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Programming on 34 Keys

peppe.rs

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Re: Programming on 34 Keys

#11

Post by ZeroGravitas »

This is roughly what I do too. I've found it pretty good.

Minor differences:

I use Dvorak as the base setup.

I use the same system on Mac laptops, so the two inner thumb keys are both 'space' because when on the laptop rather than a split keyboard I use the spacebar to toggle into the num/symbol layer if held (I believe you can actually use thumb on the trackpad as extra keys if you want and your laptop layout works, but never got around to trying it).

Command keys on Mac laptop (either side of the spacebar) are set to backspace and enter if used individually.

I didn't go full home row mods after trying it. I use two keys at once for ctrl (sd or kl on a qwerty layout), and two keys at once for shift (cv or m, on qwerty).

A few other double key shortcuts e.g. xc as ":" for vim stuff, and cv in querty (jk in dvorak) as escape.

I have a 36 key keyboard but I guess due to the double space it's a 35 key layout. Don't use the other button (option) for much, just arrow keys with vim hjkl so could possibly live without it as a 33 key layout.

Re: Programming on 34 Keys

#12

Post by thomastjeffery »

immigrantheart wrote: post #4

Do you retain standard qwerty staggered layout muscle memory? I heard using colemak and stagger column makes your muscle memory confused because it is similar with staggered row qwerty.

I learned the Workman layout before getting an ortholinear keyboard.

It was slightly more difficult for me to switch back to qwerty when I was still using a traditional staggered keyboard to type workman, especially when I was still getting comfortable with workman.

I wasn't really worse at qwerty than before: I just felt extra uncomfortable with the context switching.

Now that I'm exclusively using an ortholinear keyboard to type workman, I'm back to my original comfort level typing qwerty on traditional staggered keyboards. I don't enjoy it, but I don't really think about it either. Context switching went from a mild nuisance to completely effortless.

Re: Programming on 34 Keys

#13

Post by falcolas »

I've tried to use smaller keyboards with layers, but unless I'm using them everywhere I will forget what buttons to hit. And ultimately, my desk space is not at such a premium that a full-sized keyboard is unwelcome in that space.

I do also enjoy (full sized) split keyboards though.

Re: Programming on 34 Keys

#15

Post by ZeroGravitas »

falcolas wrote: post #13

I've tried to use smaller keyboards with layers, but unless I'm using them everywhere I will forget what buttons to hit. And ultimately, my desk space is not at such a premium that a full-sized keyboard is unwelcome in that space. I do also enjoy (full sized) split keyboards though.

When learning my 36 key layout, I needed to disable the other keys on my full size keyboards, to force myself to use the subset. Once I'd learned that, I could turn them back on without being tempted to fall back to them instead of learning. Once I learned it, I prefered it even on the keyboards with many more keys available, like my Kinesis Advantage.

Re: Programming on 34 Keys

#16

Post by donio »

Overloading Space, Tab and Enter to be used as a modifier when held means that you can't get auto-repeat on these keys and they are activated on-release instead of on-press, correct?

Re: Programming on 34 Keys

#17

Post by pkamb »

ZeroGravitas wrote: post #11

This is roughly what I do too. I've found it pretty good. Minor differences: I use Dvorak as the base setup. I use the same system on Mac laptops, so the two inner thumb keys are both 'space' because when on the laptop rather than a split keyboard I use the spacebar to toggle into the num/symbol layer if held (I believe you can actually use thumb on the trackpad as extra keys if you want and your laptop layout works,…

What application do you use to set this up on a Mac?

Re: Programming on 34 Keys

#18

Post by ZeroGravitas »

pkamb wrote: post #17
ZeroGravitas wrote: post #11

This is roughly what I do too. I've found it pretty good. Minor differences: I use Dvorak as the base setup. I use the same system on Mac laptops, so the two inner thumb keys are both 'space' because when on the laptop rather than a split keyboard I use the spacebar to toggle into the num/symbol layer if held (I believe you can actually use thumb on the trackpad as extra keys if you want and your laptop layout works,…

What application do you use to set this up on a Mac?

Karabiner does the actual remapping.

https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org/

and

https://github.com/yqrashawn/GokuRakuJoudo

lets you write your keymappings in a text editor and translate it into the weird XML/JSON syntax so you don't have to use the GUI editor.

Re: Programming on 34 Keys

#19

Post by memco »

donio wrote: post #16

Overloading Space, Tab and Enter to be used as a modifier when held means that you can't get auto-repeat on these keys and they are activated on-release instead of on-press, correct?

I believe so. You also lose repeat on the home row keys because they become modifiers when held. It’s a trade off, but one that many people make since repeated key presses is not as useful as the mod keys. Same is true for people who remap caps lock: they give up a lesser used feature for something more useful for their specific preference. Of course once you get into keyboard customization you can start doing things like map caps lock to escape when pressed alone, control when pressed in combination with another key and maybe make shift + caps lock activate caps lock. Depends on what you need and what you’re trying to accomplish.

Re: Programming on 34 Keys

#20

Post by memco »

js2 wrote: post #9

I worked with someone years ago who tried to teach himself to use a pair of corded bat keyboards: https://www.infogrip.com/bat-keyboard.html His plan was to mount them to the sides of his chair so he could type with his arms hanging at his sides. I don't recall if ever got past using just one of them, and actually, I'm not sure why he needed two in the first place. Now I'm doubting my memory. Anyway, more on this inn…

That looks quite a bit more spartan than these chara corder keyboards I saw in use recently: https://www.charachorder.com/. They have a QWERTY keyboard with chording firmware (and a chip for custom keyboards) to try corded input for those who want to experiment without going all in.
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