Killer Qwerty
Like many I believed the QWERTY keyboard layout was designed for input speed. Not true. A great programme on BBC4 explained the development of the typewriter and the keyboard layout - it's simple the layout was designed in order that the arms didn't clash.
This got me thinking. If qwerty isn't the best use of placement, i.e. 60% of keys are typed by your left hand, then it's ever likely the new onscreen touch keyboards as implented in the Apple iPhone are a complete pain in the backside to use. It's difficult to 'get onto' the keys, which results in frequent mis-keying. Fine - the OS learns these mistakes, but that still doesn't help out the user interface. It's worth considering that the frequently used keys should be take larger screen real estate therefore allowing faster interaction, while still retaining the common QWERTY layout.
One for thinking about there. Visit bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/ for more programmes.
This got me thinking. If qwerty isn't the best use of placement, i.e. 60% of keys are typed by your left hand, then it's ever likely the new onscreen touch keyboards as implented in the Apple iPhone are a complete pain in the backside to use. It's difficult to 'get onto' the keys, which results in frequent mis-keying. Fine - the OS learns these mistakes, but that still doesn't help out the user interface. It's worth considering that the frequently used keys should be take larger screen real estate therefore allowing faster interaction, while still retaining the common QWERTY layout.
One for thinking about there. Visit bbc.co.uk/bbcfour/ for more programmes.
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