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A beginner's guide to split keyboards

justinmklam.com

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Re: A beginner's guide to split keyboards

#211

Post by bobchadwick »

jbstack wrote: post #196
bobchadwick wrote: post #190

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm in the same boat as OP. I've used keybr and https://monkeytype.com/ , and while doing the exercises, I get pretty close to the speed and accuracy I had using a standard keyboard and qwerty, but I get much worse on both fronts when typing in the real world.

Well, I don't see these sites as a complete solution. They're a way to get you from zero to "I can actually manage to write something, even if it's a bit awkward and slow". Once you cross that threshold, you make the switch and you learn by doing until you improve to an acceptable level.

Yeah, I can't imagine switching to a new layout without using these tools. I'm just struggling to level up in the real world.

Re: A beginner's guide to split keyboards

#212

Post by bobchadwick »

davidee wrote: post #194
bobchadwick wrote: post #190

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm in the same boat as OP. I've used keybr and https://monkeytype.com/ , and while doing the exercises, I get pretty close to the speed and accuracy I had using a standard keyboard and qwerty, but I get much worse on both fronts when typing in the real world.

Have you added back in capitals/punctuation symbols? keybr defaults to only lower case words, but there are some options worth enabling to bring speed up: From the preferences: - Unlock a next key only when the previous keys are also above the target speed. (This will force you to practice keys that are problematic in context, it's frustrating but very helpful for reinforcement learning. For example, I struggle with…

Yep, I've adjusted the settings, and that has definitely helped. When it comes to real world typing, it feels like I'm using a ridiculous amount of brain power to get the word out of my head and onto the keys.

Re: A beginner's guide to split keyboards

#213

Post by rcarr »

ndespres wrote: post #59
0cf8612b2e1e wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My kingdom for a split keyboard with a traditional layout. I have no interest in chording, layers, or having fewer keys. No numpad if you must cut something. I just want to spread my arms without any additional novelty. No shortage of “vertical” desk space, give me that F-row

I’m very happy with my Matias Ergo Pro. No numpad, and reduced size F-row, but otherwise normal layout plus a few programmable macro keys on the side. https://matias.store/collections/ergo

This looks awesome. There's also the R Go Split, drops the curvature but you gain in portability: https://www.r-go-tools.co.uk/r-go-split-break-version-2/

Re: A beginner's guide to split keyboards

#214

Post by presbyterian »

Marsymars wrote: post #66
piskov wrote: post #14

The issue with kinesis and all those nice small symmetrical keyboards is that not every alphabet is as short as English. Russian, for example, has 33 letters. So if you’re someone like that, you really want that ordinary macbook-like number of keys = larger non-symmetrical right half. — As for the ortholinear keyboards, I spent a few months with the latest kinesis but sold it eventually: not that comfortable. Just cl…

> Also don’t bother with dvorak, qwerty is 80/20 pareto stuff. Just isn’t worth it compared to returns. I wouldn't specifically recommend other people learn Dvorak, but I switched to it when I was in my early teens (~25 years ago) and I feel pretty great about the returns I got from that. My kid sure isn't getting qwerty as their default keyboard.

> My kid sure isn't getting qwerty as their default keyboard.

They almost certainly will at school, though.

Re: A beginner's guide to split keyboards

#215

Post by stronglikedan »

If split keyboards still don't cure what ails ya, try getting into the habit of not wresting your wrists while using a standard keyboard instead. I tried splits for about a decade, but all it did was move the RSI pain to somewhere else. I switched back to standard about five years ago, and worked on my typing posture instead. I used to go to the physical therapist every other week for my hands, but haven't been back in years.

Re: A beginner's guide to split keyboards

#216

Post by interroboink »

Does anyone know a google-able term for split keyboards that have doubled keys down the middle column (B/N, G/H, T/Y, 6/7)?

I see one instance on this page of a keyboard with double "B" key ("Alice layout"), but not the others.

I've been interested in trying a split keyboard, but I like to type those middle keys with either left or right hand depending on the moment, so all the split keyboards I've tried have ended up somewhat annoying, for that reason.

Re: A beginner's guide to split keyboards

#217

Post by vikingerik »

ihagen wrote: post #175
wodenokoto wrote: post #114

Earlier quoted context omitted.

All typing guides I’ve seen recommend keeping fingers on home row. If you do that you end up pretty close to what that drawing shows. Homerow centric posture is imho the main cause of keyboard related pain.

Many years ago, I was lucky enough to discover a keyboard training program called Stamina. The author suggested using a more ergonomic hand position: instead of placing your fingers on ASDF and JKL;, you place them on SDFV and NJKL. This way, your hands rest in a position similar to what you would use on an ergonomic keyboard. In addition, the characters on these keys are more frequent, so your base typing speed shou…

This is almost exactly what I do. Keep my wrists in line with the forearms, such that they're angled relative to the keyboard. So the home keys aren't ASDF, it's more like QWEF and HUIO. (Although it's more like the home position is in the crevices between those and the keys just below.) I've always done this just naturally and have never had any problems with typing stress or fatigue in 40 years.

Re: A beginner's guide to split keyboards

#218

Post by SV_BubbleTime »

bunderbunder wrote: post #202
powersnail wrote: post #106

Whenever split keyboards come up, ulnar deviation is mentioned, and non-split keyboard users are depicted to be using the keyboard like this (image from the post): https://www.justinmklam.com/posts/2026/02/beginners-guide-sp... I don't know if it's just me, but I don't use the keyboard like that. I know the illustration is said to be exaggerated, but still. There is no need to squeeze your hands in front of the keybo…

I’ve been a consistent split keyboard user for a quarter century now. My current daily driver is a Redox, which uses a columnar layout. I got into them when I first started having problems with tendinitis. I feel like they help, but I’m not sure what the science says about it. Anyway, I’ve always hated that diagram because it’s so obviously hyperbolic. I also use standard keyboards on a daily basis, and while there a…

So do you have advice? You’ve hooked me with this post I want to hear more.

Re: A beginner's guide to split keyboards

#219

Post by 0cf8612b2e1e »

layer8 wrote: post #54
0cf8612b2e1e wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My kingdom for a split keyboard with a traditional layout. I have no interest in chording, layers, or having fewer keys. No numpad if you must cut something. I just want to spread my arms without any additional novelty. No shortage of “vertical” desk space, give me that F-row

I bought a stockpile of Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard for Business (LXM-00001) when they were still available, after Microsoft announced discontinuing their peripherals. I hope they’ll last me for a long time. I don’t know if the curved geometry still counts as a traditional layout for you, though. Incase, who acquired Microsoft’s peripherals IP, has re-released them, but apparently can’t keep up with the orders: http…

No the single slab of keyboard is not quite what I want. Being able to fully separate my arms feels so much better than scrunching my shoulders all day.

Re: A beginner's guide to split keyboards

#220

Post by smeej »

powersnail wrote: post #106

Whenever split keyboards come up, ulnar deviation is mentioned, and non-split keyboard users are depicted to be using the keyboard like this (image from the post): https://www.justinmklam.com/posts/2026/02/beginners-guide-sp... I don't know if it's just me, but I don't use the keyboard like that. I know the illustration is said to be exaggerated, but still. There is no need to squeeze your hands in front of the keybo…

I think a shockingly high number of people really do type Z with their little finger, X with their ring finger, and C with their middle finger. It's the only way I can explain how they end up that way in columnar layouts so often.

This is madness to me. That would wreak havoc on a wrist. Type Z with the ring finger, X with the middle finger, and C and V with the index finger, just like you type M with your right index finger.

I cannot for the life of me understand the claims by ortholinear fans that fingers travel in a straight line as they expand. Mine don't. My fingers are much farther apart when I extend them than when I pull them in, and I think I have a fairly ordinary set of hands.

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