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28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

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Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#51

Post by ohazi »

ardy42 wrote: post #2

I don't get the obsession with custom keyboard with ever fewer keys. If I designed one, if anything it would have at least a few more modifier keys that a standard keyboard.

I think TKL/80% keyboards strike a good balance.

I never really got used to using the numpad block, and it's nice to have the mouse a little bit closer. But I definitely use the navigation keys (both the arrow keys and the Ins/Del/Home/End/PgUp/PgDn block), F-keys, symbols (`~[{]}\|;:'",/?), all of the modifier keys, Esc, and PrtSc.

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#52

Post by StavrosK »

Aloha wrote: post #17
ardy42 wrote: post #2

I don't get the obsession with custom keyboard with ever fewer keys. If I designed one, if anything it would have at least a few more modifier keys that a standard keyboard.

I'd like a 200 key keyboard please, will full macro functionality and programability

Why? I have an 80 key keyboard and even that's too many, since I have a bunch of layer-changing keys.

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#54

Post by StavrosK »

clarry wrote: post #13

If anyone's using modifiers on alpha keys with QMK, let me know what sort of setup works for you. Right now I have ctrls under both pinky fingers (A and S since I'm using dvorac), and it kinda works but but I'm not 100% happy with it. Either I get unintended ctrl-modified presses while typing normal text, or a crtl-modified combo does not register because I do it too quick.

There's an option you can enable where the modifier always registers as a modifier if you press another key while holding it, no matter how fast.

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#55

Post by dsissitka »

clarry wrote: post #13

If anyone's using modifiers on alpha keys with QMK, let me know what sort of setup works for you. Right now I have ctrls under both pinky fingers (A and S since I'm using dvorac), and it kinda works but but I'm not 100% happy with it. Either I get unintended ctrl-modified presses while typing normal text, or a crtl-modified combo does not register because I do it too quick.

Have you tried IGNORE_MOD_TAP_INTERRUPT?

https://beta.docs.qmk.fm/features/feature_advanced_keycodes#...

Basically, it makes it so that if you want to use A + L for Ctl + L you have to:

Press A

Press L

Release L

Release A

Anything else will send As and Ls.

I ran Alt under my pinkies, Ctl under my ring fingers, Shift under my middle fingers, and Win under my index fingers for a long time. It worked well most of the time.

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#56

Post by gonehome »

filoleg wrote: post #26
gonehome wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's fashion more than anything - and it's fun to play with something you use on a regular basis. I like the HHKB because of its default layout and how it feels in addition to the way it looks. I wouldn't use these smaller ones, but I understand why people like to play with them.

Agreed. I feel like HHKB hits that sweet spot where it is minimalistic, but still very usable without messing with layers. If it had just a few more buttons (left Ctrl + arrow keys; though I personally don't care for left Ctrl, as I have remapped it to CapsLock, just Like I do on every keyboard), then I wouldn't even need to use the Fn key at all either.

Part of the reason I’ve stuck with the HHKB for a few years now is that I like its default arrow key layout better than regular arrow keys.

Using your right pinkie to hit function and then having the arrows right there is nice. I also use caps lock as control and it’s nice to have it as a hardware default in the HHKB too.

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#57

Post by SuperPaintMan »

cmgxyz wrote: post #10
ardy42 wrote: post #2

I don't get the obsession with custom keyboard with ever fewer keys. If I designed one, if anything it would have at least a few more modifier keys that a standard keyboard.

I think a certain amount of it is just a fascination with minimalism for the sake of it and clever firmware tricks, but one argument for it is ergonomics. Simply: fewer keys means less travel for your wrists and fingers, albeit (as someone mentioned) at the cost of a steeper learning curve in order to master the layer-switching and dual-use keys that you need to make such a small keyboard work. Germ, designer of the…

I'm currently working on the ASETNIOP layout for Ginny (A 10 key keyboard), while wildly impractical next to something like GergoPlex, it's a fun exercise in insanity.

https://www.gboards.ca/product/gergoplex

https://www.gboards.ca/product/ginni

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#58

Post by gonehome »

archarios wrote: post #29
gonehome wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It's fashion more than anything - and it's fun to play with something you use on a regular basis. I like the HHKB because of its default layout and how it feels in addition to the way it looks. I wouldn't use these smaller ones, but I understand why people like to play with them.

It's not for me. I like fewer keys because I find that it's easier/more comfortable to use layers rather than have to do a weird reach for some key I need.

I find the cognitive load of having to memorize multiple functional layers outweighs any perceived benefit.

I type pretty fast (100 wpm or so), but when programming typing speed is rarely the bottleneck. I suspect people just rationalize fashion to themselves by pretending it’s also better, but everyone is different so maybe some people actually prefer the complexity.

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#60

Post by SuperPaintMan »

tra3 wrote: post #42
archarios wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I bought a kit and busted one of the pcb pads when trying to solder it together :'(

Bummer :( Tried youtubing for how it looks in real life usage; no luck.

Give this a shot, and if you find the keyboard too light there's always ButterKnife (which is ending pretty quick here!)

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=7_HWAoZnZvs&feature=youtu.be

https://www.gboards.ca/product/butterknife

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