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The 40% Keyboard

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Re: The 40% Keyboard

#41

Post by Ataraxy »

mewse wrote: post #21

I'm mostly typing on Corne keyboards now; a split kit keyboard with 42 keys, so still considered 40%, but fewer keys than most other 40% boards. (so you have to learn to cope with not having dedicated arrow keys, for example) I can't imagine ever going back to a non-split keyboard; for me, it's a much better typing position to have my hands shoulder-width apart rather than squeezed together. I think that's more impor…

I'm a huge fan of my Corne (crkbd for those looking it up) also and I agree with everything you've said here.

In fact I'm even thinking of building one with the outer columns chopped off if I can get a bit more used to chording.

It didn't at all take me long to get used to the 40%, the split boards, or the column stagger after using a 60% for years and I was quickly back up to ~100wpm in about a week. This was my first time with the three. Most of all, I'm never going back to a non split if I have a choice.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#42

Post by dahx4Eev »

mewse wrote: post #21

I'm mostly typing on Corne keyboards now; a split kit keyboard with 42 keys, so still considered 40%, but fewer keys than most other 40% boards. (so you have to learn to cope with not having dedicated arrow keys, for example) I can't imagine ever going back to a non-split keyboard; for me, it's a much better typing position to have my hands shoulder-width apart rather than squeezed together. I think that's more impor…

The Corne (crkbd) is great. I’m building a curved crkbd, similar to a dactyl manuform.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#43

Post by baroffoos »

kranner wrote: post #25
baroffoos wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Exactly. Some of those colored unlabeled keyboards look stunning on the desk. Why should a keyboard be purely a utility and not part of the room design. I own an unlabeled keyboard and I mildly regret it. I have no issues typing with it but I struggle with special keys like trying to find ^ or f5. Typing 2fa codes are a pain. If I was buying a new keyboard I would get a labeled one but with no numpad

You could just buy new keycaps and switch them on your current keyboard.

I considered that but I would also want to replace the outer shell of the keyboard since thats kinda crap as well and then all I am left with is a pcb and switches. I'd rather have a fully working keyboard I can give away or keep as a spare and get a new one which suits my needs since the cost will be pretty similar.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#44

Post by Ataraxy »

gt2 wrote: post #15
xwdv wrote: post #2

If you’re going to go small you might as well go all the way and get a 30% keyboard like the Gherkin. Very portable and not too bad as long as you’re willing to work with layers.

How do you quickly access the other layers to do a semicolon or colon or space with those keyboards? Saw a photo-- it's all letters.

Using software such as QMK you can program these custom boards to do anything. To answer your question all keys are accessible by turning whichever key you like into a modifier when held down so you can access another layer.

It's not that bad when you realize through your entire life you do the same thing with SHIFT to capitalize letters for example. All of these small boards are just an extension of that concept.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#45

Post by m463 »

dangus wrote: post #7

Call me cynical, but I think a lot of the small style keyboards I see around the office are more of a fashion trend than anything. I remember when the insistence was on number pads, and how dare they be removed from our laptops and desktop keyboards. Fast forward a few years and I was made fun of at a programming job for preferring a full keyboard with a number pads. I guess programmers are too cool to enter in dolla…

Make things as simple as possible but no simpler!

Personally I type two ways:

1) engaged. I type with my fingers on the home row. This is for when I'm actively involved and typing / editing.

2) casual. For navigating. I usually do it with my fingers on the arrow keys, sometimes hitting page up/down. I don't use my other hand. My typing will not be used for input. Sometimes I use the mouse / mousewheel.

The 40% keyboard fails #2

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#46

Post by PretzelFisch »

azhenley wrote: post #5

I recently moved to a 60% keyboard (Drop Alt with Clear switches) and really like it. I find the look of these 40% keyboards very appealing. But I also don’t want to have to relearn to type or customize every keyboard I ever purchase in the future. If those barriers get reduced I think they could be very intriguing. Ortholinear keyboards are especially interesting...

I just hooked up my Alt with Clear this morning (previous daskeyboard). I miss the mx brown but I like how close the mouse is to the board and the reduction in reaching for the other keys. Having come from several years of split keyboards my main switching complaint was the switch and key quality was really bad. So this 40% is a positive step I hope catches on.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#47

Post by ISL »

toast0 wrote: post #32
terandle wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No numpad is an ergonomic benefit. Your mouse is closer so you don't have to move your hand as far. The best way to have a numpad if you really need one, I have found, is to have a separate one like how the Microsoft Sculpt keyboard does it.

Left mousing provides a similar benefit, plus it confuses people who use your terminal -- left mouse and unlabeled keys is basically hacker proof.

Unless they can touch-type and move the mouse over to the right?

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#48

Post by binarycrusader »

terandle wrote: post #20
dangus wrote: post #7

Call me cynical, but I think a lot of the small style keyboards I see around the office are more of a fashion trend than anything. I remember when the insistence was on number pads, and how dare they be removed from our laptops and desktop keyboards. Fast forward a few years and I was made fun of at a programming job for preferring a full keyboard with a number pads. I guess programmers are too cool to enter in dolla…

No numpad is an ergonomic benefit. Your mouse is closer so you don't have to move your hand as far. The best way to have a numpad if you really need one, I have found, is to have a separate one like how the Microsoft Sculpt keyboard does it.

Your mouse is closer so you don't have to move your hand as far.

Not if you use a mouse left-handed ;)

But more seriously, I grew up being trained to touch type in the classical way complete with ten-key exercises. I strongly prefer having a full numpad and I actually prefer the extra distance to the right for mouse usage. I've found over the years that the more I move my hands, the less likely I am to have discomfort.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#49

Post by rjplatte »

Absolutely love my Planck. I was going to build more keebs, but it's perfect for my needs, and my wrists feel infinitely better.

Another excellent solution is the XD75, which is ortholinear, but puts a number pad between QWERT and YUIOP. The spacing is absolutely great.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#50

Post by __MatrixMan__ »

terandle wrote: post #20
dangus wrote: post #7

Call me cynical, but I think a lot of the small style keyboards I see around the office are more of a fashion trend than anything. I remember when the insistence was on number pads, and how dare they be removed from our laptops and desktop keyboards. Fast forward a few years and I was made fun of at a programming job for preferring a full keyboard with a number pads. I guess programmers are too cool to enter in dolla…

No numpad is an ergonomic benefit. Your mouse is closer so you don't have to move your hand as far. The best way to have a numpad if you really need one, I have found, is to have a separate one like how the Microsoft Sculpt keyboard does it.

Or you could map a numpad under home row somewhere and activate it with a "symbols" key. I rather like it:

http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/eb0696806831fc...

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