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Split Keyboard for Professionals

ultimatehackingkeyboard.com

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Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#91

Post by sirbranedamuj »

jjkaczor wrote: post #79

Myself, I have been using a Kinesis RGB Edge with the "lift-kit" for about a month. Have never been a perfect, trained touch-typist - so there has been a learning curve, but it is worth it. My wrists feel so much better, and I am almost back to full speed. (Previously, I would just use laptop KB's). The only complaints... Not from me, but when I am on web meetings, I have to be on mute, because everyone finds the KB…

I've been using mine for about a year now. I love it. I'm not really an orthodox touch-typist so there were a few keystrokes that took some time for me to get the hang of. I'm pulling 100 WPM though so I must be doing something sort of right :)

The customization of both the RGB and the keys themselves as well as the ergonomics have been well worth it. I use a USB switch and use the keyboard for both Windows gaming and development on Mac.

One quirk of my typing style is that I use my right index finger for the space bar, so my left space bar effectively went unused when typing. I rebound the left space bar to the Command Key on my Mac profile so I can use my thumb for it like I would on a Mac keyboard.

I use it for gaming too. Sometimes I move the right side completely out of the way so I'm just using the left and my mouse.

I'm not saying these are all features exclusive to this particular keyboard. But a split keyboard was a great investment that I'd recommend.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#92

Post by 1-more »

Waterluvian wrote: post #6
wegs wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most are horrible. One of the reasons is overlap. Your hands do occasionally hit keys on the other side. You want a pair of 2/3 keyboards, rather than 1/2 keyboards. You /especially/ want a lot of the "special" keys on both sides. Another is key action. You want proper mechanical keys. A third is mounting. That's a problem which hasn't really been figured out. The middle hinge or fixed setup is definitely sub-ideal.…

I was told by one friend that they made it really hard to use a normal keyboard effectively after a few years. Did you find that?

I've been on an ortho (Let's Split) and a vertical staggered board (Iris) for a few years now. The Iris is stuck in my locked office that we can't go back into for the foreseeable future so I'm on the Let's Split (with pedals!) at home. Honestly I think I still type faster on a Macbook Pro keyboard, and that's the one that everyone hates. I'm plenty fast on the ones I built myself, but still just fine on that one. The big thing is that I will sometimes reach for a layer combo that isn't there on the MBP. It's very rare, since I think the staggered layout mostly hits my muscle memory preventing that, but it can happen that I'll almost hit a nonexistent chord on it. Never actually typed them out that I can remember though.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#93

Post by styluss »

jjkaczor wrote: post #79

Myself, I have been using a Kinesis RGB Edge with the "lift-kit" for about a month. Have never been a perfect, trained touch-typist - so there has been a learning curve, but it is worth it. My wrists feel so much better, and I am almost back to full speed. (Previously, I would just use laptop KB's). The only complaints... Not from me, but when I am on web meetings, I have to be on mute, because everyone finds the KB…

> The only complaints... Not from me, but when I am on web meetings, I have to be on mute, because everyone finds the KB noise too loud when I am typing...

I was in a similar situation with my pok3r keyboard. I started to lower the microphone volume and people stopped complaining ymmv

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#94

Post by foogazi »

wegs wrote: post #4
kozak wrote: post #2

I am puzzled why there aren't more split keyboards on the market, they are such a good idea.

Most are horrible. One of the reasons is overlap. Your hands do occasionally hit keys on the other side. You want a pair of 2/3 keyboards, rather than 1/2 keyboards. You /especially/ want a lot of the "special" keys on both sides. Another is key action. You want proper mechanical keys. A third is mounting. That's a problem which hasn't really been figured out. The middle hinge or fixed setup is definitely sub-ideal.…

I’ve been using the Kinesys Freestyle + Apple trackpad since covid

I discovered I was using the wrong hand for the & key and that took some time getting used to - I do wish some keys on the middle rows were available on both sides

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#95

Post by smoyer »

I've got two ErgoDox Infinity keyboards that I believe are about as ergonomic as you can get until you're willing to have only one key per finger. I'm in the process of forming the mold for a chording keyboard (and hacking platform). My intention is to create separate left and right hand molds based on a spherical-section that match the shape of a relaxed hand (think of watching an accomplished pianist). I'm going to start out with a layout/chording scheme something like ASETNIOP (http://www.asetniop.com/) using some of the stenography techniques I've read about to make it more universal.

I should note that after using the Ergodox keyboards for a while, I definitely believe in letting the thumbs do more work!

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#96

Post by Symbiote »

codazoda wrote: post #82
tharne wrote: post #77

I started using a dactyl manuform about two months ago and now I can't imagine typo on anything else. I'm already planning on order a second one for the office, assuming we ever return to it.

These keyboards look interesting but how does "space" work on it and how long did it take you to learn the non-qwerty parts of the layout (like space, hyphen, brackets, and tilde)?

Every single key is completely configurable, so you can have space wherever you want (or in multiple places).

That said, it's pretty normal to put it under directly under the thumb, on the side you normally use for space.

I use an ErgoDash, essentially a flat version of the Dactyl Manuform, and have this layout [1]. Enter is under my right thumb, but if I hold down that key it becomes Ctrl. I could already touch-type, but it took a week or two of average use to get used to all the changes. Basic typing was quicker, but touch-typing `, [], = and the function keys took longer.

[1] http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/501437fce9123e...

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#97

Post by michaelbuckbee »

ahelwer wrote: post #25

The trackball thumb module is a great idea - being able to mouse without moving my right hand off the keyboard would be ideal (you can buy an actual mouse to use for FPS games if you want that). For anyone who is seeing this and thinking they need to upgrade though, know that you really don't have to spend $300 to get a good-quality ergonomic keyboard. The Goldtouch GTN-0099 can be found in like-new condition for $60…

I have a Magic Trackpad that is in a slightly angled iPhone holder so it "hovers" just in front and slightly over my keyboard. I can get to it without my hands leaving the keyboard (and in general the taps and glides of the trackpad are much better for my RSI).

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#98

Post by jjkaczor »

wegs wrote: post #4
kozak wrote: post #2

I am puzzled why there aren't more split keyboards on the market, they are such a good idea.

Most are horrible. One of the reasons is overlap. Your hands do occasionally hit keys on the other side. You want a pair of 2/3 keyboards, rather than 1/2 keyboards. You /especially/ want a lot of the "special" keys on both sides. Another is key action. You want proper mechanical keys. A third is mounting. That's a problem which hasn't really been figured out. The middle hinge or fixed setup is definitely sub-ideal.…

>One of the reasons is overlap. Your hands do occasionally >hit keys on the other side.

That has been my biggest re-learning curve - but with only the 6/7 numeric keys (which, apparently I use often) - the one thing that I would have loved with the Kinesis RGB Edge, would have been a dedicated number pad on the right-side.

>Another is key action. You want proper mechanical keys.

Kinesis RGB Edge allows you to choose which "cherry mx" mechanical keys you get when ordering.

(I sound like a shill - but, I am very satisfied after a month of ownership - pricey, yes - but well worth it)

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#99

Post by sleepybrett »

tharne wrote: post #77

I started using a dactyl manuform about two months ago and now I can't imagine typo on anything else. I'm already planning on order a second one for the office, assuming we ever return to it.

Yeah I went from a kinesis advantage to a dactyl (printed a manuform shell, wasn't for me) and couldn't be happier. I'd been on the advantage for 20 years or so though.

Re: Split Keyboard for Professionals

#100

Post by jccalhoun »

dkdk8283 wrote: post #15

I used the microsoft natural keyboard for years and now the kinesis freestyle. I don’t know why split keyboards aren’t more popular. Proper ergonomics are important or your career could be interrupted due to RSI.

I would love a reasonably priced keyboard that was the ms natural keyboard with mechanical switches. (I know people have hacked together their own but I'm not that committed to the keyboard shape.)
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