Re: Re: COLEMAK layout?

2008/11/20 Steven Marzuola <[email protected]>:

>  but there
> are some limitations to his work when applying it to computer
> keyboards today.
>
> First, he didn't change the basic look of the keyboard.  He didn't
> separate the hands, nor did he change the tilt or slope of the
> keyboard.  He didn't straighten out the vertical key alignment but
> kept the inclination to the left.
>
> He didn't address the Enter key, because in those days a typewriter
> had a manual carriage return lever.  Possibly no backspace and
> definitely no cursor or Page Up/Down keys.
>
> He didn't have to contend with any modifier key except the Shift -- no
> Ctrl, Alt, Windows, or Menu (context) keys. And he didn't include
> non-alphanumerical characters in his scheme, which really affects
> programmers.
>
> His assumption was a typist enters text.  Some of us do just that, but
> we also spend a lot of keyboard time doing other things, including
> moving cursors, mousing, clicking, Alt-Tabbing, navigating around
> documents and web pages, using drawing programs, and on and on.
>
> He adapted his keyboard to the mechanical and manufacturing
> limitations of his time.  It's possible that he didn't imagine a time
> when the keyboard could be completely disconnected from the machine
> being controlled.
>
> Finally, I think he could have done something else with the thumbs,
> instead of limiting them to entering spaces -- same as Qwerty.

Quite a valid list!

I'd add i18N to that.
UK pound sign, Other national 'specialities' etc.

I'm sure there's more research there for someone.

regards

-- 
Dave Pawson
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