:55:23
Mech keyboard cannot fix your brain. You need a good surgeon.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: BlueBär on Wed, 04 December 2013, 05:44:04
IMO heavier switches can help. Maybe high tactilty as well. A Model M offers both and should be well within that price range. Far from TKL though...
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: lonedruid on Wed, 04 December 2013, 06:46:59
lol i mistype alot too. High-five!!! :D
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: 1pq on Wed, 04 December 2013, 11:17:35
If the problem is mistaken actuations, I find I maker fewer errors with topre than on blues, even though the net force used is probably similar. In general, stiffer switches will help with this
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: danrew on Wed, 04 December 2013, 12:04:38
If the problem is mistaken actuations, I find I maker fewer errors with topre than on blues, even though the net force used is probably similar. In general, stiffer switches will help with this

I also find that I make less errors on Topre than on Blues (my favorite Cherry switch), but that might have to do with the heavier PBT keys.

While too light of of a switch might introduce more "extra character" errors, I also feel that going the opposite direction also introduces "missing character" errors.  When I first switched to Cherry Blacks as a keyboard for work, I would miss characters in the middle of words as I was adjusting to the increased switch weight.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: 1pq on Wed, 04 December 2013, 12:31:11
If the problem is mistaken actuations, I find I maker fewer errors with topre than on blues, even though the net force used is probably similar. In general, stiffer switches will help with this

I also find that I make less errors on Topre than on Blues (my favorite Cherry switch), but that might have to do with the heavier PBT keys.

Hmm, I'm not sure why PBT caps could make a difference in actuation errors...

While too light of of a switch might introduce more "extra character" errors, I also feel that going the opposite direction also introduces "missing character" errors.  When I first switched to Cherry Blacks as a keyboard for work, I would miss characters in the middle of words as I was adjusting to the increased switch weight.

I haven't had that problem on topre. I haven't used cherry linears, but I imagine it could be due to trying to not bottom out on linear switches where you can't feel the actuation point. This is another reason why it's hard not to bottom out on topres: there is no tactile feedback at the exact point of actuation, because actuation has to do with capacitance, so you don't know when to stop your keypress. Plus, of course, it's very hard to stop after the bump.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: Linkbane on Wed, 04 December 2013, 12:37:18
Looking to get a gift for someone who does a little bit of mistyping even though they are staring at the keyboard.

I'm looking at Cherry MX Blues, buckling spring or alps. Am I on the right path?

I'm thinking that maybe even Greens would limit the mistyping, but I don't think they would be into the workout.

Ideally looking for a 10 keyless board. Around $65 would be a dream. CM sells a few at that price on sale, all the premium boards are 2x the budget.

Yup, I would suggest Greens, but if you don't like them, then Blues should be quite good for you. I make much fewer errors on Blues compared to linear switches.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: hoggy on Wed, 04 December 2013, 13:27:27
If they touch type, then a variable weighted keyboard might help them recognise that they've hit the wrong key a bit earlier - keytronic make some if you don't want to stretch to realforce.

If they don't touch type, then a  keyboard with coloured keys is all I can think of.

Can you tell us more about the user?
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 04 December 2013, 13:53:30
This is an issue that throwing money at will not fix...

The new keyboard "May" initially motivate the person to play with it, but the novelty of a keyboard is very thin..

Especially so, if this target person is not an avid computer user..



As far as which switch.. there is no more/less precise switch..
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: tuxsavvy on Wed, 04 December 2013, 15:46:53
I think another point needs to be mentioned here is that will they like the noise emitted from the mechanical keyboard? The unsilenced keyboards usually retails at a much higher priced than the silenced ones. Unless you are willing to go ahead and silence it yourself so that the user would not start getting some irritations from hearing a loud clicky keyboard (if it ever happens).

It would also be ideal if the user has tested a mechanical keyboard first hand. Throwing a mechanical keyboard which obviously will last longer than an average RD keyboard to a virtually unsuspecting user may give them bad impressions of what a mechanical keyboard is meant to be. I am not trying to "soil" mechanical keyboards in general but there are users who prefers to "test the water" first before jumping in. Throwing a fancy keyboard may ultimately become a novelty factor and may also give bad and long lasting impressions of what mechanical keyboards are meant to be.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 05 December 2013, 03:04:36
It depends on why they mistype. If it's because they tend to press keys involuntarily, then stiffer keys would help. Otherwise, maybe you should be looking at a good auto-correction software instead.

QFT
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: hoggy on Sat, 07 December 2013, 14:54:48
Going with the involuntary key activations - you could consider a keyguard.
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: dante on Sat, 07 December 2013, 15:15:14
A Ducky with MX Dark Gray switches.

I promise you they will take their time to key in everything correctly. :)
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 07 December 2013, 15:19:08
A Ducky with MX Dark Gray switches.

I promise you they will take their time to key in everything correctly. :)

or give up using the computer all together.(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/th_057_.gif)
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: gh_pp on Sat, 07 December 2013, 15:45:35
If your friend has fat fingers and always hit the wrong key, then heavier keys can help.
I would highly recommend model M (better than green IMO)

If your friend cannot touch type, then the only thing can help is practice, practice and practice. There are several online typing tutor websites. I hear that some people benefit from using blank keycaps, but after you can touch type blank keycaps will be a hinderance for everyday work where you use one hand with the mouse and the other hand to hit some short cut keys or action buttons.

If you just want to type sentences effectively using the computer and don't care about learning to use the keyboard, google voice input is very accurate. The paid solution dragon talk is also highly regarded, but doesn't work well if you're not a native speaker or have an heavy accent.

HTH
Title: Re: Looking for suggestions on a KB for someone who mistypes
Post by: babyface on Sat, 07 December 2013, 16:49:51
I found that typing on blacks helped me a lot to limit mistyping. I assume from the more required force to actuate the key.