Is it time for Colemak and the keyboard to say good bye? - General

pinkyache
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02-Nov-2010 14:46:40#1 Is it time for Colemak and the keyboard to say good bye?

Why waste time learning how to touch type on those annoying expensive chunks of plastic when there might be better alternatives?

Just saw this:
http://www.the8pen.com/

I really like the elegance of the design.

Could you partner this with an Apple magic pad or whatever they are called?

Would be nice to know the typing speeds attainable on this. And how software intensive it is. And whether or not it's open source.

Putting those questions aside, even if the speeds aren't too high - imagine the usefulness if tied to a kick ass predictive text system.

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tomlu
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03-Nov-2010 10:09:50#2 Re: Is it time for Colemak and the keyboard to say good bye?

Would be nice to know the typing speeds attainable on this.

The presentation compares it to handwriting, so I would imagine that it would be rather slow.

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kqr
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03-Nov-2010 11:48:55#3 Re: Is it time for Colemak and the keyboard to say good bye?

It encourages small, repetitive movements by a single thumb. Doesn't seem too healthy to me.

For smallscreen devices I still think http://www.strout.net/info/ideas/hexinput.html is unmatched. Maybe I'm biased because I really like the idea, I don't know.

Current Colemak: http://hi-games.net/typing-test,60/watch?u=1388

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ghen
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03-Nov-2010 15:48:03#4 Re: Is it time for Colemak and the keyboard to say good bye?

This is a pure pointer-based entry method: Dasher.

It's quite fun if you try it a bit, and I imagine it's the most efficient text entry method you can use with your nose. :-)

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pinkyache
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03-Nov-2010 17:19:11#5 Re: Is it time for Colemak and the keyboard to say good bye?

I've looked at Dasher, and reached a reasonable speed in not much time. It's a bit disorientating. Certainly less of a learning curve than typing.

Wikipedia entry 'words per minute' suggests that you can reach 20 - 30 wpm with handwriting - that isn't too bad is it? You can probably also write blindly with the 8pen, and I'd have thought more sloppily than with handwriting.

Speed isn't everything. I wonder how comfortable it is? I don't see why you can't use your finger, unless you want one handed phone use. I use my fingers for texting on T9, and it works fine.

Last edited by pinkyache (03-Nov-2010 17:20:36)

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FearedBliss
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04-Nov-2010 03:05:51#6 Re: Is it time for Colemak and the keyboard to say good bye?

Seems like a pretty good idea to me. I don't know how optimal or easy it would be, but a better keyboard would definitely be appreciated.

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