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My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

jackevansevo.github.io

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Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#271

Post by LeifCarrotson »

taneq wrote: post #84
EtienneK wrote: post #56

I was expecting to see 10s of keyboards as you'd see from most in r/MechanicalKeyboards and was disappointed to only find 5. Not an unhealthy relationship at all!

It's like those articles on gaming addiction where they're like "Anthony (27) spends up to 8 hours a week playing an online game, and his parents are worried about him!"

Meanwhile, most respondents to this post use a keyboard daily for 8+ hours to do work that's valued extremely highly.

Have you seen an auto mechanic's toolbox, or carpenter's tool crib?

Using the wrong tool, or even one which is only a few percent less efficient than optimal, is a mistake.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#272

Post by default-kramer »

bigbison19 wrote: post #93
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.

The real pro move is using a keyboard with the numpad on the left side (southpaw). This decreases distance from normal typing hand position to the mouse while also keeping a numpad and giving you the ability to control the numpad w/ the left hand while mousing around w/ the righthand for data entry in apps like excel.

Early in my career, I just moved the mouse to my left hand and kept everything else the same. It was super easy to get used to and easy to replicate whenever I have to use some shared workstation.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#273

Post by hilbert42 »

someplaceguy wrote: post #187
hilbert42 wrote: post #178

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Ah, thanks for that. Just had a quick look at the site, seems I've much reading to do.

Oh, based on your previous comment, I should also say that the one I have is really heavy, which is not great for carrying around everywhere. Apart from that I really like it.

Right, noted. But I've multiple uses. I'm sick of the junk KBs I have now so I need to replace them, so it's all useful info. And for my PCs I want heavy KBs (I used to own one of the heavy IBM XT/AT ones and loved it).

The Bluetooth/Android aspect is only a subset matter that arose here as a result of the other HN story re horrible text entry on phones. Thanks again.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#274

Post by cjbprime »

> Noppoo Choc Mini

Mine broke, but I have a strong emotional attachment to this keyboard, it's the one I was using when getting to Starcraft 2's Masters League for the first time :) I got the version with 30g Gateron Clears, which were quiet and activated by barely touching them. I think I got it after seeing a player I admire (Snute) was using it.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#275

Post by choiway »

If you type a lot for a work, spending the time and money for better tooling is not only healthy but should be encouraged. Unhealthy, is when you try to track down an after market Key Cult for $2,000 and spend $500 on switches because you feel like you have to try them all.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#276

Post by BeFlatXIII »

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.

I prefer a separate numpad for RSI reasons. Small keyboard with the mouse next to it and numpad either on the left or on the far side of the rodent.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#277

Post by NateEag »

bigstrat2003 wrote: post #250
tqwhite wrote: post #213

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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…

For some of us, the sideways reach / horizontal flexion for the mouse (thumb trackball, in my case) can cause wrist or arm pain.

It's not about desk space, it's about ergonomics.

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#279

Post by phamilton4 »

This is amateur hour! Let me know when you own all the flavors of the MX Keys, Mechanical, Mini, "Regular". All of the microsoft designer keys, a few Vortex keyboards (Core 40%, Cyph3r), some Dvorak keyboards, apple ones, custom made ones..... lol

It really is an addiction, it's a shame I too keep coming back to the MX Keys Line (Currently in love with the Mechanical w/ Cherry switches).

Re: My Unhealthy Relationship with Keyboards

#280

Post by nprateem »

rcarr wrote: post #252
nprateem wrote: post #204

I'm looking for a programmable (ZMK/QMK) split ergo ortholinear keyboard that uses low travel macbook-style keys and can be custom tented. Any suggestions?

Closest thing is probably the ZSA Voyager, but choc keys + case is still a fair bit higher than a Magic Keyboard

If Apple made a split ergo programmable keyboard I'd probably buy one. It's kind of weird to me all the ergo mech crowd have latched onto the mech part, when I'm sure there are others like me who want split ergo and low profile :/
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