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QMK and Keyboards

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Re: QMK and Keyboards

#91

Post by mech422 »

jmcdowell wrote: post #90
mech422 wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

after having tried various splits, including the ergodox and the kinesis - I'm gonna hold out for something like (1) so I can adjust the dam thumb clusters. My thumbs are too short otherwise. It doesn't use via/qmk by default, but VIA can be installed. Only other thing I'd like is it to have curved wells like a dactyl(2) (but the dactyl's don't have adjustable thumb clusters sigh ) 1 https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/ 2…

Have you looked at all at the ZSA Voyager and if so, what were your thoughts? I realise it cuts down on the number of thumb buttons compared to the Moonlander but I saw quite a few Moonlander users who have used both saying they'd opt for the Voyager[0] or have got both and prefer the Voyager. Many people seem to have issues with the Moonlander's thumb cluster especially with smaller hands. [0] https://www.reddit.com…

I actually haven't tried either of them yet... but the Voyager thumb cluster isn't adjustable, so I figured I'd like the moonlander better ?

btw - I'd _really_ rather have a dactyl (especially one with a track ball) but there don't seem to be any with adjustable thumb cluster, and I'm worried they'd be too big for my thumbs...

Re: QMK and Keyboards

#92

Post by skidd0 »

LAC-Tech wrote: post #79
skidd0 wrote: post #66

When I started getting some RSI from coding all day, I looked for solutions. I ultimately settled on a split keyboard (separating the left and right hand more, less cramped in front at odd wrist angles) with a bunch of thumb keys (to act as modifiers, much easier to use than pinkie based mods) and a folding tripod stand for each so i could "tent" each keyboard out at an angle that matched my natural resting hand post…

Hmm that's interesting to me. I'm currently on a Planck EZ, I like it but would like my hands a little further apart, and the idea of using my thumb for more modifiers is definitely interesting. Had a look at the Corne but didn't want to lose keys (not interested in homerow mods, and I like having keys like ctrl on both sides of the board). Kyria might be the thing for me..

Yes exactly! All my mods are mirrored on both keyboards (except left pinkie shift).

You lose the number row with the Kyria, but I have all my numbers and symbols available with a simple thumb press. A fair trade.

Re: QMK and Keyboards

#93

Post by skidd0 »

keyle wrote: post #68
skidd0 wrote: post #66

When I started getting some RSI from coding all day, I looked for solutions. I ultimately settled on a split keyboard (separating the left and right hand more, less cramped in front at odd wrist angles) with a bunch of thumb keys (to act as modifiers, much easier to use than pinkie based mods) and a folding tripod stand for each so i could "tent" each keyboard out at an angle that matched my natural resting hand post…

What language programming gives you RSI? I spend around 50 times the time thinking and navigating than typing code. And with LLM completion I barely type nowadays. I thought RSI was mostly for documentation writers and emails people. Ref: programming for 25+ years. I only had problems when my posture was bad. Lucky I guess.

I was writing mainly JavaScript all day. The main culprit was my wrist posture. They were squeezed together in front of me and at an awkward, flat angle while typing. Even with a sit/stand desk, multiple breaks, etc. the pain would build up over the day.

Re: QMK and Keyboards

#94

Post by akaralar »

mech422 wrote: post #82
rgoulter wrote: post #3

The most common misconception I see about QMK keyboards (especially keyboards which stray far from the traditional form, like in OP's) is about small keyboards. The most common kind of small keyboards are just like laptop keyboards, and try and fit a keyboard into a smaller space (and the omitted keys get relegated to being behind Fn key). These tend to retain the impractically big spacebar of a typical keyboard, out…

after having tried various splits, including the ergodox and the kinesis - I'm gonna hold out for something like (1) so I can adjust the dam thumb clusters. My thumbs are too short otherwise. It doesn't use via/qmk by default, but VIA can be installed. Only other thing I'd like is it to have curved wells like a dactyl(2) (but the dactyl's don't have adjustable thumb clusters sigh ) 1 https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/ 2…

Most dactyl designs are parametric, meaning you measure your hands and the design is automatically created to adjust your hands.

Re: QMK and Keyboards

#95

Post by akaralar »

bsnnkv wrote: post #39
zvmaz wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use a Keychron Q11, a split row staggered keyboard. On the laptop, I use Kmonad on linux with home row mods but I think I will switch to Kanata because it seems more compatible with Windows (work OS). I have been using home row mods for a few days now and I feel that it has greatly alleviated the pain I have on the left pinky finger (remapping caps lock to control and using Emacs keybindings for years did that I th…

I have both an Ergodox and a Ferris which are both now gathering dust. In my experience, columnar layouts are not worth it for me as a developer, because there is nothing that I can gain from a layout that changes the position of the {};' () keys that will ever offset the productivity and familiarity lost by those keys never being where I expect them to be.

Designing a symbol specific layer[1] that includes all the symbols without needing to shift the keys made programming much more pleasant for me. It took a bit of getting used to but since programming and typing symbols is something we do quite frequently during the day, the brain gets used to it rather quickly.

[1] https://configure.zsa.io/ergodox-ez/layouts/v56OO/latest/10

Re: QMK and Keyboards

#96

Post by mech422 »

akaralar wrote: post #94
mech422 wrote: post #82

Earlier quoted context omitted.

after having tried various splits, including the ergodox and the kinesis - I'm gonna hold out for something like (1) so I can adjust the dam thumb clusters. My thumbs are too short otherwise. It doesn't use via/qmk by default, but VIA can be installed. Only other thing I'd like is it to have curved wells like a dactyl(2) (but the dactyl's don't have adjustable thumb clusters sigh ) 1 https://www.zsa.io/moonlander/ 2…

Most dactyl designs are parametric, meaning you measure your hands and the design is automatically created to adjust your hands.

yeah - there's even some ocaml code for generating 'custom fit' dactyls. Problem in, the shells take hours to print and it a very finicky 'fitting' process. I stopped after like 3 'test' dactyl shells.

Re: QMK and Keyboards

#97

Post by FullyFunctional »

eviks wrote: post #88
FullyFunctional wrote: post #87

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks, good suggestion -- I usually try to avoid extensions as much as possible for many reasons (incl. that Apple actually discourages it), but I'll look into it.

Where does Apple discourages using your own keyboard layout (not KE)? Though I personally would be easily discouraged if they made good native keybinding support

I wrote extension, not layout. I succeed finally with Ukelele thanks.

Re: QMK and Keyboards

#98

Post by akaralar »

mech422 wrote: post #96
akaralar wrote: post #94

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Most dactyl designs are parametric, meaning you measure your hands and the design is automatically created to adjust your hands.

yeah - there's even some ocaml code for generating 'custom fit' dactyls. Problem in, the shells take hours to print and it a very finicky 'fitting' process. I stopped after like 3 'test' dactyl shells.

I see, not sure how far you're willing to pursue this but you _might_ find help on Reddit or Discord. I would be very surprised if you are the first person with short thumbs to want a Dactyl. Someone might have paved the way with a hand similar to yours.

Some subreddits that I know: r/ErgoMechKeyboards r/MechanicalKeyboards r/olkb

Also I know about these on Discord: SliceMK KBDFans BastardKB SplitKB QMK

Re: QMK and Keyboards

#99

Post by mech422 »

akaralar wrote: post #98
mech422 wrote: post #96

Earlier quoted context omitted.

yeah - there's even some ocaml code for generating 'custom fit' dactyls. Problem in, the shells take hours to print and it a very finicky 'fitting' process. I stopped after like 3 'test' dactyl shells.

I see, not sure how far you're willing to pursue this but you _might_ find help on Reddit or Discord. I would be very surprised if you are the first person with short thumbs to want a Dactyl. Someone might have paved the way with a hand similar to yours. Some subreddits that I know: r/ErgoMechKeyboards r/MechanicalKeyboards r/olkb Also I know about these on Discord: SliceMK KBDFans BastardKB SplitKB QMK

Thanks! I generally make the rounds every 6 months or so... But I've been building keebs for a few years now, and I gotta cut back :-P The biggest issue is it takes forever to print a shell to 'test fit' it. It would actually be cool if you could print the shells upside down so you don't have to print the whole thing to see how it feels.

Oh! looks like there's a OpenSCAD parametric dactyl now (1) I think this was the clojure one I was playing with before: (2)

1: https://github.com/pseudoku/Dactyl-It-Yourself-Editor

2: https://github.com/l4u/dactyl-manuform-mini-keyboard

Re: QMK and Keyboards

#100

Post by akaralar »

mech422 wrote: post #99
akaralar wrote: post #98

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I see, not sure how far you're willing to pursue this but you _might_ find help on Reddit or Discord. I would be very surprised if you are the first person with short thumbs to want a Dactyl. Someone might have paved the way with a hand similar to yours. Some subreddits that I know: r/ErgoMechKeyboards r/MechanicalKeyboards r/olkb Also I know about these on Discord: SliceMK KBDFans BastardKB SplitKB QMK

Thanks! I generally make the rounds every 6 months or so... But I've been building keebs for a few years now, and I gotta cut back :-P The biggest issue is it takes forever to print a shell to 'test fit' it. It would actually be cool if you could print the shells upside down so you don't have to print the whole thing to see how it feels. Oh! looks like there's a OpenSCAD parametric dactyl now (1) I think this was the…

I hadn't seen the first one, nice! Well, the only way to cut back is to make the end-game kb, which will also be a Dactyl for me but I think I’ll buy it from either ohkeycaps[1] or cyboard[2]. cyboard also does measure-to-build[3], it might entice you if you decide to buy it ready-made instead of building yourself.

[1] https://ohkeycaps.com/products/built-to-order-dactyl-manufor...

[2] https://www.cyboard.digital/

[3] https://www.cyboard.digital/product-page/imprint

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