10 ms·

My coworker has a similar setup and loves it. Personally, it feels diametrically opposed to the way that I like to use my keyboard. I don't even like holding Sh

My coworker has a similar setup and loves it. Personally, it feels diametrically opposed to the way that I like to use my keyboard. I don't even like holding Shift to type `{`, `_`, etc when programming. I wish I had dedicated keys for those and other common symbols. I don't mind moving my hands a few inches at all, but for some reason, it feels cumbersome to me to hold down a key to activate another layer. To each their own, of course.

_def 1y ago
I guess that's why the thumbs get used here to activate the other layers. I have to try it, but thinking about it it seems way more ergonomic compared to the usual position of the shift key
- Hojojo 1y ago
  This is definitely the case. Since the layer key is at the thumb, it doesn't require moving your hand and you barely need to move your thumb. As somebody who suffers from wrist pain, this makes a huge difference.
  - layer8 1y ago
    Unfortunately I developed beginning arthrosis in my thumbs, so pressing space is about the most I can subject them to.
    - linsomniac 1y ago
      Foot pedals?
      - layer8 1y ago
        Those are slower than fingers and can’t be used as fluidly, in particular when using them as modifiers for keys typed with the fingers with normal typing speed.
        Jeff_Brown 1y ago
        Drummers do it. It takes some training because the nerve to your foot is longer than the one to your hand, but with good audible feedback it can be done. (If your feet are a meter farther from your ears then the sound from them takes 3 ms longer to be heard. Nobody types that fast but I'd you wanted a truer signal you could generate one in software.)
        layer8 1y ago
        Not sure about the drummer analogy, because we don’t type in a rhythm. Hands and feet can maintain the same rhythm, and that has the effect that their actions can coincide with high precision. For arhythmic actions, my experience is it’s more difficult to synchronize to the typical subsecond precision for typing. For example, drum your fingers on a table in sequence, and then try to replace one of the fingers with your foot. It is magnitudes slower. While training will improve it, I don’t think it will be able to match the finger drumming, unless you introduce a longer-running rhythm. Keyboard shortcuts are similar.
- James_K 1y ago
  What actually has way more of an impact that that is having the home-row keys set to the modifiers. The best part is that it works even with regular keyboard, you just need to have some kind of hot-key tool running on your computer.
theroncross 1y ago
There's a non-obvious, but significant, difference between holding with a thumb in a neutral position and holding with a pinky in a stretched position. Layers become effortless on a keyboard like this.
Hojojo 1y ago
I have my layer switch key configured to require only a button press, then the next key I type will be from that layer. So I don't have to hold it down. It's so much more comfortable to use special symbols this way. I've also done this for my shift key.
layer8 1y ago
I agree. I also developed serious RSI from overuse of modifiers and cords. Not everyone’s RSI is the same, but just as a caveat.
lawn 1y ago
I suggest you look into combos (press multiple keys as an extra key). For example, I don't hold to type either { or _ or any symbol (O can hold of I type multiple symbols in a row though). https://www.jonashietala.se/blog/2024/11/26/the_current_cybershard_layout/ https://www.jonashietala.se/blog/2024/11/26/the_current_cybe...

_def 1y ago

I guess that's why the thumbs get used here to activate the other layers. I have to try it, but thinking about it it seems way more ergonomic compared to the usual position of the shift key

Hojojo 1y ago
This is definitely the case. Since the layer key is at the thumb, it doesn't require moving your hand and you barely need to move your thumb. As somebody who suffers from wrist pain, this makes a huge difference.
- layer8 1y ago
  Unfortunately I developed beginning arthrosis in my thumbs, so pressing space is about the most I can subject them to.
  - linsomniac 1y ago
    Foot pedals?
    - layer8 1y ago
      Those are slower than fingers and can’t be used as fluidly, in particular when using them as modifiers for keys typed with the fingers with normal typing speed.
      - Jeff_Brown 1y ago
        Drummers do it. It takes some training because the nerve to your foot is longer than the one to your hand, but with good audible feedback it can be done. (If your feet are a meter farther from your ears then the sound from them takes 3 ms longer to be heard. Nobody types that fast but I'd you wanted a truer signal you could generate one in software.)
        layer8 1y ago
        Not sure about the drummer analogy, because we don’t type in a rhythm. Hands and feet can maintain the same rhythm, and that has the effect that their actions can coincide with high precision. For arhythmic actions, my experience is it’s more difficult to synchronize to the typical subsecond precision for typing. For example, drum your fingers on a table in sequence, and then try to replace one of the fingers with your foot. It is magnitudes slower. While training will improve it, I don’t think it will be able to match the finger drumming, unless you introduce a longer-running rhythm. Keyboard shortcuts are similar.
James_K 1y ago
What actually has way more of an impact that that is having the home-row keys set to the modifiers. The best part is that it works even with regular keyboard, you just need to have some kind of hot-key tool running on your computer.

theroncross 1y ago

There's a non-obvious, but significant, difference between holding with a thumb in a neutral position and holding with a pinky in a stretched position. Layers become effortless on a keyboard like this.

Hojojo 1y ago

I have my layer switch key configured to require only a button press, then the next key I type will be from that layer. So I don't have to hold it down. It's so much more comfortable to use special symbols this way. I've also done this for my shift key.

layer8 1y ago

I agree. I also developed serious RSI from overuse of modifiers and cords. Not everyone’s RSI is the same, but just as a caveat.

lawn 1y ago

I suggest you look into combos (press multiple keys as an extra key). For example, I don't hold to type either { or _ or any symbol (O can hold of I type multiple symbols in a row though). https://www.jonashietala.se/blog/2024/11/26/the_current_cybershard_layout/ https://www.jonashietala.se/blog/2024/11/26/the_current_cybe...