The main question I get asked about the desk is: How do you type?
The short answer is: using a keyboard and without looking at it! If you can’t currently touch type, it may not be as hard to learn as you expect. There are some good resources that a few 10 minute practice sessions a day will enable you to learn quickly. A great website for learning to touch type is www.keybr.com
To best understand this section there are a few key terms to define:
- Touch typing – to be able to type without looking at the keyboard
- Split keyboard – a keyboard that is in two halves that can be moved independently
- Ortholinear – a keyboard which keys line up vertically
- Staggered – a keyboard where the keys are staggered (this is the default on a normal keyboard)
There are a few options for typing discussed below:
Ortholinear Split Keyboard
I think the best way is to use an ortholinear split keyboard (pictured below). Once learned, this has the advantage of being the most versatile, fastest to type on, and the best for your joints. These keyboards have fewer keys, meaning every single button is within 1 key of where your fingers rest, meaning that with practice, you can get to every key easily without mistake. They keyboard I use has 42 keys total, compared to 104 on a full size keyboard, however fewer keys does not mean less functionality. These keyboards utilise buttons for each thumb, which allow you to easily change layers, allowing you to access arrow keys, numbers, special characters and any other keys you need without having to move your fingers. The layouts are fully customisable to allow you to put important keys in easy to reach locations.
Split keyboard (staggered keys)
There’s a few split keyboard options, but as I’m not yet a full-time computer accessory reviewer and found one that works for me, I’ve only tried one. For over five years I’ve been using the Kinesis Freestyle 2 (with VIP3 set, which provides palm rests and lifters).
The usual model has 9″ (about 22cm) between the two halves, but they also sell a model with 20″ (about 50cm) between the two halves. which is wide enough to go on either side of my hips. I actually have both now, because I bought the standard one years back for sitting use and then when I transitioned to lying I bought the wider one. I also recommend buying the VIP3 accessory which includes palm rests and the lifters, which allow the keyboard to be tilted to 15 degrees and therefore reduces shoulder and wrist strain. For lying down it is fine without them, and it is also fine for sitting, but if you can afford it I would get the lifters as it is an improvement.
By having a split keyboard with a wide cable, half of the keyboard is either side of my body, on the floor next to my hips. My arms are as relaxed as can be while typing. Occasionally I miss keys or have to work out where my hand is, which is usually when my right hand moves back to the keyboard from the mouse, and usually I do this by pressing keys and moving along. Sometimes, if I’m typing in a password (which means I can’t see if the right characters go down), I lift my head for a bit to check I’m pressing the right keys. But for the most part, I just type.
This also means the legs can be in a few different positions. And, the keyboard can stay on the floor while using the standing desk, because there’s a gap between the keyboard!
Keyboard on the lap
This works fine, but ergonomically isn’t quite as good for arms and wrists: it’s a bit cramped, so the wrists might twist, and it means the arms are off the floor with a bend at the elbow and forearm unsupported. Also, it means you have to have your legs bent or otherwise hold the keyboard there.
Dictation
Another option, if touch-typing doesn’t work for you, is to use voice dictation. Microsoft Word, Google Docs and Apple Pages all have built-in voice dictation functions, so if you use any of those, no additional software is needed. Alternatively, there are specialist dictation programmes which you can use.
Lap Tray
It would also be possible to use a lap tray with a keyboard attached so that you can still see it from lying down, but this would be a much worse position for the arms and wrists.
Any questions feel free to get in touch!