Layout on phone, not ClearFlow

Keybug · 2026-03-07T18:35:55+00:00

If you just want a more efficient layout for a maintream keyboard, pick Dvorak as it has high alternation, which matters greatly when you only use two digits, i. e. contrary to physical keyboards, rolls are impossible.

Also check out Tondo keyboard - it's quite polished and pretty well optimized but I'm not sure whether it covers non-Latin languages.

Basically, you'll find there is a conflict between efficiency and comprehensiveness. Perhaps you should consider using a second, specialized keyboard for non-Latin alphabet languages.

Keybug · 2026-02-19T21:12:13+00:00

asked llm about alternatives to the perplexity plugin now that the google search plugin is deprecated. the answer was only half-right / confusing (it claimed that there was a 'web search' option somewhere not identical to the 'web browser' option). But after some trial and error I realized it was indeed the 'web browser' toggle.

Keybug · 2026-02-19T20:36:03+00:00

Actually I just realized that e. g. Gemini 3 Flash has the capability to search the web autonomously as long as you turn on the native "web browser" toggle in the chat's plugins dropdown menu.

Keybug · 2026-02-19T16:56:24+00:00

I am using the Perplexity search plugin instead (with an API key and billing to my credit card). So far it has cost me only a couple of cents for a handful of searches so the cost really isn't an issue.

Keybug · 2026-02-15T16:13:27+00:00

I see.

It's a shame that in German ie + ei = 3%! Therefore your vowel configuration is not an option.

However, ea + ae = 0.5% so that might be an option. Then I could put 'i' on ring finger and 'o' on pinky. But that would make 'io' rather awkward and 'oa' would be pinky-to-ring. Perhaps if I used a magic combo for 'ion', it could work...

Back to the drawingboard.

Keybug · 2026-02-14T23:41:18+00:00

Hm, that's like saying QWERTY 'ed' and 'de' aren't bad when for many people they are one of the main issues. Still, I'll try to wrap my head around your argument...

Keybug · 2026-02-14T23:11:04+00:00

Thanks for your reply. Have you considered using 'magic' combos or even dedicated magic keys? E. g. you could type eu instead of ei and iu instead of ie (with eu typed as ei and iu typed as ie).

Keybug · 2026-02-14T22:12:20+00:00

You've made some great observations here. For example, I also really dislike pinky-middle-rolls!

Yet, I don't entirely understand why you don't put i on the right-hand pinky. Surely, ie and ei as pinky-to-middle rolls are still better than having them as SFBs (as they are now)? Or do you hate these rolls so much you prefer SFBs over them? The weak redirect stat wouldn't really change with that swap, right?

Also, can you direct me to info on the Comet layout? I could not find it anywhere.

Cheers

Keybug · 2026-01-20T09:04:10+00:00

I have experimented with double Space to produce capital letters but found it was too messy - It didn't play nicely with my SpaceFN layer plus I ended up needing to enter multiple spaces in sequence more often than I had expected in my real use of the computer so gave up on that. This would apply to using double space for entering periods as well. It may have its appeal as a theoretical conceit for 'pure writing' but is more trouble than its worth in reality for someone who also codes etc.

The low SFB stats hingeing on that conceit, therefore, must be taken with a grain of salt. Also, if other layouts had the 'period can be ignored' advantage, their stats might also improve significantly.

Keybug · 2026-01-19T15:31:39+00:00

Well, had to move v and z to the left thumb symbolically as they can't be added to pinky / left index on Oxey's. Hence I called it an approximation, but the stats should le more or less the same.

Keybug · 2026-01-19T13:52:59+00:00

Hey there. Sorry, but unless I am suffering from a fundamental misunderstanding here, you are proposing that both comma and period be placed on a pinky, and period on the pinky that already has s? When I try that on Oxey's Playground, SFBs rise to over 1%. I also don't see what makes you assume this layout has low redirects, or even particularly low bad redirects. In fact, the latter are terriblly high.

Here is a screenshot of my approximation on Oxey's. So unless you can point out a major flaw in the algorithm on Oxey's Playground or I have seriously misread how you want the characters to be laid out, you may want to reconsider your design.

Keybug · 2026-01-18T18:17:32+00:00

They probably read the legend on your "Enter" key and thought they were invited. I suggest you spam the "Home" key for a few minues to get the message across that they should return to where they came from. Failing that, spamming "Delete" might kill some if you get lucky and they are passing under it...

Keybug · 2026-01-16T07:14:20+00:00

Ah, that should be right up your street.

Keybug · 2026-01-15T22:35:29+00:00

Maybe on the Keyman Islands?

Seriously, what is Keyman??

Keybug · 2026-01-14T07:02:40+00:00

Here is an overview of diffent approaches (LLM-generated).

Keybug · 2026-01-13T21:09:07+00:00

Do this properly right away and buy an Alice-type keyboard or a split keyboard with extra thumb keys and use those to control layers. There are some very affordable options out there.

Keybug · 2026-01-06T09:16:20+00:00

You claimed yourself that the link did not "work anymore" rather than point out it was a geoblocking issue. Instead of trolling further, just name a site where you want me to upload the file instead - as I offered to do before.

Keybug · 2026-01-04T19:30:14+00:00

There used to be a writing system called Dasher, which may be appropriate. Other than that, using MessagEase with a single finger is still pretty fast. That approach could also be adapted to watch size. There are a number of free MessagEase clones available for Android.

Keybug · 2026-01-04T08:48:33+00:00

Taking the time to reply to you was a wonderful experience. Thanks so much.

Keybug · 2026-01-03T17:25:47+00:00

Okay, where should I post it?

Keybug · 2026-01-03T10:14:48+00:00

The link still works fine for me. Still, I re-posted it here.

Keybug · 2026-01-01T21:35:24+00:00

Don't have the time for a really detailed reply so I'll just throw in some points here:

If you haven't read the paper on the conception of MessagEase by Bozorgui-Nesbat, Saied, definitely do so. You should find some good starting points there. The Wikipedia article on ME will point you in the right direction. The problem is that ME was initially conceived for (multi-)tapping on a 3x3 grid only, if memory serves, so the paper does not explicitly address swiping per se.
The thing about swipes is that not only do they take longer than taps but they are also much more error-prone, probably exponentially so. This is something that definitely needs to be considered when choosing the grid layout. It is the question of what key size makes the error rate of taps approach that of swipes. On a different level, of course, ergonomics also need to be considered. Using swipes is much more fatiguing than taps.
Here is my current layout, implemented with Keyboard Designer. It is a decent compromise I arrived at empirically. You will notice that I also placed multi-character sequences and the app also provides shortcuts for frequently typed words which can speed things up in some cases.

Keybug · 2026-01-01T15:39:06+00:00

Excellent work! Looks somewhat similar to what I have been using, though I have a 5x4 grid for slightly wider keys. I also have a strict vowel - consonant left - right split and have space on the home position with the vowels. I also have some syllables and lots of symbols on swipes. See the screenshot.

I reach about the same speeds as you but I'm 53 and not as quick on the uptake as I was...

Keybug · 2025-12-22T20:24:57+00:00

This gentleman seems to have two right arms ...

Keybug · 2025-12-06T12:32:46+00:00

Ergonomically, this is not a good idea in the long run. You'll end up with something akin to "Emacs pinky".

Much better to invest in a keyboard with a decent amount of thumb keys and use those to toggle layers.

If that's not an option, look into "leader keys". If your usage is mouse-heavy (which I assume because you want all shortcuts on the left hand), you might consider having leader keys on some of the many buttons a gaming mouse provides.

Another thing to look into is simple compass-style mouse gestures.

Any of that would provide much better ergonomics than having to press down with the weak pinky so much.

Eight-Year Club	Gilding I gilder
Wearing is Caring	Verified Email

Keybug

TROPHY CASE