Re: PC or Mac?

[Greg Weston <gwestonREMOVE@CAPSattbi.com>]

In article <u5dfpqb449im2e@corp.supernews.com>, Matthew Russotto
<russotto@grace.speakeasy.net> wrote:

> >It's not a myth, just confusion on your part. The GOAL of QWERTY was to
> >prevent keyjams. The METHOD chosen to achieve that goal was to slow
> >down the typists (thereby reducing the odds that keys would attempt to
> >violate physics). Hardly a side-effect.
> 
> No, the method was to place frequently-typed combinations far apart
> (usually on opposite hands).  Slowing down typists (if indeed it did so)
> was a side-effect.

a) I'm having trouble taking seriously the comments of someone on this
topic who questions whether QWERTY is an inefficient layout.

b) When was the last time you used a mechanical typewriter? Spreading
out common letter combos doesn't have a significant effect on
preventing jams (given a fast typist) because you're still going to end
up with 2 key heads trying to occupy the same space at the same time.
The only way it's effective in preventing jams is if the typist is
artificially slowed down.

G