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My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

jackevansevo.github.io

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Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#83

I really don't understand the numpad-less trend of fashionable keyboards. Doing any kind of number entry beyond one or two digits is very annoying without one. They also don't take up that much space really. If your keyboard is a portable one you pack with you on trips, I get it. If it lives on a desk, why not splash out the small amount extra to make number entry much easier.

I'm a designer and primarily use my mouse + keyboard shortcuts. Keyboards with numpads push my mouse position further out right, which is actually quite awkward on the shoulder (it has to be twisted outwards). With a tenkeyless board, my shoulders and forearms are straight. I would consider a separate numpad so it can be moved around if needed, but that need never really comes up for me.

Keyboards with numpads on the opposite side exist. Sometimes called a left handed keyboard or in the mechanical keyboard world, "southpaw".

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#84

I was expecting to see 10s of keyboards as you'd see from most in r/MechanicalKeyboards and was disappointed to only find 5. Not an unhealthy relationship at all!

It's like those articles on gaming addiction where they're like "Anthony (27) spends up to 8 hours a week playing an online game, and his parents are worried about him!"

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#85

Nice to see the Noppoo Choc Mini! I had the same keyboard, got me through 5 years of starcraft 2 and another 5 years of brood war remastered. Had to retire it when I stopped playing starcraft and now use a kinesis advantage360 pro when working/programming. If you haven't used a split keyboard, I highly recommend it! It feels way more natural typing and less stressful on your wrists. I still use a kinesis freestyle 2…

Took me a solid month do adapt, but really glad I put the time in!!

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#86
The author should try a keychron- variety of switch/key profiles available-including low profile, supports Bluetooth and cable, and Mac and windows key layout, via subtle little side switches, cones with platform-specific spare keys for CMD/option etc. Comes in a variety of sizes and the newest ones are fully programmable, should you want to go down that particular rabbit hole. The build quality is also solid.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A long time ago at work, I was given a Logitech K750. It is powered by solar cells which charge an internal battery. It works so well, I don't understand why there aren't more solar powered keyboards. I ended up buying the same keyboard for home and I really enjoy typing on it. My only complaint is that it's difficult to remove the keycaps for cleaning and some dust somehow got inside and I can see it on the little s…

I owned one of these, and decided to omit it from the list (it came before my first Cherry board). It was a really good board. But I remember it having quite a lot of flex in the plastic. My letters wore off pretty quickly and frustratingly the solar cells eventually died and the thing stopped charging all together.

At some point, I think they changed the number of rubber feet from 4 to 6 to help with the flexing. It's still too flexy though.

> the solar cells eventually died

Mine stopped charging too but in my case it was because the little rechargeable battery had wore out. There's a battery tray on the back that you slide out and replace it and it's been working ever since for me. If the solar panels themselves eventually die, then maybe that's why there aren't more of these on the market.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#89

I never understood the Mac keyboards. For me a are a sensory deprivation chamber. I am wielding a ROG Falchion Green Cherry MX Gaming Keyboard. Is a backlit keyboard with good feedback and sound. But there is a hollow sound to the keys that is not ideal. My favorite keyboard I cannot use because is not backlit. The CoolerMaster Storm QuickFire Rapid - Tenkeyless. The keys are so smooth to the touch and there is a sli…

> I never understood the Mac keyboards I actually prefer them to most keyboards. I wish I could make the full size one tenkeyless, not a fan of the cramped smaller one.

I wish I could turn the smaller one into a split keyboard.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#90
Many recommendations that "split" is a good property to have on a keyboard.

I'd add that it's a good idea to get a keyboard where your thumbs get to use two or three keys each. Most keyboards have a big spacebar, and so the thumbs can't do much from home row. (And then useful keys like backspace, enter, escape require reaching/stretching/using pinky fingers).

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