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The 40% Keyboard

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Re: The 40% Keyboard

#301

Post by GrayShade »

boring_twenties wrote: post #291
GrayShade wrote: post #159

I don't have RSI, but it seems to me that rotating your wrists to press Ctrl with your pinky is one of the larger parts of the problem. I prefer to press Ctrl with the side of my palm, but that doesn't work on some Lenovo and Apple laptops which Fn is at the edge of the keyboard.

How is this still a thing in 2019. Just remap Caps Lock to Ctrl, problem solved. If using Linux, simply add `ctrl:nocaps` to the XKBOPTIONS= line in /etc/default/keyboard, e.g.: XKBOPTIONS='other:options,ctrl:nocaps'

I did that, but never used it. I still find pressing Ctrl to be more comfortable because it requires less movement.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#302

Post by the_gipsy »

AWildC182 wrote: post #288
the_gipsy wrote: post #223

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Anything to back up these "facts"? There are many, many activities that require your wrist to be not straight. Playing musical instruments, sports...

Do you do any of them for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year? Used to row about 20 hours a week for a few years. It does the same thing if you're not careful.

Some people certainly do, and I didn't question that.

I question the "fact" that straight wrists matter over all other things.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#303

Post by AWildC182 »

the_gipsy wrote: post #302
AWildC182 wrote: post #288

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you do any of them for 8 hours a day, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year? Used to row about 20 hours a week for a few years. It does the same thing if you're not careful.

Some people certainly do, and I didn't question that. I question the "fact" that straight wrists matter over all other things.

Gotcha, I misunderstood what you were getting at.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#304

Post by grawprog »

apotatopot wrote: post #295
grawprog wrote: post #285

Earlier quoted context omitted.

>No numpad is an ergonomic benefit. Except I can type numbers a lot faster and more accurately with a numpad. Something I do regularly throughout my day. The enter key is also a quick thumb press with the mouse hand away when I'm using my left hand for commands. I almost never have to use the mouse while typing numbers. It makes sense to me to have a quick one handed way next to the mouse to type numbers. It feels a…

Just because that's how you type numbers doesn't mean it's good for you ergonomically. I switched to using the number line and I'm fine doing it now. It's actually sometimes faster because I have 8 fingers instead of 3/4, and the enter key falls under my pinky when my middle finger is on 9.

I meant more ergonomic for my workflow. Using the number line would mean I'm repeatedly moving my hand back and forth across the keyboard. That tires me out and strains my arm more than the way I do it now. Which as far as I know, I could be wrong, is what ergonomics are about, the most comfortable, efficient way for something to be.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#305

Post by ghostbrainalpha »

pdpi wrote: post #114

It really annoys me when people try to claim scientific evidence (Fitts’s law in this case) for their unscientific choices. There is no frequency-of-use analysis, nothing about the cognitive cost of remembering a very very unique set of key bindings (the guy on my team with a 40% keyboard still struggles with some common keystrokes after several months), just “fitts’s law and we move less”.

I was your co-worker. Built a custom board entirely for aesthetic reasons, and didn't really know how to do anything that required a function key without trial and error for about a year.

Then a co-worker made fun of me. I memorized what all the modifiers did and became fully proficient in about 48 hours.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#306

Post by wyclif »

petepete wrote: post #127
halvdan wrote: post #96

I own a HHKB[1] and while very pleasant to type with the fact that the function keys are on another layer can be cumbersome in some IDEs. In IntelliJ IDEs you have Ctrl + F9 to build (or something like that) which means pressing Ctrl + Fn + 9. Maybe the experience can be improved with better placement of the Fn-key (which on the HHKB is in the lower right corner). Reading the comments about experiences with split and…

As a Vimmer, the HHKB is very close to perfection. I can reach every key without having to move my hands too far, the Fn key fall right under my right little finger and Control being in the correct place is a huge win. The fact that it has Topre switches is the icing on the cake, I wouldn't use any other keyboard on a prolonged basis.

What is it about the Topre switches that you prefer?

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#307

Post by m463 »

Fnoord wrote: post #150
m463 wrote: post #45

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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% keybo…

> casual. For navigating. I usually do it with my fingers on the arrow keys, sometimes hitting page up/down > The 40% keyboard fails #2 Only because you don't use hjkl to navigate. You could, but you don't (for whatever reason).

Only vi lets me navigate that way. I guess if you were causually playing a first person shooter, you could wasd :)

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#308

Post by wyclif »

bitxbit wrote: post #251
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.

Any examples of a 65% keyboard? I've never heard this terminology thrown around till now.

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#309

Post by wyclif »

6gvONxR4sf7o wrote: post #267

What's everybody's preferred "shit I'm developing RSI and need to make ergonomic changes" keyboards? Wrist and thumb is unhappy, if that's happened to any of you.

I've been in the industry for decades as a engineer/programmer/developer, and I've never gotten RSI. I'm a big fan of the old IBM Model M mechanical keyboards with the buckling springs. I know it's not as cool as some of the things available or that people in this thread are making, but it gets the job done. It's also heavy and doesn't slide around, it has a metal bottom chassis and in case of an attack on your office, you could potentially use it as a shield or weapon.

Years ago after I got into Linux, I got one of these and it's still going strong. One of the best purchases I've ever made. Best of all, the Ctrl key is where it should be for *NIX people: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/40PSA

Re: The 40% Keyboard

#310

Post by blacksmythe »

WalterBright wrote: post #115

I still much much prefer a full size keyboard. I could only find one on Amazon that would connect with bluetooth. I throw it in my luggage when traveling so at least in my hotel room I can use a full size keyboard. I hate those wretched trackpads on laptops, and also throw a full size bluetooth mouse in my luggage.

I don't travel with an extra keyboard, but I do take a mouse.

An external mouse is so much better, and hardly takes up any space.

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