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My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

jackevansevo.github.io

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Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#241

Post by namrog84 »

probablycarrots wrote: post #230
namrog84 wrote: post #134

Hey keyboard and computer enthusiast! I need your help! Any other keyboard I've ever tried hurts my wrists, arm, and back, and causes me pain except the "Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000". However they were discontinued years ago. :( I've been buying up used ones and learning how to disassemble and repair the ones I have the best I can, but my skills are limited. If anyone has any (unopened) ones or knows of…

The 4000 is by far my favorite keyboard and I also have a small stockpile. Over the years I've tried dozens of alternatives and never found anything with the appropriate wrist/hand angle. Everything about it is perfect for me. If I were wealthy I'd try having one commissioned. I'm sort of terrified that one day I'll be forced to use something else. I tried many of the adjustable modern split keyboards that come in tw…

I've considered looking into getting like a custom order of 100 (or maybe 1000) units keyboards made similar-ish to the 4000. And trying to sell them.

I think there is enough of us. I just have my fingers crossed that microsoft eventually makes a 'surface' brand version similiar enough to the 4000. or I find a way to properly replicate/replace the 4000s in some custom way.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#242

Post by namrog84 »

heresie-dabord wrote: post #143
namrog84 wrote: post #134

Hey keyboard and computer enthusiast! I need your help! Any other keyboard I've ever tried hurts my wrists, arm, and back, and causes me pain except the "Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000". However they were discontinued years ago. :( I've been buying up used ones and learning how to disassemble and repair the ones I have the best I can, but my skills are limited. If anyone has any (unopened) ones or knows of…

> Most alternatives don't really have the wrist/angle support which is the #1. Hear hear! Adesso makes an ergonomic keyboard similar to the discontinued MSFT series. I also have found that the Goldtouch V2 keyboard can be adjusted for a variety of human geometries using the split and the ball joint. https://shop.goldtouch.com/products/goldtouch-v2-adjustable-...

That adesso is easily the closest thing I've seen! Thanks for that! I hadn't come across that one before!

Do you know if the 'front' can raise up like the 4000 can? Like this https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/71FzIG1rqBL.jpg

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#243

Post by zigzag312 »

rewmie wrote: post #214
zigzag312 wrote: post #209

I love having a narrow keyboard (due to ergonomics), but I wish that at least some models would be a row deeper and keep the function keys.

> (...) I wish that at least some models would be a row deeper and keep the function keys. I think you might be looking for a keyboard form factor called 75% keyboard, or even a tenkeyless.

I had one 75% keyboard, but didn't like that extra column on the right. Now I have a custom build (6x14 keys) keyboard (much better IMHO).

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#244

Post by apocalyptic0n3 »

I really wish there were more options out there with the Apple keyboard layout on the bottom row, notably with the right edge of the Command and X keys aligned. The Magic Keyboard is so comfortable to use on a Mac but the typing experience could definitely be improved.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#245

Post by nomel »

This is the only keyboard I've been interested in: DataHand

Original: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DataHand

DIY: https://github.com/JesusFreke/lalboard

Using a single direction for activation, requiring massive movements in 2d space, seems so silly. I haven't been able to find one, to purchase.

Related, I'm still learning how to use this one, since it's the only non-DIY equivalent I could find (great founder btw): https://www.charachorder.com/products/charachorder-one

It supports sequential and non-standard chords, mostly with x-y plane activation. Pushing down actually isn't used often.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#246

Post by 1-more »

frameset wrote: post #16

I really don't understand the numpad-less trend of fashionable keyboards. Doing any kind of number entry beyond one or two digits is very annoying without one. They also don't take up that much space really. If your keyboard is a portable one you pack with you on trips, I get it. If it lives on a desk, why not splash out the small amount extra to make number entry much easier.

My solution: on all of the keyboards I've programmed (which are all ortholinear or vertical staggered ortholinear), I have a numpad layer. When I hold down F my right hand home row is vim style arrows. D and it's a number pad. S and it's a symbol pad. Common programming delimiters like {}() are not on a layer, instead they're hold/tap with my modifier keys on my base layer (Inspired by the space cadet keyboard).

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#247

Post by wellthisisgreat »

pca006132 wrote: post #136

Unhealthy relationship with keyboards? Comparing with the r/MechanicalKeyboards or r/ErgoMechKeyboards people this relationship is more like divorced... I added python binding and ended up being on of the devs for https://github.com/elalish/manifold because OpenSCAD is too slow for my modeling (I am quite impatient). Optimizing my keyboard for months with more than 5 complete rebuilds to optimize my design (looks lik…

Hey how do you like the tented thumb cluster? Have you used the boards with untended one? not Ergodox but something with an actually decent thumb cluster?

Also - open source it!! Ppl will be def very thankful and the code quality is secondary VS not open sourcing (if you were so inclined).

I am def very interested in that cluster design - how you managed it on PCB level

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#249

Post by divbzero »

ecshafer wrote: post #248

MX Keys is a great keyboard, if only for the quick switch between up to 3 saved devices. Work laptop, Desktop, Personal Laptop with the same keyboard and switching with a single key press is just a great feature.

> quick switch between up to 3 saved devices

Is there a touchpad or a mouse with a similar feature?

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#250

Post by bigstrat2003 »

tqwhite wrote: post #213
bigstrat2003 wrote: post #202

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I cannot stand any keyboard less than a 100% layout. I have 30 years of muscle memory built up, and I'm not about to relearn it. I don't really have any beef with those who want a smaller keyboard (though I don't really understand it - no way is your desk so small that saving a few inches actually makes a difference). But it is a real bummer that makers of high-end keyboards only cater to that crowd, and don't make n…

Incorrect! I have worked on a high quality, wooden card table for fifteen years as a professional programmer. I am right-handed and there is no way there is room for a mouse or (as I actually use) a trackpad with a number pad on the keyboard. I've tried a couple of numberless keyboards and those crowd my mouse area. I am firmly and permanently settled on the Apple keyboard. It is tiny, silent and perfectly reliable.…

Fair enough, I phrased my statement too strongly. Let me restate: I have never ever in my entire life seen a desk which was so small that shaving a few inches off a keyboard would actually be significant. And mind you, that includes shitty call center desks which are built to be just wide enough to cram a computer station in. While it is possible they exist, the fact that I've never encountered even one causes me to doubt that most people who say "my desk is too small" actually have a desk which is too small for a 100% keyboard.
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