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ZSA Moonlander: A next-generation ergonomic keyboard

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Re: ZSA Moonlander: A next-generation ergonomic keyboard

#111

Post by johncalvinyoung »

indentit wrote: post #14

I like the idea of it, it's different enough from the standard design that it seems well thought out - but it's one of those keyboards/products I would love to be able to try for a while before committing myself to a purchase, to ensure I can get used to it and would enjoy typing on it. It'd be great to see some kinda local computer hardware/keyboard store open up for this purpose, but I guess it'd be too niche reall…

This is why I appreciate my friend who loaned me his spare Ultimate Hacking Keyboard for a couple months to help with my tendonitis. When it goes back to him, I'll probably order one myself.

Re: ZSA Moonlander: A next-generation ergonomic keyboard

#113

Post by johnm »

RedBeetDeadpool wrote: post #30

This is pretty cool. I was thinking about ordering and building a dactyl manuform [1] after my latest upgrade, the kyria [2] which improved the inflammation in my index fingers, failed to truly solve my issues because they put my thumbs in a very contorted position. I love how you can rotate the thumb keys as its unnatural to have your thumbs press keys in the same direction as the rest of your fingers. Having starte…

Can you add more details about the problems you had with the Kyria thumb positioning? Too much usage of the inward thumb keys? Angles?

Re: ZSA Moonlander: A next-generation ergonomic keyboard

#114

Post by johnm »

wy35 wrote: post #55
Milank wrote: post #12

This doesn't feel like a big step forward, like something new and revolutionary. It's more like an iteration of previous models, with some small tweaks and perks. But I'm happy that split keyboard market is getting more and more attention.

Yes, I'm disappointed to see that this isn't a contoured keyboard -- still waiting for a contoured keyboard (e.g. Advantage2) with the customization of the ErgoDox without having to build it myself (e.g. Dactyl Manuform).

Do you only use the Advantage at home/work? I.e., what do you do when you're traveling (or just using your laptop away from you desk)?

Re: ZSA Moonlander: A next-generation ergonomic keyboard

#115

Post by Timothee »

billman wrote: post #90
ahelwer wrote: post #17

I've been getting deep into the home office ergonomics hole now that I'll be working from home indefinitely. There's a real danger here - I generally pride myself as someone who is conscientious of consumerist tendencies, but it's become clear that my drive for better ergonomics is no longer about the actual facilitation of work or avoidance of injury. I have spent more time researching ergonomic setups than could ev…

The best keyboard I can think of is one that tells me to get my butt out of the chair and go for a walk every two hours.

You can probably make that happen with the QMK firmware: make the whole thing stop two hours after being plugged in. Or have a key sequence to restart the timer. (so that you don't have to unplug and plug it all the time)

That'd be an interesting feature honestly.

Re: ZSA Moonlander: A next-generation ergonomic keyboard

#116

Post by sprash »

tck42 wrote: post #106
nextos wrote: post #92

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love mechanical keyboards. My favorite switch is ALPS. But IMHO, the most ergonomic switches are low-travel ones. They increase my typing speed, reduce latency and make long sessions effortless. Luckily, low-travel versions of many good quality keyboard switches are being produced and developed more often now to cater the gaming market. For a simple, readily available option, I find the Apple Magic Keyboard more th…

I've found Kailh Blue low profile to be the sweet spot for mechanical but low travel. My absolute favorite keyboard is the HAVIT HV-KB395L [1], unfortunately the switches seem to not be very durable (or I'm just very rough on my keyboards). I have two broken ones around (left control key is flaky), considering if I want to buy another one. This is literally the only keyboard I have found that uses those switches. [1]…

I have the TKL version of same keyboard and it is a great value for the price but it has several flaws. The Kailh Blue switches can click and not trigger if you don't press hard enough. So the audio feedback is basically worth nothing. Also there are no rubber feet at the back if you decide not to use the stands. There are also no rubber feet in the middle below the space bar where I would expect the keyboard to flex the most (it does only when pressing really hard though).

Re: ZSA Moonlander: A next-generation ergonomic keyboard

#118

Post by [deleted] »

fluffything wrote: post #36
steveklabnik wrote: post #29

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Need to? It doesn't. Why might users care? Well, the kinds of people who are into custom keyboards often use custom firmware too... while this keyboard advertises QMK support, if I don't like QMK and want to use something else, which chips are inside matters. Making this even more concrete, I am in the market for some new keyboards, and at least one of them is one I'd like to write my own firmware for. Rust is far mo…

I think OP meant "Why does this keyboard need so much computing power". Most keyboards you can program use an AVR chip, which is more than enough, and you can also program that from Rust. The jump from that to this ARMv5 CPU is similar to that from this ARMv5 to an Intel Xeon. And sure enough, if someone were to build a keyboard with an Intel Xeon, you could also program that from Rust. But the question still remains…

[deleted]

Re: ZSA Moonlander: A next-generation ergonomic keyboard

#119

Post by VectorLock »

Timothee wrote: post #115
billman wrote: post #90

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The best keyboard I can think of is one that tells me to get my butt out of the chair and go for a walk every two hours.

You can probably make that happen with the QMK firmware: make the whole thing stop two hours after being plugged in. Or have a key sequence to restart the timer. (so that you don't have to unplug and plug it all the time) That'd be an interesting feature honestly.

And also negate your ability to by-pass it since oops your keyboard doesn't work any more.

Re: ZSA Moonlander: A next-generation ergonomic keyboard

#120

Post by eyeball »

johncalvinyoung wrote: post #111
indentit wrote: post #14

I like the idea of it, it's different enough from the standard design that it seems well thought out - but it's one of those keyboards/products I would love to be able to try for a while before committing myself to a purchase, to ensure I can get used to it and would enjoy typing on it. It'd be great to see some kinda local computer hardware/keyboard store open up for this purpose, but I guess it'd be too niche reall…

This is why I appreciate my friend who loaned me his spare Ultimate Hacking Keyboard for a couple months to help with my tendonitis. When it goes back to him, I'll probably order one myself.

I’ve found my UHK’s (three of them) to be great but prone to a few problems:

1) the rubber legs tend to fall out and go missing 2) they’re very susceptible to static electricity shocks on the exposed metal parts 3) the usb cable connector is fragile and I’d you move much, it can get damaged inside the keyboard requiring you open it up to fix. I wish they had used usb-c and put it in a better/easier location.

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