Spacebar = which finger?

Dario D. · Aug 28, 2009

This time around, I'm actually posting in this section because I'm designing a keyboard, and not because it has anything to do with my writing. (but hey, you might be writing your novels on my keyboard one day!) I can't think of a better place than a writer's forum to ask people how they use their keyboards... (I don't think a better place could possibly exist). Anyway, I came to a point where I had to study some things about the spacebar in relation to your thumbs, and realized that I myself hit Spacebar with my index finger. (also known as the "pointer", by many) My keyboard has 4 short spacebars, so, this topic is a concern...

Dario D. · Aug 28, 2009

The forum formatting seems broken, or something. I can't split the above post into 2 paragraphs, and I can't hit any of the formatting buttons (like Bold, etc)

Anyway, I was going to clarify that the "Both thumbs" / "Both index fingers" poll options don't mean "using the left/right fingers at the same time". They mean "using EITHER finger". Unfortunately, I can't edit poll options. (argh, can't format this post either... Edit: oh, wait, the paragraph worked)

K. Andrew Smith · Aug 28, 2009

As to the formatting problems, are you perchance using Firefox with NoScript?

I type ~90-100 wpm, and I use my right thumb for the spacebar.

Duncan J Macdonald · Aug 28, 2009

Right Thumb (which, technically isn't a finger) , based on the wear pattern on my keyboard, and by observation.

Are you just arranging the keys into separate groupings, or are you going all Dvorak on us?

PeterL · Aug 28, 2009

I use my right thumb, but the general rule is that one should use the appropriate finger.

MumblingSage · Aug 28, 2009

Dario D. said:
The forum formatting seems broken, or something. I can't split the above post into 2 paragraphs, and I can't hit any of the formatting buttons (like Bold, etc)

Anyway, I was going to clarify that the "Both thumbs" / "Both index fingers" poll options don't mean "using the left/right fingers at the same time". They mean "using EITHER finger". Unfortunately, I can't edit poll options. (argh, can't format this post either... Edit: oh, wait, the paragraph worked)

Okay...what if I do use both thumbs at the same time? It's how I was taught...

CACTUSWENDY · Aug 28, 2009

<<<<<right thumb user here. Can not even guess how you would use your index finger.

vixey · Aug 28, 2009

I use either my right or my left thumb (depending on which is most available), but your poll said both so that's what I put. :tongue

But mostly I use my right. I wonder if it has to do with handedness.

(Hmmm....as I typed this I noticed I used my right thumb exclusively.)

I used to have that funky ergonomic split keyboard for my PC. I loved it!

Adam · Aug 28, 2009

Both thumbs, and sometimes my right index finger.

I never learned how to type "correctly", so it's a case of whichever's closest at the time.

Williebee · Aug 28, 2009

both thumbs, sometimes an index finger. Sometimes a fist...

Somebody out there has come out with a new laptop keyboard design recently.. Sony maybe? They made the most used keys larger and the least used keys smaller, etc.

nuts. can't find the link. I'm all thumbs today.

Lyra Jean · Aug 28, 2009

I put both thumbs hoping it meant either one. I didn't read the thread before choosing. I learned you can use either thumb. I am left handed and I use my left thumb when typing. I think it does have to do with handedness.

Smish · Aug 28, 2009

CACTUSWENDY said:
<<<<<right thumb user here. Can not even guess how you would use your index finger.

I'm with Wendy on this. I can see using either thumb, but in order to use my index finger, I'd have to move my entire hand (my finger doesn't stretch that far...). So, it seems that would slow typing speed considerably.

FWIW, I use my right thumb, so the right side of my laptop's space bar has been worn very smooth. And yes, I'm right handed.

Smish

Chase · Aug 28, 2009

Recently enough to still feel pain and humiliation, I sliced my left thumb with a coving knife and have noticed thumbness.

Although I usually text on my cellular phone with both thumbs (if one isn't stitched and bandaged), I never use my left thumb for any computer key. It has always hovered uselessly above the keyboard while the right thumb does all space bar thumping.

semilargeintestine · Aug 28, 2009

I type 120-132 WPM, and I actually voted for both thumbs because I assumed that's what I do; however, typing this, I realise that I only use the right thumb. Weird.

Nivarion · Aug 28, 2009

left thumb. I learned that you can use both thumbs, but as I got better and better, I just stopped using the right.

Type at 50-70 wpm.

GordonK · Aug 28, 2009

I use my tongue, but since there's no such choice, I've to go with right thumb.

EFCollins · Aug 28, 2009

I type with four fingers (two on each hand) and my thumbs. And no, I never learned to type properly either.

Ellefire · Aug 28, 2009

I'm the freak who uses the middle finger. In fact I type with mostly the index finger of my left hand and the first two fingers of my right hand. I can type about 60wpm, but that's okay, because my thinking speed is about the same.

I also press the enter key with my middle finger (right hand), and have to look at the keyboard whilst typing, despite typing too fast to actually look for the letter I want.

Ms Hollands · Aug 28, 2009

I voted left thumb, but I now realise I use only my right thumb (sorry!). I'm left handed if that makes a difference.

I also learnt to use both thumbs, but somehow favoured one over time.

benbradley · Aug 28, 2009

Where's the forehead option?

Barb D · Aug 28, 2009

I just did some typing because I couldn't figure it out. It's all automatic, and it depends on the last finger used.

If the last letter was typed with my right middle finger, I use my right middle finger. Otherwise it's my right index finger. Although it can be either, and occasionally with my left index or middle finger. I really don't pay attention as I'm typing though, and I type reasonably fast.

jennifer75 · Aug 28, 2009

Well, as i type this I'm noticing that it depends on the last finger used. In this case, following my comma, I used my right finger. If I type the word dog I used my left....so yea, depends which hand had the finger I used last. (btw, after the period, I used the right.)

That was fun. Oh, THUMBS.

jennifer75 · Aug 28, 2009

Duncan J Macdonald said:
based on the wear pattern on my keyboard, and by observation.

THAT's what those little greasy spots are on my space bar! Durrrr.

Folofop · Aug 28, 2009

I voted left thumb and would like to retract my vote.

Having been trying to write this evening I have been distracted by this question.

I have ascertained that it is my right index finger I use, 97.2% of the time.

The 2.8% is for the occurences when lack of sleep, combined with malnutrition, exhausts me and my head droops onto the space key.

sommemi · Aug 28, 2009

I was thinking that this question seemed obvious to me but I always always always hit the space bar with the right thumb....

Spacebar = which finger?

Type some words right now. What finger/s are you hitting Spacebar with?

Right thumb.

Left thumb.

Both thumbs.

-

Right index finger.

Left index finger.

Both index fingers.

-

One of my middle fingers, or other.

Dario D.

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