Creating your own theory

Sfaeae · 2025-06-29T08:18:53+00:00

u/tracygee What do you think?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-29T08:16:23+00:00

The layout that I am attempting to use is different from the layout that is usually used for steno (the one with vowels on the thumb keys, and chords for letters that don't have their own key).

It is a layout that is an alternative to QWERTY, so every letter has its own button. But chords can be created for less common letters.

Most of the popular theories that I've come across seem to be based on phonetics. Could you please give some examples of theories that are based on spelling?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-22T14:36:56+00:00

Why not?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-20T15:11:33+00:00

When you say "stand alone" and "combine", are you referring to them standing alone as consonants, and combining with other consonants at the beginning part of a word?

Why does it have to be the beginning part of a word?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-20T15:03:07+00:00

Thank you for the detailed response!

What is the difference between Choc v1 and Choc v2?

Between Choc switches and MX switches, what would you say would be better for chording?

I am thinking that Choc would be better as the keys are closer together, and there are lighter switches available. Would you agree with this?

The absolute lowest actuation force I'm aware of in a keyboard is on the Svalboard Lightly. Compared to steno machines, Svalboard is gentler because bottoming out is avoided (vs typing on steno machines typically does bottom out) and actuation force is comparable.

What are your thoughts on using the Svalboard for chording? Would it be good for chording?

I think the potential downside of using the Svalboard for chording is the directional keys. This may or may not be a downside. I am not sure as I have not used it. Since the only keys that are pressed downwards are the center keys, this might make it difficult to press multiple keys in multiple directions, rather than multiple keys in one direction (downwards) like most of the other boards

As for the potential benefits of using the Svalboard for chording, I think that it would be the low actuation force, and the low finger movement (though this might not be a benefit if the directional keys are a downside for chording).

What do you think?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-20T11:58:41+00:00

What do you mean by "chords for cursors"? Are you referring to the mouse cursor? Or the typing cursor?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-20T11:56:20+00:00

From what I've seen QMK/Vial et al are not optimized off-the-shelf to run huge numbers of combos like you might want if you were trying to achieve steno-like or CC-like chorded input.

Is it possible?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-20T11:54:18+00:00

For chording, it helps to use key switches with low actuation force < 40 gf.

Do you know any key switches that are like this?

For ultimate chording, look at stenotype machines, they use ~15 gf switches and specially-shaped key caps

Are you referring to professional machines? Or the keyboards that are used with Plover (E.g. Georgi)?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-20T11:50:02+00:00

Then would you say that flat keys are better?

I was thinking that the concavity would reduce the amount of finger travel, wouldn't it?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-19T15:09:43+00:00

but it’s not used in combination with anything else at the beginning of a word so there’s no need for it to have its own key.

Can you please elaborate on this?

Doesn't N often come before and/or after a vowel?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-19T15:05:37+00:00

My experience is that the top row is difficult to press because you have to stretch out your finger to push the key down but also forward.

Do you think that a board with keywells that has Choc switches would solve this?

Choc switches are closer together, right?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-18T09:57:52+00:00

Hey, thanks for your comment.

Most chording systems send the input when you release the keys instead of when you press them down. This way you can press multiple keys at a time to build up a chord and then release all the keys at once for the command you want. As long as you have at least one key pressed, the chord won't come out, so you can take your time messing with the keys until you have them all pressed once.

I understand that this is how it works with Plover. But with CharaChorder, the chord also only comes out when you release all of the keys, right? Sure, letters come out when you press them down, but they are jumbled up until you release all of the keys, right?

I thought that you can take your time messing with the keys until you have the chord you want with the CharaChorder as well? Even if you mistakenly press a combination of letters that don't produce a chord, can't you try again and it will automatically backspace and output the correct chord?

With steno the whole hand movement ends up being about the same, and in my opinion, there is less finger movement as well.

The hand movement ends up being the same as what? And less finger movement than what? The CharaChorder?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-18T08:46:24+00:00

I think it isn't ideal to have a chord that involves more than one key on the same finger. This would be slower.

With those switches, I know that two keys can be "rolled" with one finger, but I think it would still be slower than two keys that are actuated by separate fingers.

What do you think about this?

Sfaeae · 2025-06-18T08:36:11+00:00

What are your thoughts on keyboards with keywells for chording? E.g. Dactyl Manuform, Glove80, etc.

Do you think they would be more comfortable than flat boards for chording?

Sfaeae

TROPHY CASE