The labeling of the conventional keyboard results in reasonably efficient keying speed for two-handed touch typing. The efficiency comes from successive keystrokes having a high probability of falling to opposite hands with the fastest keying times, and a low probability for falling to the same finger with the slowest keying times. A side effect of the labeling is that the keyboard distance between successive keystrokes is magnified. Modes of keyboard interaction that use visually guided pointing are at a distinct disadvantage. The conventional labeling maximizes movement distance and therefore movement time (reducing keying speeds) according to Fitts' Law. This study creates and uses automated design utilities to maximize the speed of keying for Fitts' devices. Two keyboard layout options are considered, the standard keyboard and a square matrix layout. The optimized designs decrease movement distance by 50 percent over the conventional labeling, but with little change in estimated keying performance.
