A beginner's guide to split keyboards

Post by qmmmur » Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 3:48 PM UTC

smeej wrote: post #220

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 inde…

Post by ubermonkey » Sat, Feb 21, 2026, 11:21 PM UTC

meep_morp wrote: post #237

ubermonkey wrote: post #183

I used a Kinesis Advantage for YEARS AND YEARS until I let it go ahead of a x-country move last year. It needed a bunch of repairs at that point, and I had drifted into using a different keyboard, so it seemed rational. Since settling in our new home, though, I've been kinda pining for another one. The disadvantage of the KA though is that it's huge on the desk. The 360 seems like it might be a BIT more space efficie…

I was on the Ergodox Ez for many years which is also quite big. I was unhappy with how much space it took up on my desk. I switched to a Totem keyboard, a 38 key split, and while it took a while to get used to and feelings of doubt, I've eventually become very happy and settled on this keyboard. It pretty much solves all of my needs and I don't have too much interesting in further experimentation. I did want to try t…

Post by Conscat » Sun, Feb 22, 2026, 11:59 PM UTC

piskov wrote: post #50

Conscat wrote: post #26

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been inputting Devanagari with a 30% ortho keyboard lately using QMK. ऐसे अति मुश्किल नहीं है । I have an extra layer for nicher inputs just as I do with my usual Roman text. I'm not aware of any writing systems that normally require multiple layers. The most complex I can think of is Hangul, and they all should translate pretty directly to a smaller keyboard.

Any language that has more than 30-35(?) letters needs layers. Even french and german need layers (shift or right alt) for all the stuff like ß or adding accents like é è ê ë

Post by _dan » Tue, Feb 24, 2026, 1:17 PM UTC

__mharrison__ wrote: post #242

_dan wrote: post #210

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are a bunch of aluminium Lily58 cases out there, they're not cheap tho. Most of the time keys popping out means your plate is too thick or the switch holes aren't a good fit. You can often improve it (and the sound) with some foam between the plate and the pcb - you can buy laser cut neoprene plate foam for lily58s, or you can always freehand it with a knife and a sheet of 2-3mm foam (it's not that hard and doe…

When I looked a year or two ago, there weren't any that were choc compatible. Recs? I think I would just buy a voyager at this point...

Post by johnhamlin » Thu, Feb 26, 2026, 4:31 AM UTC

johnhamlin wrote: post #27

What about when you’re on the go? Or can we presume split-keyboard users never leave the house