orangebutton, a weblog by George Girton

left hand gestalt . . . . . may 17 2004 — ob63.dat

Just when I thought I knew everything about keyboards, I had a new experience. Plagued by some wrist problems, I swapped my mouse over to the left side of the keyboard (I'm right-handed). The theory here? Total rest is the best solution to pain. And you know, the mouse buttons can be swapped in software, so there wasn't really a problem in the mouse department.

Still, the keyboard arrow-keys were on the right side of the keyboard. Did I need a left-handed keyboard? What I sought was an ergonomic keyboard with 'alps' keyswitches. I had read the superior ergonomic experience provided by this old-time keyboard switch. Something about full completion of the contact providing better feedback.

So when I accidentally stumbled upon a left-handed keyboard with ALPS keyswitches, on remainder no less, I picked one up, to be delivered by slow freight from Jacksonville, FL (UPS ground across Interstate 10, variously known as the Rosa Parks Freeway or the Christopher Columbus Transcontinental Highway).

Typing on this keyboard is wild -- the key switches are great -- because I still have some of my right-hand and finger habits for the arrow keys. More than that, the entire gestalt of being at the keyboard has changed. When I put my hands up to type, I put them over the left middle of the keyboard, whereas actually they need to be on the right. Oops all the time! Is it really more convenient having the mome and arrow keys over on the left? I'm not so sure. I'll let you know in about two weeks.