this post was submitted on 02 Jul 2023
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ErgoMechKeyboards

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Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards

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Keep it ergo

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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Updated my planck a few months back, but thought I'd reshare here.

Board: Planck v6
Case: Wenge
Switches: Boba U4 55g (black)
Caps: DSA

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[–] WiildFiire@lemmy.world 3 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

I love that the image is marked 18 because it is indeed sexy asf!

I don't know a whole bunch about these smaller % boards, but I know that they have like, "layers" so one key can have multiple functions, right? How many layers does this one have and how long until you think you're home get used to it?

[–] nydas@lemmy.world 2 points 2 years ago

If you’re not familiar with layers, the best way to describe them are ‘multiple shift keys’. Keyboards already have multiple layer keys:

  • shift
  • alt
  • ctrl
  • cmd

Basically it’s a key that when pressed in combination with a second key makes that second key return a difference value to ‘normal’. As keyboards get smaller, the simplest way to accommodate things is to add additional layers - a layer for numbers, and then you can remove the dedicated number keys; a layer for arrow keys and then you can remove these too.

You then get more complex with one-shot keys, home row mods, tap-dance etc.

I’ve been using a 36-key keyboard for a year or so now, and wouldn’t go bigger. Currently waiting on a PCB to be printed that is 24 keys. Will be interesting to see how I go with that one!

[–] muppetjones@lemmy.world 1 points 2 years ago

Didn't mean to mark it as 18... I'll see if I can fix it.

You're right: Layers are essential. I use three primary layers -- colemak dh, numpad, and nav -- along with several combos. Another key feature is what are called Callum-style mods, which are essentially "sticky", one-shot modifiers.

I've been using this layout for quite awhile now, so I'm pretty used to it. It took a month or so to switch from qwerty to colemak, but the switch to ortholinear (like this one) and column-staggered took under a week. Switching to home-row mods took a day, and switching from those to Callum took about a week.