Xah Lee, 2008-07
Some more comments for this thread. (and thanks for all the feedback)
On the issue of keymaping, modifier keys, ergonomics... part of the problem is the keyboard hardware itself.
The standard keyboard out there used by some 99% of computers worldwide, namely the PC keyboard↗; is derived from the design of type writers.
The design of the typewriter↗ itself, is largely concerned about getting the machine to actually work. Like most inventions, in the begining the concern is just to get it to work. The concept of keyboarding ergonomics didn't come about or become popular after few decades of keyboard use.
Let's consider some examples:
• The Backspace/Delete key, the Enter/Return key, are among the most usedful special keys. However, they are placed in the most inconvenient spots.
• The vertical key column positions are jagged. i.e. The columns 1QAS, 2WSX, 3EDC, etc, are slanted. Worse is that the jagging is not a regular, not symmetric for both hands, but in a ad hoc slant from top left to bottom right. So, for example, going from key D to E, your middle finger moves upwards and in the direction of your pinky. Going from K to I, your right middle finger also moves upward but in the direction of your thumb.
• The number of keys for the Left and right are not symmetric.
` 12345 67890 -=
QWERT YUIOP []\
ASDFG HJKL; '
ZXCVB NM,./
Notice in the above pict, how the right side has lots of extra keys.
So, all of the above combined, makes today's conventional keyboard really a bad piece of hardware.
One keyboard that is well known and loved, is the Kinesis (keyboard)↗, which fixed all of the above problems.
For keyboard gallery with photos and more detailed commentary, see: Computer Keyboards Gallery.
Now, when we consider the placement of modifier keys, or consider keymapping, or consider optimal keybindings for emacs, the given PC keyboard hardware puts a lot constraint.
* * *
There are many variety of input devices in the past 2 decades, some intended to replace the keyboard. (few of them based on “chording”. See Chording keyboard↗ ) Some of them are good in priciple but maybe bad in practice. Perhaps some of them are truely good. None of them actually caught on. (except the Kenesis in some degree) The main problem is getting people to change (if there's such a need at all). The PC keyboard, although its fairly bad when considered ergonomically, but it works ok. It is widespread, and most people who has to use a keyboard, dont need to type that much. Vast majority of computer users today, use computer to read check/write email, instant chat, read news, watch video, play music, play games. Typing does not happen that much. Even for programers, perhaps a majority dont need to do continuous, intensive, typing in prolonged hours. They don't want to change, partly because they dont need to. As a fact, a lot professional programers code in their day job, do not even touch type.
The problem is similar to the Dvorak keymap↗. Major change is hard to get adapted. Major change is costy.
Small change or gradual change do happen. For example, most keyboard sold today has several special buttons that launch apps or control music players. The split ergonomic keyboards also been widely adapted. Mouse has become universal since mid 1995, and Mouse wheel↗ since Microsoft introduced/popularized it in late 1990s.
Large Ctrl Alt keys, on both sides of keyboard, symmetrically distanced to the thumbs when hands rests in a touch-typing position, are on Microsoft's ergonomic keyboards↗.
On the key layout side, the Dvorak is now available on all major operating systems, and as far as i know there are gradually more programers using it.
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