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Personally, I use the numpad to navigate source code and other text files. I very rarely use the mouse under those circumstances. So this very much depends on o

by _0ffh 7y ago

Personally, I use the numpad to navigate source code and other text files. I very rarely use the mouse under those circumstances. So this very much depends on our personal style and use cases.

Lio 7y ago
Yeah definitely somewhere where people should be allow a personal preference. What does that numpad offer that is not already on the rest of the keyboard? I think if you are comfortable touch typing numbers then there's not much advantage to having a number pad. (I've worked from laptops (without numpad) connected to an external monitor for about 15 years now so I may be missing something potentially useful here.)
- acqq 7y ago
  > What does that numpad offer that is not already on the rest of the keyboard Navigation using one hand, allowing even different body positions. Those who don’t use it have to do Ctrl-this Shift-that. I press singe keys with a single hand allowing me to have less of constant strain in both hands than if they were always at effectively same position. Like some other posters here I believe “always everything in same position” during longer work times is worse. During my work hours I spend more time navigating than typing, so that’s what I optimise for.
  - Lio 7y ago
    That's an interesting take on it. Thanks for sharing. I mostly live in a terminal all day and most of that time is in Vim. So I have the whole keyboard to use as shortcuts for movement but I do have to use two hands. Like you I'm more geared up for navigating code. For me small, light movements committed to muscle memory have been the key to me getting round RSI a couple of years ago. I also use the Colemak layout so there's no real point to looking at the keyboard for me.
    - acqq 7y ago
      > I do have to use two hands If I’d have to use such programs I’d try the programmable numpads also mentioned here. Even in the middle of nineteen eighties I was able (to my luck) to use a programmable keyboard (independent of the computer and the OS).
      - Lio 7y ago
        I’m still not convinced that I’d give up a narrow central, symmetrical keyboard layout for a few extra keys I have to take my hands away from the home row to use.
- C1sc0cat 7y ago
  Originally it was for more general date entry type of work , eg a clerk entering data into a spreadsheet - spread sheets where a massive driver of PC sales origionaly. Programmers have a different use case.
- account42 7y ago
  > What does that numpad offer that is not already on the rest of the keyboard? Additional keys. I use mine for macros.
- fimdomeio 7y ago
  Macros. Its a pretty fun exercise. I just started a few months ago. Still building muscle memory: 0 reruns test, . breaks test 1 opens inspector, 2 opens console, 3 opens network 5 refreshes browser (for some old stuff without livereload)

by _0ffh 7y ago

Personally, I use the numpad to navigate source code and other text files. I very rarely use the mouse under those circumstances. So this very much depends on our personal style and use cases.

Lio 7y ago

Yeah definitely somewhere where people should be allow a personal preference. What does that numpad offer that is not already on the rest of the keyboard? I think if you are comfortable touch typing numbers then there's not much advantage to having a number pad. (I've worked from laptops (without numpad) connected to an external monitor for about 15 years now so I may be missing something potentially useful here.)

acqq 7y ago
> What does that numpad offer that is not already on the rest of the keyboard Navigation using one hand, allowing even different body positions. Those who don’t use it have to do Ctrl-this Shift-that. I press singe keys with a single hand allowing me to have less of constant strain in both hands than if they were always at effectively same position. Like some other posters here I believe “always everything in same position” during longer work times is worse. During my work hours I spend more time navigating than typing, so that’s what I optimise for.
- Lio 7y ago
  That's an interesting take on it. Thanks for sharing. I mostly live in a terminal all day and most of that time is in Vim. So I have the whole keyboard to use as shortcuts for movement but I do have to use two hands. Like you I'm more geared up for navigating code. For me small, light movements committed to muscle memory have been the key to me getting round RSI a couple of years ago. I also use the Colemak layout so there's no real point to looking at the keyboard for me.
  - acqq 7y ago
    > I do have to use two hands If I’d have to use such programs I’d try the programmable numpads also mentioned here. Even in the middle of nineteen eighties I was able (to my luck) to use a programmable keyboard (independent of the computer and the OS).
    - Lio 7y ago
      I’m still not convinced that I’d give up a narrow central, symmetrical keyboard layout for a few extra keys I have to take my hands away from the home row to use.
C1sc0cat 7y ago
Originally it was for more general date entry type of work , eg a clerk entering data into a spreadsheet - spread sheets where a massive driver of PC sales origionaly. Programmers have a different use case.
account42 7y ago
> What does that numpad offer that is not already on the rest of the keyboard? Additional keys. I use mine for macros.
fimdomeio 7y ago
Macros. Its a pretty fun exercise. I just started a few months ago. Still building muscle memory: 0 reruns test, . breaks test 1 opens inspector, 2 opens console, 3 opens network 5 refreshes browser (for some old stuff without livereload)