Frequently heard, but I suspect the people suggesting it have never done any data input work involving lots of numbers.
I could argue that you don't need a mouse. If you're moving from keyboard to mouse so frequently, why not learn how to do things without the mouse?
I had a job in logistics where I often had to train non-IT professionals to handle data input involving mostly numbers. Most of them had never used the numpad, half didn't know how to move around using tab/shift-tab and didn't know keyboard shortcuts. They would rely heavily on the mouse. When I trained them to use all these, and forced them to use by removing the mouse, their productivity would increase by several hundred percent in some time-consuming data input tasks. The software was Microsoft Dynamics and Excel. Most of them were frustrated at first, but became proficient within a week or so, and would continue to use the keyboard even after reintroducing the mouse.
The author is considering himself part of the majority, but does not ignore the minority that does:
> And if you really need a numpad you can just buy seperate one and place it on the left side.
They are also ignoring the left-handed minority, but I think for an opinion post, it's easy to accept that such a person might just get a regular keyboard with a numpad if they need it?
Very true. I’m both left handed and work in a data oriented position. I use the numpad to enter numeric values quickly during the day, and when I find myself playing games, use the numpad, home/delete to page up/down, and sometimes the arrow keys if I need to map additional keys.
I could argue that you don't need a mouse. If you're moving from keyboard to mouse so frequently, why not learn how to do things without the mouse?
I had a job in logistics where I often had to train non-IT professionals to handle data input involving mostly numbers. Most of them had never used the numpad, half didn't know how to move around using tab/shift-tab and didn't know keyboard shortcuts. They would rely heavily on the mouse. When I trained them to use all these, and forced them to use by removing the mouse, their productivity would increase by several hundred percent in some time-consuming data input tasks. The software was Microsoft Dynamics and Excel. Most of them were frustrated at first, but became proficient within a week or so, and would continue to use the keyboard even after reintroducing the mouse.