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The thing about computer generated layouts (as with all computer optimizations) is that it optimizes an evaluation function and not the actual process of typing
by shpx 7y ago
The thing about computer generated layouts (as with all computer optimizations) is that it optimizes an evaluation function and not the actual process of typing. And who knows how closely your function that scores how good a keyboard is matches the physics and physiology of typing.
And why do people use pieces of perfectly written text. The Backspace key is like one of my top 5 most used keys and it's always under the pinky.
- notacoward 7y agoIf you were to read the OP, and especially follow the links to the articles the author has written about the development process, you'd see that these shortcomings are exactly what Halmak is trying to address.
- mcphage 7y ago> you'd see that these shortcomings are exactly what Halmak is trying to address It’s still all dependent on how good the authors physiological model is. If their model of hand movements is incorrect, then any generated results will be incorrect, too. For instance: the author talks about developing a model of travel distance for various keys. Fine, but (a) it’s based on their own hands, so it might not be a good fit for others, and (b) the distances are all from resting hand position, which means that as your fingerS move over the course of typing a word, those distances should adjust as well. Does the author account for this? I don’t think so, but it’s not clear.
- luma 7y agoMy larger concern is that human muscle movement involves a whole lot more than just the mechanical aspect. Any model that doesn't include some notion of human perception, cognition, and voluntary muscle control seems like it could be optimizing with the wrong evaluation function.
- mcphage 7y agoYeah, definitely. A layout that’s slightly worse for your fingers, but significantly easier to remember, might end up being superior overall
- blotter_paper 7y agoOne extreme is PLUM, which also includes the mnemonics KJVB, WXYZ, and READONTHIS. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PLUM_keyboard https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/PLUM_keyboard I actually feel the other way; the cost of learning a seemingly arbitrary layout is probably less than the cost of using an inefficient layout, in the longrun.
- mcphage 7y ago> the cost of learning a seemingly arbitrary layout is probably less than the cost of using an inefficient layout, in the longrun It might be—but that’s no consolation if you’re less likely to get to the long run. Or if you get to the long run, find out their models were off, and realize it was extra time wasted.