Typing speed results

[deckaddict]

At my workplace we've had ergonomists several times and they constantly tell us to lower the keyboard. They have hints on other things like postures and getting keyboards without numpads. But what they constantly say that we really shall do is to not have the keyboard raised in the back.

[dabigkahuna]

Interesting. Did they say why not to have numpads? I don't use a numbed - just never practiced it so it's very awkward for me. But I would think it would be a handy skill. I've had keyboards with numpads and don't see anything that would affect my normal typing.

There is a numbed option on the TB. Haven't heard from anyone about how it compares to keyboards with a separate numpad though.

[deckaddict]

The problem is not the numpad itself. The problem is that your hands have to get further apart when having a mouse to the right of the keyboard. Something most people have.

[PT_Ken]

The keyboard I have now at work has a number pad, but it is separate from the keyboard so I can move it out of the way when not using it. It's connected by USB.

[deckaddict]

That sounds like you are having two keyboards. That is something the ergonomists suggested if we really needed the numpad.

[PT_Ken]

It's this:

https://shop.goldtouch.com/products/goldtouch-v2-adjustable-comfort-keyboard-pc-and-mac-compatible-usb

and this:

https://shop.goldtouch.com/products/goldtouch-mac-usb-numeric-keyboard-black

They've been good to me, but I look forward to my TextBlade.

[dabigkahuna]

Ah, my situation is different. No matter what keyboard I've used, my mouse is actually on the arm of my chair. Granted, that may not be considered good, but it works for me. Especially with the TB since the editing capabilities on the TB reduce my need for the mouse. When I am using the mouse, it is not constantly switching back and forth, but using the mouse for extended periods, like going through browser tabs, scrolling, clicking links, etc.

My mouse has extra buttons I've also programmed to reduce keyboard usage - a button to close a tab, a button to increase text size, one to reduce text size. Even one to force quit an app if necessary.

[Hiser]

I have tried three times to post here and for some reason I keep loosing my post. Here is the abbreviated version.

I find I don't need a NumPad as often as I use to, because I can now touch type the numbers and symbols on the TextBlade. I was recently entering grades where I type hundreds of times something like "15.8 out of 20". On the TextBlade this is "[right thumb holds down spacebar]15[release].[left thumb holds down spacebar]8[release left thumb][tap right thumb on spacebar]out[tap right thumb]of[tap right thumb][hold down right thumb]20[release]". You see I go back and forth between thumbs, instinctively. I have even noticed that for instance when I release the left thumb and tap the right thumb on the spacebar, that I have noted that the spacebar does not always make it back up all the way in this process and the TB always gets it correct.

Note: you can use either thumb for the spacebar, but I have adopted using the opposite hand because by finger is moving for the first number key while the thumb is starting to depress the spacebar. This becomes instinctive, because you do not think about this as two steps—similar as to the shift key.

[dabigkahuna]

I'm pretty sure I always use the right thumb.

But the issue of the decimal point was a big issue for me. What I did was replace the green layer tab key with a period. It's not ideal - still a stretch - but it reduces the complication of switching layers. I also put a comma on the green layer home key.

[dabigkahuna]

I'm having trouble finding a typing speed test that lets me just type what I want - iow, the typical typing most people do.

I have this site:

https://wordcounter.net

It comes close, but the problem is that you have to click a "play" button to start (if you don't see it, go into options to select "speed" to appear and then click it on the menu to get the play option to appear), which means moving from the mouse to the keyboard while the timer is already running (much better if it simply started counting the time when you first type a key. Or at least give a countdown so you have time to get your hands ready.

And when you are done, you click the same button (which is now a "pause" symbol) - do NOT hit the "stop" icon because that zeros out your figures - so that throws off the accuracy too as you switch to the mouse.

You can watch a running display of your wpm, but you'll probably want to pause it so you can look for errors.

So, basically I'm looking for something like at the link, but with a way start the timer without losing time and, ideally, a way to stop it without using the mouse. Could be some key combo or it could just note when your last letter was typed.