geekhack
geekhack Community => Ergonomics => Topic started by: wolfv on Mon, 07 April 2014, 02:07:14
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I am starting to use a keyboard with a thumb cluster.
Wow, it is slow!!! I am all thumbs :D.
What is the best way to train the thumb's muscle memory?
Thanks.
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Use it more.
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Maybe I am special, but it did not take much. I can now switch between a regular keyboard and flat keyboard without a problem. Just took a week or so to make the adjustment. All about muscle memory.
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A combination of thumb key layout optimisation and practice.
Put the most used keys where the thumbs rest naturally.
On my board, my most used thumb keys are space, shift and backspace. My right thumb rests on the space key and I use space with my right thumb normally, so that took no time. Left thumb rests on shift and that also was very fast. Took a bit longer to train backspace, but was quite intuitive and I got comfortable with it soon.
My other thumb keys are layer / Fn, enter, tab, ctrl and alt. Those aren't used as much, so training them takes a bit longer, but they don't slow me down at least.
It's harder with something like the Maltron layout which places the letter E on a thumb key, but then again, it's probably just part of learning the whole new layout on one of those.
IMHO, shift definitely belongs on a thumb key. Pressing and holding a modifier with your pinkie while typing is horribly unergonomic, no matter how you look at it. So if the board you have is programmable, try putting shift in the "mirror" position to space (other thumb), with backspace also in an easy-to-reach position.
Unlearning old habits is probably the biggest hurdle to getting used to a new layout.
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Thank you for your responses. The thumb keys are getting easier with practice :thumb:.
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i am in this struggle right now. i am getting better at the ergodox everyday but it is hard. i figure i have at least another week or two before i really feel natural using this thing.
i cant wait until i can just blaxe this board with my typing skills.
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For normal typing, the only thumb cluster keys that's QUICK are the two closest 2x keys.
The other ones should strictly be used for mods/ lesser tasks, Unless you want to do tons of hand lift, which is contra to the purpose of the dox in the first place..
Also, this might be a special case but consider moving the keys T and Y to somewhere closer..
Because similar to the regular keyboard, t and y still require a minor wrist lift on the dox..
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i am using the outer more 2x thumb keys for space and liking it. the ones closer are enter and backspace.
https://www.massdrop.com/ext/ergodox/?referer=832ELU&hash=1d8b323b7bdc779a5261002f487436d0 (https://www.massdrop.com/ext/ergodox/?referer=832ELU&hash=1d8b323b7bdc779a5261002f487436d0)
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i am using the outer more 2x thumb keys for space and liking it. the ones closer are enter and backspace.
https://www.massdrop.com/ext/ergodox/?referer=832ELU&hash=1d8b323b7bdc779a5261002f487436d0 (https://www.massdrop.com/ext/ergodox/?referer=832ELU&hash=1d8b323b7bdc779a5261002f487436d0)
hmmm.. well if your hands are especially wide, I suppose that's viable..
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i think i have normal hands?
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I moved Enter off the 2x keys for the reasons tp described - since I never hit it in my typing flow, only at the end, it works well for me on the bottom right 1u key, with just a little thumb reach.
My 2xs are (from left) Backspace, Shift, Fn, Space.