Split Keyboard for Professionals • Hacker News Board

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#221

Post by cptskippy » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:31 PM UTC

some-guy wrote: post #210

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.

Rubber domes are generally easier to push than the Model M so that makes sense. The Model M is not indicative of all mechanical switches however.

A lot of modern mechanical switches will register a keypress without clicking or bottoming out (e.g. Cherry MX Brown). There are switches specifically for gaming, typing, to reduce fatigue, speed, and hybrid switches designed for mixed cases.

There is such a variety of switches that there's probably space for a company like Warby Parker for mechanical keyboards that will ship you a sampling to test out.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#222

Post by Bedon292 » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:32 PM UTC

tharne wrote: post #77

I started using a dactyl manuform about two months ago and now I can't imagine typo on anything else. I'm already planning on order a second one for the office, assuming we ever return to it.

I love mine, I built mine close to a year ago at this point, but it has really shined lately. I have a traditional KB for gaming still but all my typing is on this one. A second might be in order, but this one was built from spare parts, so will have to actually order stuff for another one. I just want to figure out getting a mouse on it like the linked one does. Then it would be perfect.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#223

Post by alanbernstein » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:32 PM UTC

zaphodias wrote: post #40

I assembled a Quefrency ( https://keeb.io/products/quefrency-rev-2-60-65-split-stagger... ) by myself and loving it. Also it costed me a lot less.

This is a new one to me. The rotary encoder is neat, but what purpose does it serve?

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#224

Post by atoav » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:33 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 see it like this: if there is anything you use more than a an hour a day, get a thing that feels good, is functional and makes you happy.

Just like different guitars play differently, just like different shoes feel differently, different keyboards feel differently too.

If you are fine with a non-mechanical one, no need to defend yourself. Some people like clicky mechanical keyboards, some like linear ones, some want a heavy touch, some a light touch, some don't feel any difference at all, etc.

A good keyboard will last you at least a decade, multiply these hours by that and even 200$ would be nearly next to nothing given the time you use it. Do you really need it? Probably not (unless you use it for ergonomics). But if you can afford it, why not.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#225

Post by pkamb » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:33 PM UTC

JdeBP wrote: post #215

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.…

Or to the Maltron dual-handed keyboards. * https://www.maltron.com/uploads/6/1/2/5/61250099/s9751652005...

Those fully vertical layouts are fine, I guess, if you keep your hands pinned to your sides sticking straight forward. And if the keyboard is the exact width of your body. Looks uncomfortable, personally.

I prefer to lay my hands out slightly wide on the desk, angled inward. Which exactly matches the slope of `UJM` on any standard keyboard.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#226

Post by tomtheelder » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:34 PM UTC

smnscu wrote: post #190

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 am on video calls between 3 and 10 hours every day. Krisp is where it's at, I've been promoting their product for free to hundreds of people since last year. Zero issues with mechanical keyboards and most typical noises. It doesn't work with loud sirens or kids, unfortunately, but it destroys any mech keyboard noise without a trace. https://krisp.ai/

> It doesn't work with loud sirens or kids, unfortunately

What do you use for a microphone? I have a Shure SM57, bought to record guitar, that I have repurposed into my PC mic, and the reduction of background noise vs laptop/webcam mic is _enormous_. You can't hear my mechanical keyboard at all, and it's sitting about a foot from the mic. The SM57 isn't really a vocal mic, but it works great. I'm sure a more purpose built vocal mic would be even better.

If you are currently using a built-in mic then I think something like that in conjunction with a BG noise reducer would basically get you the rest of the way. You just need to figure out a configuration that works for you and keeps it (at least relatively) out of sight.

It also has the added benefit of hugely improving your audio quality.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#227

Post by alanbernstein » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:35 PM UTC

Benjamin_Dobell wrote: post #120

Whilst this looks interesting, as someone with RSI (who already uses a split keyboard), just thinking about those thumb modules is giving me anxiety. Ergonomic setups are specifically meant to immobilise both your thumb and wrist joints.

Doesn't this do a better job of immobilising joints in the case where you need to use a mouse input device frequently?

I'm very interested in learning about solid science behind these things. I was considering buying one of the UHKs specifically because of the thumb modules, but now I realize that I don't know much about the ergonomics of that. I was assuming that being able to keep my hands in a single position would be an improvement.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#228

Post by bonestamp2 » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:35 PM UTC

chrisBob wrote: post #216

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…

mechanical != blue switches Some mechanical keyboards are loud, but not all of them. My newest keyboard is a Kinesis Freestyle Pro with "Silent Red" switches. It is "mechanical" but quieter than my MBP. I am sharing a home office with my wife right now, and I was worried when I ordered the keyboard because she complains that my chair creaks and makes too much noise, but she was fine with the keyboard. I have a CODE k…

Same, I built a new keyboard when covid hit because my wife and kids were complaining about hearing my cherry blues from upstairs or across the house. I love the feel of cherry blues, but now that everyone else is home, Silent Reds are a life saver.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#229

Post by ycosynot » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:37 PM UTC

I don't believe in the home-row obsession. I use 4 fingers to the left, and 3 to the right, and I believe it is better because I am more flexible. I can get up and type from above with the same level of accuracy, whereas it is a pain to remain above the home-row if you're not in the standard position. I type at 100 WPM, it's not that much, but I learned home-row typing until I was at 100 WPM, and I gave up on it, because once again it is less flexible.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#230

Post by Bedon292 » Mon, Sep 28, 2020, 5:38 PM UTC

sleepybrett wrote: post #99

tharne wrote: post #77

I started using a dactyl manuform about two months ago and now I can't imagine typo on anything else. I'm already planning on order a second one for the office, assuming we ever return to it.

Yeah I went from a kinesis advantage to a dactyl (printed a manuform shell, wasn't for me) and couldn't be happier. I'd been on the advantage for 20 years or so though.

Worth noting that there are many different possible shells on the manuform. A handful of pre-generated ones, and you can tweak the scripts to generate the exact curves you want. I just ended up with the 5x6 myself.

https://github.com/abstracthat/dactyl-manuform