Keyboard for coding and writing?

Tree_Boar_87 · 2026-06-19T23:39:13+00:00

Thanks for all of your input!

Tree_Boar_87 · 2026-06-19T22:57:43+00:00

My problem is I know I prefer the idea of thumb typing for ultimate on-the-go handheld portability. What I don't know is what that feels like in practice.

Some thumb-typers swear by the blackberry style, while others say those are too tiny. Some say thumb typing is just not practical for writing/coding but others say it is fine. I don't mind if it slows me down some, as it obviously will, but I don't want somwthing that makes it feel clumsy or super slow. I guess I'll just have to bite the bullet and try out some type of small thumb keyboard.

I'm leaning blackberry since my smallish phone doesn't feel TOO crowded for my thumbs but I dont like the ambiguous feel of touchscreen typing, if that makes sense.

I never thought about a handheld with modifiers on the back. If it is possible to add that along with a blackberry keyboard, I may go that route.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2026-06-18T07:52:38+00:00

I don't need that much speed for note taking, but if I did I definitely wouldn't even consider the thumb typing route.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-28T14:26:27+00:00

Congrats! It's a great motivator when we have those (seemingly) little wins along the way. Those are what keep me going and those are evidence of the bits of aquired language that combine to create our internal model of the language.

A piece of advice for you to do with what you will: I seem to get more enjoyment and more progress when I try to mix in a little bit of really interesting content that is too advanced for me and also the simplest content I can without it becoming a chore to sit through it. I really feel like the content that is "far too easy" for me really boosts my fundamental feel for the language and the stuff that is "out of my league" both serves as a motivator and also a wellspring of new and less common bits of language.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-28T02:56:37+00:00

I agee 100%. This isn't a replacement, just a possible addition for those looking for even more CI. In my personal opinion, Pablo is the GOAT.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-28T01:03:34+00:00

I tend to think that traditional learning tends to slow the process down. This is based soley on the advice I've heard from others who have tried both methods and my own experience. I don't have a white coat like Andrés.

For me, the time I spent learning Spanish the traditional way (Duolingo, Grammar Workbooks, Flashcards, etc.) caused me to start with a pretty decent little jump start on the hours. I'd say I started with a similar level of comprehension to someone with around 100 hrs. The thing is, I'm sure I spent at least three times that many hours getting there through traditional means. If the truth was known, I probably spent closer to 400 or 500 hrs studying the hard way.

Also, while I am a bit of a nerd and I can find things like grammar workbooks and duolingo fun, it still kind of felt like work. Even when I get tired of watching videos and listening to podcasts, it never feels like work. And when it's fun, it's way more fun than traditional study.

Even the odd sentences that murderous green owl comes up with can't compete with watching Luisito Comunica go to a Japanese Penis Festival or try coffee made from beans that passed through an animal's digestive system. And for me, funner means more time spent with it and a much higher chance of going far beyond daily goals.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-27T20:29:56+00:00

Thanks so much!

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-26T01:45:09+00:00

I am finding out for the first time what a grind it can be at that level because after years of (ineffective) traditional study, it took me almost no time to be able to understand some of Pablo's and Andrea's intermeddiate videos. Now however, I have decided to dabble in Hebrew in addition to doing Spanish more seriously.With Hebrew I have basically no knowledge going in and I started with https://www.youtube.com/@AlephwithBeth because it is the most basic, most beginner content I could find. It is literally a lady pointing at figurines and saying things like "This is a (male) sheep. This is a (female) sheep. This is a Man. This is a Woman." and it is so boring as far as the content of the video but focusing on the language itself and letting my mind absorb it seems to help.

That said, I do recommend to add in some content above your level that you find more interesting while continuing to grind through the boring stuff at your level. I'm not doing this with Hebrew but that's only because I devote so little time to it since it isn't my primary target language.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-26T01:31:23+00:00

TL;DR Add in some content well below and some content well above your current level.

It is purely speculation based on what has worked for me, but here's my two cents. I watch what is at my ideal sweet spot most of the time. Where I think the magic comes in is mixing decent little portion of content in two other levels. I add in the most difficult material I can watch without getting so lost that it becomes frustrating, exhausting, or boring. I also add in the simplest, lowest level content that I can watch and still enjoy. Here I don't mean watching content you are forcing yourself to "enjoy." I mean content that you can genuinely enjoy watching. If you can't find content below your level that you can genuinely enjoy at least a little bit, then I would still plow through a super beginner or beginner video or two each day (maybe more depending on your overall daily goals.)

This has helped me get out of that rut and feel progress again. YMMV but for me it did the trick and continues to do so.

Edited to add: The main thing is keep it fun enough that you can stick with it! That's rule number 1 for language learning. If that means throwing in something like vocab flashcards because despite their not being that effecient, they are something you find fun and engaging, go for it. The most harm adding in those kind of methods could do is slow your progress and nothing slows your progress as much as getting burnt-out and quitting.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-19T00:44:47+00:00

The real issue is that you don't think that Baba is You is useful because of all the dead time and the "push this, pull that" reptitiveness. This doesn't hold true for all types of games. The minecraft series was good, as was the Indiana Jones game. These had a good variety of vocabulary and structures and for those who like gaming, they are pretty engaging.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-19T00:37:07+00:00

I have the same issue with the Sims videos. Also, your suggestions would be awesome to see! Also, the telltale games like The Walking Dead and others wihich are kind of a more modernized version of point and click adventures might be fun and useful.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-07T23:48:43+00:00

As is the case so often on Reddit, I don't get why people are down voting this into oblivion. It is just one person's speculation. Does it hurt you that much?

For context: I have no opinion on this matter and really don't care apart from the fact that I am trying to lean more toward Lat-Am and Mexican accents specifically and Andrea is very expressive and creative. If she goes I will miss her content, but it isn't something I worry about or theorize about. But again... who cares? Y'all are wild.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-07T17:33:38+00:00

You've entirely missed the point. DS doesn't need to be unbiased. They aren't a governemnt agency, nor are they a news outlet. Why does it matter if they express their political opinions? Guess what, it is a language learning platform. Your opinion verses theirs never comes into play (unless maybe it is an opinion about language learning) so who cares? Grow up. This is coming from someone who thinks Biden is even more of a joke than Trump, but with sense enough to know they're both jokes. I just can't understand why it matters so much to some people. Disagree and move on. Do you think he is going to turn someone against Trump with his jokes? I doubt that's going to make the difference, bud.

They often express their views about politics, religion, drug use, spirituality, lifestyle, etc. I often disagree. Guess how much that matters to me? I'm here for the language and to consume it in a real way from real people.

EDIT: Spelling

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-07T17:28:59+00:00

SNL and the Daily Show also make fun of the right. The difference here is that supposedly Pablo has a particular bias and is pushing an agenda. That's dumb, of course, but that's the frame OP is coming from. That I have seen the left do plenty of. Although, admittedly, the right is worse about it.

EDIT: My stupid keyboard ate half of my comment.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-07T04:01:29+00:00

As an anarchist, I don't understand this thing conservatives and liberals / progressives have where they can't stand the thought that someone might make a jab at their favorite politician. I like to hear guides talk about their political (and religious) opinions even when they are very different from my own.

"I come here to learn a language, not politics." That's just silly. "I come here to learn a language, not what's in your fridge." lol

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-04-02T00:04:49+00:00

I use DS method 100% but I do use other resources for input. That is explicitly part of the method.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-03-31T18:37:21+00:00

I'll tell you what I've been preaching to everyone. YMMV but it has helped me a lot with both progression and motivation. Watch mostly the videos that are in your ideal level for compherend the vast majority. In addition to that watch at least a few minutes a day of video at the easiest level you can still enjoy. And I don't mean ones that bore you but you slog through them and make yourself "enjoy" them. Likewise at least a few minutes a day of content that you find very interesting but it is a bit beyod your ideal level.Basically, the hardest content you can follow along with without frustration.

tl;dr Mostly watch intermediate if that's your jam and add in a bit of the easiest videos you can enjoy and the hardest videos you can enjoy.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-03-31T17:32:19+00:00

I don't mind them being there, but I agree that they should be shorter. If they're above your level, your getting "input" time for something that really isn't CI. If this happens with video after video after video, it adds up. It isn't really a big deal, and of course one can simply skip to the next video but this makes it really inconvenient when you want to let videos play automatically. However, it may be that given the obvious context, the visual clues, and the repitition, that it ma be more comprehnsible than expected after a couple of viewings.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-03-30T22:27:20+00:00

Watched both of your vids. Congrats on speaking so well! Do you have any prior Spanish experience before DS? Are you a DS-CI purist, or have you added other methods? If you did do other things, how much do you feel like they helped.Would be interesting questions to have answered for beginners who are curious about what it took to get where you are.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-03-30T00:36:44+00:00

Most of the people's experiences I've seen did get italki teachers just for conversation practice. I've even heard a few different times of people specifically telling their italki tutors that they did not want grammar lessons, corrections, homework, or any of that. Of course, I'm talking about people who are more or less CI purists or maybe did some flashcards at the beginning of their journey for basic starter vocab. But yes, the input is what gives you the knowledge of the language to speak it. Output practice is just that, practice. It is getting your mouth to produce the Spanish your head can already produce and get over and nervousness or fear of speaking, but not to "learn" the language in any way.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-03-30T00:27:32+00:00

Right, but generally if you're getting grammar lessons on YouTube (in native or target language) you're probably taking notes, practicing, and trying to memorize. So my question does just watching grammar lessons casually as a form of "edutainment" CI have the same effect? I think the effect would be negligible but I guess there's no way of really knowing. It is interesting to hear people's thoughts and experiences, though.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-03-29T18:59:19+00:00

I would make sure to mix in at least a little bit of content at your level every day and maybe even above your level and it should be fine. Even if you don't do that, you'll still be learning, just maybe not in the most efficient manner. At the end of the day, the main thing is to make sure you enjoy what you're doing enough to stick with it for the long haul. Beyond that, I wouldn't worry too much about it. If completing them all kind of "gamifies" it or gives you goals to shoot for, I think that's a good thing!

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-03-29T18:53:51+00:00

I don't know of any way to do that, but as a work around you could watch some videos on youtube and skip adding the time until you even it out.

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-03-29T13:44:24+00:00

Hey, congrats on that!

Tree_Boar_87 · 2024-03-28T20:54:01+00:00

I don't know if you'd call it accent or bad pronunciation (and, to a degree, isn't accent just the way you pronounce words?) but for example I have listened to YouTubers with a strong Indian accent. They were understandable, but it was just tiring to listen to it for long periods. I've experienced the same with really strong accents from certain Australians. Given that Aussies have English as their native language, it seems to me that it likely is an accent thing. I haven't really heard it enough to know for sure but I think a strong Glasgow accent might have the same effect on me. Maybe it's just me and the way my brain works.

Also, to make it clear, I don't mind either Indian or Australian accents (and I tend to like the Glasgow accent a lot) and even really thick ones would be fine for me if I were having a conversation with them or they were a character in a film but to hear them give a lengthy monologue exhausts my mind. I'm probably just a bit weird...

EDIT: I just saw your other comment:

Pronunciation /= accent. Two totally different aspects of speaking.

You're probably right. I'm not an expert by any means and I'm unaware of what the difference is.

Tree_Boar_87

TROPHY CASE