I use an ortholinear keyboard exclusively. To anyone considering trying one, just know that the first couple weeks are pure suffering. But if you do not allow yourself to use a regular keyboard, after a couple weeks, your brain suddenly will just "get it" and you can type, and if youre hands are like mine, you will type a lot faster and without having to move your hands around nearly as much. While this keyboard looks great and I will absolutely get one for the novelty, I have found that having 5 rows is crucial, and that the mainstream ortho layout is kinda nonsensical, like there isnt any reason for it to be the way it is. I have a strategy to mapping keys on these kinds of boards that I dont think people are doing. The dominant strategy seems to be to pick a standard, mainstream layout based on like the Planck (dear god do not get one of those) or the other keyboard they make, but I dont know where that layout comes from and I don't think it is efficient or ergonomical at all. Plus, the keyboard is just too small. The strain on wrists and consequently figers comes from the fact that keyboards, even standard ones, force your wrists toward your center line but with your hands still parallel. THAT is what you want to avoid. At 8:00 you can see this very clearly. Your arms are angled in, but your fingers end up parallel, which requires your hands to hold a contorted position away from where they would be at rest. So, I have an Idabao 75 that I use day in and day out, with the 3 center columns occupied by arrow keys, a number pad on the second layer, and spacebar keys at the bottom, which also extends one key to the right, since I type nearly all spaces with my right hand. QWERT goes on the left side, starting the second row, YUIP is on the right side of the middle 3 columns. As far as punctuation keys, functions, etc, I think it's best for individuals to develop that. Put just the letters onto the keyboard, and type a sentence, followed by hitting where you think the carriage return should be, without stopping to think about it. Just where it feels natural. Then map that. Do the same for backspace, and make delete a second layer key (I have 3 keys for momentary second layer use in different places, two of which become momentary third layer keys if pressed while on the second layer). With those, as well as alt, tab, and escape, you can start to use it. Each time you encounter a key you havent mapped, dont stop to think logically about where it should go. Just hit the key you want without thinking, then stop and map that key. If there is already a key there, put it on the second layer. Think of the momentary layer key like a shift. In fact, one of the three I have is next to the shift. I put related keys as second layer keys, so the _9 ( _ key has a second layer with the _[ {_ key on it. Delete is like shift backspace, etc. Oh and having an actual shift key on the second layer is really important. And dont add too many new keys at once and overwhelm yourself. Try to add just a couple a day if possible. And be ready to move them around as you start developing a different mental preference/expectation because of things you press in succession often.
Great tip on pushing out the home row on these. The only thing that bugs me about these is that there aren't wireless options for these ortholinear keyboards? is it that difficult to do? or is there some other reason?
the first switch is upside down! what a scandal! jokes aside thats a really cool board. i use chock reds on my low profile ones and the foam doesnt seam to be doing much. nice video tho
I think it doesn't sound bad or good, it just sounds lol. The whole point on this board is the 16x16mm spacing so it's as compact as possible without sacrificing too many keys.
I use an ortholinear keyboard exclusively. To anyone considering trying one, just know that the first couple weeks are pure suffering. But if you do not allow yourself to use a regular keyboard, after a couple weeks, your brain suddenly will just "get it" and you can type, and if youre hands are like mine, you will type a lot faster and without having to move your hands around nearly as much.
While this keyboard looks great and I will absolutely get one for the novelty, I have found that having 5 rows is crucial, and that the mainstream ortho layout is kinda nonsensical, like there isnt any reason for it to be the way it is.
I have a strategy to mapping keys on these kinds of boards that I dont think people are doing. The dominant strategy seems to be to pick a standard, mainstream layout based on like the Planck (dear god do not get one of those) or the other keyboard they make, but I dont know where that layout comes from and I don't think it is efficient or ergonomical at all. Plus, the keyboard is just too small. The strain on wrists and consequently figers comes from the fact that keyboards, even standard ones, force your wrists toward your center line but with your hands still parallel. THAT is what you want to avoid. At 8:00 you can see this very clearly. Your arms are angled in, but your fingers end up parallel, which requires your hands to hold a contorted position away from where they would be at rest.
So, I have an Idabao 75 that I use day in and day out, with the 3 center columns occupied by arrow keys, a number pad on the second layer, and spacebar keys at the bottom, which also extends one key to the right, since I type nearly all spaces with my right hand. QWERT goes on the left side, starting the second row, YUIP is on the right side of the middle 3 columns.
As far as punctuation keys, functions, etc, I think it's best for individuals to develop that. Put just the letters onto the keyboard, and type a sentence, followed by hitting where you think the carriage return should be, without stopping to think about it. Just where it feels natural. Then map that. Do the same for backspace, and make delete a second layer key (I have 3 keys for momentary second layer use in different places, two of which become momentary third layer keys if pressed while on the second layer).
With those, as well as alt, tab, and escape, you can start to use it. Each time you encounter a key you havent mapped, dont stop to think logically about where it should go. Just hit the key you want without thinking, then stop and map that key. If there is already a key there, put it on the second layer.
Think of the momentary layer key like a shift. In fact, one of the three I have is next to the shift. I put related keys as second layer keys, so the _9 ( _ key has a second layer with the _[ {_ key on it. Delete is like shift backspace, etc.
Oh and having an actual shift key on the second layer is really important. And dont add too many new keys at once and overwhelm yourself. Try to add just a couple a day if possible. And be ready to move them around as you start developing a different mental preference/expectation because of things you press in succession often.
@joe_scotto regarding sound, have you tried the ambientz switches from lpk? compared my purpz, they're a dream, though a little heavier.
Great tip on pushing out the home row on these. The only thing that bugs me about these is that there aren't wireless options for these ortholinear keyboards? is it that difficult to do? or is there some other reason?
I purchased one for myself even
I've never seen a keycap set that comes with Colemak and Dvorak homing keys 😂😂
Seriously nice that it does though. Most sets are setup for QWERTY only which is terrible.
most people prefer to use sand paper to remove the homings bruh
There are quite a few sets containing whole Colevrak+ sets also for non-uniform profiles (search 'drop susuwatari' for example).
All my MBK keycap sets have come with Dvorak and Colemak homing keys. They know we’re weirdos who enjoy different layouts 😂
@TheRealFrax i actually had an xda keycap set with qwerty homings and i had to sand them out
the first switch is upside down! what a scandal! jokes aside thats a really cool board. i use chock reds on my low profile ones and the foam doesnt seam to be doing much. nice video tho
Yeah that foam basically does nothing lol
nice!
I can't be the only one that thinks that the fact that this board is not called the "ChocFox" is a missed opportunity.
keyboard is perfect , except it's not split :( i wish they made aluminum hot-swap split keyboard, that I would most definitively buy
sounds bad but ig acoustics aren't really top priority for a keyboard like this
I think it doesn't sound bad or good, it just sounds lol. The whole point on this board is the 16x16mm spacing so it's as compact as possible without sacrificing too many keys.
3/10 yummy scale. im not impressed