Split Keyboard for Professionals • Hacker News Board

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#201

Post by honkycat » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 4:47 PM UTC

I've used a KinesisGaming for years, bought out of desperation due to severe wrist and finger pain.

Has done wonders. Being able to remap keys with the heardware is awesome.

Mine recently broke due to a move, so I reached out. They offered to replace it, or swap out the cord they suspected was the culprit. I opted for the latter, opened my keyboard up, gave it a good cleaning, swapped out the cord, and I was back online. Very easy to open up and clean/repair.

A few criticizms:

Every once in a blue moon, I will create an extremely long macro of my everyday computer usage, and when I hit a button the keyboard will absolutely freak out and do all kinds of bad stuff: retype passwords I have typed, etc.

HONESTLY would prefer macro support to be a "app only" feature, because it has caused me nothing but pain.

Second, it is a bit boring. I kinda wish I had gone for a more interesting layout like the ErgodoxEZ.

Overall really solid mechanical keyboard.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#202

Post by mamcx » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 4:51 PM UTC

In near all this special keybs the F1-row is absent (and many others). This is my pet reason I don't even consider them.

That is why I try to build my own as close as possible to a MS Natural (with straight lines instead of curved. I think is near equal comfort):

https://imgur.com/a/By9YN2q

One big thing for comfort: The body is made of wood. It feel very good!

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#203

Post by barumi » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 4:55 PM UTC

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…

> (...) I've had a mechanical keyboard before and can tell you the tactile novelty wears off within a couple of weeks.

I'm not sure I follow your reasoning. As a mechanical keyboard user, "the tactical novelty" doesn't even register in the "pros" column. As a professional software developer I use mechanical keyboards because they are far easier to clean and maintain, and are actually repairable and don't become trash just because a key happens to crap out.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#204

Post by pkamb » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 4:55 PM UTC

Give any keyboard most of the benefits of a split keyboard by angling your hand/finger columns like `////\\\\` rather than like `\\\\\\\\` (as is commonly taught).

You should be typing "Z" with your ring finger, not pinky. 'WSZ' column, not 'WSX'.

Even the linked "Ultimate Hacking Keyboard" will require a VERY aggressive slanted placement of the left hand segment to give yourself comfortable inward left hand columns. Compare to Microsoft-style split/ergonomic keyboards, which angle `QAZ` inward or vertical.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#205

Post by rgoulter » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 4:56 PM UTC

gotoliao wrote: post #103

Any split keyboard out there for $50 or less?

An example of the costs if you're willing to do the soldering yourself.

https://keyhive.xyz/shop Corne PCB with through-hole soldering at $13. 2 Pro micros for $12. Diodes at $3. Plates at $16. Standoffs at $2.

Switches from AliExpress for $14. Keycaps for $15-30.

But, yeah, I think a more realistic budget would be $150.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#206

Post by hota_mazi » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:11 PM UTC

I don't really get this obsession with mechanical keyboards. I understand it can feel nice for some people, it's a matter of personal preference, nothing wrong there.

But these mechanical keyboards are all so incredibly loud that your coworkers will hate your guts after just a half hour of sitting within 30 feet of you.

At home, sure, knock yourself out. But in a workplace environment? Be nice and choose a more silent keyboard, there are plenty of them with soft touches that feel great.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#207

Post by pierreyoda » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:13 PM UTC

hota_mazi wrote: post #206

I don't really get this obsession with mechanical keyboards. I understand it can feel nice for some people, it's a matter of personal preference, nothing wrong there. But these mechanical keyboards are all so incredibly loud that your coworkers will hate your guts after just a half hour of sitting within 30 feet of you. At home, sure, knock yourself out. But in a workplace environment? Be nice and choose a more silen…

There are also plenty of silent enough mechanical keyboards!

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#208

Post by triangleman » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:15 PM UTC

pkamb wrote: post #204

Give any keyboard most of the benefits of a split keyboard by angling your hand/finger columns like `////\\\\` rather than like `\\\\\\\\` (as is commonly taught). You should be typing "Z" with your ring finger, not pinky. 'WSZ' column, not 'WSX'. Even the linked "Ultimate Hacking Keyboard" will require a VERY aggressive slanted placement of the left hand segment to give yourself comfortable inward left hand columns.…

Hmm, checking this out, the original Natural does not do this, but the newer ones, the 4000 and the Sculpt, do this. Thanks for the tip.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#209

Post by zabil » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:16 PM UTC

fwip wrote: post #177

acupofnope wrote: post #176

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use a split keyboard/trackball combination. The trackball sits right in the middle of the split. For me this is close enough experience to using the laptop/trackpad combination. On top of that, I'm using qmk firmware on my keyboard and I have a layer dedicated to mouse movements/actions. I find myself use that or the trackball like 50/50.

I'd love to see a shipping keyboard with a proper-size trackball in the thumb-wing. I had half-baked plans to integrate the trackpad from a Steam controller into a custom build, but I got lost in the planning stages a while back.

Agree. Even with it's quirks, I found the trackball/trackpoint my earlier Thinkpads useful and ergonomic.

Scrolling, clicking should be a part of the keyboard ergonomics design IMHO.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#210

Post by some-guy » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:17 PM UTC

hota_mazi wrote: post #206

I don't really get this obsession with mechanical keyboards. I understand it can feel nice for some people, it's a matter of personal preference, nothing wrong there. But these mechanical keyboards are all so incredibly loud that your coworkers will hate your guts after just a half hour of sitting within 30 feet of you. At home, sure, knock yourself out. But in a workplace environment? Be nice and choose a more silen…

As a huge fan of my Model M (I've owned a couple cheap mechanical keyboards in the past as well), I agree that the appeal is _almost_ entirely nostalgia and aesthetics.

I'm strange in that I prefer using a cheap rubber dome keyboard for gaming (RTS / FPS) and my Model M for everything else.