4 ms·
> How many numbers do you enter? Very few, and if I did, I would get an add-on numpad. Chances are, I wouldn't be continuously entering numbers - there would b
by w1ntermute 13y ago
> How many numbers do you enter?
Very few, and if I did, I would get an add-on numpad. Chances are, I wouldn't be continuously entering numbers - there would be times when I needed to enter a lot, and times when I didn't need to enter that many. Having an add-on numpad would let me move it out of the way when I didn't need it.
In fact, even though I'm right-handed, I would try to learn to enter numbers left-handed, because it would be great to be able to put the numpad on the left side of the keyboard, thereby solving the distance-to-mouse problem.
But my basic point is that numpads are not needed by the majority of computer users, as evidenced by the popularity of laptops that don't have numpads (ironically, unlike the linked article suggests, I actually haven't seen that many PC laptops with numpads).
- dingaling 13y ago> Having an add-on numpad would let me move it out of the way when I didn't need it. You'd think so, but muscle memory is very powerful. If you're accustomed to a number pad and are typing an e-mail that contains just one reference to a number ( 2.388 ) the default action is still to try to type it on the num pad. Using the top-row of numeric keys whilst tapping the decimal with the little finger is very slow and awkward by comparison and requires a context-change.
- w1ntermute 13y agoI don't think it would be that difficult. I have a set of custom keyboard shortcuts on my main computer, which runs Linux. But when I have to use someone else's computer that runs Windows or OS X, I have no trouble instantaneously adapting to the shortcut setup on those OSes. And there are plenty of reports of people who primarily use Dvorak but can use Qwerty as well when necessary.