Keyboard to a Man's Heart: a touch keyboard that works?

Swype just launched at TechCrunch50. It provides a way to more quickly use a keyboard on a touchscreen. You can imagine that I am impressed. It looks amazing and definitely has potential, in my mind to remove the 'it doesn't have a keyboard' complaint that I have about the iPhone. I previously wrote:

I really like having a physical keyboard. I haven't used the iPhone keyboard that much, but I do have some difficulty with it (though I'm sure I could get used to it). What makes me nervous about it is that in my effort to type more quickly, as I move my fingers to type, I would hit every key as though I dragged them along the keyboard. I haven't tried this, so I don't know, but I could imagine that I would have to lift my fingers a bit more and that would annoy me (though this has to be slightly insane on my part)

So, now that Swype has come around and literally encouraged me to drag my finger across the keyboard, this could be gone as a complaint. I could see it still being a bit slower than my two thumbs slapping at the keyboard on my blackberry.

Check out the video demo on their website (which is way cooler than this one I've embedded below).

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Keyboard to a Man's Heart Part 3

Image via Wikipedia You should know by now how much I love the keyboard. I try very hard to convince people to shun the mouse (and especially their laptop touchpad) and start using the keyboard.

I constantly rack my brain trying to understand what are the sticking points preventing keyboard adoption and how I can overcome them. Productivity gains are not enough for most people (for some crazy reason). Despite the fact that you obviously don't care, I will continue to plead my case.

I think there are a few factors at work here. People are generally frightened of computers. They don't understand the design of the technology. They are scared to look through the advanced features and make changes. (I worked in technical support, so I have seen just how ignorant people can be when it comes to computers. Even remembering two different passwords can be a herculean feat.) On top of that, it takes some effort to learn a new trick. I've heard this a few times, 'For me, the mouse will always be faster'. No way. Not possible. Especially not if you're starting with your hands on the keyboard. Sure, it might take a minute to learn the shortcuts, but trust me they make your life a whole lot easier.

In order to simplify the world of keyboard shortcuts here are some ways to think about navigating Microsoft programs from the keyboard (some apply to Apple, generally by switching ALT for the Apple key)

• ALT + TAB - cycles through open programs
  
• SHIFT + ALT + TAB - cycles backwards through open programs
  
• CTRL + TAB - cycles through open windows within a program (this works in most programs, but not all, and is especially great when using tabbed internet browsing)
  
• SHIFT + CTRL + TAB - cycles backwards through open windows within a program
  
• ALT + F4 - closes a program
  
• CTRL + F4 - closes a window within a program
  

You may have noticed a pattern. ALT works at the global level and CTRL works within the programs. SHIFT will shift the direction of your actions for some commands.

Another key tip to keep in mind is that windows keyboards have the menu key. I call this the right-click key because it brings up the right-click menu that you would get from the mouse. Sometimes faster than knowing the actual keyboard shortcut to perform a specific action.

The other windows specific key that you should know about the Windows Key. There are a few keyboard shortcuts associated with this, but for me, the best one is just that it brings up the start menu and with that, access to all your programs with just a few keystrokes. For example, you hit Windows Key + P to open the programs list and then pressing the first letter of your program name will take you there. In Windows Vista, the start menu has been improved by providing you a search bar that you can just type in what you're looking to open and it brings it right up.

Lastly, you should definitely be aware of the generic ARROW KEYS and PAGE UP/PAGE DOWN keys. These bad boys will let you easily scroll down a webpage or document you are using and are a million times faster than going to that stupid scroll bar at the right side of the screen.

So, those are all good tips. I use them constantly. Frankly, if this is the first you've heard about ALT+TAB, welcome to the first day of the rest of your life.

I'll leave you with this bit of wisdom to help you implement this in your daily life: (it's not even just for the keyboard)
If you use Microsoft Powerpoint, I have a couple of really good tips. First, always use snap to grid and snap to shape. Then, you can select items (using TAB to cycle through the objects on the slide rather than the mouse). Move those objects into place using the ARROW KEYS. By keeping snap to grid on and using the arrow keys, you can be sure that your objects are nicely aligned. If for some reason, you need more granular control, you can use CTRL+ARROW KEYS to move as though snap to grid was off (though I'm not sure why you would want to do that). You could also use ALT+the mouse to do the same thing (occasionally useful for resizing objects). This tip is especially useful for consultants working on laptops while on the road (with that awful touchpad).

I'll be back with more tips on making the keyboard the focus of your computer input devices. If you'd like special one-on-one sessions, I am available for private tutoring. I already have one McKinsey consultant 'raving about the keyboard shortcuts' I introduced into his life.

Now, get out there and try using those shortcuts!

Relevant Sources of Information

• Windows XP Shortcuts
• Office Keyboard Shortcuts 
• Apple Keyboard Shortcuts
• Firefox Keyboard Shortcuts
• Lifehacker Tips on using the Keyboard
  

Trade you an iPhone for a Curve? Ummm....

Reader Justin writes in:

What bberry did you end up getting? I'm getting ready to start medical school this fall and I want to be smart phone equipped before I arrive. I'm pretty keen on the new iPhone, but I know that proper due diligence requires me to look into the RIM options. You seem pretty happy with yours based on your blog--if you had to choose again now, with the 3G iPhone about to roll out, would you choose similarly again?

Thanks for the question, Justin. I got the Blackberry Curve and I love it. I've actually done quite a bit of customizing since I got it to make it the best cell phone I can imagine having. So, I will NOT be getting the new iPhone, despite its improved 3G speeds.

Here's why:

First, the iPhone does not have a native instant messaging app. I use Google Talk for the Blackberry constantly. I LOVE being on IM all the time, its infinitely better than text messaging (I talked about it here). So, even though Google Talk signs out sometimes when you lose reception (e.g., the subway), I still have Blackberry's proprietary BBM system that fills the gap and delivers messages when you get back in range. Seriously, I think this is the deal breaker for me. Not only does the iPhone not have mobile IM, it doesn't even come with text messages anymore, so the price becomes substantially more expensive while the usability actually decreases on my favorite feature. I know that Google Talk just launched an iPhone version, but I don't hear great things about it.
Reviews of iPhone Gtalk at VentureBeat, TechCrunch, GigaOM, CNet and Lifehacker

Second, the mobile internet. I thought this would be the game changer for the iPhone. However, the pages I use most frequently when I'm on the move are typically formatted for my blackberry (ESPN, Google Reader). I also just downloaded Opera Mini, which brings the FULL browsing experience to the blackberry (and is completely free). The navigation is not as cool as the iPhone finger flick, but the keypad and ball work just fine for moving and zooming. Opera Mini has a feature of saving pages down to the MicroSD card that I've installed. That makes offline reading possible, and opens the potential for me to read my RSS feeds on the subway (which is something I really want). Granted, it's still EDGE network, but I can deal with it (and frankly 3G still doesn't seem like it will be as fast as my home wifi connection, so it may be a bit overhyped). Also, I've grown to distrust Apple with their 'we control the ecosystem approach' and don't think they'll really let people put a web browser that is not Safari on their iPhones. And, Mozilla is working on a mobile browser that could be pretty sweet.

Third, the first reviews for the 3G iPhone indicate that it has poor battery life. That's part of the reason Apple does not let apps run in the background. The battery on my Curve lasts for almost 2 days of normal use (from morning day 1 to night day 2), which includes much mobile web browsing and instant messaging, a little bit of talking and taking a few pictures. The iPhone battery is said to last 10 hours with the 3G turned off and only 5 hours with it on! To me, that is in no way going to get it done.
Reviews of iPhone 3G from David Pogue, NYTimes and Walt Mossberg, WSJ

Fourth, the big benefit of the new iPhone is the app store, which is just launching and available to old iPhone owners as well. And, Blackberry has had developers writing apps for it for some time already (like Opera Mini or Google Maps). Also, there are a few other programs that I have tried to varying degrees of success. I wrote about voice enabled services, and I really want to like them, but they don't really have use for me since I basically never drive. GigaOM reviews Vlingo.

I really like having a physical keyboard. I haven't used the iPhone keyboard that much, but I do have some difficulty with it (though I'm sure I could get used to it). What makes me nervous about it is that in my effort to type more quickly, as I move my fingers to type, I would hit every key as though I dragged them along the keyboard. I haven't tried this, so I don't know, but I could imagine that I would have to lift my fingers a bit more and that would annoy me (though this has to be slightly insane on my part). Also, there is NO CUT AND PASTE on the iPhone. That amazes me as an oversight. I use cut and paste all over the place with my phone for emails, IM, text messages and adding contact information (so I don't constantly have to ask for people's addresses).

Admittedly, I have never had an iPhone, so I haven't been able to set it up to match what I want like I have with my Blackberry. I've set up the smart keys on the side of my Curve to launch the programs that I use most often and I've got my icons arranged in order of use. I use email a lot, so it goes first, etc. I feel like the blackberry has a lot of customization possibilities where the iPhone may not. The iPhone may get more options with new software from the app store, etc, but those will likely cost real money. But, I have to admit that the iPhone apps for jailbroken phones that are already out there seem pretty sweet (though I haven't met anyone who took the risk of jailbreaking).

All of this said, I may consider picking up a used iPhone 1.0 for cheap if the price is sweet enough (circa $50), though I mostly want to use it to remote control my computer. But, I have to admit, I think the games look really cool (sorry, brickbreaker).

Justin, I hope that answers your questions. And, if you decide on the iPhone anyways, I definitely want to hear all about it.

Keyboard to a Man's Heart 2

Ok, it's no secret that I love keyboard shortcuts and am always trying to convert people to this wonderful productivity enhancer.

I found a website that will give you the opportunity to learn shortcuts in almost any program or operating system.

Please give it a look and then give the shortcuts a try.

Mac Migration

I am a lifelong windows user. I've been with it since you had to load it up from DOS. I've been using Alt+TAB since taking a BASIC class and trying to quickly switch back to work from DOOM that we would play on the school network. I am comfortable making changes to the system settings since working in tech support had me making changes to network settings every day. In short, Windows is like my home away from home.

So, when I needed a new computer, why did I buy a mac?

There were loads of concerns that I had about making the switch. Chief among them were as follows:

1. Keyboard shortcuts
2. Software
3. Price

So, what finally got me over the hump? I still am not sure. Like a lot of people, I figured I would just use Windows if I really couldn't take it. Right now, I'm using OS X.

That is definitely not to say that I am completely satisfied with my purchase. I read a LOT of reviews. They were nearly all positive. I must be missing something. OS X is fine, but I don't really see why it is such a major improvement over Windows.

I am getting more comfortable with it. I'll never understand why I had to change the keyboard shortcuts to have a way to get to the menu bar with an easy keystroke (apple+space vs. Ctrl+F2). It will take a few years before I'm as quick with it as I am with Windows. I also don't understand why they make it so annoying to resize a window to use the whole screen.

Software issues have turned out to not be much of an issue, except with Microsoft Office programs. Quicksilver, which helps launch programs, is one of my favorite programs and is keeping me sane.

The Macbook Pro was expensive upfront, but aside from the operating system, I really am a big fan of the design. No fans on the bottom makes it truly a 'laptop' computer and the battery lasts a long time. Plus, its really thin (though the Macbook Air makes it look like an encyclopedia).

My bottom line: I am happy with my purchase, but I think the mac worship is overdone. If anyone out there has some pointers about what you love about your mac, please share it with me. I really want to be wowed.

Keyboard to a Man's Heart

I have an unhealthy obsession with keyboard shortcuts. I get frustrated every time I have to move my hand away from the keyboard to touch the mouse. Everywhere I go, I try to teach people to love keyboard shortcuts--somehow they don't.

I used to explain the time benefit of keyboard shortcuts like this:

There is a huge fixed cost associated with using the mouse. Every time you make the move to the mouse you take several steps that waste time.

1. You move your hand to the mouse
2. You locate the cursor by moving the mouse a few times
3. You shake the mouse around because you have an old one with a ball that is dirty
4. You finally move it to where you want to go and then you click
5. Maybe you were supposed to double-click
6. Maybe now you clicked in the wrong place and are renaming a file instead of opening it
7. You have finally achieved your task

To most people that isn't a big deal, so they brush it off. These people don't understand the power of compounding. If it takes roughly 5 seconds to do all that and if you do that 100 times a day, which seems like a conservative estimate, you have wasted about 8 minutes of your workday. Think about that the next time you see your train leaving the station without you.

To me, the above was a great explanation. But then, I'm an engineer, I think in terms of cost-benefit analysis. People were less than on-board.

I have since come up with what I think is a stronger sales case for keyboard shortcuts:

Imagine that instead of using a keyboard to type out an email. You only had a mouse and the image of a keyboard on your screen.

Now people start to get it. They start to realize that they have 10 fingers, not 1.

Doug Engelbart would be proud of me, I think.

I share with you windows users the following information:
When you press the 'Alt' key, some of the letters on the screen get underlined. You can press that letter to do that command/open that menu. Do a few of those and you'll get really fast, cutting 5 seconds to nanoseconds, a nearly 100% improvement!
Here is Microsoft's Windows keyboard shortcuts page.

There are so many faster ways to do things, press some buttons, see what happens! Alt+Tab is just the beginning.