From d727527490107a0ee35607a60d65d05eed6a8466 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Christine Dodrill Date: Sat, 22 Aug 2020 16:47:52 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] colemak 2 (#198) --- blog/colemak-layout-2-2020-08-22.markdown | 88 +++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 88 insertions(+) create mode 100644 blog/colemak-layout-2-2020-08-22.markdown diff --git a/blog/colemak-layout-2-2020-08-22.markdown b/blog/colemak-layout-2-2020-08-22.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..972537e --- /dev/null +++ b/blog/colemak-layout-2-2020-08-22.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,88 @@ +--- +title: Colemak Layout - First Week +date: 2020-08-22 +series: colemak +--- + +# Colemak Layout - First Week + +A week ago I posted the last post in this series where I announced I was going +all colemak all the time. I have not been measuring words per minute (to avoid +psyching myself out), but so far my typing speed has gone from intolerably slow +to manageably slow. I have been only dipping back into qwerty for two main +things: + +1. Passwords, specifically the ones I have in muscle memory +2. Coding at work that needs to be done fast + +Other than that, everything else has been in colemak. I have written DnD-style +game notes, hacked at my own "Linux distro", started a few QMK keymaps and more +all via colemak. + +Here are some of the lessons I've learned: + +## Let Your Coworkers Know You Are Going to Be Slow + +This kind of thing is a long tirm investment. In the short term, your +productivity is going to crash through the floor. This will feel frustrating. It +took me an entire workday to implement and test a HTTP handler/client for it in +Go. You will be making weird typos. Let your coworkers know so they don't jump +to the wrong conclusions too quickly. + +Also, this goes without saying, but don't do this kind of change during crunch +time. That's a bit of a dick move. + +## Print Out the Layout + +I have the layout printed and taped to my monitor and iPad stand. This helps a +lot. Instead of looking at the keyboard, I look at the layout image and let my +fingers drift into position. + +I also have a blank keyboard at my desk, this helps because I can't look at the +keycaps and become confused (however this has backfired with typing numbers, +lol). This keyboard has cherry MX blues though, which means it can be loud when +I get to typing up a storm. + +## Have Friends Ask You What Layout You Are Using + +Something that works for me is to have friends ask me what keyboard layout I am +using, so I can be mindful of the change. I have a few people asking me that on +the regular, so I can be accountable to them and myself. + +## macOS and iPadOS have Colemak Out of the Box + +The settings app lets you configure colemak input without having to jailbreak or +install a custom keyboard layout. Take advantage of this. + +Someone has also created a colemak windows package for windows that includes an +IA-64 (Itanium) binary. It was last updated in 2004, and still works without +hassle on windows 10. It was the irst time I've ever seen an IA-64 windows +binary in the wild! + +## Relearn How To Type Your Passwords + +I type passwords from muscle memory. I have had to rediscover what they actually +are so I can relearn how to type them. + +--- + +The colemak experiment continues. I also have a [ZSA +Moonlander](https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/) and the kit for a +[GergoPlex](https://www.gboards.ca/product/gergoplex) coming in the mail. Both +of these run [QMK](https://qmk.fm), which allows me to fully program them with a +rich macro engine. Here are a few of the macros I plan to use: + +```c +// Programming +SUBS(ifErr, "if err != nil {\n\t\n}", KC_E, KC_I) +SUBS(goTest, "go test ./...\n", KC_G, KC_T) +SUBS(cargoTest, "cargo test\n", KC_C, KC_T) +``` + +This will autotype a few common things when I press the keys "ei", "gt", or "ct" +at the same time. I plan to add a few more as things turn up so I can more +quickly type common idioms or commands to save me time. The `if err != nil` +combination started as a joke, but I bet it will end up being incredibly +valuable. + +Be well, take care of your hands.