Cunning Plan With A 23U

[spacecase]

One of the  many things that surprised me upon entering the video game industry was that very few people really knew ore know anything about computers, ergonomics or whats out there.

Here is the problem. The pervading thought is that more is more and less is less. This extends to the number of computers one has, the number and size of ones screens without regard to pixel count or quality... don't get me started on either of those, and of course keyboards. Everyone wants a full sized keyboard. Even the artists who are using Citiques or giant Wacom tablets (you think its awkward with just a mouse...) The rational is that they use the tenkey sometimes so they need it.

Here's the plan. I'm going to supply my key artist with an 87u and a 27u instead of the full sized Majestouch II he's been using. for the first few days I'm going to lay it out like a full sized keyboard. After that every couple of days I'm going to move the 23u to a position above the keyboard and see what happens. I'm willing to bet that it doesn't get used and that I can wean him off full sized boards. He's using a Wacom and a 3D mouse so I'm willing to bet that I also get a small productivity boost as well because he will be more comfortable.

[esoomenona]

I saw your last post on this and was waiting for the plan, then forgot to check back...

I'm interested in hearing the results. I'm the same way, and have refused to use a TKL in lieu of using a fullsize everyday, purely because I use the numpad here and there (these days anyway; I used to use it extensively at my last job). I'm building a Phantom in my mind right now that I hope will solve this issue for me.

[JPG]

In my own opinion, the problem with the keypad is that it comes attached to the keyboard. Getting a TKL (or smaller) and a tenkeypad is the way to got I think because you then can use the setup that is best for you, and only if you really need one, because if u use the numbers very rarely, then you just don't need it at all

[alaricljs]

I bought a TKL and had intentions of getting a keypad... coming up on 2yrs and I never got around to getting that keypad.  Guess I don't need it all that much.

[spacecase]

I'm suddenly less sure of how well this will work. I just discovered that the 23u has a dip switch setting for single key cut, copy, paste. that could actually be useful enough to offset the size. We will see. I'll let you know.

In response to JPG: The problem with a seperated keypad is that it makes the entire setup significantly more expensive. Good keypads range from $40 or so all the way up to $150 for the 23u in addition to whatever you're getting for the keyboard and I happen to like Topre because it feels good and its pretty quiet but that leads to insanity where spending is concerned if you have to do that for every single person.

[esoomenona]

If your problem is with them not knowing much about computers, do you think they'll figure out the dipswitches?

[spacecase]

If your problem is with them not knowing much about computers, do you think they'll figure out the dipswitches?

That's a good question and the answer is absolutely not but I know about the dip switches which is good enough. I just set the switch and he's trying it now.   

[spacecase]

My current solution to the problem of my employees not having a deep and intuitive understanding of computers is to learn their software and their hardware then teach them about things that they didn't know or if its something more complicated I'll learn the broad strokes then set them to research. I do not have the skills to do many of the things they do. They are not idiots, they are not lazy, and they are damn good at the things that they do do but their skills in many areas of computing and workspace layouts are lackluster and that's one of the areas I excel in and I can shore up their weak points. I just find it strange sometimes. They know Maya well and they know Photoshop and Visual Studio etc... but they may not even know things like 3D mice exist or that there is a program called speed tree that can cut our foliage production times way down. They may not know That they have settings in their wacom driver menu that will allow them to draw true circles again. (Yeah it happens.)

[hashbaz]

Sounds like you are a good manager.

[spacecase]

Sounds like you are a good manager.

One can only hope. Wish me luck with this experiment!

[hashbaz]

You have my blessing.

A lot of the artists I work with use X-keys for one-button convenience macros.

[spacecase]

You have my blessing.

A lot of the artists I work with use X-keys for one-button convenience macros.

Now that is an amazing piece of technology. I'm going to have to get one of those to test it out. Thank you!