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Split keyboards and how to build them

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Re: Split keyboards and how to build them

#141

Post by soenkeliebau »

matsemann wrote: post #130
bonchicbongenre wrote: post #99

I recently was gifted -- very, very generously! -- a Moonlander Mark I split, ortholinear keyboard [0] (made by the same company that previously made the Ergodox). It's genuinely fantastic, and I can't ever see myself going back to either a non-split or a non-ortholinear board as my desktop's input. It's a huge improvement ergonomically -- (0) no hunched shoulders, with the halves at shoulder width (1) the ortholinea…

> It's a huge improvement ergonomically But what if you need to use a mouse? Then what I've found best ergonomically is to use a "rollermouse". But I don't feel that works well with a split keyboard, and then I prioritize the mouse. (For me my elbow is the biggest issue)

Personally I think a mouse is not replaceable by anything else that even gives remotely the same productivity. What can be improved is how often you have to reach for your mouse and how much your hands have to move on the keyboard.

I have personally switched to a tiling window manager that allows me to do much with the keyboard, added the surfingkeys plugin to chrome to allow the same when browsing and switched to using the neo2 keyboard layout (this is for Germans, Dvorak or something similar might be better for you).

The combination of these factors has massively improved how much I need to reach for the mouse throughout the day.

Re: Split keyboards and how to build them

#142

Post by lelag »

bigjimmyk3 wrote: post #100
Pet_Ant wrote: post #10

I just ordered the evolved version of the Ergodox EZ, the Moonlander. https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/ I expect it plus relearning Dvorak will be a pain but I want to set myself up for life and it seems like a good investment.

I'm a 20+ year dvorak user, but if I was starting over again I'd probably go colemak.

I have also been a dvorak user for about 20 years and happy with it. One of the reason I choose to use standard dvorak over other layouts was that it was available natively (even back then) on every single OS which to my knowledge is still not the case with Colemak (not natively supported in Windows).

If I have to use a computer for more than a few minutes, I know I can easily switch it to Dvorak without having to install some drivers which if it's not my computer would be a big no-no.

Re: Split keyboards and how to build them

#143

Post by steinso »

ruiseal wrote: post #138
anotheryou wrote: post #128

I love split, ortho, QMK, but I just prefer the feel of rubberdome...

Heresy. Is there any particular reason? Even the people who I've talked to that like rubber dome say linear is better.

I'm in a similar boat as I prefer scissor switches, in particular Apples butterfly ones. For me in general it is the travel. All the mechanical switches have significant travel, even the kailh choc ones have a lot more travel compared to butterfly switches.

Re: Split keyboards and how to build them

#144

Post by Kototama »

matsemann wrote: post #130
bonchicbongenre wrote: post #99

I recently was gifted -- very, very generously! -- a Moonlander Mark I split, ortholinear keyboard [0] (made by the same company that previously made the Ergodox). It's genuinely fantastic, and I can't ever see myself going back to either a non-split or a non-ortholinear board as my desktop's input. It's a huge improvement ergonomically -- (0) no hunched shoulders, with the halves at shoulder width (1) the ortholinea…

> It's a huge improvement ergonomically But what if you need to use a mouse? Then what I've found best ergonomically is to use a "rollermouse". But I don't feel that works well with a split keyboard, and then I prioritize the mouse. (For me my elbow is the biggest issue)

I put the mouse between the two parts of my Ergodox. It decreases the elbow movements and the tension.

You can also program the keyboard to control the mouse pointer but I found it not practical.

Re: Split keyboards and how to build them

#145

Post by gundmc »

matsemann wrote: post #130
bonchicbongenre wrote: post #99

I recently was gifted -- very, very generously! -- a Moonlander Mark I split, ortholinear keyboard [0] (made by the same company that previously made the Ergodox). It's genuinely fantastic, and I can't ever see myself going back to either a non-split or a non-ortholinear board as my desktop's input. It's a huge improvement ergonomically -- (0) no hunched shoulders, with the halves at shoulder width (1) the ortholinea…

> It's a huge improvement ergonomically But what if you need to use a mouse? Then what I've found best ergonomically is to use a "rollermouse". But I don't feel that works well with a split keyboard, and then I prioritize the mouse. (For me my elbow is the biggest issue)

The Moonlander default layout has a layer that emulates mouse controls. It's not great for long sequences but can help with some small tasks where you prefer not to lift your hands from your keyboard.

For those of you with one at home: hold ';' and then control the mouse with E,D,S,F and left and right arrows left and right click respectively.

Re: Split keyboards and how to build them

#146

Post by 3np »

randmeerkat wrote: post #84
3np wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are bluetooth adapters meant to convert a USB keyboard to a wireless one. Maybe worth a shot?

It’s not just a Bluetooth adapter, the ergodox has a wired connection between the two halves as well. Really I want to everything to be wireless.

Ah right - I don't really see that as an issue (when do you ever want to split them in a way the cable becomes problematic? also you now have two individual units to hook up with battery)

I guess this is why you don't really see many attempts.

But maybe something like this will do the trick?

https://wiki.seeedstudio.com/Grove-Serial_Bluetooth_v3.0/

Re: Split keyboards and how to build them

#148

Post by gundmc »

surfsvammel wrote: post #117
bonchicbongenre wrote: post #99

I recently was gifted -- very, very generously! -- a Moonlander Mark I split, ortholinear keyboard [0] (made by the same company that previously made the Ergodox). It's genuinely fantastic, and I can't ever see myself going back to either a non-split or a non-ortholinear board as my desktop's input. It's a huge improvement ergonomically -- (0) no hunched shoulders, with the halves at shoulder width (1) the ortholinea…

I have the same board and I am generally happy with it. There is one warning I’d like to make though; I have fairly small hands and I feel that my hands have to reach more using this keyboard than with other split keyboards I’ve used. It’s purely anecdotal though, because I have done some measuring and cannot actually find that there is any significant difference in distance between keys compared to my old keyboard.…

I have smaller hands as well and have adapted well to the Moonlander. I have found that I prefer to keep the thumb cluster tilted upwards to reduce the distance to my space/return keys.

Unfortunately this means I can't use the tenting since that requires the thumb cluster to tilt down and act as one of the legs. That's my only real gripe so far.

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