Your keyboard usage

[The Runar]

Well, this is a topic about keyboards. Not only about the different models, but also their usage. Even though most computer users use the mouse almost always, most things can be done with a keyboard too. Usually the keyboard is actually faster, but requires more practice. Then of course many games use the keyboard. Some keyboards have macro keys and other extra stuff. Then there are some weird keyboards.

 

Anyway, I have a few questions for you:

 

[b]1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?)[/b]
[b]2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse?[/b]
[b]3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom, if you haven't done one already)[/b]
[b]4. Anything else worth mentioning?[/b]

 

And my answers:

 

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?) I have a Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate. Costs a lot (136 with shipping - they're not sold in Finland, so I had to order mine from Germany), but it's extremely good to type on and lasts much longer than normal keyboards. It's quite noisy too (it's mechanical), but I'm used to it already. A great thing about this keyboard is that it accepts an unlimited amount of keys at once, while most high-end keyboards only accept six and cheaper ones even less. It doesn't include much extra stuff, only two USB ports and media keys (as left win+F-key combinations).

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse? My system can be used with keyboard only, but I still use the mouse often. I type a lot though, and I'm also an amateur programmer, so much keyboard usage is quite high.

3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom) Around 70-90 WPM, depending on the text. Probably could write 100+ WPM if I learned to touch type :)

4. Anything else worth mentioning? I'm one of the very few computer users who use the Dvorak layout. It takes time to learn but feels better than Qwerty to type with.

 

A few links:

 

GeekHack forums - lots of talk about keyboards

TypeRacer, a typing test/game

 

If you know any more good links, I'll add them to the list :)

[DarkDude]

1) I use Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop 5000 http://www.ebuyer.com/product/128028. A comfortable keyboard, has a bunch of media buttons but not got them setup for anything.

2) A lot I guess, I use quite a lot of keyboard shortcuts but still use my mouse for a lot of things so probably not much above normal.

3) Easily do 100+ WPM. I hate those tests as I can type a lot quicker when writing things from my head without having to read them first. Still got 107 WPM in that test you linked to though.

4) I never got taught how to type, I learnt how just by using a keyboard a lot. I had no idea what "home row" was until recently when someone mentioned it. I could probably not teach someone how to type as I really don't know what I do when I'm typing it just happens naturally without me thinking at all.

[Racheya]

Interesting topic!

 

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?)

I use a laptop keyboard, pretty standard Qwerty without a number pad at the side. Many of the keys are alarmingly shiny from where they've been rubbed away.

 

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse?

I used to use the keyboard a bit more for stuff since it worked naturally with a touchpad, however since I bought a USB mouse I'm using it little less. I'm happy using a mouse/touchpad though.

 

3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom, if you haven't done one already)

I got 79 Wpm on that test :D I got 100 Wpm on one where I didn't make any mistakes, typos drag my typing speed down a fair bit.

 

Also your Das keyboard looks incredible O_o Though I'd personally want this and add a Star Trek Lcars keypad thing on there <3:

 

 

4) I never got taught how to type, I learnt how just by using a keyboard a lot. I had no idea what "home row" was until recently when someone mentioned it. I could probably not teach someone how to type as I really don't know what I do when I'm typing it just happens naturally without me thinking at all.

 

That's exactly the same with me, I never knew what the home row was - I just typed a lot over the last few years and just... learned.

[The Runar]

I never got taught how to type, I learnt how just by using a keyboard a lot. I had no idea what "home row" was until recently when someone mentioned it. I could probably not teach someone how to type as I really don't know what I do when I'm typing it just happens naturally without me thinking at all.

 

Yeah, it's the same for me. Most of my computer skills are a result of trying things.

 

Also your Das keyboard looks incredible O_o

 

Would look even better if I cleaned it, it has a lot of dust on it right now :razz:

[GottaGetDownOnfriday]

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?)

Gaming: Logitech G15

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse?

A lot, I am a programmer. Here is about two weeks of whatpulses'. http://whatpulse.org/stats/users/234230/

3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom, if you haven't done one already)

I can type over 100 WPM.

4. Anything else worth mentioning?

I have carpal tunnel in one of my wrists.

[VARN]

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?)

Logitech G15

 

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse?

I use the mouse more for browsing the web, when I am using word or AutoCAD I use the keyboard.

 

3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom, if you haven't done one already)

TypeRacer says 38 WPM

 

4. Anything else worth mentioning?

 

My left shift key does not work very well, I need to get used to the right one.

[The Runar]

My left shift key does not work very well, I need to get used to the right one.

 

I've never used the right shift key :|

[Gandorf61]

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?)

I use a Microsoft Comfort Curve 2000 keyboard. Nothing special but it does the job well and I got it for $10.

 

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse?

I only really use it for typing things. Most of the time when given the option I just use a mouse.

 

3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom, if you haven't done one already)

My average is only about 40wpm with 95%+ accuracy. I could type a bit faster but I'm trying to teach myself to type properly right now so I'm kind of slow. :S

[Kaphias]

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?) One of these: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/e/e4/Apple_USB_Keyboard_B.jpg. Quite an odd layout and one you don't see very much anymore, but seeing as I use the numpad for numbers instead of the ones about the keys, I really like it. Would get a new one if Apple still sold that layout. I have Logitech Access 600 for my Windows.

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse? Most of the time on my Mac... hardly ever on my Windows.

3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom, if you haven't done one already) About 40 WPM re-typing, upwards of 70 on-the-fly.

[Sbrideau]

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?)

Logitech Access 600, which I think to be a very good keyboard.

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse?

I almost don't use the mouse at all.

3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom, if you haven't done one already)

According to the facebook typing race, 88wpm.

4. Anything else worth mentioning?

Being a programmer, I learned the keyboard shotcuts which goes much faster than using the mouse for most things. I even took the time to lean some from a few of the linux distros.

[OldJoe]

1: Low budget. http://www.deltaco.se/article.aspx?ItemID=TB-215NOR

10€, i have better things to spend money on than buying 50€ keyboards. It works for me, and doesn't matter if it breaks since it's cheap. I have had a couple of "coffee incidents" over the years, which contributes to my keyboard-choosing.

 

2: I think it evens out. I usually don't type any addresses since i just click my bookmarks, i often use the keyboard for certain actions, switching between programs, saving etc... You know.

 

3: 48wpm on 97.2% accuracy @one test.

 

4: Hm, i seem to get "mouse arm" every 3rd or so year which lasts a couple of days.

I am left-handed but i use the right hand for the mouse (which i do with alot of things, golf i play right-handed too for example).

[Kaur]

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?)

The one built in into my Dell laptop. Kinda broken, missing Y, capslock and home keys, N is about to fall off too :( Some keys like D always give me DD.

 

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse?

Control C, V, Alt+f4, backspace and tab are my best friends.

 

3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom, if you haven't done one already)

With the test you gave I got around 70 (foreign language, haven't seen half the words before lol)

 

4. Anything else worth mentioning?

I use 4 fingers to type, I'm that pro.

[dsavi]

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?) I have a Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate. Costs a lot (136 with shipping - they're not sold in Finland, so I had to order mine from Germany), but it's extremely good to type on and lasts much longer than normal keyboards.

I thought I saw one on display in Verkkokauppa Ruoholahti. I know I saw one without anything on the keys, anyway.

 

Anyway:

 

1. I use a Dell keyboard that I got with my computer. It's big, clunky, noisy, black and has no extra keys (Other than a numpad which is for some reason considered "Extra" these days. n00by Mac-using Whippersnappers). I love it.

2. Other than normal typing I use it for switching workspaces and windows with CTRL+ALT+(Arrow key) and ALT+TAB respectively, I also make good use of the numpad with programs like Blender. This actually means that almost only use my keyboard for window management once I've gotten my workspaces set up.

3. I'm also around 70.

4. I also have a Wacom which I never use, :oops: partly because the Linux drivers kind of suck though.

[The Runar]

I thought I saw one on display in Verkkokauppa Ruoholahti. I know I saw one without anything on the keys, anyway.

 

The older models have been sold in Finland, but I haven't seen newer ones anywhere. There are a few other keyboards with blank keys though.

 

I also have a Wacom which I never use, :oops: partly because the Linux drivers kind of suck though.

 

That's weird, I've never had any problems with my Wacom. :mellow:

[dsavi]

Funkay things with dual screens. Also, I have the Bamboo Fun medium, which has touch input, which the drivers don't really know what to do with.

[Assume Nothing]

120wpm on typeracer. I am using a really crappy keyboard that the laptop came with, wondering how cheap a Das Keyboard is... >.>

[Jernlov]

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?)

 

Some cheap Microsoft keyboard.

 

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse?

 

Most of the time because I game and type a lot. I can use it to navigate Windows but I have a sensitive mouse so typically it's faster to do it mouse-way.

 

3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom, if you haven't done one already)

 

Typing from my head I can easily do 100+ but on tests I get about 60-80wpm.

 

4. Anything else worth mentioning?

 

Nothing in particular.

[Guy]

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?) It's just a regular keyboard, one of these (Elephant Ke002, with an English keyboard) I'd be suprised if you'd heard of the brand, I picked it up in a computer centre in China. Does me well though

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse? Hm... I would say I use them equally, or perhaps maybe the mouse a little more (lots of web surfing).

3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom, if you haven't done one already) 79 WPM on my laptop keyboard.

4. Anything else worth mentioning? It has slim keys like a macbook, which is the exact reason I chose it. After using my laptop for 4 months while on holiday I've sort of got used to a thin keyboard and wasn't liking my desktop keyboard, which was on its last legs anyway.

[Assume Nothing]

I typed 135wpm on a college computer the other day, and 138 a few months back. I think if I get the same quote again, I might do 130+ again

[jasignhagj]

I have a stock dell keyboard circa. 2001, but I'm getting a new one soon to go with my new computer.

I use the mouse, but I'm finding myself using keyboard shortcuts more often

Im a slow typist, I get about 25 wpm on the test, but when I type on forums and from my mind instead of typing, I get about 40-45.

I really hate keyboards that have missing back supports, flat keyboards are impossible to type on.

[red_Fat1]

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?) Gaming - Razer

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse? I only use it for short keys et

3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom, if you haven't done one already)

Your speed:

 

85 wpm

Time:0:41

Accuracy: 97.6%

 

Was trying to be super fast, kinda slowed me down.

4. Anything else worth mentioning? I like pie.

[Assume Nothing]

Your speed:

117 wpm

Time:

0:25

Accuracy:

99.2%

[Assume Nothing]

New decent score

 

Your speed:

 

132 wpm

Time:

 

0:22

Accuracy:

 

100%

[Guest Melvinkooi]

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?) Logitech G15 v2

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse? More i think

3. How fast can you type? (a link to a typing speed test is included at the bottom, if you haven't done one already) 28 wpm

4. Anything else worth mentioning? Nope

[X3EN]

1. What kind of a keyboard do you use? (ergonomic, gaming, something completely different?)

Logitech Deluxe 250 Keyboard (bought recently)

 

2. How much do you use the keyboard? Do you often use it instead of the mouse?

I prefer keyboard to mouse because of the fact you do not need to locate something on the screen.

 

3. How fast can you type?

56 WPM with 99.4% accuracy. Could type double that while programming (or wherever you do not need to type what you are reading or listening to).

 

4. Anything else worth mentioning?

I had used my laptop keyboard for roughly two years until the 'R' key became touch-sensitive and 'E' key would not function until the computer is heated up (by GPU usage). I bought the keyboard mentioned above just a month ago.