• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

why is 0 after 9 on most keyboards ?

Page 2 - Seeking answers? Join the AnandTech community: where nearly half-a-million members share solutions and discuss the latest tech.
Originally posted by: silverpig
Originally posted by: dds14u
I dislike how the keyboard is not centered... The small batch of "edit" keys (home insert etc.) and the numpad take too much space on the right. =D

It's all a matter of tradition and what people are used to.
Click to expand...

Welcome to the world of right handed keyboards.

You can get left handed keyboards where that stuff is on the left side of the QWERTY.

Splitting it is stupid. Would you really use the arrow keys and the delete button with your left hand and the numpad with your right hand?
Click to expand...

With the one exception of the numlock key, all other numpad's keys are replicated across the keyboard.

I know I should get one of those numpad-detachable keyboards...but they are expensive.
 
Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
How come keyboard numpads and phones numpads have their numbers in a semi reverse order?
Click to expand...

I guess the "start" of the numbers is relative to where the user is looking.

For keyboards you're usually sitting "below" it such that the "1" is closer to you.

For cellphones you're usually looking from "above" since the LCD screen is usually above the keys.
 
Originally posted by: Schfifty Five
How come keyboard numpads and phones numpads have their numbers in a semi reverse order?
Click to expand...

I guess the "start" of the numbers is relative to where the user is looking.

For keyboards you're usually sitting "below" it such that the "1" is closer to you.

For cellphones you're usually looking from "above" since the LCD screen is usually above the keys.
 
Originally posted by: alfa147x
why is 0 after 9 and not before 1 on most keyboards ?
Click to expand...

Because most people's counting system starts at 1, not 0. 0 is tacked on where 10 would otherwise be.

Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
I always wondered that.

And who's the bright one who decided to make the numpad semi reversed, why 7 8 9 4 5 6 1 2 3 and why not 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 or even better, why not 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9?
Click to expand...

They are in order if you count left to right, away from you. I don't know why the rows aren't swapped, and I don't especially like it.

Originally posted by: silverpig

Splitting it is stupid. Would you really use the arrow keys and the delete button with your left hand and the numpad with your right hand?
Click to expand...

Well I already do that, so yes. Navigation keys are for the left hand, because the right hand is already (almost always) on the mouse. Numpad is for the right hand, because I only use the numpad when I need to type a decent quantity of numbers. In that case it is more efficient to devote the (more dextrous) right hand to that task.

In fact it would not make sense to me to do anything else, but then that is generally the way with user interfaces.

If I could buy a keyboard with the navigation keys on the left side, I very well might. The clincher would be whether I could get my office to make the switch as well.
 
Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
I always wondered that.

And who's the bright one who decided to make the numpad semi reversed, why 7 8 9 4 5 6 1 2 3 and why not 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 or even better, why not 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9?
Click to expand...

Why is it one way on PC's and cash registers, but the other way on Phones? There's probably a reason, but it's still odd.
 
Originally posted by: Nik
Originally posted by: Bateluer
QWERTY style key boards are a hold over from the days of type writers and were originally designed to slow typists down because the hammers were getting stuck on the type writers. The typists were typing too fast.

It may be a hold over, but only a handful of people wish to leave how to type all over again. Those that do, likely already bought DVORAK keyboards.
Click to expand...

Talk about shooting yourself in the foot! :laugh:
Click to expand...

wow, didn't know that... i guess i can learn something new everyday....
 
the first keyboards used "2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9". there were no 0 and 1 because the letters "o" and "i", when capitalized, can be used for those respective numbers. eventually the 1 was added, and lastly the zero added. it was kept on the right side since people got used to using the letter "o".

even the first keyboard was suppossed to be in alphabetical order. it was evolved into the QWERTY layout, but there is still traces of the original alphabetical order. look at the keys "D" "FGH" "JKL"
 
Originally posted by: RedSquirrel
I always wondered that.

And who's the bright one who decided to make the numpad semi reversed, why 7 8 9 4 5 6 1 2 3 and why not 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1 or even better, why not 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9?
Click to expand...

Your keyboard is little-endian. You need to shop for one that does big-endian. 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Bateluer
QWERTY style key boards are a hold over from the days of type writers and were originally designed to slow typists down because the hammers were getting stuck on the type writers. The typists were typing too fast.

It may be a hold over, but only a handful of people wish to leave how to type all over again. Those that do, likely already bought DVORAK keyboards.
Click to expand...


Most people who use the Simplified Dvorak layout just remap it in our OS (regional language settings in windows, loadkeys in linux console, modify xorg.conf for X, etc ....)

That said .... the 0-9 don't move with this Layout ...

My best guess as far as why 0 is to the right is that 10 comes after 9.
 
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Maybe they should add a zero on both ends. 😉
Click to expand...

That's a brilliant idea! Of course, I use the tilde occasionally; and I especially use the two arithmetic keys on that row. I don't use the Backspace button though - I never make mistakes. So, you can eliminate that key in favor or another 0 on the top row.


Also, now that the OP mentioned it, I realize it's one more change that can be made to drive someone nuts with their keyboard. It's just like swapping the "n" and "m" keys (only a little more work.)
 
Originally posted by: DrPizza
Originally posted by: SagaLore
Maybe they should add a zero on both ends. 😉
Click to expand...

That's a brilliant idea! Of course, I use the tilde occasionally; and I especially use the two arithmetic keys on that row. I don't use the Backspace button though - I never make mistakes. So, you can eliminate that key in favor or another 0 on the top row.


Also, now that the OP mentioned it, I realize it's one more change that can be made to drive someone nuts with their keyboard. It's just like swapping the "n" and "m" keys (only a little more work.)
Click to expand...

It's much easier to just change their keyboard mapping.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top