Live data from Hacker News

Svalboard: Datahand Lives

svalboard.com

21–30 of 39 posts

Re: Svalboard: Datahand Lives

#21
post #18

As an extremely happy Glove80 user (Sunaku's Engrammer layout for those curious), I will watch this keyboard's career with great interest. I can definitely see it in my future (the Glove80's were recent enough (first one a couple years ago, and one more recent for home use) that unfortunately it would be an irrational purchase to make now) __BUT__ say I wanted to ditch a KVM switch for some reason, and set up a secon…

Can you use the Azeron as a keyboard, and does it work well for it?

Azeron is definitely meant to be used as a half, its more of a dense keypad than a keyboard (main purpose is for gaming).

Re: Svalboard: Datahand Lives

#22
post #19

As an extremely happy Glove80 user (Sunaku's Engrammer layout for those curious), I will watch this keyboard's career with great interest. I can definitely see it in my future (the Glove80's were recent enough (first one a couple years ago, and one more recent for home use) that unfortunately it would be an irrational purchase to make now) __BUT__ say I wanted to ditch a KVM switch for some reason, and set up a secon…

On the discord there are some really small handed users. If that's your concern, join the discord, and I'm sure folks will nerd out with ya to figure it out. :)

Love it, an irresponsible purchase might be well near~ I see you're a longstanding contributor to the project! Discord is joined, will plan to browse after hours :^)

Re: Svalboard: Datahand Lives

#23

65 WPM shown on the video seems low, not good for a demo video. I wonder if somebody speedier on a normal keyboard can type faster using the Svalboard.

Here's a demonstration of 120 WPM on the Lalboard, the base/inspiration for Svalboard https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oMhOIgrdeE0

I'm currently sitting at around 90 WPM on the Svalboard - slower than I was on a normal keyboard but now pain-free.

Re: Svalboard: Datahand Lives

#24

Looks interesting, although it's far, far away of my price point for a custom keyboard.

It's also quite a bit cheaper than unsuccessful physiotherapy, occupational therapy and other medical interventions. And no, simply lifting weights does not fix all musculoskeletal issues (RSI).

I'd say it's well worth the price for people that need it!

Re: Svalboard: Datahand Lives

#26

65 WPM shown on the video seems low, not good for a demo video. I wonder if somebody speedier on a normal keyboard can type faster using the Svalboard.

In the end, most of us using these keyboards care much less about speed than comfort. Not to say you can't go fast, people do.

Giving people back pain free use of their hands, and pain free computer is much more important IMHO.

Re: Svalboard: Datahand Lives

#27

Looks interesting, although it's far, far away of my price point for a custom keyboard.

When the question becomes:

- Lose your career as a computer user.

- Surgery.

- Try funky expensive keyboard with lots of research behind it, and tons of testimonials.

The funky expensive keyboard suddenly looks like the cheap option.

If you don't value your time, or enjoy 3d printing and assembling stuff, kits get shipped every few months, with all the electronics, and access to the files needed to 3d print the board.

I'm typing this on a board I printed. If I valued my time at my hourly rate, the price listed is dirt cheap. But I enjoyed doing it :)

Re: Svalboard: Datahand Lives

#28
post #16

Oh man, Datahand, resurrected! Datahands are amazing. With mere twitches of the finger you can hit any key on the keyboard. I saved up for months while in college and bought a used one. 25 yrs ago they were $1,200... minimum wage was like $4/hr... so... it was "intended for insurance companies to pay" level of money. If you have either RSI or just love experiencing new ways to do things, Datahand is amazing, and Sval…

Better IMHO. The integration of pointing devices, especially the trackballs really changes the game. You really just never take your hands off the keyboard, everything is in nice close range, etc. :)

You don't take your hand off the keyboard for cursor movement on Datahands either but yes, having two embedded trackballs is pretty sweet.

Aside...

Datahand moved RSI pain from my wrist to my knuckles. These keyboards don't magically prevent all RSI, which is ... only obvious if you actually think on it, which i didn't back then.

Re: Svalboard: Datahand Lives

#29
post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Better IMHO. The integration of pointing devices, especially the trackballs really changes the game. You really just never take your hands off the keyboard, everything is in nice close range, etc. :)

You don't take your hand off the keyboard for cursor movement on Datahands either but yes, having two embedded trackballs is pretty sweet. Aside... Datahand moved RSI pain from my wrist to my knuckles. These keyboards don't magically prevent all RSI, which is ... only obvious if you actually think on it , which i didn't back then.

I wouldn't even compare mouse keys to what is done on Svalboard.

I know I personally found mouse keys unusable for day to day use, and another local DH users thought much the same, we had other pointers we used. (I used a fingerworks trackpad back when, clamped onto the side of the laplander, the other guy used a mouse, if I remember right.)

Post reply on HN