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    L N and K keys!

    • Started by getajob92
    • 3 Replies:
    • Reputation: 0
    • Registered: 08-Apr-2012
    • Posts: 5

    Hey, I just started using Colemak last week and so far I'm loving it.  Still having plenty of trouble with certain keys, like S, F, P, and L, especially when I'm trying to type without paying full attention, but that's probably to be expected for a month or two.  What I really wanted to ask about was the placement of the L, N, and K keys.  Colemak flows so much better than QWERTY, but these 3 keys seem awkwardly placed to me.  While I fully support the choice of row for each key, I feel like they are frequently used near each other in words often enough that perhaps not all three of them should be the job of the right index finger.

    I will say that analysis of this post so far might be proof that I'm out of my mind and that such key combos aren't all that common in normal writing.  Perhaps these consecutive keypresses are just more noticeable because the left index finger doesn't have as much of a problem? (All 6 of its letters, P T V D G and B, almost always have at least one other letter in between them in words).  Anyone else notice this, or am I just crazy?

    Regardless, I'm loving Colemak.  Many props, Shai.  Will donate once I start my work study.

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    • From: Sofia, Bulgaria
    • Registered: 05-Mar-2011
    • Posts: 387

    It's normal for some key combos to feel awkward in the beginning. The L N K key are not that often met together in a word but it could still be somewhat of a problem for some. In that case you can just press the K with the index finger and use the middle finger for N and L. I personally don't like using the middle for KN and NK because quite often one of the next letters is I or O and it makes the situation more awkward then just using the index finger for both N and K but that's my own experience.

    I actually use my middle finger for L very often when I'm lying in bed and typing in a weird position using the longer finger makes things that much easier. As for the KL and LK, there really is no reason not to use your middle finger for L, at any time.

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    • From: Viken, Norway
    • Registered: 13-Dec-2006
    • Posts: 5,361

    I never had trouble with an I or O after the NK/KN digraphs? The pinky stays in place and the ring finger nearly so, so getting the hand in place in time for the vowel doesn't seem hard to me. YMMV. :)

    Last edited by DreymaR (08-Apr-2012 19:09:08)

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    • From: Sofia, Bulgaria
    • Registered: 05-Mar-2011
    • Posts: 387

    I don't feel it comfortable if I stretch my fingers the way you do. Could be different keyboards, but probably is just different preferences ;)

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