4 ms·

Ergonomic keyboards are great, but a bit overkill for the Emacs pinky problem. As the article points out somewhere at the bottom, the simplest thing is to deact

Ergonomic keyboards are great, but a bit overkill for the Emacs pinky problem. As the article points out somewhere at the bottom, the simplest thing is to deactivate Caps Lock (most annoying and useless key ever) and use it as the Ctrl key. Worked perfect for me, is easy to do in Windows and Linux alike, and pays off most on the already not-so-ergonomic laptop keyboards.

derleth 13y ago
The worst side effect of this is the initial confusion trying to type on anyone else's system for an extended period of time, especially if you know Ctrl-based keyboard shortcuts for whatever you're using.
- galaktor 13y ago
  True, although you'll have the same problem if you get used to an ergonomic keyboard (or even more so, get used to dvorak).
  - NotOscarWilde 13y ago
    I've never found moving from computer to computer with dvorak that much of a problem because it's rather easy to switch to it on anyone's computer, if I'm using it for more than a few minutes. Custom keymappings are much harder to transfer unless they relate to a single application with a config file (like emacs or vim).
    - forkrulassail 13y ago
      Do you have tips for learning Dvorak?
      - NotOscarWilde 13y ago
        I have learned Dvorak by taking a week off during the summer (I was a student back then, great for doing things like that) and spending an hour or two each day through a touch typing course. In my case, I used gtypist, because I'm a GNU/Linux guy, but I think there are better ones out there. My two reasons for learning dvorak was my rather poor touch typing form on QWERTY and the arguably superior layout for general English text. Dvorak however is not a panacea -- while I can type english text rather well, I'm still very poor with my right pinky which has an immense amount of work if I do programming; all of the following characters -=/+?[]{}_ should be handled by a right pinky in dvorak layout. []{} are especially far away for me on almost any keyboard and I still fail to type them efficiently. Also note that many people argue that the ergonomic advantages of Dvorak are purely subjective and unverified. Learning to touch type on QWERTY properly might be a good subtitute for learning Dvorak. --- My personal tip is not to rush any touch typing training and when you feel your brain struggle (it also caused me a headache the first day) just take a break. Also the retraining of the brain produced some very vivid dreams in the first two nights.
        forkrulassail 13y ago
        Thanks for the tips. I know the german/english (uk) layouts, but want to really give Dvorak a go. I'll give the gtypist a go. If it's something I can consistently work at I'm pretty happy with doing and committing to this daily. Spent last two weeks learning to use emacs and emacs lisp.
      - esc 13y ago
        For debian there's a typing tutor called dvorak7min, I found it very helpful.
      - abraham_s 13y ago
        I made the mistake of trying to learn Dvorak part-time while typing Qwerty during daytime. Took me over 2 months to switch over. I would recommend taking a week when you dont have to work and making a abrupt change. It will require a lot of will power, because you will feel awful typing at like 5wpm but in the long run it might be the fastest way. I will also recommend using dvorak label on the keyboard(you will get it for 5 dollars). It helps you type with one hand(I tend to eat while watching something on my PC). I agree with the other comments, the special symbol will be a problem, but I doubled my speed for english prose and I feel a marked decrease in finger fatigue especially when typing at higher speeds.
    - deleted 13y ago
      [deleted]
    - jjcomer 13y ago
      When I made the switch to Dvorak I used this site: http://keybr.com/ http://keybr.com/ (they also support the colemak layout). I wouldn't recommend swapping the keys on your keyboard as the contours of the keys are typically specific to their qwerty locations. If you happen to be in the market for a new keyboard a blank one is your best bet for assisting your transition. Filco makes a ninja keyboard with the labelling on the front of the keys, which can be nice if not all the users of the keyboard can touch type. I guess my best advice is to stick with it and resist all urges to "flip back for a just a second". It can be extremely frustrating when you are chatting with someone or need to send off a quick email and your layout holds you back, but like learning a new language, hold in there and you will end up getting the hang of it really quickly.
- McUsr 13y ago
  Well, it take likes 5 seconds in the System Preferences, to change the modifier keys, and the same 5 seconds to change them back when you are done. I know, computer seconds are awfully looong but… I have only one complaint about my mac book internal keyboard, and that is the lack of a right side control key. I think Apple Engineers smart enough to think out something, after all, we pay a premium amount of money for those devices, and shouldn't be handed over a crippled keyboard. I also think this to be more and more the reality, as more and more consumers shift platform over to the iPad. While I am complaining: the "cycle through windows key": ctrl-F4, should be enforced by all applications, no choice there...
  - derleth 13y ago
    > Well, it take likes 5 seconds in the System Preferences Why do you think you'd be allowed to? > I think Apple Engineers smart enough to think out something, after all, we pay a premium amount of money for those devices, and shouldn't be handed over a crippled keyboard. Usable design is hardly what Apple focuses on.
AlexanderDhoore 13y ago
Easiest on OS X: under Keyboard settings, click "Modification Keys" and you can switch Caps, Control, Alt and Command around. I did this for use with Vim, and now I can't live without it anymore. (Also handy together with the built-in emacs text editing keys, when I'm not in Vim. Xcode for example...)
chriswarbo 13y ago
I use space2ctrl ( https://github.com/r0adrunner/Space2Ctrl https://github.com/r0adrunner/Space2Ctrl ) which makes the space bar act as Ctrl when used as a modifier. It can occasionally turn the first letter of a word (eg. "hello") into a shortcut (eg. "Ctrl-H" ello) and prevents me holding down space to get lots of spaces, but that's what Alt-number is for. It's been the most effective way to reduce my Emacs pinky. I still map Caps Lock to Ctrl, so I can do Ctrl-Space to mark.

derleth 13y ago

The worst side effect of this is the initial confusion trying to type on anyone else's system for an extended period of time, especially if you know Ctrl-based keyboard shortcuts for whatever you're using.

galaktor 13y ago
True, although you'll have the same problem if you get used to an ergonomic keyboard (or even more so, get used to dvorak).
- NotOscarWilde 13y ago
  I've never found moving from computer to computer with dvorak that much of a problem because it's rather easy to switch to it on anyone's computer, if I'm using it for more than a few minutes. Custom keymappings are much harder to transfer unless they relate to a single application with a config file (like emacs or vim).
  - forkrulassail 13y ago
    Do you have tips for learning Dvorak?
    - NotOscarWilde 13y ago
      I have learned Dvorak by taking a week off during the summer (I was a student back then, great for doing things like that) and spending an hour or two each day through a touch typing course. In my case, I used gtypist, because I'm a GNU/Linux guy, but I think there are better ones out there. My two reasons for learning dvorak was my rather poor touch typing form on QWERTY and the arguably superior layout for general English text. Dvorak however is not a panacea -- while I can type english text rather well, I'm still very poor with my right pinky which has an immense amount of work if I do programming; all of the following characters -=/+?[]{}_ should be handled by a right pinky in dvorak layout. []{} are especially far away for me on almost any keyboard and I still fail to type them efficiently. Also note that many people argue that the ergonomic advantages of Dvorak are purely subjective and unverified. Learning to touch type on QWERTY properly might be a good subtitute for learning Dvorak. --- My personal tip is not to rush any touch typing training and when you feel your brain struggle (it also caused me a headache the first day) just take a break. Also the retraining of the brain produced some very vivid dreams in the first two nights.
      - forkrulassail 13y ago
        Thanks for the tips. I know the german/english (uk) layouts, but want to really give Dvorak a go. I'll give the gtypist a go. If it's something I can consistently work at I'm pretty happy with doing and committing to this daily. Spent last two weeks learning to use emacs and emacs lisp.
    - esc 13y ago
      For debian there's a typing tutor called dvorak7min, I found it very helpful.
    - abraham_s 13y ago
      I made the mistake of trying to learn Dvorak part-time while typing Qwerty during daytime. Took me over 2 months to switch over. I would recommend taking a week when you dont have to work and making a abrupt change. It will require a lot of will power, because you will feel awful typing at like 5wpm but in the long run it might be the fastest way. I will also recommend using dvorak label on the keyboard(you will get it for 5 dollars). It helps you type with one hand(I tend to eat while watching something on my PC). I agree with the other comments, the special symbol will be a problem, but I doubled my speed for english prose and I feel a marked decrease in finger fatigue especially when typing at higher speeds.
  - deleted 13y ago
    [deleted]
  - jjcomer 13y ago
    When I made the switch to Dvorak I used this site: http://keybr.com/ http://keybr.com/ (they also support the colemak layout). I wouldn't recommend swapping the keys on your keyboard as the contours of the keys are typically specific to their qwerty locations. If you happen to be in the market for a new keyboard a blank one is your best bet for assisting your transition. Filco makes a ninja keyboard with the labelling on the front of the keys, which can be nice if not all the users of the keyboard can touch type. I guess my best advice is to stick with it and resist all urges to "flip back for a just a second". It can be extremely frustrating when you are chatting with someone or need to send off a quick email and your layout holds you back, but like learning a new language, hold in there and you will end up getting the hang of it really quickly.
McUsr 13y ago
Well, it take likes 5 seconds in the System Preferences, to change the modifier keys, and the same 5 seconds to change them back when you are done. I know, computer seconds are awfully looong but… I have only one complaint about my mac book internal keyboard, and that is the lack of a right side control key. I think Apple Engineers smart enough to think out something, after all, we pay a premium amount of money for those devices, and shouldn't be handed over a crippled keyboard. I also think this to be more and more the reality, as more and more consumers shift platform over to the iPad. While I am complaining: the "cycle through windows key": ctrl-F4, should be enforced by all applications, no choice there...
- derleth 13y ago
  > Well, it take likes 5 seconds in the System Preferences Why do you think you'd be allowed to? > I think Apple Engineers smart enough to think out something, after all, we pay a premium amount of money for those devices, and shouldn't be handed over a crippled keyboard. Usable design is hardly what Apple focuses on.

AlexanderDhoore 13y ago

Easiest on OS X: under Keyboard settings, click "Modification Keys" and you can switch Caps, Control, Alt and Command around. I did this for use with Vim, and now I can't live without it anymore. (Also handy together with the built-in emacs text editing keys, when I'm not in Vim. Xcode for example...)

chriswarbo 13y ago

I use space2ctrl ( https://github.com/r0adrunner/Space2Ctrl https://github.com/r0adrunner/Space2Ctrl ) which makes the space bar act as Ctrl when used as a modifier. It can occasionally turn the first letter of a word (eg. "hello") into a shortcut (eg. "Ctrl-H" ello) and prevents me holding down space to get lots of spaces, but that's what Alt-number is for. It's been the most effective way to reduce my Emacs pinky. I still map Caps Lock to Ctrl, so I can do Ctrl-Space to mark.