#MechanicalKeyboard journey so far (I was warned of the risks):

☑️ Pre-assembled Corne #SplitKeyboard
☑️ Tried muitiple #KeyboardLayouts
☑️ Replaced keycaps
☑️ Magsafe tenting (trying to mimic angles of old setup)
❌ Replaced switches (current ones are a bit noisy)
❌ Reflashed firmware

Will I stop, or get a second keyboard & repeat… perhaps self-assembly next time?

I’ve not found a comfortable setup for my #MechanicalKeyboard #SplitKeyboard using tenting yet - I think I’m too used to the high wrist wrest on my reverse inclined #Microsoft4000 (which I do not touch type on, which keeps my hands very mobile), and this Corne with MX key switches is too high - and with six columns too wide when inclined (center up, outer edges down).

Currently trying a low pull out keyboard shelf (never used before as it lacked clearance for the old keyboard) & chair arm rests. Might work - feels better for shoulders and elbow angle having the keyboard that much lower down.

@pjacock oh, I’ve spent the last 2 days researching split keyboard options for myself!

@gedankenstuecke are you interested in DIY (soldering or just assembly, perhaps 3D printing) or ready made? Either way you’ll want something programmable for alternative layouts (& more).

The ZMA Voyager is on my shortlist if my next post has an equipment budget https://www.zsa.io/voyager

The Voyager: A powerful, low-profile, split ergonomic keyboard

A lean, mean, split typing machine. The Voyager is everything you’d want in a serious ergonomic keyboard, and nothing more. The essentials, refined.

@pjacock I've so far been looking at either pre-assembled or at least non-solder options.

So far, I find https://splitkb.com/products/halcyon-elora looks quite attractive, particularly the option for having a small trackpad attached to the board (and as a lefty I appreciate that one can put it on the left half of the board 😂)

Also so far my thinking is that starting off with more keys is probably a good entry-point instead of going straight for ultra-minimalism.

Halcyon Elora

@gedankenstuecke yes, starting with a larger keyboard is standard advice. In my case I’ve lived without the Function row for years (never worked with my old keyboard and macOS), and was willing to try without a number row straight off. I compromised with a pre-built Corne from AliExpress with 46 keys, and already think I could go down further…

@pjacock yeah, I looked at the https://github.com/manna-harbour/miryoku layouts, which iirc has one column more on each half and looked tempting! But yes, I think if I find myself having "too many keys" I could always start by pairing down the parts of the keyboard I use.

As so far I make use of the function and number rows extensively

GitHub - manna-harbour/miryoku: Miryoku is an ergonomic, minimal, orthogonal, and universal keyboard layout.

Miryoku is an ergonomic, minimal, orthogonal, and universal keyboard layout. - manna-harbour/miryoku

GitHub
@gedankenstuecke the Miryoku is something of a role model for using layers, home-row-mods, etc. There is a mental overhead with that many layers though. I found with my corne I could manage with just two layers, but currently have three including mouse controls. I’m still playing with all this 😉
@pjacock a topic for one of the OBF hangouts, i plan to pick one up next month 😄
@gedankenstuecke I’ll show you mine if you show me yours 🤭
@pjacock let’s see if by then you made your own, hand-soldered keyboard 😄