3 ms·

I wonder how people using a keyboard like this handle numbers and function keys? My daily keyboard is an OCZ Vortex 3 which has a dedicated numbers row and abo

I wonder how people using a keyboard like this handle numbers and function keys? My daily keyboard is an OCZ Vortex 3 which has a dedicated numbers row and above that a row with ESC/F1-12. I cannot imagine using a keyboard that does not have these two rows. Mainly because my IDE/Vim/Tmux configs are heavily customized to use F1-F12 and <C-$num> for common actions.

rgoulter 5y ago
Small keyboards like these trade-off hand movement, and instead use layering and other tricks; you'll end up customising the layout you use with it to suit your use case.
creakingstairs 5y ago
I've been using Planck for about a year now. F1 is combination of two keys: lower(special modifier key left to the space) and a. I usually have no problem with this, and kinda prefer this now as my fingers don't have to move away from the homerow. I do have a little bit of trouble when I have to press multiple modifier keys and a function key though.
yreg 5y ago
The theory with these short keyboards is that for a poweruser who remembers all the combos it's easier / quicker / more comfortable to press a combination of keys at their fingertips rather than to move their hand over a dedicated key (and back). It suits some people.
bikingbismuth 5y ago
I heavily use QMK to change how my keyboards work. I keep most of the normal upper and lower layers, but I also have a layer with a numpad and macros (such as a key that inputs my email). It is still a bit of a learning curve, and I find myself having to think for a second when I am using things like screen or tmux.
JunoNgx 5y ago
The function keys are behind a layer. Because I can arrange those keys exactly in the way I want, my proficiency with the numbers and F-keys has skyrocketed since I switched to a standard Planck.
justinsaccount 5y ago
Function keys: do not use. Number keys: either layer key+top row (qwertyuiop) or a key under my left pinky and a 3x3 grid under my right hand becomes a numpad.

rgoulter 5y ago

Small keyboards like these trade-off hand movement, and instead use layering and other tricks; you'll end up customising the layout you use with it to suit your use case.

creakingstairs 5y ago

I've been using Planck for about a year now. F1 is combination of two keys: lower(special modifier key left to the space) and a. I usually have no problem with this, and kinda prefer this now as my fingers don't have to move away from the homerow. I do have a little bit of trouble when I have to press multiple modifier keys and a function key though.

yreg 5y ago

The theory with these short keyboards is that for a poweruser who remembers all the combos it's easier / quicker / more comfortable to press a combination of keys at their fingertips rather than to move their hand over a dedicated key (and back). It suits some people.

bikingbismuth 5y ago

I heavily use QMK to change how my keyboards work. I keep most of the normal upper and lower layers, but I also have a layer with a numpad and macros (such as a key that inputs my email). It is still a bit of a learning curve, and I find myself having to think for a second when I am using things like screen or tmux.

JunoNgx 5y ago

The function keys are behind a layer. Because I can arrange those keys exactly in the way I want, my proficiency with the numbers and F-keys has skyrocketed since I switched to a standard Planck.

justinsaccount 5y ago

Function keys: do not use. Number keys: either layer key+top row (qwertyuiop) or a key under my left pinky and a 3x3 grid under my right hand becomes a numpad.