Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards
Posts must be of/about keyboards that have a clear delineation between the left and right halves of the keyboard, column stagger, or both. This includes one-handed (one half doesn't exist, what clearer delineation is that!?)
i.e. no regular non-split¹ row-stagger and no non-split¹ ortholinear²
¹ split meaning a separation of the halves, whether fixed in place or entirely separate, both are fine.
² ortholinear meaning keys layed out in a grid
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I think having a split keyboard so my mouse can be in the middle would really help my comfort at the desk. Is there a style that doubles up the middle keys? My typing style means sometimes I use my right hand to hit T, left to hit Y, etc.
Is this a style already, or would I need to build my own?
I am completely new to this domain and would appreciate advice from knowledgeable enthusiasts.
Not that I am aware of. However, one thing I learned is that moving to a split keyboard fixes bad typing behavior like tapping T or Y with the wrong hand very quickly.
That's my experience, too. When I switched to split, I noticed a few quirks in my typing habits. They cleared up quickly with just a little bit of thoughtful practice.
Cool. Maybe all I need is to jump in and it won't end up an issue I notice. I dont understand the hostility at this quirk from some people. Not everyone is an expert, and being snubby of newbies is very unwelcoming.(not you)
I was really bad about it before I went split. I even found myself moving my left hand to the right split sometimes but eventually my muscle memory remapped itself to respect the split.
This is great! You began a new type of thing. It took a while, but you got the new thing. Now you are great at the new thing.
This community seems more often to bite you and mock you if you are new to the thing. I am dissuaded from going through with the thing at all since the vibes are so rude.
Unfortunately the reality of niche online communities is that the assholes tend to be over represented in them.
Good luck with your ergo journey!
FWIW: when I made the leap I went full in and got a split, columnar stagger keyboard with layers, and switched to colemak at the same time. It was a very rough couple of months relearning to type, but I learned along the way that my typing technique had been atrocious in ways I never realized. I do a much better job now of using the correct finger for each key and my hand pain from typing is basically gone.
I think the "bad" typing behavior for those stretches has a bit to do with PC gaming. In the old days of CS and other games before voip, T was all chat and Y was team chat. So my left hand was used to migrating to that specific key very quickly to open a prompt as my mouse hand transitioned over to the keyboard. As a gamer on a split keyboard, it's usually fine, but sometimes I wish my left half had an extra column of keys.
Indeed, OP should just switch and quickly learn more ergonomic typing.
This is like asking the internet if they have a diet that can accomodate a lot of sugary drinks.
Just, no.
Accessibility. Most people can use things as they are. A limited amount of people need accommodations.
Your analogy is extreme. It is more like asking for a diet that can accomodate my desire to keep eating a cookie once a week.
I love the extra B on my Alice but when using Corne I keep wanting to press B with my right hand, which I shouldn’t 😂
Aw, why call it bad behavior? It's faster to type T with the ~~left~~ right hand when its ready to go and the ~~right~~ left hand is all the way down where I just hit C. I save a whole microsecond :D
Maybe it's not official typing rules, but it isn't bad. Different :)
It is a habit i could unlearn though.
Edit: left vs right omg
Some people use a different hand for T depending on whether they also need to hold shift or control. It's not wrong to want redundant keys. I like the idea of having some overlap in on the halves. (not that I plan to implement it)
The time saved is irrelevant when compared to the extra strain you put in your body. It seems small but the less you move out of an ergonomic position the better. Stretching your fingers sideways, moving your wrist, etc all add up when you do them hundreds of times a day.
Another note. My finger is moving an extra centimeter. Could it add up? Sure. Does it work for me? Yes.
(There was more, but I realized I was being petty. Apologies. Deleted.).
Because RSIs are life changing and you should change your behavior rather than making it more convenient to harm yourself. Assuming you’re getting a split for the ergonomic benefits, adding an unergonomic feature is extremely illogical.
You can do whatever you want obviously, and a lot of the other commenters are doing a terrible job of explaining any sort of reasoning, but the advice is sound. Several members of my family have had fairly severe RSIs, my mother and my sister-in-law have had to have surgery to regain function in their hands due to carpal tunnel syndrome. I have some constant low-level pain due to similar bad habits when I was young.
I got some training and corrected my workstation and behavior as much as I could to limit the damage, but what’s done is done. If you learn from the mistakes of others, you can avoid those consequences.
Is there a scientific data set showing the damage done to the body by moving your finger an extra centimeter a few times a day?
Why are people so focused on berating this harmless quirk?
Your posture makes a bigger difference, but any repetitive strain will cause damage over time. That stretch may not seem like a big deal, and it’s not if it’s occasional, but it can be if you do it consistently over a long period of time.
But really, what data can I look at to improve my ergonomics? I may not be the perfect human, so I might need weird little this-or-thats to help get me there.
And, if it doesn't feel stretchy at all? Its just hopping my finger a bit over. I don't strain.
For the critics: training wheels help lead to biking. Stop shaming my training wheel request :(
Stop whining. They're trying to help give you training wheels. They're responding with their experience, and you're being hypercritical about semantics.
If you go to a medical expert complaining about pain, do you get offended when they tell you how to fix it? And for the natural response "they aren't doctors", well (a) they may be and (b) if you really want the level of help you'd expect from a medical professional, perhaps don't ask the internet.
What the fuck is so offensively wrong that I inquired about a keyboard that works for the way I type?
Your altruistic excuses and coming up with fallacious examples as if they are the same thing.
Every example that you “appropriate” insults another group of people.
You’re a terrible human; that’s what’s offensively wrong.
Very kind of you. Is this how I should speak to people? Tell then they are a terrible human because I'm asking about something and there was some discontent?
Please just be kind. Golden rule dude.
You keep pretending you are innocent here.
Everyone that you’re complaining about, only gave you attitude after you responded to them with attitude. And they gave it back in the same amount, but you took offense.
And now you wanted an answer, you got it, and you’re still trying to take the high ground. Also, don’t preach golden rule and be kind when you the one breaking it first….
Fucking lmfao.
If you see an asshole in the morning, you saw an asshole, if you see assholes all day, you’re the asshole. This quote couldn’t be more accurate to explain you.
Thank you. Your kindness is outstanding
You want me to be guilty, ok. You can think that.
Have a good day.
I don’t need to think anything, your responses to people than asking why the hostility is all the proof anyone needs.
You got hostility because you were hostile, it’s literally that simple, if you can’t see this, get some help instead of dragging everyone down around you with you.
You don't hear my voice. You are choosing to read my messages with hostility. Idc. You want me to apologize because you don't like my joke?
Stop harassing me because you want me to be the made-up person you're imagining.
I hear your voice fine, you claim that, yet you’re ignoring everyone else’s voices. I not choosing to read your comments with hostility, you aren’t comprehending that you the hostile one.
I want you to apologize for being a terrible human being and blaming others for the shit you caused.
Pointing out that you’re being a hypocrite is harassing you…? Maybe stop being a hypocrite and people will stop pointing it out to you…? I want you to be the person you claim other people should be. “Golden rule”, “be kind”….?
Why the hell should we listen to you when you’re to worst one here….?
Lol. You literally cannot hear my voice. We aren't talking face to face.
Idk why you are on a mission to make me feel bad, but it isn't working.
Bye.
You’re right, so how do you know “I’m angry” and all these other things? You can deduce them, but others can’t?
Fucking hypocrite again, Jesus Christ.
For me, ergonomically at a desk, i have to try like fuck to keep my upper arms as close to downward as humanly possible, elbows about 90° and forearms NEVER more than 90° outward or I will royally fuck this dipshit muscle UNDERNEATH either one of my scapulas that can only be partially reached with a tens unit. I mitigated this with seat height, table height, monitor position, and a short keyboard so going for my mouse doesn't have me exceeding 90°. As for key overlap on a split keyboard, I say fuck yes. I don't touch type "the right way" and depending on a word, a hotkey, or some application shenanigan, I might be all over the place.
I also use an mmo mouse at work and I assign all kinds of goodies to it, which also helps reduce repetitive typing+stretching.