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The CODE Keyboard

codinghorror.com

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81–90 of 335 posts

Re: The CODE Keyboard

#81

Post by fhd2 »

stormbrew wrote: post #38
chrismonsanto wrote: post #5

I really can't think of anything good to say about this keyboard. I've used keyboards like this, and I've damaged my body with them. You know what matters a lot more than a backlight? Ergonomic design. Get a Kinesis Advantage instead.

Is there actually any evidence ergonomic keyboards reduce risk of RSI? Last time I looked into it it seemed like marketing fluff with no actual studies that backed it up.

RSI is a complex thing. Some people have pain that is fixed by uniquely shaped keyboards, others need to just switch ctrl and capslock, get rid of the numpad or whatever. I don't think there is such a thing as a keyboard that cures any kind of RSI. But I do think something super flexible like the Kinesis Freestyle comes close.

Re: The CODE Keyboard

#82

Post by CWIZO »

codinghorror wrote: post #78
CWIZO wrote: post #58

I don't want to take anything away from Jeff, good for him for realizing his dream. But claiming that this is the best keyboard for programmers is an overstatement if I ever heard one. Yes, it's mechanical, yes it has backlit keys and you can do some customizations. But where is everything else? Why are the keys still in the zig-zag formation? Why is the enter key so small? Why is the enter key on the right, where I…

You can choose Dvorak, Colemak, QWERTY via dipswitches on the back. As well as Mac (Alt/Command), disable Windows Key, switch Caps Lock with Ctrl, etc. It comes with a key puller, so you can easily swap the keys with whatever keycaps you like. WASD sells tons of different keycaps. I love ergonomic keyboards too but for a mass market item we wanted to follow the classic standards everyone knows first and foremost. Per…

Well if I can swap the keys then that's awesome!

I can appreciate that you are trying to appeal to the masses, maybe I was just expecting something more from a $149.99 keyboard. Or better yet, expected more from a keyboard primarily aimed at programmers (that was built by a programmer).

Anyway: I wish you the best of luck and a lot of sales so I can see what you can come up with in the ergonomics department (I'll stick with my TypeMatrix for now :).

Re: The CODE Keyboard

#84

Post by madsushi »

WASD Keyboards (well, Weyman) has given me some of the best customer support over the past few years. They even recently fixed my busted Caps Lock key (my own fault) outside of warranty for just $10. I broke my space bar in-warranty, and it was fixed for free. I wanted some custom settings/layouts the keyboard designer couldn't handle, and they obliged. My WASD has lasted for several years now (including a few minor repairs) and I've had nothing but good experiences with them. I've been waiting for their v2 keyboards (they've been "coming soon" for months) and I'm excited to see they finally launched!

Re: The CODE Keyboard

#85

Post by cwbrandsma »

shanselman wrote: post #8

This looks like any typical mechanical keyboard, like a DasKeyboard. I don't see what sets it apart? I have 4 Microsoft Ergo 7000s in case they ever stop making them.

I have several of these as well (wired and wireless with the boob mouse). I can't fathom not being able to get one.

Re: The CODE Keyboard

#86

Post by graeme »

I had RSI. Got over it, but still found mechanical keyboards uncomfortable.

For some reason, I find the MacBook air 13 inch keyboard to be the most comfortable I've ever used.

I don't know why. Part of it may be the low height from the ground, and part is the great trackpad. (I tried the magic mouse and hurt my arm)

I expect other people have different opinions of the air's keyboard. The point is that I don't think there is any one keyboard that works best for everyone.

Re: The CODE Keyboard

#87

Post by breadbox »

stormbrew wrote: post #38
chrismonsanto wrote: post #5

I really can't think of anything good to say about this keyboard. I've used keyboards like this, and I've damaged my body with them. You know what matters a lot more than a backlight? Ergonomic design. Get a Kinesis Advantage instead.

Is there actually any evidence ergonomic keyboards reduce risk of RSI? Last time I looked into it it seemed like marketing fluff with no actual studies that backed it up.

I don't know, but I hasten to point out that the Kinesis isn't one of those generic "ergonomic" keyboards. It's a very different shape. One of its best features is that the keys are vertically aligned in straight columns, so that you're not constantly exercising the muscles to move your fingers slightly to the left or right. It makes a huge difference.

If someone invented a magic laptop that had a built-in Kinesis keyboard but could still close up, I would spend ridiculous sums of money to own one.

Re: The CODE Keyboard

#88

Post by jacques_chester »

agumonkey wrote: post #39
frewsxcv wrote: post #2

I really don't see anything special about this keyboard. It's backlit and mechanical. Seems like it's been done a hundred times already.

When I saw the book mention below the first picture, I thought I misread and that this first picture was just the starting point before being inspired by code analysis found in the book. I imagined a new , more efficient, principled layout.

So did I.

For example, I'd think about reclaiming the top row, where the numbers live. On keyboards with a numpad, they're passengers. At the very least, invert the meaning of shift, so the default is to produce sigils.

Re: The CODE Keyboard

#89

Post by mdkess »

Why are we continuing to use staggered layouts on keyboards? It is clearly inefficient, and not difficult to switch to a matrix (ie. grid based) layout, since all of the keys are close to where they were before.

Second question - in this day and age of easy connectors, why are numpads attached to the side of keyboards? What do left handed people do? Or people who don't use the numpad? Why not have the numpad detachable? Same goes for the arrow keys.

Re: The CODE Keyboard

#90

Post by luke_s »

CWIZO wrote: post #71
fhd2 wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone who has suffered from RSI, my advice is to not fix a problem you don't have. I've been there, and it just cost me money. In my case, I didn't need a curved keyboard or a split keyboard, those things ended up in the cupboard. I just had to get rid of the numpad to change my position from awkward to healthy. So, for me, this keyboard is actually interesting, the variant without the numpad that is.

Try this: http://www.contour-design.co.uk/products/rollermouse-red I have it at the office and it's just amazing.

I read through that page and it doesn't seem to explain how it actually works. With only one roller how do you move the mouse up and down, left and right?
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