4 ms·

Most people would benefit much more from practicing proper (touch-) typing than upgrading/innovating devices.

joosters 7y ago
Would programmers actually benefit? Realistically, how often are you limited by your typing speed when coding? I can type fast but there’s no way I could ever keep writing code at my typing speed, I’m always pausing to think about what I’m writing. If you type slower, you are still thinking about the code as you type. Is typing really the limiting factor, or is it actually the thinking?
- kgwgk 7y ago
  I think the discussion is about ergonomics, not speed.
  - joosters 7y ago
    Much of the discussion is about having fewer keys, resulting in more multiple key presses to type certain symbols. That’s not improving ergonomics.
    - kgwgk 7y ago
      It seems some people find that not having to move the arms makes up for hand contortions. But you’re right, the article conclusion is that “First of all, the reduced distances will increase speed, (...) If it turns out that 40% keyboards can reduce Repetitive Strain Injury or R.S.I. (...)” Anyway, I think touch typing helps in all fronts. The alternative is not just slower typing, it also adds a mental load that can only distract from the thinking.
- KaiserPro 7y ago
  Touch typing is not about speed to start with, its about the correct placement of the hands. Yes not looking at the keyboard is a useful side effect, but from ergonomics point of view, not over stretching to reach a key really is important. I was forced to learn touch typing when I was about 11. I hated every moment of it. It was an interactive program, and I had to have a box over my keyboard so that I was forced to use muscle memory to get the right key. But, it meant that I have my hand in the right place, the correct angle, and use the correct force. As a side effect, I'm not thinking about where letters are, and having to look at my keyboard(as much). This means that typing is almost like speaking, in terms of cognitive load. (hand writing is much slower and arduous for me)
- the_gipsy 7y ago
  You will never be a better programmer from faster typing. But for my it's about reducing frustration with one of my main daily tools. Like having to look down (mostly due to my hand "getting lost", not actually looking up keys) distracts me from reading and thinking about the code on screen.
- dsego 7y ago
  You can type your comments on HN faster, which leaves you more time for work.

Would programmers actually benefit? Realistically, how often are you limited by your typing speed when coding? I can type fast but there’s no way I could ever keep writing code at my typing speed, I’m always pausing to think about what I’m writing. If you type slower, you are still thinking about the code as you type. Is typing really the limiting factor, or is it actually the thinking?

kgwgk 7y ago
I think the discussion is about ergonomics, not speed.
- joosters 7y ago
  Much of the discussion is about having fewer keys, resulting in more multiple key presses to type certain symbols. That’s not improving ergonomics.
  - kgwgk 7y ago
    It seems some people find that not having to move the arms makes up for hand contortions. But you’re right, the article conclusion is that “First of all, the reduced distances will increase speed, (...) If it turns out that 40% keyboards can reduce Repetitive Strain Injury or R.S.I. (...)” Anyway, I think touch typing helps in all fronts. The alternative is not just slower typing, it also adds a mental load that can only distract from the thinking.
KaiserPro 7y ago
Touch typing is not about speed to start with, its about the correct placement of the hands. Yes not looking at the keyboard is a useful side effect, but from ergonomics point of view, not over stretching to reach a key really is important. I was forced to learn touch typing when I was about 11. I hated every moment of it. It was an interactive program, and I had to have a box over my keyboard so that I was forced to use muscle memory to get the right key. But, it meant that I have my hand in the right place, the correct angle, and use the correct force. As a side effect, I'm not thinking about where letters are, and having to look at my keyboard(as much). This means that typing is almost like speaking, in terms of cognitive load. (hand writing is much slower and arduous for me)
the_gipsy 7y ago
You will never be a better programmer from faster typing. But for my it's about reducing frustration with one of my main daily tools. Like having to look down (mostly due to my hand "getting lost", not actually looking up keys) distracts me from reading and thinking about the code on screen.
dsego 7y ago
You can type your comments on HN faster, which leaves you more time for work.