3 replies to this topic

[Kite]

I recently started messing with Vimperator (a Firefox addon that gives the browser VIM-like keyboard controls) out of boredom (you should probably read up on it before trying it if you want to for whatever reason since it does some pretty jarring stuff if you are not ready for it). I have to admit it's pretty weird browsing places like PureZC solely with a keyboard and I find myself grabbing the mouse still when I'm either feeling particularly lazy or I'm in a rush to do something and don't want to be bogged down trying to remember which keys do what without resorting to the built-in help. But I have to admit it's also kind of interesting since the keyboard (even without Vimperator) has a lot of stuff I normally just skip over that's honestly faster and easier than hunting for it with the mouse.

Of course, the mouse definitely has a lot of uses and I'll probably never stop using it since it's just so easy to use and has a lot of great uses in my opinion. I also admit that keyboard navigation by itself is far from perfect, especially when several things go out of their way to make things mouse only (either out of necessity or just not caring). But part of what prompted me to randomly try out a text command addon for my browser is that I realize I neglect the keyboard a lot when it's also useful. There are a lot of shortcuts in programs like Notepad++ or even some with whatever operating system I'm using at the time that I keep ignoring and dig through the menus instead. I use the near universal basics like copy/pasting, selecting everything, and such often enough. But I have tended to forget the keyboard existed otherwise.

So I'm basically wondering how much everyone else pays attention to their keyboards outside of typing text.

[Anthus]

There were a few days when my mouse broke, and I had to use just the keyboard. Once I figured out you can Shift+Tab to go back a selection, I was able to live with it. However, I wouldn't do it unless I had to. I do find myself using a lot of keyboard shortcuts in applications though cause I feel like the opposite can be true; the keyboard is more convenient than the mouse. Things like ZC, Sketch-Up, and FinalDraft all have tons of hotkeys.

[DCEnygma]

I'm a keyboard shortcut guy. If I can do anything efficently without using the mouse, I will. I've become a huge fan of the Windows built in shortcut keys, as well. (e.g. Windows key +R for run, +E for My Computer, +left or right arrow for snap to sides, etc.)

[grayswandir]

I always use keyboard shortcuts. I don't use Windows very often, but when I do, http://www.autohotkey.com/ is the first thing I install. It lets you make keyboard shortcuts for practically anything. You can make stuff like Win+F for "open or switch to firefox", etc.