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by baylessj 2138 days ago
I also found that blank keycaps improved my typing ability when I built an Ergodox clone. I agree that the blank keycaps played a role in reducing my desire to look at the keyboard, but I think the columnar layout of the Ergodox played a much bigger role in encouraging proper form. When each finger's keys are in a proper column it becomes more important to use the right finger to press a given key, IMO.
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I have also noticed this effect with the layout; I find the common staggered layout on keyboards encourages people to use the wrong finger for a couple keys, especially with fast typing speeds where you intuitively start optimising movements.

An ortholinear layout makes those keys only easily accessible with the correct fingers, and overcoming that part of the muscle memory was the hardest part of the switch for me.

And what's even better is vertical stagger according to finger lengths; this increases comfort when typing significantly in my experience, especially on very small keyboards.