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If you're looking for a mechanical ergonomic keyboard that you can also easily take with you, I suggest taking a look at Atreus[0], a 42-key column-staggered ke

by bandali 10y ago

If you're looking for a mechanical ergonomic keyboard that you can also easily take with you, I suggest taking a look at Atreus[0], a 42-key column-staggered keyboard. I got one a while back. Haven't gotten around to publishing my build log, but building the keyboard was a lot of fun. With the somewhat steep learning curve out of the way, I've been really enjoying it and gone are the days of wrist pain. Oh, and I'm in no way affiliated with Phil or the project, just a very happy user dropping his 2¢ here. [0]: https://atreus.technomancy.us https://atreus.technomancy.us

gbrown_ 10y ago
Been eying these up for a while now. Also the firmware is completely open which is nice.
- aban 10y ago
  Absolutely; I'm using a slightly modified layout myself. Both the design and the firmware(s) are free software: - Design (GPLv3): https://github.com/technomancy/atreus https://github.com/technomancy/atreus - Current firmware (GPLv2+): https://github.com/technomancy/tmk_keyboard/tree/atreus https://github.com/technomancy/tmk_keyboard/tree/atreus - Older firmware, great for learning (GPLv3): https://github.com/technomancy/atreus-firmware https://github.com/technomancy/atreus-firmware
melling 10y ago
How are the wrists bent with the small size? Ideally, the keyboard should be split in half so your wrists are farther apart. There's a lot to consider when shopping for an ergonomic keyboard: https://h4labs.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/the-model-01-an-heirloom-grade-keyboard-for-serious-typists/ https://h4labs.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/the-model-01-an-heir...
- aban 10y ago
  That's true and perhaps surprisingly enough, despite the small size I don't find myself bending my wrists when typing. The fact that the layout is column-staggered helps a lot with this too: I don't have to bend my wrists sideways to reach the "corners" of the keyboard; I just move my hands back and forth.
shassard 10y ago
The Atreus is a fun project to build and the fact that the controller source code is freely available is great fun. I've built mine with Matias keys and they do feel better than the wobbly and less smooth action found in the Cherry brown keys. I have a few Advantage keyboards as well and in my mind they serve different purposes. The Atreus is a great portable lapboard and works really well when you use it in that regard. FYI: The lack of extra keys lend this keyboard to Emacs programmers; You'll be chording on this keyboard significantly more than you might expect. For a non-portable ergonomic keyboard, the size of the Advantage and extra keys offer a more comfortable typing experience when used on a desk. These keyboards are pretty damn huge though and will fill a backpack without any extra help.
darklajid 10y ago
That looks really, really interesting - but the shipping outside of the US is a bit scary/expensive. Any idea if the creator teamed up with a European person/store as well?
- raihansaputra 10y ago
  as the design is open, it'll be cheaper/easier to cut the plates yourself and handwire the matrix. but you do need quite a bit of time (1 or 2 days to fully assemble it).
  - darklajid 10y ago
    You mention time, I mostly see 'skill' ;-) Thanks, maybe I can either a) use this to improve my loooow skills or b) find someone that can do this for me, locally, sans shipping.

by bandali 10y ago

gbrown_ 10y ago

Been eying these up for a while now. Also the firmware is completely open which is nice.

aban 10y ago
Absolutely; I'm using a slightly modified layout myself. Both the design and the firmware(s) are free software: - Design (GPLv3): https://github.com/technomancy/atreus https://github.com/technomancy/atreus - Current firmware (GPLv2+): https://github.com/technomancy/tmk_keyboard/tree/atreus https://github.com/technomancy/tmk_keyboard/tree/atreus - Older firmware, great for learning (GPLv3): https://github.com/technomancy/atreus-firmware https://github.com/technomancy/atreus-firmware

melling 10y ago

How are the wrists bent with the small size? Ideally, the keyboard should be split in half so your wrists are farther apart. There's a lot to consider when shopping for an ergonomic keyboard: https://h4labs.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/the-model-01-an-heirloom-grade-keyboard-for-serious-typists/ https://h4labs.wordpress.com/2015/07/16/the-model-01-an-heir...

aban 10y ago
That's true and perhaps surprisingly enough, despite the small size I don't find myself bending my wrists when typing. The fact that the layout is column-staggered helps a lot with this too: I don't have to bend my wrists sideways to reach the "corners" of the keyboard; I just move my hands back and forth.

shassard 10y ago

The Atreus is a fun project to build and the fact that the controller source code is freely available is great fun. I've built mine with Matias keys and they do feel better than the wobbly and less smooth action found in the Cherry brown keys. I have a few Advantage keyboards as well and in my mind they serve different purposes. The Atreus is a great portable lapboard and works really well when you use it in that regard. FYI: The lack of extra keys lend this keyboard to Emacs programmers; You'll be chording on this keyboard significantly more than you might expect. For a non-portable ergonomic keyboard, the size of the Advantage and extra keys offer a more comfortable typing experience when used on a desk. These keyboards are pretty damn huge though and will fill a backpack without any extra help.

darklajid 10y ago

That looks really, really interesting - but the shipping outside of the US is a bit scary/expensive. Any idea if the creator teamed up with a European person/store as well?

raihansaputra 10y ago
as the design is open, it'll be cheaper/easier to cut the plates yourself and handwire the matrix. but you do need quite a bit of time (1 or 2 days to fully assemble it).
- darklajid 10y ago
  You mention time, I mostly see 'skill' ;-) Thanks, maybe I can either a) use this to improve my loooow skills or b) find someone that can do this for me, locally, sans shipping.