I find it interesting that there was a time when everyone seemed to get overboard with thumb keys and that now things seem to settle at two per hand.
[deleted]
Show HN: I made a split keyboard for large palms
61–70 of 86 posts
Re: Show HN: I made a split keyboard for large palms
#62I have been considering an ergonomic keyboard for a while and came pretty close to getting a sofle [0]. But I realised that I actually like having all the symbol keys. So now thinking about trying a keychron with alice layout [1] [0] https://josefadamcik.github.io/SofleKeyboard/ [1] https://www.keychron.uk/products/keychron-k15-pro-alice-layo...
[deleted]
Re: Show HN: I made a split keyboard for large palms
#63If want to get into ortholinear boards, but also want a keyboard with lots of keys, I recommend the Xbows boards. I got an Xbows lite off Ebay for $60, and it's my current fave.
[deleted]
Re: Show HN: I made a split keyboard for large palms
#64I have glove size 10 (XL usually) and the Keyboardio Model 100 suits me well. Best keyboard i've seen so far.
[deleted]
Re: Show HN: I made a split keyboard for large palms
#65How big is “large palms”?
It is relative ofc, but at the bottom of the main page of the website is a downloadable and printable layout, with it you can try if your palm "largeness" is compatible with it or not. See if you can comfortably reach all the keys and how does it feel to virtually type on it.
Re: Show HN: I made a split keyboard for large palms
#66I like it, but like every other keyboard that I’ve ever seen the modifier keys are in the wrong spot.
As John Napier shows in his masterwork Hands, the hand is created such that the thumb easily and precisely works in opposition to the fingers. The thumb shouldn’t be working alone, it should always be in concert with the fingers. Furthermore, since there are four natural positions for the thumb, there should be four naturally positioned modifier keys under each thumb.
From there two obvious approaches come to mind. One is to stick to a more or less traditional layout with some minor tweaking like you see with existing boards, the only real difference being the location of shift, control, alt, and meta. The other is to go all in on chording. With a total of 8 modifiers where each thumb can reasonably hold down up to two adjacent, there’s enough chording opportunity to have no wrist movement whatsoever. Such a design might resemble a musical instrument far more than a computer keyboard.
Re: Show HN: I made a split keyboard for large palms
#67Looks great! I don't understand how you minimal-key-count types manage, but that's a me thing. I'm taking the wrist pain comment as a jumping off point to remind those of us who type a lot (surely a comfortable majority!) that a major part of ergonomics is technique. Finding the right equipment for you is a part of that (I use an ergo split myself), but no keyboard can compensate for bad technique. As an example, I a…
Thanks! Technique for sure does a lot, but after you find the right tool, it's just pain to go back.
Re: Show HN: I made a split keyboard for large palms
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you are interested you can always try it out on your current kb, right? > Seniply Yes, the idea is the same. I'm using Base layer + 3 other and using one shot for the function keys. Tap dance wouldn't be a problem either, I just prefer one shot. > trrs cable Interesting idea. Why would you like to avoid TRRS? What are the issues with it? I am thinking for the next version some BLE between the sides as it has low l…
Yep, I can just avoid using one of the keys, I just haven’t seen many key maps with the sort of popularity that Miryoku has, and I hate the analysis paralysis of trying to decide between 10 comparable keymaps (or trying to build my own from scratch). The issue with TRRS is that you can easily damage your controller(s?) if they’re powered while the TRRS cable is either unplugged or left in a “not quite 100% plugged in…
I like the T-34 layout[0] - I like how much 'science' (research) did he put in it. An another one is the callum layout[1].
There is an option with QMK to rediscover TRRS cable when it gets disconnected or is plugged after startup, but I see now that that's not the only problem. TRRS is an easy/cheap solution, but a dangerous one if not correct.
[0] - https://www.jonashietala.se/blog/2021/06/03/the-t-34-keyboar... [1] - https://github.com/callum-oakley/qmk_firmware/tree/master/us...
Re: Show HN: I made a split keyboard for large palms
#69I like it, but like every other keyboard that I’ve ever seen the modifier keys are in the wrong spot. As John Napier shows in his masterwork Hands , the hand is created such that the thumb easily and precisely works in opposition to the fingers. The thumb shouldn’t be working alone, it should always be in concert with the fingers. Furthermore, since there are four natural positions for the thumb, there should be four…
What do you think of the thumb keys on the Pinky4 keyboard by tamanishi?
https://github.com/tamanishi/Pinky4
Even the leftmost one is about as far over as Alt on a typical keyboard.
Re: Show HN: I made a split keyboard for large palms
#70I've yet to wrap my mind around two things that are extremely common on "ergonomic" keyboards: ortholinear keys, and the positions of the C, X, and Z keys in the columns. I type those with my index, middle, and ring fingers, respectively, because when I pull my fingers back toward my wrists with my hands sitting at a neutral angle, those are the keys they pass. Moving from A to Z on a regular keyboard would be a disa…
Typing instruction never changed. Standard method has always been pinky on z, since typewriters. You were just taught an unusual method (or maybe picked it up on your own).
Ring finger on z is just as uncomfortable for me as pinky on z. The problem is the typewriter key layout, not finger placement.