I looked at this, then tried and Ergodox and now I use a 40% split ortho Corne keyboard which I love and type 15 wpm faster on then my old Happy Hacker keyboard.
Split Keyboard for Professionals
131–140 of 331 posts
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#132Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
Disagree whole heartedly. The benefits of ortho is minor compared to the split, but it’s still there. And if you’re already willing to buy an expensive split mechanical keyboard, what’s the drawback?
The drawback is that you'll spend months learning to type again, and you won't be nearly as fast as you were.
That's what happened for me, at least.
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#133The 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.
I also like trackballs although I prefer Logitech's trackman thumb trackball.
I also gave the Kensinton Expert a try but I really disliked it. For one I think I just prefer thumb trackballs, but beyond that I found the build quality really shoddy for that price. In particular the scroll ring is wobbly and rattles quite a lot on my model, it feels very cheap and is unpleasant to use.
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#134Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you happen to have a 4P4C crimping tool around, it's very easy to make a longer cable, which is what I did. If you don't, then at least I found it pretty difficult to find a 4P4C crossover cable in Finland. But it should be findable online.
I was under the impression that UHK uses a common "phone cable", at least common here in the north?
Common phone cable in Finland seems to be 6P4C, at least the ones I had.
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#135I'm maintaining a gallery of split mechanical keyboards, including the Ultimate Hacking Keyboard. Hopefully it's helpful for a quick overview of the options that exist. Many of these keyboards are DIY (available as a kit, or sometimes just a PCB and case plan), but some are available assembled. https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/ (There's also https://jhelvy.shinyapps.io/splitkbcompare/ for direct comparis…
A friend of mine is one of the nerdiest guys I know but has suffered from RSI most of his life. He exclusively uses DataHand keyboards (which he buys used and refurbishes or parts out). I notice you don't have a picture of those in your gallery. It's an interesting idea (having 5 switches per finger without moving your hand) but I'm more hopeful that chording will become the default. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dat…
Good idea.
I've added it (though as it's unavailable, it doesn't show up by default). I've also added the Lalboard (http://lalboard.com/), which is an open-source project to recreate it.
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#136The 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.
i really love the elecom huge, due to the fact that it has a lot of customizable buttons. the only downside is the scroll wheel that is not the best in the business and the position is unconfortable at first. but the trackballs for a long period usage are far superior in my opinion
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#137Can 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…
Colemak (any mod) + Ergodox/Moonlander - The user is not only serious about ergonomics, but has the will to put in the effort required to learn better tools of the trade.
UHK/Kenesis non-advantage series - The user is not serious about ergonomics and lacks any drive to use better tools. Status quo is the driving factor in choice.
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#138Earlier quoted context omitted.
If you happen to have a 4P4C crimping tool around, it's very easy to make a longer cable, which is what I did. If you don't, then at least I found it pretty difficult to find a 4P4C crossover cable in Finland. But it should be findable online.
I was under the impression that UHK uses a common "phone cable", at least common here in the north?
Only one pair is required for a single-line telephone installation, and at least here in the US, most cheap 4P4C cables thus omit the second pair - especially now that landlines in general are so much a thing of the past. I don't know whether the UHK will work with a single-pair cable - I suppose it might, if it uses SPI or I2C or 1-Wire for signaling between the halves, but I'd definitely check the manual before just slapping any old phone cord in and expecting it to work.
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#139I looked at this, then tried and Ergodox and now I use a 40% split ortho Corne keyboard which I love and type 15 wpm faster on then my old Happy Hacker keyboard.
1. How many WPM do / did you type on qwerty?
2. Is coding noticeably easier or smoother on the 40%? What editors to you use? I'm tempted by the split ergo / ortho form factor, but I'm hard-pressed to give up the dedicated F-row.
Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals
#140I 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.
Non-split ortho is silly, but with split layouts I find them vastly more comfortable, especially for the left hand.
The only thing I had to relearn were the keys on the bottom alpha row on the left side, because on a regular keyboard I would tend to offset them by one column (i.e. type C with the index, X with the middle finger etc...) but with an ortho I didn't need to anymore. And the only reason I needed to offset them in the first place is because standard keyboards have such a bad layout for the left hand.