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Every layout is fine for a split – even QWERTY, as bad, as it is. Just don't switch to a new keyboard and new layout simultaneously. I've done it for Kinesis an

Every layout is fine for a split – even QWERTY, as bad, as it is. Just don't switch to a new keyboard and new layout simultaneously. I've done it for Kinesis and Colemak - it is hard. You can't reliably hit a key on the new keyboard, because of the lack of staggering, new thumb cluster and different distance between keys. But when you hit one, it is a wrong one, because Colemak. In general, however, it is not a problem. Just remember, that adjusting yourself to a new keyboard is similar to learning layout and takes some time. If it is your first ortholinear split with a thumb cluster give yourself a week or two and then switch to other layout.

valarauko 6y ago
> Just don't switch to a new keyboard and new layout simultaneously Why is that? Is it the productivity hit? Frustration? At least for me, this will be at home personal keyboard, and I'll continue to use the work QWERTY keyboard for the foreseeable future. I might switch the work keyboard once I'm comfortable, but it's not a priority right now.
- lycopodiopsida 6y ago
  Productivity hit and frustration, I would say. Motor learning is hard, since it takes a lot of repetitions. Motor re-learning is arguably much harder, since you have an interference of learned and new patterns. Keyboard familiarity is also heavily depending on motor learning - distance between keys, their position, height and so on. So you just have more to learn at the same time. I also have another warning, based on my experience: it is for many people difficult to keep proficiency in QWERTY after they completely switch to Colemak or Dvorak. It is hard to describe: like you've been touch-typing on QWERTY for 18 years, and you know where the keys are, because if you look down, you immediately find them... but something is blocking you from finding them while typing. If you switch completely at work, find a week or two without much stress. New layout can be infuriating enough :)
  - valarauko 6y ago
    Thanks for the heads up :) I guess I'm a hybrid typist - I generally type only with my index & middle finders, but I can type moderately fast without looking at the keyboard. I had mild RSI issues but it might be the mouse usage. I write small amounts of python code within an academic setting, so a week or two with low productivity is ... typical :)

valarauko 6y ago

> Just don't switch to a new keyboard and new layout simultaneously Why is that? Is it the productivity hit? Frustration? At least for me, this will be at home personal keyboard, and I'll continue to use the work QWERTY keyboard for the foreseeable future. I might switch the work keyboard once I'm comfortable, but it's not a priority right now.

lycopodiopsida 6y ago
Productivity hit and frustration, I would say. Motor learning is hard, since it takes a lot of repetitions. Motor re-learning is arguably much harder, since you have an interference of learned and new patterns. Keyboard familiarity is also heavily depending on motor learning - distance between keys, their position, height and so on. So you just have more to learn at the same time. I also have another warning, based on my experience: it is for many people difficult to keep proficiency in QWERTY after they completely switch to Colemak or Dvorak. It is hard to describe: like you've been touch-typing on QWERTY for 18 years, and you know where the keys are, because if you look down, you immediately find them... but something is blocking you from finding them while typing. If you switch completely at work, find a week or two without much stress. New layout can be infuriating enough :)
- valarauko 6y ago
  Thanks for the heads up :) I guess I'm a hybrid typist - I generally type only with my index & middle finders, but I can type moderately fast without looking at the keyboard. I had mild RSI issues but it might be the mouse usage. I write small amounts of python code within an academic setting, so a week or two with low productivity is ... typical :)