THE LAYOUT
a s d f v j k l ;
cyk su thj evw nbz adf olx img rpq
Select/conflict resolution keys:
m: select second word
i: select third word
o: select fourth word
Finger positions are as standard, except for "nbz" on the v key which can be pressed with the left thumb (right thumb for spacebar).
HOW TO BEGIN
To begin practicing the layout, you can use the 10FastFingers typing speed test or this alternative test. You will first need a text replacement program.
1. Download and install Phrase Express. During setup you are asked to Select Components. Uncheck the box that says 'Install sample phrase library' if present.
2. Download and install the practice file T9-QWERTY. Choose the "Load as an additional phrase file" option.
Let's try typing "really". Follow the layout and you have ";-f-j-k-k-a". Press each key once just as with normal typing. Some words conflict with others. To resolve this the most frequent word is typed using the normal letters, while to type the second most frequent word you would type "m" at the end of it. For example, "good" and "gold" conflict, but "good" is more frequent than "gold". So to type "gold" you would type "lkkjm".
Conflicts in the practice file are shown below with the leftmost word being the more frequent:
good > gold
round > pound
told > hold
BACKGROUND
I started off interested in learning stenography using Plover for high speed transcription. I recalled that a dictionary based input was also used on my old Sony Ericsson mobile phone, making it much more efficient to send text messages. I was aware of alternative keyboard layouts, being a touch typist with QWERTY and having also learned the Dvorak layout. I found that the alternative layouts such as Colemak claimed that by reducing motion they could increase speed and comfort. Whilst I was not convinced of the validity of this assumption I realised that a reduced key dictionary based input ported to a normal PC keyboard, an idea which has been considered previously, would reduce motion to a greater degree while still allowing the user to use the familiar QWERTY layout input when required, if used with a text replacement program.
On such a layout each key represents multiple letters and resulting ambiguity is resolved by 'select' keys, with the most frequent word being the default output.
IMPLICATIONS
- Reduced motion: 95% or more typing is done on the home keys
- Wearable computing: eye tracking devices, wristwatches, gloves
- Accurate and easier typing on a touchscreen
- One handed layouts
- Typing on any surface
- Less to learn than with a chording system such as ASETNIOP
WHY THE NAME "T9-QWERTY"?
T9-QWERTY takes the name "T9" from its use of only 9 keys for the letters, and "QWERTY" because of the fact that it can be used alongside QWERTY. Given the low number of words that can be typed on QWERTY's home row, a clash between the two layouts is unlikely. When you want to type a word that isn't in its dictionary you can fall back on normal QWERTY.
TAGS
T9, T9 for PC, T9 on PC, T9PC, T9 PC, T9-PC, PCT9, PC T9, PC-T9, QWERTY-T9, QWERTY T9, T9 QWERTY, QT9, T9Q, Minimum Motion Keyboard Layout
SLOGAN
"Revolutionizing the way you type"
LAYOUT VARIANTS
q w e f v j i o p
cyk su thj evw nbz adf olx img rpq
This variation places the middle, ring and small fingers on the top letter row which some users may prefer.
Single handed variants for both left and right hands and for the numpad may be useful for persons lacking use of one hand, or to allow one hand to type while the other controls the mouse. These layouts do not require uninstalling two-handed T9-QWERTY, and with practice the user can seamlessly switch between either.
Left hand:
q w e r
rpq img olx adf
a s d f v
cyk su thj evw nbz
Right hand:
u i o p
evw thj su cyk
n j k l ;
nbz adf olx img rpq
Numpad:
7 8 9
rpq adf nbz
4 5 6
olx ewv img
1 2 3
cyk thj su
0
Space
Letters from each column of the traditional layouts can be grouped onto the respective homerow keys, to create a derivative reduced key ambiguous layout shown below. Transition to such a layout may be easier as letters stay on the same fingers.
QWERTY:
a s d f g h j k l ;
qaz wsx edc rfv tgb yhn ujm ik ol p
Dvorak:
a o e u i d h t n s
a oq ej puk yix fdb ghm ctw rnv lsz
Colemak:
a r s t d h n e i o
qaz wrx fsc ptv gdb jhk lnm ue yi o
UPDATE LOG
-Addition of select keys for simultaneous use as delimiters
-Addition of space to phrase content of words requiring select keys
-Removal of trailing delimiter for select keys
-Removal of apostrophe and semicolon as postfixes
-Layout renamed from "QWERTY-SUX" to "T9-QWERTY" and letter arrangement updated (03/01/2014)
-Single hand variants added (05/01/2014)
-Glossary and images added (16/01/2014)
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Christopher L. Sholes, the inventor of QWERTY
Martin T. King, Dale L. Grover, Clifford A. Kushler, Cheryl A. Grunbock, the inventors of T9
Bartels Media GmbH for their PhraseExpress software
pinkyache from the Colemak forum for his suggestions and being the first to try the layout
REFERENCES
Grover et al. (1998). Reduced keyboard disambiguating computer
King et al. (1999). Disambiguating system for disambiguating ambiguous input sequences by displaying objects associated with the generated input sequences in the order of decreasing frequency of use
SEE ALSO
Sentence reconstruction using word ambiguity resolution and Minimum Motion Keyboard
Plover for stenography on a QWERTY keyboard
QWERTH, a 15 key input for Android devices
ASETNIOP, a 10 point input for typing on any surface
DO YOU HAVE CODING SKILLS?
If you are interested in helping me with this project, I would like to hear from you. Plans include implementation of a full English dictionary, a personal dictionary which automatically learns new words typed with QWERTY, an independent program with a single install file, progressive word stems displayed as you type, an autocomplete function, and a context sensitive predictive algorithm to eliminate the need for manual conflict resolution by the user.
GLOSSARY
To prevent confusion, below are a list of related terms and my definition of them:
Multitap is the typing of a desired letter by pressing the key a number of times corresponding to its position on a key. On T9-QWERTY, QWERTY takes the place of Multitap for unambiguous input.
T9 stands for Text on 9 keys, but the same system could be used on a layout with any number of keys. It's just an easier way of saying "word disambiguation." Unlike multitap, you press each key once.
A conflict or ambiguity is a sequence of keys that spells multiple words. They are resolved by select keys.
T9-QWERTY is my idea to port T9 to a QWERTY keyboard to reduce motion.
Prediction in the sense I use it is the system that based on the context of a word automatically chooses the most likely word, and may also predict words ahead. It can also be used to mean autocomplete and autocorrect. To prevent confusion it should not be mixed up with "word disambiguation". Prediction has not yet been implemented. It can be seen as either good or bad.
Word stems are partial words.
Phrase Express is a text replacement program I use to implement T9-QWERTY.
IMAGES
Early prototype of T9 with the optimized arrangement, from validconcept.com:
A Sony Ericsson mobile phone with the widely used alphabetical arrangement:
Illustration of T9 adapted to a wristwatch from the original documentation:
T9-QWERTY - my port of T9 to the PC (a work in progress); T9-MOUSE - COMING SOON
Keyboard Shorthand
