[geeks] Keyboards

[Dan Sikorski]

On Mar 26, 2013, at 2:55 PM, Phil Stracchino <alaric at metrocast.net> wrote:

> So for anyone who's been curious, I just sprung for a Truly Ergonomic
> Keyboard.  I picked the 209 model with the additional blank keys at
> bottom left and right.
>
>
http://www.trulyergonomic.com/store/index.php?route=product/category&path=78
>
> The very first thing I discovered was that, not to any great surprise of
> mine, I hate the as-shipped placement of the shift and control keys.
> That's OK.  It was the work of minutes to swap the keycaps and use
> xmodmap to rebind Ctrl to the blank keys.  Later on I'll actually create
> a modified kernel keymap.
>
> With that done ...  man, this thing is wonderful.  Excellent key feel,
> comfortable to type on (disclaimer:  I put a 5/8" spacer under the top
> edge of the keyboard to increase the tilt, as I find it too flat).  I've
> had it maybe an hour and while I still haven't quite gotten used to the
> placement of the / key yet, my fingers have already learned to dive for
> the center for del, tab, bksp, enter, and I estimate I'm 80% to 90% up
> to speed.
>
> Naff the laptop-style embedded numeric pad; I don't intend to ever touch
> the numlock key.  I bought a Targus numeric keypad to give me a numpad.
> (http://www.amazon.com/dp/B002NURRL0)

Thanks for posting, I was looking at those not too long ago as it may be time
to replace my kinesis keyboard.  How comfortable does the positioning of your
wrists feel with it?  I really like the spacing that the kinesis has between
hands, and find that it puts my wrists and arms in a more relaxed position.

Regarding the numeric pad positioning:  I initially did not use that much on
the kinesis, and similarly thought it was kind of useless until i got used to
using the kinesis pedal for num lock, with that easy ability to switch on the
keypad, i find it pretty useful  I know that keyboard doesn't have a pedal
option, but if the num lock is easy to use, you may find it more useful than
you initially think after you get used to using it.