I realized flaws in my touch typing after I was playing with the keyboardio board at Keycon. For example I reach for y with my middle finger instead of using my index finger. Saw it when I used the Ergo4k as well.
I know people have had a lot of success forcing themselves to simply do it in QWERTY or even changing to DVORAK or COLEMAK in order to learn all over.
If I were you I'd just focus practicing proper typing technique an hour a day. Put on typeracer or another WPM tracking program as practice. Or a game like Typing of the Dead. And look up proper typing technique videos on youtube. I've never looked any up since like I said, as a child, I was forced to learn how to type in elementary school.
CPTBadAss is totes right about the split board. Once I got my ergodox I had some trouble using it at first cause I typed like you say you do. >~>
After using it and working on regular layouts again I definitely see the difference. ^~^
WPM is about efficiency, which should be important to any typist. As far as wrist issues are concerned, I think the incidence of carpal tunnel as a result of poor keyboard ergonomics is a somewhat overhyped phenomena; it isnt really supported by statistical research evidence. Plus I think most people would adjust their positioning if they start to cramp up, thus improving ergonomics due to the negative feedback. Most of the time CTS arises due to injury or trauma, and also due to repetitive stress injuries, which often involve more physical exertion and stress than typing on a keyboard (ie factory workers, construction workers, etc). Posture of the back while sitting is a far more important issue as far as im concerned (im a healthcare professional btw). Tbh im more concerned about the limitations of my sloppy and childish technique than I am about the health aspects involved, which is why I am actively trying to change my habits. My hands have never been sore after using a keyboard at length, so the posture of my hand position is acceptable. Im at more like 25wpm with orthodox technique, so even 40wpm would feel satisfying. I dont care about what my wpm is either, but it is a direct relation to how comfortable you feel on a keyboard, so I am using it as a metric. At 80+, the movements I make are too erratic and interfere with accuracy.
Split keyboarding is NOT overhyped..
It's good that it hasn't happened to you.
But we here @ GH know PRECISELY what causes RSI with respect to the keyboard.
2 things..
-Non 2mm actuation-
______ causes overexertion technique, known as Strike-n-Hold.. This is when the user tends to hit the key, and because the key is designed to actuate at the very bottom, he tends to Press very hard on it to Make sure it happens.
--- the increase in applied force and duration multiplied across thousands of keys across many hours is what ultimately puts the strain on..
______ Also the precursor to carpel tunnel
-Wrist Rotation-
______ causes the tightness on the upper part of your forearm.
CONCLUSION: Intensive keyboard use appears to be associated with a lower risk of CTS._______________
Actually I find this information rather interesting, but I dont think I straight up denied the possibility of RSI due to excessive keyboard use. Maybe it is a slightly bigger issue in jobs with high computing hours, but I dont think your average hunt and peck user should be worried about any of this. I am a bit dubious of the carpal tunnel claim, however. Here is a study showing a negative correlation between carpal tunnel syndrome and keyboard use (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17968917)And now for something a bit different… http://ergo.berkeley.edu/docs/2008%20Rempel%20JOR.pdf
Health-wise you're probably better off long term typing the way you already do than learning to type "properly" on a normal horizontally staggered QWERTY board.
There've been some studies, but mostly it's about common sense. It's better to type with your hands in natural positions and involve more muscle groups with smaller combined movements to prevent doing damage or becoming fatigued.
In terms of natural hand position: your wrists should remain straight (in all axes), hands not overly pronated or supinated, forearms low-ish. Most modern desk / keyboard setups force all kinds of weird positions / angles, with upwardly bent wrists being the most common bad position.
If you keep your fingers on the home row, that will tend to force your wrists to bend outwards, too, unless you have 10cm shoulder width.
Split keyboards can help with these (splay and tenting to improve wrist angles).
In terms of movements: if you try to type with only finger movement, you're going to get fatigued quicker than if you involve your whole arm in typing. Smaller movements are better, combining shoulder, arm, hand and finger movements to reach the further keys reduces the chance of fatigue and is healthier than using only finger movements. It helps if the keys are in easy-to-reach, natural positions.
Vertically staggered keys helps with this by positioning the keys in more natural positions, with less overall travel. However, if you're using a board which tends to "lock" your hands in one position for long periods when typing, it's advised to move the board around a little, so you're not keeping your arms and hands in a single position for extended periods. I found I have to do this with my custom ergo split board, since I don't have to move my hands much at all when typing on it.
Another factor in terms of finger joint pain and possibly other keyboard-related health issues is hard bottoming-out. If you're applying force when still when the keys hit bottom, your fingers experience a fair amount of shock, which can be reduced by learning not to keep pressing after the key actuates, as tp says. It doesn't mean not bottoming out, just that you're not adding force any more when the key strikes the bottom.
Then there are character layouts... QWERTY does force a bit more movement than DVORAK or COLEMAK, but it's not as significant in terms of speed, fatigue and hand/wrist health as a split, vertically staggered board would be. I do recommend learning a new character layout at the same time as a new physical layout, though, as you can then keep your old QWERTY muscle memory alive during the transition without affecting your typing speed or accuracy.
Thank eternalmetal to open this subject. I'm exactly in the same situation. I'm "lucky" because I prepare to "re-learning" to type on a new layout (ISO->ANSI). I've start learning on a classic ducky zero and http://www.keybr.com/#!game but for the moment it's not very efficient.
Actually I find this information rather interesting, but I dont think I straight up denied the possibility of RSI due to excessive keyboard use. Maybe it is a slightly bigger issue in jobs with high computing hours, but I dont think your average hunt and peck user should be worried about any of this. I am a bit dubious of the carpal tunnel claim, however. Here is a study showing a negative correlation between carpal tunnel syndrome and keyboard use (http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/17968917)And now for something a bit different� http://ergo.berkeley.edu/docs/2008%20Rempel%20JOR.pdf
You guys are over-complicating this.
Go on 10 fast fingers..
Play very slowly, don't be afraid to look at your hands and type..
It comes down to the formation of muscle memory, and this is something that "repetition" creates.
When you type " M ", think "M" "mother" "medicine" "mercury" "marbles"..
strengthen this neural pathway.. And that's how it's done.
Anyone giving you typing advice that is below 125wpm, don't know what they're talking about..
Unless of course they've read my "speed guide"..Show Image(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/sillyp1.gif)
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=67941.0
But im really surprised at how quickly I am able to retrain the muscle memory. I still find myself wanting to use my pointer finger to reach the 'c' key though, as it feels much more natural to me since it is a mirror image of the 'j' to 'm' stroke.I do this too, while mostly correctly touch typing. And I do think it is more ergonomic, at least in a normal row staggered keyboard. See this thread: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=25711.0
Still, I would have to get new keycaps if I want to make the switch, since the keys on the CM Storm QFR are different depending on the row. How much does a decent set of caps run you?You don't need that. If you are learning to touch type, you shouldn't look at the keys anyway. While learning you could print the key layout and leave it in front of your keyboard, but even that is unnecessary.
But im really surprised at how quickly I am able to retrain the muscle memory. I still find myself wanting to use my pointer finger to reach the 'c' key though, as it feels much more natural to me since it is a mirror image of the 'j' to 'm' stroke.I do this too, while mostly correctly touch typing. And I do think it is more ergonomic, at least in a normal row staggered keyboard. See this thread: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=25711.0
QuoteStill, I would have to get new keycaps if I want to make the switch, since the keys on the CM Storm QFR are different depending on the row. How much does a decent set of caps run you?You don't need that. If you are learning to touch type, you shouldn't look at the keys anyway. While learning you could print the key layout and leave it in front of your keyboard, but even that is unnecessary.
Actually im already learning to get used to it. 'c' came up a lot in my typing practice, and the more insistent on using the middle finger I was, the more natural it became. I originally wanted to learn how to re-type because of my reliance on my left pointer, so I kind of want to do it right this time.Ok then, but beware of your left wrist angle.
But having QWERTY keys and typing in dvorak would feel ridiculous. I thought about it a bit more today, and I dont really feel like trying out a new layout. Especially so that I dont have the visual dvorak format in front of me, and that im already a couple of days into training myself to type QWERTY correctly. Which fortunately im seeing fairly decent progress, and at this point I already dont want to lose the effort im putting in.Well, as a compromise you could go with blank keys, but you are not wrong. QWERTY touch typing is a much more useful ability to have, even though it is not as comfortable as touch typing in a layout designed for it.
It seems to be ok, though my wrist does do a very slight inward bend when I reach for the 'c' in some cases. It isnt any different than the reach for 'b' though, so im guessing it should be ok.Actually im already learning to get used to it. 'c' came up a lot in my typing practice, and the more insistent on using the middle finger I was, the more natural it became. I originally wanted to learn how to re-type because of my reliance on my left pointer, so I kind of want to do it right this time.Ok then, but beware of your left wrist angle.
But having QWERTY keys and typing in dvorak would feel ridiculous. I thought about it a bit more today, and I dont really feel like trying out a new layout. Especially so that I dont have the visual dvorak format in front of me, and that im already a couple of days into training myself to type QWERTY correctly. Which fortunately im seeing fairly decent progress, and at this point I already dont want to lose the effort im putting in.Well, as a compromise you could go with blank keys, but you are not wrong. QWERTY touch typing is a much more useful ability to have, even though it is not as comfortable as touch typing in a layout designed for it.
It seems to be ok, though my wrist does do a very slight inward bend when I reach for the 'c' in some cases. It isnt any different than the reach for 'b' though, so im guessing it should be ok.Actually im already learning to get used to it. 'c' came up a lot in my typing practice, and the more insistent on using the middle finger I was, the more natural it became. I originally wanted to learn how to re-type because of my reliance on my left pointer, so I kind of want to do it right this time.Ok then, but beware of your left wrist angle.But having QWERTY keys and typing in dvorak would feel ridiculous. I thought about it a bit more today, and I dont really feel like trying out a new layout. Especially so that I dont have the visual dvorak format in front of me, and that im already a couple of days into training myself to type QWERTY correctly. Which fortunately im seeing fairly decent progress, and at this point I already dont want to lose the effort im putting in.Well, as a compromise you could go with blank keys, but you are not wrong. QWERTY touch typing is a much more useful ability to have, even though it is not as comfortable as touch typing in a layout designed for it.
There are a few computers that I use that are in QWERTY format and I am unable to change it. QWERTY is here to stay just like the standard system of measurement in the US (I can use both though and prefer metric, but sometimes you dont have a choice). Maybe ill learn a different key layout once I get proficient with proper touch typing in QWERTY. I do like the way the other layouts are set up, as they depend much less on the bottom row than QWERTY does, which would probably increase typing efficiency. Im not sure how I feel about getting blank keycaps though, seems a bit hipster to me tbh. It would make switching the layouts easier though.