ErgoDash

I used a normal (Logitech/Microsoft) split keyboard since university, since I was scared when a student a couple of years older than me got RSI and couldn't type for weeks. These wore out about 2 years ago, and I couldn't find a similar replacement. I bought an ErgoDash [1] instead. It has a few additional keys compared to the Iris. I have one at work and another at home, and to make them more similar to the broken keyboards I 3D printed angled bases. I use them for 99% of my typing. I should probably have tried a Kinesis Advantage 2 first, but it seemed like too much of a jump. I'm partway through 3D printing/assembling a Lagrange keyboard [2], which is similar to the Dactyl. I will add the F1-F12 keys to my print, as they're the only thing I miss on my ErgoDash -- if a shortcut in my IDE is Ctrl+Shift+F10, it's nice for it to be that

I was warned by a colleague that this was a rabbit hole, then warned by people online, and I'll pass on that warning now. I tried to help by updating and better-presenting an existing list of ergonomic mechanical keyboards: https://aposymbiont.github.io/split-keyboards/ I'm using an ErgoDash¹ with a 3D-printed tilted stand, but I intend to assemble a Lagrange² "soon". ¹ https://github.com/omkbd/ErgoDash ² https://github.com/dpapavas/lagrange-keyboard

The ErgoDash[1] has 7 keys along the bottom, of which either 3 or 4 are thumb keys (the 4th key can be soldered in two positions). At least the way I set up my ErgoDash, either side can be primary. I think this is now standard. > I find it hard to come up with uses for the fancier things the keyboard firmware can do (eg dual purpose modifier keys, space cadet shift, macros etc). - I have[2] a simultaneous press of T and 5 set to be F5. Similarly for the whole top row. - A short tap of my media key is "Media Next". A solid press is "Media Play/Pause". A long press is "Ctrl + Media Stop", which my media player recognizes as "Stop after current track". Something similar for the volume key. - Enter is a thumb key, but when held down it's Ctrl. - I have a window switching key, which holds down Alt and presses Tab, but keeps Alt held down for

You press the key on or close to the the near edge using your thumb either way, so it really doesn't matter. (This comment typed on an Ergodash: https://github.com/omkbd/ErgoDash It would be possible to press the key labelled with the noodle bowl using my thumb, although I'm not in the habit of doing so. I might try and make it a habit, now I think about it. The top half of the "Enter" on the right side is pointless; my keyboard has 2 small keys instead of the large one.)

There are several iterations on the Ergodox design, and a comparison tool for many split keyboard layouts is here [1]. Using a similar approach (before that website existed), I decided on an Ergodash[2], which I bought as a kit, but is also available assembled. The first and second thumb keys are easy to reach (I have them as Backspace, Ctrl, Enter/Ctrl, Space) but the outermost ones are too far away. I have these as a sort-of "Fn"/"Windows" key. I still thing it's useful to have the extra keys, since it gives me more options without having to learn too many multi-key combinations. [1] https://jhelvy.shinyapps.io/splitkbcompare/ [2] https://github.com/omkbd/ErgoDash

There are some silent, tactile switches, but I think they're a bit more obscure. I made my ergonomic, split keyboards from a kit[1], and chose Aliaz Silent switches [2]. It's around the same noisiness as everyone else's keyboard (Apple, cheap Dell one etc). (There are almost certainly other options — the choice was a bit overwhelming when I decided to buy a DIY keyboard — but I'm not in the hobby of collecting many different keyboards. Various Reddit groups can advise.) [1] https://github.com/omkbd/ErgoDash [2] https://kbdfans.com/products/pre-orderaliaz-silent-switch-ta...

An ortholinear split keyboard is better (it's easier to rotate either half without the normal key stagger getting awkward), but I don't see any reason to buy a Plank. I have two Ergodashes [1], one for home and one for the office. It's also not going to increase typing speed. Learning to touch-type can do that, but 99% of the gain from changing the physical keyboard layout (ortholinear / split etc) or logical keyboard layout (Dvorak, Coleman etc) are for typing comfort. [1] https://github.com/omkbd/ErgoDash

I've used Dvorak for over 15 years, but last month I was looking for a replacement for wearing-out Microsoft Natural 4000s, used at work and at home. The Kinesis Freestyle Edge [1] looked like a great option, but then I found myself swept into the rabbithole of custom mechanical keyboards. There is a frankly overwhelming number of decisions to make: split or not, with or without function/number/numpad/navigation keys, the usual row-staggered layout or column-staggered or a square grid, then the type of mechanical switch. Finally, there are the 3D-printed split keyboards meant to fit the shape of the hands. I ended up buying a Ergodash [2] kit [3] and soldering it myself. I've had it for less than a week so far, and though adapting to the column-staggered layout was reasonably quick, I'm still a bit hit-and-miss with pressing modifier keys

There are a few keyboards similar to ErgoDox but with less keys: * https://github.com/kata0510/Lily58 * https://github.com/omkbd/ErgoDash This blog shows how the Lily58 designer took the ErgoDox design and removed the keys he found superfluous: https://yuchi-kbd.hatenablog.com/entry/2018/12/23/214342