At its core, productivity is about efficiency. More efficient time management means more time invested in other areas of your life. Investing in better equipment can help you manage your time more efficiently by reducing how long it takes to get things done.
Cute Mechanical keyboards are an increasingly popular piece of keyboard equipment that have been gaining momentum over the past couple years. They create a satisfying tactile feeling for your fingertips which some people find more comfortable than using standard plastic or rubber switches.
Some say they feel more durable as well because there’s less movable parts. Others claim it creates a faster typing experience due to the solidity of each keystroke. Either way, they’re definitely not boring!
There are several different brands that offer mechanical keyboards, so it helps to do some research before investing in one. Make sure you know what qualities each model has before choosing one. Some may feel good for longer, while others may feel better for shorter stints. An adjustable backlight is also very helpful when doing late-night work.
In this article, we will discuss all the features of mechanical keyboards and why they matter to you as a user. Then, I’ll talk about a few models that are worth your consideration if you are looking to improve your speed with the type of keyboard you use.
Use a soft touch
When typing, your keyboard layout and switch style make a big difference in how fast you type. Switching between QWERTY and DVORAK is one of the biggest factors in choosing which speed typist to be.
The most popular layouts are the ones that use the alphabet as a base and add diacritic marks (like accents or tildes) by pressing the shift key along with other letters. These include Dvorak and Colemak, for example.
These types of keyboards have been around for a while and have proof of their effectiveness. However, recent research indicates they may not be as efficient as once thought. That’s why some experts suggest using the dincondorach layout instead!
This article will talk more about mechanical keyboards and what makes them special, as well as tips and tricks for working faster with them. But first, let’s take a look at why switching keyboard styles can slow down your writing process.
Wipe down the keyboard with a damp cloth
While using a mechanical keyboard is an excellent way to work faster, one of the things that can slow you down is having to take time to clean up your computer when it’s done.
Luckily, there are some great alternatives that do not require wiping the keyboard down. For instance, you can use a plastic sleeve or mat to cover the surface of the keyboard. This will prevent dust and dirt from settling on the keys which may affect how well they operate.
You can also use washable keyboards, where the keycaps can be replaced easily. The same goes for the space bar! These are very expensive though, so if you really want a new, fast typing experience try replacing the space bar yourself first before buying a new one.
Use a disinfectant
One of the biggest time wasters for most computer users is typing with the touch keyboard or trackpad-based keyboards.
These types of keyboards require you to use your fingers to type, which can be very slow if you have to do it quickly.
By instead using a mechanical keyboard, you get an external device that has extra keys that move up and down under your control. These are typically called “mechanical” because they work by applying pressure to push them upwards, making it so you don’t need to press each individual key like on the regular keyboard.
Some models even have additional features such as backlighting, adjustable weights, and more.
Let the keyboard dry completely
One of the biggest slowing factors for most people is how they wash their hands.
Mostly, we use our fingers to wash our hands so that area can be tricky to dry. This is one of the main reasons why some of us take longer than needed to properly wash our hands!
By using a hand towel or paper towels to wipe your hands clean, you will let all of the water evaporate more quickly. Plus, this will also give your hands a slightly smoother feel due to the fact that less powder gets left behind.
If you work in an office with air conditioning, then no need to worry about drying your hands! But if you are like me and have to deal with lots of dust and dirt during the winter season, it’s worth looking into. =)
This article does not intend to start any kind of argument but I do want to bring attention to the importance of washing your hands correctly.
Check the keyboard for cracks
A lot of people begin to feel limited on their computer due to the speed at which they type. Many times, this is because of the way they design their keyboards.
Designing your own keyboard can slow down how quickly you touch-type! That’s why it is important to make sure yours isn’t one of these mechanical keyboards that require more time to re-stroke.
Cute Mechanical keyboards have some components built into the board that create an idle delay before each keystroke. This allows for faster typing by giving the keys extra spring back after being pressed.
However, if the keyboard has any kind of crack or gap in between parts, then it will take longer for the springs to react and press the next letter. This adds lag time while waiting for the next keystroke.
How do you know if your keyboard needs work? There are a few easy ways to check. First, use the same finger to hit the same letter on the same surface area with no difference in pressure. Then, look at the timing of when each letter types.
If there is a slight pause between letters, your keyboard may need service.
Replace the keyboard with a new one
A mechanical keyboard is such a beautiful thing to look at! They are designed to feel solid, durable, and sturdy. These features come from how they are constructed.
Mechanical keyboards have long been the choice of enthusiasts due to their quality. The switches used in them are firm but smooth. No dry or mushy feeling! This makes typing more comfortable for most users.
There are several types of switch that mechanical keyboards use, including spring-loaded, tactile push buttons, slider switches, and membrane switches. Each type feels different to touch and which one you prefer will depend on what kind of touch you want.
Most people agree that the best switches are either the Cherry MX Red, Blue, Brown, or Tactile versions. Why? Because each of these switches works well and has strong marketing backing.
There are many great brands that make high quality mechanical keyboards. Some popular ones include Razer, Microsoft, Logitech, and others. Finding one close to your style and budget is an easy way to start investing in this technology.
Run a virus scan
The best way to work faster is by running a free antivirus software program on your computer. This will keep you protected from malware, viruses, and other potentially harmful programs that could slow down your machine.
Most antivirus softwares these days are pretty good at protecting users in the long run. But what they do not tell users is that some settings within this software can be speedier than others.
For example, there is an option to start with all default settings or to use heavy settings which require more resources to run. Sometimes people choose the latter so that it takes longer to launch the app but it feels quicker when using it!
You should always check out how fast each setting runs before deciding which one you want to use as yours. For instance, does opening the app take forever? If not, then why would you put extra overhead onto your machine?
There is no need to spend hours tweaking settings unless you feel like it takes too long to open up your favourite apps.
Learn to identify bad keyboards
Recent developments in computer technology have led to thinner, more compact computers that are very easy to use. These computers typically rely on graphical interfaces or touch screens as input methods, instead of having separate keys for typing like older keyboard designs.
Thin laptops now even exist with no number pad!
This newer style of interface is much easier to manage because they tend to be built with fast responsive software which users can easily manipulate. The same goes for touchscreen devices such as phones and tablets, where you swipe through menus rather than click on buttons.
These types of interfaces make working faster easier, since there are less steps needed to perform an action. Software becomes intuitively designed so that users don’t need too many instructions to get things done.
However, this also means that these programs lose their effectiveness if not updated frequently. Technology moves quickly, and new features are constantly being added. If users aren’t informed about what changes were made to the program, they will never know how to use it.
By learning the basics of your device, you will at least understand enough to take advantage of some of its features. This way you will still enjoy the convenience of the product, but you will also be better prepared should something change down the road.
