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Staggered keys make less sense because they were designed for the typewriter - not the human. Ergo keyboards are designed specifically with the human hand in mi
by sparkie 12y ago
Staggered keys make less sense because they were designed for the typewriter - not the human. Ergo keyboards are designed specifically with the human hand in mind - to reduce finger and hand movement, and place them in comfortable resting positions.
I would say it is a consensus among people who have used non-staggered layouts for a sustained period - the benefits are definitely noticeable to someone with RSI too.
People are satisfied with their keyboard layout because it's good enough for them, and they've not experienced using other layouts enough to compare the benefits. It's very much like PGs "blub paradox", in which the a typist becomes familiar enough with his keyboard that other, allegedly better keyboards seem like only minor improvements - not worth the effort to switch. For most people, this is probably the case - it's only if you're typing for several hours a day that there will be tangible benefits to hand-optimized layouts.
- inclemnet 12y ago> Staggered keys make less sense because they were designed for the typewriter - not the human Even if this is true, it only demonstrates that the original reason for staggered keys is no longer a factor, not that staggered keys are actually worse for humans. The rest of your post brings up the same questions as the other reply. Even if straight layouts are superior (I'm willing to believe it), by how much, and what about other factors? A typematrix rigidly-square layout is quite different to (for instance) the semi-straight layout of the TECK keyboard marketed as 'truly ergonomic'. In a sense, this layout isn't even different to staggered keys - staggered rows can be relatively straight if your wrists are angled. I suggest this partly in principle - I do agree that the standard angling of a staggered keyboard is not ideal.