my pinky is starting to hurt! No! The last week or so. I've had Caps Lock mapped to Control for the longest time. Anyone else still experience it with that? I'm debating switching back to vim keybindings but not sure if I just need to build up the pinky stamina now that I'm coding a lot more. Any tips I should try. I'm thinking maybe I should try and use the right control button more but never liked that.

Is this with a laptop or keyboard? I have an ergonomic keyboard at work with the same setup and at home a couple laptops that have pretty good triggering of the caps lock key and don't have these issues

I can definitely see how over-extension of the pinky can cause stress at the wrists though, I've gotten that when pinkying ctrl on windows

usually a bluetooth external keyboard for the laptop.

http://ergoemacs.org/emacs/emacs_best_keyboard.html

nice logitech one. i haven't had any problems but been using that C- a lot lately

some of those are overkill i think, I can use most keyboards without issue, as long as they don't have a hard or too long a travel

I'll check these out. I'm living quite nomadically so need something that travels well. and i'm broke. lol

do you use the right control key regularly?

no, almost never

it's always felt in a weird spot

yeah

i'm debating switching my alt keys to control keys. I've seen that suggested before. Then I could use my thumbs more. I'm not terribly opposed to going back to vim bindings though. i just think my brain prefers non modal editing

anyone use God Mode?

Building muscle-memory for Vim-motions is absolutely worth doing. It has only one drawback: if you lose a hand - you’ll suffer, but all things considered that probably would be the least of your worries.

i actually started with vim. i liked it just felt like the modal part never quite clicked. i would still find myself in the wrong mode without realizing it.

the more I think about it, I'm a writer first and foremost, so this little pinky scare has me worried. i do a lot of typing every day so don't want to risk that.

However learning Vim, for the sake of saving yourself from RSI - probably wrong. What you need is: correct posture, correct setup, good keyboard (Kinesis Advantage is my choice), maybe a keyboard tray, adjustable standing desk

can't argue with that.

And never forget: Emacs can Vim better that Vim itself.

i'm coincidentally moving to a better desk this weekend

and… something people rarely consider. Exercise your back. RSI most of the time is a result of a weak body core - lower, upper back, abdomen muscles etc. Going to a gym and learning how to properly do deadlifts will keep you alive. Trust me. I learned that hard way. I had such a bad RSI that I couldn’t sleep at night without wearing gloves

ouch

yeah i keep myself decently fit.

ergonomic changes are first priority

I'm going to find it funny if I end up going back to Spacemacs, the catalyst that got me into emacs, lisp, and then trying clojure of all things.

Seconded the gym recommendation, so good to have a strong grip, back, etc

i'm already lifting, swimming, and doing jiu jitsu, people! hahaha

but outside of that i think i've been spending way too much time sitting at a desk setup with bad ergos

thanks for the advice folks!

Have you tried "palming" the right control key? Depending on the keyboard it can be surprisingly comfortable after getting used to

Personally I don't recommend it, IMO it's a sign that you type in an overly static position (palms/wrists stuck to your laptop/table) i.e. instead of palming, or stretching your pinky to reach Ctrl, lift your hand, move it to one side, and use your index or thumb to hit it

I second @vemv. I do it to reach enter. otherwise you'll be twisting your wrist or extending your fingers to get to a key, and that isn't good

Interesting, if you have a cloned folder in your path and add it with magit, it adds a submodule.