I'm debating getting a kinesis advantage to help my wrist pain. The only thing that seems off is the placement of [] and {}. Anyone here with the keyboard have any thoughts about it? Are the y hard to reach, does it only seem that way, is it easy to get used to...?
Ask HN: Brackets/braces placement on Kinesis Advantage?
1–9 of 9 posts
Re: Ask HN: Brackets/braces placement on Kinesis Advantage?
#2Before you try the Kinesis Advantage, have you tried $15 wrist braces? I used to have terrible wrist pain, and wearing the braces for a few hours a day (and sometimes overnight) made it disappear entirely.
Re: Ask HN: Brackets/braces placement on Kinesis Advantage?
#3I've been using a Kinesis Advantage for about 3 years and the placement of those keys is my biggest gripe with the keyboard (apart from the fact that you look like a total dork / wannabe spaceship commander with it - whether that's a pro or con is up to you). I never really got used to the placement, but the keyboard so amazing in all other respects that it doesn't really matter overall.
Re: Ask HN: Brackets/braces placement on Kinesis Advantage?
#4I've been using a Kinesis Advantage for about 3 years and the placement of those keys is my biggest gripe with the keyboard (apart from the fact that you look like a total dork / wannabe spaceship commander with it - whether that's a pro or con is up to you). I never really got used to the placement, but the keyboard so amazing in all other respects that it doesn't really matter overall.
Was it ever an option to remap them?
Re: Ask HN: Brackets/braces placement on Kinesis Advantage?
#5Before you try the Kinesis Advantage, have you tried $15 wrist braces? I used to have terrible wrist pain, and wearing the braces for a few hours a day (and sometimes overnight) made it disappear entirely.
Something like this you mean https://m.podobrace.nl/shop/merken/product/mcdavid-carpal-tu...
Re: Ask HN: Brackets/braces placement on Kinesis Advantage?
#6Before you try the Kinesis Advantage, have you tried $15 wrist braces? I used to have terrible wrist pain, and wearing the braces for a few hours a day (and sometimes overnight) made it disappear entirely.
Something like this you mean https://m.podobrace.nl/shop/merken/product/mcdavid-carpal-tu...
Yup, exactly! You can still use a keyboard and mouse while wearing them.
Re: Ask HN: Brackets/braces placement on Kinesis Advantage?
#7For me thr Kinesis advantage was a life saver! Thr braces were a gripe for a long time, but like anything you get used to it.
You can remap key locations, with built in programming options on the keyboard. (seriously considering making the CAPS lock a synonym for tab)
I have one very important tip - you need to get rid of pointer input too for a total solution - no trackpad or mouse.
A cannot recommend Karibiner highly enough - I have completely replaced all trackpad mouse movements and clicks with keyboard, and I am about 75-80 percent as fast with keyboard mouse as with TouchPad.
Re: Ask HN: Brackets/braces placement on Kinesis Advantage?
#8For me thr Kinesis advantage was a life saver! Thr braces were a gripe for a long time, but like anything you get used to it. You can remap key locations, with built in programming options on the keyboard. (seriously considering making the CAPS lock a synonym for tab) I have one very important tip - you need to get rid of pointer input too for a total solution - no trackpad or mouse. A cannot recommend Karibiner high…
My only gripe with the Kinesis is it's thickness and key travel distance. Wish someone would make a thinner lower profile version of this.
Re: Ask HN: Brackets/braces placement on Kinesis Advantage?
#9For me thr Kinesis advantage was a life saver! Thr braces were a gripe for a long time, but like anything you get used to it. You can remap key locations, with built in programming options on the keyboard. (seriously considering making the CAPS lock a synonym for tab) I have one very important tip - you need to get rid of pointer input too for a total solution - no trackpad or mouse. A cannot recommend Karibiner high…
I'm not on mac but the idea is interesting.