Tell me about the on screen keyboard

[ron1959]

Is it good to use or frustrating?
Is anyone using the vox to reply on this forum....?

[spikexp]

At first I was on my desktop, but i took time to open my vox just to reply to this. I can type really easily with this keyboard, sure not as fast as with my desktop, but still fast.

All this was type with the vox in portrait mode(the small key).

[Haesslich]

I've used it to reply on this forum. It's standard Gingerbread, which makes it slightly frustrating. Look for a more thumb-friendly tablet-oriented keyboard app - I just wish you could get Thumb Keyboard on this.

[pokee]

I've never used a thumb keyboard before, but I think I'd like it!

[TonyToews]

It's ok but then I've been a touch typist since when I took manual (non electric) typewriters in high school. And I've been programming computers ever since.

(Indeed I have 8 or 9 of my favourite keyboard once I realize they stopped making that ergonomic layout anymore. At about 5 - 8 years life per keyboard I should be good until I die.)

[ron1959]

Ok question for you guys using your thumbs.
Seems to me like portrait mode would be cramped and top heavy & landscape mode would be too wide to reach all over with thumbs?
comments....?

[ron1959]

Originally Posted by TonyToews

It's ok but then I've been a touch typist since when I took manual (non electric) typewriters in high school. And I've been programming computers ever since.

(Indeed I have 8 or 9 of my favourite keyboard once I realize they stopped making that ergonomic layout anymore. At about 5 - 8 years life per keyboard I should be good until I die.)

Hi Tony - do you lay the tablet flat on a table on the table for touch typing?
I always thought it would be difficult to view the screen that way but I guess if the angle is ok for reading it should be ok for typing.

[Haesslich]

Originally Posted by ron1959

Ok question for you guys using your thumbs.
Seems to me like portrait mode would be cramped and top heavy & landscape mode would be too wide to reach all over with thumbs?
comments....?

It is. That's why there are special apps which split the keyboard and move it to the corners, so you don't have to reach around so far... and it's easier to type that way than to put the tablet down to peck and keys.

[3d0g]

Dunno if the Vox supports it, but if it does, load Swype ASAP. It's the only way to "type" on a screen keyboard.

[pokee]

Originally Posted by TonyToews

It's ok but then I've been a touch typist since when I took manual (non electric) typewriters in high school. And I've been programming computers ever since.

(Indeed I have 8 or 9 of my favourite keyboard once I realize they stopped making that ergonomic layout anymore. At about 5 - 8 years life per keyboard I should be good until I die.)

I also learned touch typing on a manual typewriter in high school! I can type about 70 wpm...but the touch screen keyboards drive me nuts. I just can't seem to type quickly on them. I've tried to touch type with my hubby's ipad and I make about 10 mistakes per sentence. I seem to have more success thumb typing - but honestly, I just try do do most of my typing on a 'real' keyboard!!!

That's funny about your collections of keyboards! I hate those ergonomic things, but I know some people love 'em.

[LauraPony]

I find it really easy to type on the Vox. Much nicer than an iPhone, Blackberry, or iPad. I prefer typing in portrait mode, I find the size of the keys and the spacing is perfect for my hands. (I have replied to some forum posts with the Vox, but not this time).

[KoboJW]

The Vox keyboard is a reskin of the standard Gingerbread keyboard. In my (obviously biased) opinion, it is one of the nicer tablet keyboards I've used. Way, way better than stock. Personally, I find it better in portrait than landscape, though...

James

[TonyToews]

Originally Posted by ron1959

Hi Tony - do you lay the tablet flat on a table on the table for touch typing?

No, 95% of the time I'm using the Vox so far is in my comfortable recliner chair. So I'm resting it on my err substantial belly holding it with my left hand and hitting the keys with my right hand.

I can see, now how shall I put this politically correctly, some women not being able to use this technique due to err obstructions.

[TonyToews]

Originally Posted by pokee

That's funny about your collections of keyboards! I hate those ergonomic things, but I know some people love 'em.

The style of the keyboards is so old that the primary connector on is the large round PC XT style. Not the smaller PS/2 connecter. It did come with a PC XT <> PS/2 adapter. And I have another PS/2 <> USB adapter. Bizarre but it works.

Now being the paranoid pessimist that I am three of those keyboards are stored at three different friends houses and one is in my vehicle. Those are my backups in case the house burns.

[Haesslich]

Originally Posted by KoboJW

The Vox keyboard is a reskin of the standard Gingerbread keyboard. In my (obviously biased) opinion, it is one of the nicer tablet keyboards I've used. Way, way better than stock. Personally, I find it better in portrait than landscape, though...

James

Landscape is why you need split keyboards. It's more of an issue in that mode, but even portrait on anything bigger than a 7" tablet is pain with the stock keyboard. As it is, I find I can be more efficient with one even on the Kobo as I don't need to reach over into the middle of the screen for some of the more commonly used keys (t, r, f, v, c) in typing.