Live data from Hacker News

My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

jackevansevo.github.io

201–210 of 389 posts

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#201

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

Mice can go on the left.

It’s hard to work cross-handed though

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#202

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 cannot stand any keyboard less than a 100% layout. I have 30 years of muscle memory built up, and I'm not about to relearn it.

I don't really have any beef with those who want a smaller keyboard (though I don't really understand it - no way is your desk so small that saving a few inches actually makes a difference). But it is a real bummer that makers of high-end keyboards only cater to that crowd, and don't make nice keyboards that are full size. I would love to get a GMMK Pro, for example - if only it was in the form factor I want.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#203

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also, the number pad is pretty useless to me. I am not a cashier or accountant. The top row is fine fine for programming.

People who work at all with ipv4 networks (devops, sre, sysadmin, netadmin) find themselves entering IP addresses on most regular days.

The numberpad needs abcdef and : to be IPv6 ready.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#206

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.

Classic keyboard is too wide. Holding a mouse next to it puts strain on your shoulder.

I use separate keypad for number entry (not this one exactly, but you get the idea): https://www.amazon.com/MOTOSPEED-Mechanical-Portable-Backlig...

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#207

I want a keyboard with a touchpad beneath the space bar, like the laptops. It is very nice to have everything in front of you and have space on your right / left for a paper notebook. There is nothing out there.

Not sure if you use Mac OS but people have designed this https://www.printables.com/model/61596-magic-keyboard-and-tr...

Yep I have a similar one [1]. But the experience is honestly janky. The magic touchpad does not do palm rejection like the MacBooks do, and the whole thing is very thick and heavy.

[1]https://www.etsy.com/listing/783328345/the-tre-o-apple-bluet...

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#208
> Firstly the board is completely wireless

What are people's thoughts on wireless keyboards? For me they're potentially leaky and it's trivial to intercept the keystrokes via EMF capture. My threat model is such that any bad actor can do an EMF capture and glean master passphrases and other sensitive data. So I avoid them. No radios, wired only.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#210

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.

As someone that prefers the number pad, I've never seen this mentioned: the enter key is extremely accessible from my (right) mouse hand, it's on the bottom right of the keyboard -- I can't miss it. In a TKL, I would have to pass over the arrow keys on my way to the return carriage key.
Post reply on HN