Touch typists, will blank keycaps help me learn?

[Jamesbeat]

I'm modifying a keyboard, and I'm considering my options concerning dyeing the keycaps.
One of the color schemes I have in mind would involve dyeing the majority of the keycaps either very dark brown or black, which would make the black legends difficult or maybe even impossible to read.

I have two different color schemes in mind.
One of them uses lighter colors and will still allow me to see the legends, but I'm thinking that if I wear through the dyed layer, these lighter colors will be impossible to touch up properly.
If I wear through black, I can always re-dye the keycaps without having to worry about the shade matching.

I want to learn to touch type, or at least get to the stage where I can eliminate the 'hunt' part of my 'hunt and peck' technique.

I read that the Das Keyboard was touted as an aid to learning touch typing, as the blank keycaps force you into typing without looking at the keyboard.

Rather than believe advertising speil, I'd like some opinions from real touch typists as to whether you think that obliterating my keyboard's legends will help me to learn faster, or just make it really difficult to use my keyboard?

I guess a better way to articulate my question would be to ask if blank keycaps are useful for helping a beginner, or if they are something you should hold off on until you already know how to touch type?

[BiNiaRiS]

I used to hunt and peck at 50wpm+

I bought a das w/blanks then switched to a Leopold tkl w/blanks. They forced me to become a better typist. It will announced the **** out of you for awhile though, especially on the numbers/symbols. Well worth it IMO.

[Autolyze]

I've been touch typing since I was a kid, but I'd think that blank keycaps would help a lot with the process. Even with my years of touch typing, I apparently wasn't 100% familiar with the symbols on the number keys when I first got a Das, but I have no problem with them now.

[Tony]

Yes.

Your brain are 95% idle anyway.

[lorem3k]

In my opinion, you shouldn't dye them while you're learning, because you're probably going to need to look at the keyboard occasionally for the first little while. I'd recommend one of these for learning to type, that way you can still peek if necessary. I learned to type with one.

[snowboarder3]

In my opinion, you shouldn't dye them while you're learning, because you're probably going to need to look at the keyboard occasionally for the first little while. I'd recommend one of these for learning to type, that way you can still peek if necessary. I learned to type with one.

He knows how to type, he wants to get better at touch typing.

OP, blanks made me learn to touch type for sure. I never realized how often I looked down at the KB without realizing it. Still not proficient as I could be with symbols, but it's only been a few days. Another suggestion I would make is to remap your capslock to backspace and get good with that. That will allow you to type a bit faster since you aren't stretching your pinkie so far. I found it hard to get used to, so I took the backspace button off of my KB which forced me to use capslock. Now, it's second nature.

[BiNiaRiS]

In my opinion, you shouldn't dye them while you're learning, because you're probably going to need to look at the keyboard occasionally for the first little while. I'd recommend one of these for learning to type, that way you can still peek if necessary. I learned to type with one.

you really shouldn't ever look at the keyboard, even when you're learning. if you've been around keyboards for more than a year or two you know where all the keys are, you just need to train your brain and fingers to type correctly.

[Zzz]

What about a keyboard spoiler? They make cars go faster, so the same theory must apply here.

http://www.plasticperfection.com/practice-typing.php

[hcry4]

Bang at pound, dollar percent, carrot and star, open close.

[fossala]

Just don't look at the keyboard, if you have that much will power.

[H3CT1C]

a good way to stop yourself from looking down is to get a small hand towel and cover your keyboard. Thats how i learned to type

[Djuzuh]

Yeah, piano players use this trick too.

[Djuzuh]

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?21991-Word-Of-The-Day&p=545778&viewfull=1#post545778

[czarek]

Learn to type first, at least a little bit, as after you get blank keys it may be very irritating for you not to be able to type correctly.
After you learn it doesn't matter if your keyboard has labels or not as you're not looking at it anyways. Its looks don't matter either - that's why I use Unicomps, they feel awesome, are very practical (I really missed Command keys on Model Ms) and as I don't look at them I don't really care about the build quality or the looks (still I think they look awesome).

[Jamesbeat]

Ok, seems like dyeing them black should help then, thanks everyone

[pitashen]

To me, other than the number rows with all those special characters, touch typing is about muscle memory, not how well your brain actually know where the keys are. Using blank keys will only frustrate you more through out the process. Partial blanks set up would probably help, but not blanking them out entirely.

I can type paragraphs without looking at the keyboard, but if you randomly ask me where certain key is on the keyboard, I would always have doubts on my guesses.

[Djuzuh]

Yeah it's muscle memory, but having blank keys is a way to « force yourself » to memorize it.

If not, your scumbag of a brain will just not memorize the keys, since he knows he doesn't need to. Unless you are particularly precautious about never looking at your keyboard, which is hard to do.

My opinion at least.

It's easier to pull it off with blank keys, since you have no choice. It may however be more frustating.

[Findecanor]

I think that black on almost-black could work. When I use my black-on-black Realforce keyboard, I can not see the legends at all if there is insufficient light, but they are there if I turn the lamp on.

That said, several people have had problems dyeing their keys black using Rit Dye. It appears that it is the black dye that is the most troublesome. I have heard that from people outside this community also, from people who have tried to dye other plastic parts with it.
Anyway... Do this also only if you have got PBT keys from Cherry. If your keys are ABS, then you are gambling.

[Jamesbeat]

The color I'm thinking of isn't actually black, it's very dark brown.
Keycaps are pbt, and since I did a tenkeyless conversion, I have plenty of spares to experiment with.
Being dark brown will mean that I will still be able to see the legends if I absolutely have to, but should strongly discourage peeking.

[lowkey]

I think so yeah.

I touch type very fast and I actually slow down and make a ton of mistakes if I look at the keys while I type.

[Aranair]

IMO just go otaku and learn it the -slightly- harsher way from there. If you went half visible, your brain is just going to tell you to look down and squint for those letters ;P

You'll probably have the most trouble with the number row and special symbols at first heh.

[Djuzuh]

just go otaku

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?28622-Ripster-s-KeyAboo-Theorem

Are you trying to prove his pseudo theorem ?

[Aranair]

http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?28622-Ripster-s-KeyAboo-Theorem

Are you trying to prove his pseudo theorem ?

yeah well, otaku does sound strangely addictive/sexy lol

Edit: // besides, i already AM asian. Shrugs lol.

[Input Nirvana]

Blank key caps. Use typing tutor. You already know some of the keys already. It's not hard, but seems daunting.

Speed comes with time. Being forced to not look at key caps is the best.

Just do it.

[Findecanor]

The color I'm thinking of isn't actually black, it's very dark brown.

Well, if you try to dye them black, they will only turn a very dark brown.

I noticed two things more about my typing behaviour when it comes to legends.
1. I position my hands from a visual glance, not from feel. I am one of those people who type relatively fast using several fingers, but never learned to touch type in school. Once my hands are positioned, I don't have to look down.
I also did not know about the F and J keys on Cherry G80 keyboards being dished until someone told me.

2. Sometimes you may need to type one-handed. Almost impossible to do this fast and accurately without legends.