Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

00Key a 75% Keyboard

github.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

61–70 of 149 posts

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#61

Post by rgoulter »

digging wrote: post #56
BossingAround wrote: post #2

Personally, I found the perfect keyboard in Ergodox [0][1]. Ortholinear, split, programmable (and open-source) keyboard with hot-swappable switches. I've had my Ergodox EZ [2] for ~7 years now. The biggest problem that happened was that some of the switches started malfunctioning - fixing which was a matter of literally 5 minutes. I don't think I would want to go back to non-split, non-ortholinear keyboards nowadays.…

Thanks for this! My current mechanical keyboard is great, but doesn't have an ergonomic layout. I tried a different split mechanical keyboard once and it was way too small for my hands, and didn't have built-in tenting, so it ended up being horrible for me. This appears to be a much better option & I'm going to check it out now. And for those reading this thread, if you need a mouse, I've been extremely satisfied wit…

For pointing devices.. I've really loved using a trackball. I got an Elecom Huge.

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#62

Post by rgoulter »

mixmastamyk wrote: post #60
BossingAround wrote: post #2

Personally, I found the perfect keyboard in Ergodox [0][1]. Ortholinear, split, programmable (and open-source) keyboard with hot-swappable switches. I've had my Ergodox EZ [2] for ~7 years now. The biggest problem that happened was that some of the switches started malfunctioning - fixing which was a matter of literally 5 minutes. I don't think I would want to go back to non-split, non-ortholinear keyboards nowadays.…

Neat but no good place for arrow keys.

Typically with split keyboards like this, you'd put the arrow keys on home row (or ijkl or esdf etc.), and access the arrow keys by holding a Fn key.

On a traditional keyboard, you can't access the arrow keys with your hands rested on home row. You have to move your hands to reach those keys.

Holding a Fn key brings more of the keyboard's functionality to within easy reach of the hands, at the cost that the keyboard is somewhat more complicated to use.

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#63

Post by fouc »

jwells89 wrote: post #44
orphea wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How do you guys not miss F keys? I can press e.g. Ctrl+F5 with one hand but I would have to use both hands to press Ctrl+Fn+5.

I primarily use macOS, where shortcuts have been almost exclusively mnemonic (e.g. Command-R → R eload) since the earliest Mac models. F-key usage is relegated mostly to lazy ports from other platforms.

This. I use the function keys so rarely the whole row of keys except for the escape key could be taken out.

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#64

Post by Brajeshwar »

orphea wrote: post #41
jwells89 wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What’s “essential” varies a lot between users. As a mobile dev I’ve been using 60% and 65% boards almost exclusively since 2015 and haven’t missed the removed keys much at all. Really though, to me the problem with full-size keyboards isn’t the number of keys but their positioning. The traditional full sized layout was designed prior to mice being common, which immediately becomes evident when you try to center the a…

How do you guys not miss F keys? I can press e.g. Ctrl+F5 with one hand but I would have to use both hands to press Ctrl+Fn+5.

Once you learn and get used to the macOS's shortcuts, you can totally ignore F-keys.

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#65

Post by xcdzvyn »

orphea wrote: post #41
jwells89 wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What’s “essential” varies a lot between users. As a mobile dev I’ve been using 60% and 65% boards almost exclusively since 2015 and haven’t missed the removed keys much at all. Really though, to me the problem with full-size keyboards isn’t the number of keys but their positioning. The traditional full sized layout was designed prior to mice being common, which immediately becomes evident when you try to center the a…

How do you guys not miss F keys? I can press e.g. Ctrl+F5 with one hand but I would have to use both hands to press Ctrl+Fn+5.

[dead]

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#66

Post by input_sh »

jasongrout wrote: post #59
input_sh wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That niche is usually filled with something like a Stream Deck alongside your keyboard, though personally, I'd recommend MIDI controllers. You get a lot of extra buttons very cheaply, using an open, easily-readable protocol. Get a label maker to put some labels on top of the buttons, and you're good to go! In my experience it's a much easier option when compared to trying to say to your computer "key A has two functi…

What do you use to map midi commands to keystrokes?

I don't map them to keystrokes at all, I have a (too specific to my needs to be open sourced) Python script that runs in the background, detects me pressing a MIDI note, and then does stuff. Think: a button for most frequent folders I need to open using VS Code, or lowering the volume (separate knobs for Firefox and Spotify), or a knob for dimming the lights in my living room / home office, things of that nature.

I built it using Mido (https://github.com/mido/mido), though there's so many other options for whichever language you prefer.

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#67

Post by s-lambert »

orphea wrote: post #41
jwells89 wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What’s “essential” varies a lot between users. As a mobile dev I’ve been using 60% and 65% boards almost exclusively since 2015 and haven’t missed the removed keys much at all. Really though, to me the problem with full-size keyboards isn’t the number of keys but their positioning. The traditional full sized layout was designed prior to mice being common, which immediately becomes evident when you try to center the a…

How do you guys not miss F keys? I can press e.g. Ctrl+F5 with one hand but I would have to use both hands to press Ctrl+Fn+5.

> Ctrl+F5 with one hand Maybe I have small hands or a bigger keyboard but I have to stretch hand out entirely from my pinky to my index finger to do this with one hand; how do you do this comfortably?

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#68

Post by digging »

input_sh wrote: post #54
swah wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Do you mean the thing that looks like a tiny piano or the thing that looks more squarish with 8x8 buttons that light up? Some project in this space https://github.com/michd/mmpd

Both work, they're all just sending digital versions of notes! You can find one for every perceivable amount of buttons you might need. My hobby is electronic music, so I tilt towards grids over tiny pianos (though I own both). The smallest one I own is AKAI LPD8, which gives me 8 buttons, 8 knobs, and a couple of modifier keys for less than half the price of a Stream Deck. It's not that Stream Deck is particularly e…

Ha, I thought you were misspelling Steam Deck at first. Funny because I first got into electronic music by installing VCV Rack 2 on my Steam Deck.

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#69

Post by kelvie »

I still wonder why there isn't a DIY option that builds in a touchpad or a usable trackball. It's great for bed / home theatre PC (HTPC) use, and some of us are just used to it

There are existing keyboards out there, like the logitech K-something for HTPCs, or then niche (and expensive) options that you need to call HP or Lenovo to order, but I'm very close to just buying the bottom of the framework laptop and building one myself, although the touchpad on the Framework is medium good, at best (as are most touchpads that aren't from big A)

Re: 00Key a 75% Keyboard

#70

Post by aeurielesn »

Nice! As someone that recently started on this hobby, I love my 75% custom mechanical keyboard.

One thing though, custom firmwares aren't popular on this hobby. Right now, QMK/VIA support are pretty much a must on the community.

Post reply on HN