GeneBeanSo… for those that use a split and/or columnar #keyboard, how long did it take you to get good at it?
[ #MechanicalKeyboard #SplitKeyboard #Columnar ]
[ #MechanicalKeyboard #SplitKeyboard #Columnar ]
Pat - Heritage Monster@genebean I can't remember how long it took - possibly several weeks. I was already a fluent typist, and the biofeedback (conventional keyboard gave physical pain, split didn't) really helped me keep at it.
Nicd 
@genebean A month or two using it full time. I had to unlearn my earlier wrong finger positions.
Caio Messias 🎃@genebean a month of full time usage to feel good/not frustrated using it (at about 60wpm). Then, 3 months to get back to my usual typing speed (around 100wpm).
Before using a columnar keyboard I didn't know how to touch type, so I learned that too during this process
Jens Bannmann ⁂@genebean Two weeks for getting to a level that didn't feel much slower than before. About a month to get to the same speed and accuracy.
(2008 Kinesis Advantage 1, fixed split columnar)
Ram Krishnan
Chuck@genebean I must be the freak judging from the other replies, but I don't remember having much transition time. I had a split as home primary and a std at the office for at least a decade, and ended up alternating daily that whole time (until I wore out the split). Maybe my experience is not best to reference...
I did have to break out the worn out one last month for an emergency, and realized how much I missed it, hence why I'm on this hashtag. 😆
@ATurnOfTheNut good to know! What kind of split keyboard is/was the worn out one?
@genebean a fairly ancient MS Natural Pro. By ancient, I mean it is dual USB/PS2 connected, was bought from TigerDirect back when they were a primary supplier for custom build stuff, and was used with a really hot build running a dual socket 370 setup with a pair of P3/733's. 🤣
@genebean The keyboard definitely aged far better than the rest of the build. It's still functional though really worn out. The MB took a power surge during a storm and while it's still in a box somewhere, would only be good for wall art.
@ATurnOfTheNut it’s kinda amazing how well keyboards age!
@genebean It really is. When I temporarily pulled it out of storage for an emergency a couple of months ago, I was impressed it still worked. It'd been worn enough I'd stored it in an open box for probably 10y, and other than an insanely sticky space thanks to the world's biggest dust bunny (removed with some disassembly), it was still functional enough to get probably 2/3 usual speed until the plain Jane replacement I had on the way arrived. It might get stored (better) for another few years...
@genebean If nothing else it works better than my cheap work issued one. That's survived 15+, and its main issue is having worn off enough labels that normals can't use it. I've had that one new, and think I realized I'd even worn off the tactile nubs already a few years ago. 😆
Pete Gamache@genebean I got a Kinesis Freestyle 2 about 10 years ago. It took me almost no time at all to get used to, but my previous work keyboard had all-black keys so I was already on the touch-typing train for a while. Great keyboard, especially the tenting/wrist rest kit (which should IMO come standard). I love that it is not columnar, and meets regular ol’ QWERTY typists halfway. I later bought a Freestyle Edge, which has mechanical switches. https://kinesis-ergo.com/shop/freestyle-pro/
@pete I could certainly see the appeal of a non-columnar one… I just figured I’d give it a try since, in theory, it’s more ergonomic.