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I saw a post on HN a while back and the poster was talking about using pinky for backspace because that avoided twisting the wrist. While that is true, it requ
by prirun 5y ago
I saw a post on HN a while back and the poster was talking about using pinky for backspace because that avoided twisting the wrist. While that is true, it requires stretching the hand and fingers. To avoid this stretch, you have to move your whole arm.
I hit backspace with my ring finger because while it does require flexing the wrist a bit, it doesn't require any stretching or arm movement (on my hand). I play piano, and figuring out which fingers to use is a big deal to minimize stretching that can lead to tension.
So for anyone stretching their hand or fingers to reach keys, I'd suggest you give a longer finger a try. I touch type also, but never use my pinkies for anything on the number row.
- godshatter 5y agoInteresting. I'll do that. I can't hit the key without removing my finger from the 'J' key but I can still do so if I move my wrist and not my arm.
- prirun 5y agoYou want to remove your finger from the J key. If you don't, you're back to stretching your hand. Here's an experiment: stretch your hand out as wide as you can and try to move your fingers up and down. Doesn't work so great. Now leave your fingers relaxed, like they are laying on a ball and try the same motion. Much easier! When I hit Backspace, my index finger is on the bottom edge of the 0 key, where 0, O and P intersect, because my index finger is shorter than my ring finger. While hitting Backspace, all my fingers are straight - no hand stretching. I do have pretty big hands, so that's a factor too. If I wanted to (I don't!) I could leave my index finger on J and reach backspace with my pinkie by twisting my wrist. Or I can leave it on J and stretch to reach BS with my ring finger, but that's an uncomfortable stretch that would put my head in an uproar within a day.