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00Key a 75% Keyboard

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Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#101
post #4

I really do not like these compressed baby keyboards that are missing essential keys. My perfect keyboard would be something like a 150% with standard full layout but then adding in a bunch of programmable macro keys, I want more than F12! I want F1 through F36. Also a built in coffee grinder, water heater, and there should be a fan under the keys to keep my hands cool. Okay, ignore those last three.

Yes, but, not to the right, let it grow to the left!

I would like extra keys, but at the same time I hate that my mouse is that far to the right, and all because of the num keys that I NEVER use.

That said, my Logitech MX Keys is the perfect keyboard, if they were ever to release TKL (80%) or some variation or even 75% layout - I would pay top buck for that!

Anyone here working at Logitech? :)

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#102
post #83

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> The traditional full sized layout was designed prior to mice being common, which immediately becomes evident when you try to center the alpha cluster of such boards with how doing so pushes the mousing area uncomfortably far off to the right. I developed tendonitis on my right elbow because of this. I fixed it by moving the mouse to the left. It took a few months to get used to it, but now my brain doesn't recogniz…

Same for me. A side benefit is improved neuroplasticity, but the bummer is reduced options for mice. I use Microsoft's ambidextrous models, which are barely mediocre.

I tried proper left hand mice for a while (naturally-right-handed, switched to left-hand mousing for RSI reasons similar to above), and eventually I just embraced the idea of using a right-hand mouse with my left hand. It feels completely natural now. As an added benefit, I can use any "normal" mouse by just moving it to the left of the keyboard.

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#103
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What’s “essential” varies a lot between users. As a mobile dev I’ve been using 60% and 65% boards almost exclusively since 2015 and haven’t missed the removed keys much at all. Really though, to me the problem with full-size keyboards isn’t the number of keys but their positioning. The traditional full sized layout was designed prior to mice being common, which immediately becomes evident when you try to center the a…

How do you guys not miss F keys? I can press e.g. Ctrl+F5 with one hand but I would have to use both hands to press Ctrl+Fn+5.

I have the modifier keys both sides of my keyboard. That way Ctrl + [Layer2] + [key] is no more awkward than Ctrl + Shift + [key].

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#104
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What’s “essential” varies a lot between users. As a mobile dev I’ve been using 60% and 65% boards almost exclusively since 2015 and haven’t missed the removed keys much at all. Really though, to me the problem with full-size keyboards isn’t the number of keys but their positioning. The traditional full sized layout was designed prior to mice being common, which immediately becomes evident when you try to center the a…

How do you guys not miss F keys? I can press e.g. Ctrl+F5 with one hand but I would have to use both hands to press Ctrl+Fn+5.

I used to make map right Ctrl -> Ctrl+Fn for that reason

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#105
post #4

I really do not like these compressed baby keyboards that are missing essential keys. My perfect keyboard would be something like a 150% with standard full layout but then adding in a bunch of programmable macro keys, I want more than F12! I want F1 through F36. Also a built in coffee grinder, water heater, and there should be a fan under the keys to keep my hands cool. Okay, ignore those last three.

Yes, but, not to the right, let it grow to the left! I would like extra keys, but at the same time I hate that my mouse is that far to the right, and all because of the num keys that I NEVER use. That said, my Logitech MX Keys is the perfect keyboard, if they were ever to release TKL (80%) or some variation or even 75% layout - I would pay top buck for that! Anyone here working at Logitech? :)

+1! I also own the Logitech MX Keys and would buy a TKL right away. I love the low profile keys

I do wish the keys were labeled for Mac or Windows only rather than "opt | start", "cmd | alt" but beggars can't be choosers

That volume key next to F12 is annoying AF too... It makes my OCD flare up had

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#106

Personally, I found the perfect keyboard in Ergodox [0][1]. Ortholinear, split, programmable (and open-source) keyboard with hot-swappable switches. I've had my Ergodox EZ [2] for ~7 years now. The biggest problem that happened was that some of the switches started malfunctioning - fixing which was a matter of literally 5 minutes. I don't think I would want to go back to non-split, non-ortholinear keyboards nowadays.…

I backed ergodox-ez on indiegogo in 2016. I moved to the moonlander mostly for the built in wrist pads. support has been amazing. I just got a replacement for a cracked piece of plastic that I can repair myself. https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/teardown The thing I like most is the split and I have customized the layout to my working style. I really should learn to use layers or try some of the "hacks" https://www.zsa.i…

I came really close to buying the Moonlander, but I couldn't get over the fact that they limit macro length because otherwise, they claim, people would put their password in. I'm not going to, but I have lots of other reasons for long macro outputs.

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#107
post #63

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I primarily use macOS, where shortcuts have been almost exclusively mnemonic (e.g. Command-R → R eload) since the earliest Mac models. F-key usage is relegated mostly to lazy ports from other platforms.

This. I use the function keys so rarely the whole row of keys except for the escape key could be taken out.

...which makes macOS-using developers' negative reactions to the 2016 MBP touch bar kind of odd/ironic, no? We all agree that nobody needs the F keys on a Mac... so why was it such a big problem when they got virtualized under the equivalent of a car infotainment display?

(Yeah, the escape key was taken out as well at first, but then it was brought back, and people still were quite hateful toward the touch bar after that.)

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#108

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I have a keyboard that's "missing" essential keys, but I have a special key that I can press with my thumb that changes that every single key does (it's called a Layer). So I never need to move my wrist to press the arrow keys: just hold the thumb button and press hjkl. Page up is layer+t, page down is layer+g. And so on. It's great, my wrists thank me. I can even program a macro that will trigger an OS shortcut that…

I like keyboards with layers support, but layers aren't a replacement for sufficient keys. Holding down the layer button means another finger unavailable for hotkeys. For instance, on my keyboard (ZSA Moonlander) I have the function keys in an alternate layer. This isn't a problem for a normal press (layer shift + 2 => F2), but it makes pressing something like Ctrl+Shift+F2 rather painful. Yes, for such shortcuts tha…

Crazy idea I've always wanted to try: somehow hack a USB foot-pedal to act as a layer key.

(Hard, because usually the layers are implemented inside the keyboard's firmware, rather than being processed by the OS. Maybe the foot-pedal would need to plug into the keyboard.)

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#109

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been wondering for a while now why these fractional keyboards are so popular. It's some sort of trendy faux-minimalism that I've never been able to wrap my head around.

They are small and thus take less space on the desk, or in your bag (perfect for traveling and on-site-work). And not all keys are necessary for everyone. Numpad is a big part with little use for many people. And the newer generation of keyboards is often programmable, so you can remap them on very sophisticated levels on the keyboard itself. This reduces the demand for more keys even more. For example, on my keyboar…

> For example, on my keyboard I have no dedicated cursor-keys, but they are mapped to hjkl and wasd with a thumb-key.

That sounds so bizarre to me, as so many keychords I use every minute of every day involve modifiers plus arrow keys.

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#110
post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What’s “essential” varies a lot between users. As a mobile dev I’ve been using 60% and 65% boards almost exclusively since 2015 and haven’t missed the removed keys much at all. Really though, to me the problem with full-size keyboards isn’t the number of keys but their positioning. The traditional full sized layout was designed prior to mice being common, which immediately becomes evident when you try to center the a…

How do you guys not miss F keys? I can press e.g. Ctrl+F5 with one hand but I would have to use both hands to press Ctrl+Fn+5.

I only use keyboards running QMK or ZMK, so:

My Caps Lock key is a Control/Escape key (when tapped it behave like a Escape, when hold it's Control), and my left Control is a one shot layer switch key [1], which means I tap LCtrl once, and then press Caps Lock + 5 to get Ctrl+F5. Doable with single hand and more ergonomic as I have an unusually small hand.

[1] https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/docs/one_sho...

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