4 ms·

Better solution is to ditch the single-block-style keyboard and get a proper ergonomic one that's split into two parts. That allows you to keep your wrists at a

by germ 7y ago

Better solution is to ditch the single-block-style keyboard and get a proper ergonomic one that's split into two parts. That allows you to keep your wrists at a natural angle but you also need to change the layout to use columnar staggering so the fingers are only moving vertically. There's many things wrong with traditional keyboards and many solutions that I could write for years about. This one's mine and is focused at programmers/Vim/Linux users [1]. The main takaway is move the fingers less and leverage a programmable layout to overload fingers. Look at how the thumbs are used and the relation to common programming symbols. [2] and I mean it's programmable so if you don't like it, flash it. [1] https://www.gboards.ca/ https://www.gboards.ca/ [2] https://qmk.fm/keyboards/gergo/keymap.png https://qmk.fm/keyboards/gergo/keymap.png

pvinis 7y ago
AKA ortholinear.
- SuperPaintMan 7y ago
  Yeah Split Ortho with columnar stagger. Those are important features. Another one is the overall height of a board, the lower and lighter the switch the better. One of the current issues I'm having is simple MX switch height + a given profile. Tack on a case and suddenly your wrists are all bent! On my personal boards I go caseless with Low-Profile Kailh Chocs and very low caps for them. It's not pretty but with 12g switches I haven't had rsi flaring issues in months. This is something I went a bit extreme with Georgi and chording, very comfy but very radical. [1] [2] Wrist rests can help alleviate this issue, but a badly designed rest will do more harm then good. [1] https://www.gboards.ca/product/georgi https://www.gboards.ca/product/georgi [2] http://docs.gboards.ca/Unboxing-Georgi http://docs.gboards.ca/Unboxing-Georgi
Stratoscope 7y ago
That's a really interesting keyboard! I think I've seen one or two like it at the office - I will have to take a closer look. It wouldn't work for me, because as I mentioned in another comment I am a TrackPoint fanatic. I've used ThinkPads for 20 years and even have a USB ThinkPad keyboard on my desktop at work. But thank you for mentioning this option - everyone has different needs and I'm sure this will be very helpful for someone.
- SuperPaintMan 7y ago
  For the record, if you're a DIY-er you can hack a TrackPoint on there :) https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/docs/feature_ps2_mouse.md https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/docs/feature...
- inawarminister 7y ago
  I've never tried it, but I've heard that "Ultimate Hacking Keyboard" has a TrackPoint add-on module [0] http://xahlee.info/kbd/ultimate_hacking_keyboard.html http://xahlee.info/kbd/ultimate_hacking_keyboard.html
  - SuperPaintMan 7y ago
    It does, but it's also not very programmable or backed by a open source firmware. Give JWZs review on it a read :)
    - mondalaci 7y ago
      The UHK firmware is open source. I should also mention that the configurator of the UHK is more advanced and polished than any alternatives. JWZs review is completely unjust as he hates 60% keyboards. Read my comment in his post.
      - SuperPaintMan 7y ago
        I did, My main Issue with the UHK is it doesn't go hard enough. I looks like a half-baked attempt the make a ergonomic board similar to Alice and the Mistel Barraco just with some extra doodads. Cool that it's open-source. Why not leverage QMK and Via for a graphical configurator? Edit: Not trying to shit on the UHK, but it seems like a _decent_ keyboard. My fault with it is that it's much too conventional and thus ends up falling into the trap that many boards already to (pinky overuse, wrist angling, gimmicks over form). It's great that you managed to create a product and bring it to market. But it doesn't really bring anything new to the table or deserve the name 'Ultimate Hacking Keyboard'.
rlue 7y ago
For off-the-shelf solutions, consider the Mistel Barocco, Matias Ergo Pro, Ergodox EZ, Mitosis, and of course keyboardio. I own the Mistel Barocco and keep the two halves of the keyboard like two feet apart; cannot recommend it enough.

by germ 7y ago

pvinis 7y ago

AKA ortholinear.

SuperPaintMan 7y ago
Yeah Split Ortho with columnar stagger. Those are important features. Another one is the overall height of a board, the lower and lighter the switch the better. One of the current issues I'm having is simple MX switch height + a given profile. Tack on a case and suddenly your wrists are all bent! On my personal boards I go caseless with Low-Profile Kailh Chocs and very low caps for them. It's not pretty but with 12g switches I haven't had rsi flaring issues in months. This is something I went a bit extreme with Georgi and chording, very comfy but very radical. [1] [2] Wrist rests can help alleviate this issue, but a badly designed rest will do more harm then good. [1] https://www.gboards.ca/product/georgi https://www.gboards.ca/product/georgi [2] http://docs.gboards.ca/Unboxing-Georgi http://docs.gboards.ca/Unboxing-Georgi

Stratoscope 7y ago

That's a really interesting keyboard! I think I've seen one or two like it at the office - I will have to take a closer look. It wouldn't work for me, because as I mentioned in another comment I am a TrackPoint fanatic. I've used ThinkPads for 20 years and even have a USB ThinkPad keyboard on my desktop at work. But thank you for mentioning this option - everyone has different needs and I'm sure this will be very helpful for someone.

SuperPaintMan 7y ago
For the record, if you're a DIY-er you can hack a TrackPoint on there :) https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/docs/feature_ps2_mouse.md https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/docs/feature...
inawarminister 7y ago
I've never tried it, but I've heard that "Ultimate Hacking Keyboard" has a TrackPoint add-on module [0] http://xahlee.info/kbd/ultimate_hacking_keyboard.html http://xahlee.info/kbd/ultimate_hacking_keyboard.html
- SuperPaintMan 7y ago
  It does, but it's also not very programmable or backed by a open source firmware. Give JWZs review on it a read :)
  - mondalaci 7y ago
    The UHK firmware is open source. I should also mention that the configurator of the UHK is more advanced and polished than any alternatives. JWZs review is completely unjust as he hates 60% keyboards. Read my comment in his post.
    - SuperPaintMan 7y ago
      I did, My main Issue with the UHK is it doesn't go hard enough. I looks like a half-baked attempt the make a ergonomic board similar to Alice and the Mistel Barraco just with some extra doodads. Cool that it's open-source. Why not leverage QMK and Via for a graphical configurator? Edit: Not trying to shit on the UHK, but it seems like a _decent_ keyboard. My fault with it is that it's much too conventional and thus ends up falling into the trap that many boards already to (pinky overuse, wrist angling, gimmicks over form). It's great that you managed to create a product and bring it to market. But it doesn't really bring anything new to the table or deserve the name 'Ultimate Hacking Keyboard'.

rlue 7y ago

For off-the-shelf solutions, consider the Mistel Barocco, Matias Ergo Pro, Ergodox EZ, Mitosis, and of course keyboardio. I own the Mistel Barocco and keep the two halves of the keyboard like two feet apart; cannot recommend it enough.