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Split Keyboard for Professionals

ultimatehackingkeyboard.com

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Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#121

Post by kabdib »

jjkaczor wrote: post #79

Myself, I have been using a Kinesis RGB Edge with the "lift-kit" for about a month. Have never been a perfect, trained touch-typist - so there has been a learning curve, but it is worth it. My wrists feel so much better, and I am almost back to full speed. (Previously, I would just use laptop KB's). The only complaints... Not from me, but when I am on web meetings, I have to be on mute, because everyone finds the KB…

The Kinesis Gaming keyboard is my current go-to deck. The key layout is sane (nobody tried to nerf the "useless" ESC key), there are well-done macro and remapping features for light customization, and the LED lighting is actually something I appreciate for once (it's pretty).

Microsoft lost me in the 2000s with terrible key feel. I remember bouncing over to the company store for an Ergo 4000 and being incredibly disappointed; I could barely type on the thing. They continue to screw up (e.g., decent keyboards, with good feel and layout . . . but only bluetooth).

I have a couple of UHKs. They do not have an ESC key, something I hadn't internalized when I ordered them. I do not recommend them.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#122

Post by valarauko »

Can somebody compare the UHK to the Ergodox-Ez/Moonlander?

I've just started a new job and hope to use the initial downtime to adapt to an ergonomic keyboard. Since I understand it'll be a major adjustment, I've been considering alternative layouts as well. I've never learnt touch typing, so why not start from scratch on a better system?

I'm leaning Colmak mod DH for the Moonlander, but I'd appreciate any insights on this. I plan to learn Vim keybindings as well, so a layout that works well with vim would be the cherry on the top.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#123

Post by eeZah7Ux »

bbojan wrote: post #56
chansiky wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I almost always use a split keyboard when I'm able to set up a stationary environment. But I love to go mobile: coffee shops, beaches, couch, bar counters. I never forget how to use a normal keyboard, nor do I lose any speed. That might be the trick, maybe you need to switch between the two occasionally.

I have this crazy plan to create a harness where the two keyboard halves hang on the sides of your body (think sitting or standing with your arms naturally hanging down - the keyboards will be positioned under your palms). But I'm still not sure if it would be too cyborg-y enough to use in public...

It won't work.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#124

Post by mastercheif »

sirbranedamuj wrote: post #91
jjkaczor wrote: post #79

Myself, I have been using a Kinesis RGB Edge with the "lift-kit" for about a month. Have never been a perfect, trained touch-typist - so there has been a learning curve, but it is worth it. My wrists feel so much better, and I am almost back to full speed. (Previously, I would just use laptop KB's). The only complaints... Not from me, but when I am on web meetings, I have to be on mute, because everyone finds the KB…

I've been using mine for about a year now. I love it. I'm not really an orthodox touch-typist so there were a few keystrokes that took some time for me to get the hang of. I'm pulling 100 WPM though so I must be doing something sort of right :) The customization of both the RGB and the keys themselves as well as the ergonomics have been well worth it. I use a USB switch and use the keyboard for both Windows gaming an…

I too switched the left space bar on the Kinesis to `cmd` on my Mac, shortcuts were literally a pain to execute without it.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#125

Post by jseliger »

city41 wrote: post #33
MrPowers wrote: post #3

I use a Kinesis Advantage and it's great (not quite split, but close). I'll look into getting an actual split keyboard that's more portable. The Kinesis is massive and terrible for travel. You can easily switch between Kinesis key placement and regular keyboards. It's like training your brain to be multilingual. Try Emacs keybindings on a keyboard that has modifier keys easily accessible for your right and left thumb…

The Advantage (I have the Advantage 2) is simply excellent. It took me about an entire year to fully adapt to it (this is with a very long tail, I was very productive within a few weeks, but 100% adaption took that long). I also type far faster and more accurately on it than on any other keyboard. I think it's the best keyboard available and you'd have to claw it out of my cold dead hands to take it from me.

I've found the same: https://jakeseliger.com/2011/07/17/further-thoughts-on-the-k...

I tried the Ergodox some others have mentioned in this thread but didn't like the modifier key placements. I've also found that I can type normally (which is reasonably quickly but not at the demonic speeds a few seem capable of) on normal or laptop keyboards, too.

Usually I find myself restricted by the speed of thought rather than speed of keyboard.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#126

Post by schwartzworld »

ahelwer wrote: post #25

The trackball thumb module is a great idea - being able to mouse without moving my right hand off the keyboard would be ideal (you can buy an actual mouse to use for FPS games if you want that). For anyone who is seeing this and thinking they need to upgrade though, know that you really don't have to spend $300 to get a good-quality ergonomic keyboard. The Goldtouch GTN-0099 can be found in like-new condition for $60…

Trackballs are the best. I splurged on a Kensington Expert and I really love it. the ball is the size of a billiards ball.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#127

Post by gotoliao »

ashtonkem wrote: post #119
gotoliao wrote: post #103

Any split keyboard out there for $50 or less?

One that’ll actually last? No. Even the Sculpt, which doesn’t have nice switches, is over $50. These things are made in such small numbers that they’ll never get economies of scale. They’re typically 2x the cost of even the already high price of regular mechanical keyboards.

That makes me wonder why Logitech is not mass producing one already!

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#128

Post by markstos »

stavros wrote: post #29
cliffwarden wrote: post #17

I just picked up a moonlander that i'm really living. https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/

I wouldn't recommend an ortho keyboard, I've found it takes a lot of time to relearn how to type with not much benefit.

My typing speed has increased from 65 wpm to 80 wpm after switching to a split ortho keyboard. Took just a couple of weeks to get back to my old speed.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#129

Post by ledauphin »

StavrosK wrote: post #67
bbojan wrote: post #46

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What I noticed is that people who are really good at (properly) touch typing on a staggered keyboard have more difficulties adapting to a linear one. In my example, I type around 80 wpm on a regular keyboard, but I've never learned and used the proper key->finger assignment - I just type how I adapted over the years. So for me there was no trouble switching to proper technique on an ortholinear. I'm not yet nearly as…

I don't know, I never learned proper touch typing, but I went from 100 WPM to 80 when I learned to touch type on the ortho keyboard. You're right that there's less movement, but I find it a bit less... convenient.

i'm definitely not as fast as i used to be (somewhere around 120 wpm as a non-touch-typist) after 2 years of typing on an ortholinear keyboard, but I don't really mind. I'm much more comfortable and my fingers don't hurt as much.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#130

Post by bovinegambler »

bamazizi wrote: post #115

I've had Ergodox EZ for 5+ months, and not loving it at all! It's unnatural and uncomfortable. Tried changing switches a few times, armrest changed, angels and keyboard layout adjusted many times and it's not any better. I feel I have to force myself to keep trying to use it because of the cost! I'm not sure if it's worth it at all, none of the parts are that expensive but I guess novelty cost money. I bought it beca…

I'm not going to accuse reviewers of dishonesty but I very much agree about the discomfort. I've tried all sorts of placements and tilts and layouts but it's always awkward.

I'm guessing that the discrepancy may be people with different sized hands. I find it such an awkward reach from the home position to hit anything on the middle columns or outside the two large bars in the thumb cluster. Also the 'wing' wrist rests are worthless to me, they're too low for a keyboard so thick.

I keep trying it every week or two because I have such immense buyer's remorse but really I hate it.

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