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The 40% Keyboard

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Re: The 40% Keyboard

#251

Post by bitxbit »

dlevine wrote: post #247

I have an ortholinear 40% that sits in my closet collecting dust. I used it for a little while, but just didn't like it that much. Despite the claims of it being more ergonomic, I found that I was contorting my pinky into some strange positions to hit some of the keys, and was getting some strain. Plus, with 40 keys, you probably need 2 additional layers to get in all of the functionality. I also have an ErgoDox (68-…

This is why 65% keyboards are becoming popular. You get the compactness of a 60% with the functionality of a TKL. HHKB format is also nice if you can get used to it.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#252

Post by _jal »

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…

> This makes no sense because the colored keys imply you enjoy looking at your keys and their unlabeled nature implies that you don’t need to look at your keys while you type. i.e. a fashion trend.

That's not how aesthetics work. I mean, you are more then welcome to dislike blank caps, but it makes perfect sense.

Do clocks without numbers also disturb you?

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#253

Post by madamelic »

andrewaylett wrote: post #216
Monory wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Unlabeled keys and Dvorak

QWERTY-labelled keys and Dvorak.

I have considered doing this to even further mess with my partner.

He gets annoyed with my unlabeled keys and adding Dvorak to the mix would remove any ability to use my computer (not that I care, I am just a troll)

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#254

Post by somehnguy »

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…

Ok cynical man. I just really prefer a 60% (or TKL) keyboard because I don't use the numpad almost ever and not having it makes my mouse closer. I also don't like my desk to feel cramped so reducing the size of the keyboard helps with that. Nothing to do with fashion trends.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#255

Post by CJKinni »

tony wrote: post #27
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…

> Small style keyboards I'm optimistic about them (depending on what "small style keyboards" mean to you). I consider ergodox in this category, due to how it does ctrl/z, function keys and layers. Ergodox-EZ is quite beautiful. The build quality on it is solid. It's heavy, for a keyboard. This is not a logitech or microsoft keyboard where they cynically use cheap materials. But, there are these "small" hacks: It join…

> But, there are these "small" hacks: It joins Z with the ctrl key. Z has to be hit twice to type Z. Sounds like the end of the world, right?

For people new to the Ergodox, and as others have mentioned, this isn't required for use of the EZ.

I have two Ergodox-EZs, one at work and the other at home. For those interested, here's my setup: https://configure.ergodox-ez.com/ergodox-ez/layouts/Eej0Z/la...

If you're interested in the Ergodox, I do recommend really spending some time with the configurator the first month and keep iterating and practicing with it. It starts out slow, but now I'm as fast, if not faster on it than my old layout. And I'm always able to add new features. Just reading this comment section, I realized I missed my ten-key, so I threw a new layer together on an unused key to get a ten-key setup.

One of the major things I've learned using it is to configure with mnemonics in mind. For my ten-key setup, I was tempted to put the 789 where 'yui' are, but I opted to put 789 over 'uio' because then I could remember that the ten-key's top row is down-shifted one from the number row, while still getting the top row of '/*-' in the correct position. I probably won't use a ton of the ten-key this week, but hopefully that mnemonic will help me from fumbling when I do have a use for it.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#256

Post by mellavora »

me_me_me wrote: post #118
binarycrusader wrote: post #48

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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 discomfor…

God damn you cheating lefties! You cant have cake and eat it too! I really wish for keyboard options with numpad on the left. I am using numpad rarely but its handy to have when in need.

I'm right handed, but use my left hand for the mouse. Have for years. Took two days to get used to it.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#257

Post by mcguire »

roel_v wrote: post #143
sundvor wrote: post #119

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'd recommend everyone to get used to operating the mouse with either hand. It certainly helps load balancing, and probably has other benefits too. Consider it a DR plan if you suffer a dominant hand fracture, for example.

But the best mouses are tailored for one hand, like the MX Master. I used to switch mouses when I used generic mice, but I'm never going back to those.

The best trackballs are right-hand only, too.

https://www.logitech.com/en-us/product/wireless-trackball-m5...

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#258

Post by GordonS »

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…

> I remember when the insistence was on number pads

I don't know if they are still a thing, but you even used to be able to buy separate numeric keypads! PS2 back when, but presumably USB now, if they still exist.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#259

Post by GordonS »

Cthulhu_ wrote: post #174
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…

Personally I prefer the numpad-less keyboards, I don't use number entry that much and the reduced space between keyboard and mouse (I'm not a keyboard / vim wizard) helps with comfort / RSI prevention. I use an Apple wireless keyboard. That said, I would like something a bit more ergonomic or tactile, maybe, but all mechanical keyboards are at least 4x as tall as this one is - the flatness really helps prevent RSI in…

I seem to be something of an oddity, in that I prefer the numpad for gaming, treating the keys aroung the center "5" as left, right, up, down, jump and crouch. Everyone who sees this wonders why I don't use WASD - am I the only one?!

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#260

Post by GordonS »

billpg wrote: post #191
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…

I've never used the number pad. Any time I want to type a number I will always use the keys along the top of the keyboard. Maybe because I learnt to type with a keyboard with no number pad and I never felt the need to switch.

Maybe it's because I learned to type on keyboards with a num pad, but I love it for numeric entry - you can enter a bunch of numbers without the need to move your hand, just moving your fingers - with practice, you can get really fast.
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