A Guide to Weird Keyboards

[@scythargon]

This is awesome! I wish you'd put a list of keyboards used in this video with pictures and names somewhere! Really need names for split ones a 7:24 ! Thank you!

[@gothamdoes835]

Very good point, sorry about that! Left column: Pinky 3, Corne, Kyria, Pinky 4 Right column: an hhkb 40% case from AliExpress, and Zeta from Southpawdesign.net

[@scythargon]

@@gothamdoes835 thank you!

[@jebhank1620]

@@gothamdoes835 What happens to be your favourite among these split keyboards? Trying to decide between the Corne and Lily58 Pro

[@gothamdoes835]

@@jebhank1620 I've been using a Gergoplex, but recently got back to my Kyria (with 2 rotary encoders). Between the Corne and Lily58, I prefer the Corne (looks better and I prefer the minimal layout without numbers), but as you can see it's personal preference. I'd say pick based on your comfort level with not having a number row. Lily58 for gaming, where the numbers come in handy.

[@AX-fx7ng]

@@gothamdoes835 Can you share your build details please? Are yours wireless/ rechargeable? (By the looks of it?)

[@nitinkarthy2775]

The progressive explanation from normal keyboard to the *weirdest* is really awesome. The whole evolution really explains the motivation for the minimalist split keyboard. No keyboard is weird after this video. Thanks 🙏🏽

[@fredneverdead773]

That was the most clear guid to keyboard layouts i have EVER SEEN

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you so much!

[@rubenb.molina6968]

@@gothamdoes835 I was just thinking the same. Then I noticed It's all resonated in the comments. Nice work!

[@guydudemanperson8963]

it really is

[@gothamdoes835]

@@rubenb.molina6968 thank you!

[@gothamdoes835]

@@guydudemanperson8963 thank you!

[@lilithz]

the stem students were right. indian men reign supreme in terms of explaining things in the most clear and throrough way. this video is insane, thank you for the best explanation i have ever seen.

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you, glad you found it useful!

[@sillynapalm]

Great guide, dude. Clear, concise, and well put. The 7 mins literally flew by.

[@fyrelistic]

Bro this is better than like 90% of the videos I saw. Thx man 👍

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you so much!

[@jwoolson]

Best keyboard explainer I’ve found yet. Thank you!

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you Jonathan!

[@kapileshkothavale2165]

Drops a video with the clearest explanation of keyboards, Refuses to do any other video, leaves. Absolute chad.

[@tanmay______]

I was just getting down the keyboards rabbit hole, this demystified a lot of things for me. Thank you!

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you, and I'm glad I could help!

[@Cyromantik]

Thanks! It's great to see such a well laid out guide! I use a 65% split Quefrency at home connected to my game rig, and a 60% Preonic for the office that I bring in and dock to my Android phone. The dawning of the age of homebuilt kit keyboards has allowed some amazing creative expression and ergonomic solutions, and as a beginner I'm really excited to see where else we can go from here for human interfaces.

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you! I feel the same way. I'm currently fascinated by stenography and the various systems available for it. On the physical dimension, I'm closely following projects like the Azeron, not to mention the Dactyl and it's many creative variants, especially those with full-size trackballs integrated. Exciting times ahead!

[@mini-_]

Excellent video, this would be a great introduction to anyone confused about the stranger smaller keyboards on the market. Addresses why people go for smaller keyboards, while not belittling those who have preferences towards larger sizes.

[@tom8347]

so concise and clear! the how, the whys, with examples and demonstration. I just want to forward it to everyone that asked me of my strange hobby and didn't stayed until the end of my explanation 😆

[@eikeimnetz]

very good video, not too slow nor too fast, no useless information or advertisement, straight forward, good voice, informative. THANKS

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you, I appreciate it!

[@the11thhour44]

This is an excellent explanation on the different kinds of keyboard layouts while also conveying how much of a rabbit hole this hobby is

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you! Although, I believe I barely scratched the surface of how deep this goes. I haven't even covered 3D boards like the Dactyl and Advantage, single-splits like Atreus, steno boards like Georgi, key cap profiles, switch types, spring weights, and on and on!

[@RichardBronosky]

Please do a follow up detailing the layer options for your keyboard, the layers you chose, and why.

[@gothamdoes835]

It's definitely going to be my next video. In the meantime, I recommend googling "Miryoku layout" for an example of how these small keyboards are actually viable. My layers are here: github.com/GauthamYerroju/qmk_firmware/blob/a26b80bd0b7730bd3989aa2b1e2ac5e79eb5197f/users/gotham/wrappers.h#L150 but I also heavily rely on Combos: github.com/GauthamYerroju/qmk_firmware/blob/userspace/users/gotham/userspace_combos.def

[@SoftwareSadhu]

@@gothamdoes835 yes we need the video

[@gothamdoes835]

@Gabriel Beauchemin 🔜

[@gothamdoes835]

@@SoftwareSadhu I will try to make it happen in the next month!

[@SoftwareSadhu]

@@gothamdoes835 Going to wait... TIA

[@dark_orbit2845]

This is incredible, the way you flow from one layout to the next! Couldn't believe this was coming from such a small channel, subbed!

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you so much!

[@dark_orbit2845]

@@gothamdoes835 Thank YOU for the video!

[@pandugofast]

As an engineer, this is great. The why and not the what. Thank you, glad my monotonous search queries eventually had this pop up in my recommended.

[@SkullTraill]

Who needs production quality when you genuinely have the best keyboard layout explainer for noobs. Well done, best explanation I’ve seen ever.

[@shavonegranville6004]

WOW despite the camera quality you managed to make a great video. Very detailed and informative, engaging, and entertaining. Well done!

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@spicy_wizard]

This video is the most comprehensive I can find, I it took me some efforts to find it again. Now it is saved. Good work.

[@zenosan4394]

Amazing work man, no stutter, fluid and relaxed, I learned many things, thank you very much.

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you, glad you found it helpful!

[@ProphetBrohammed]

I could listen to you talk about keyboards for hours dude! I decided to get a mechanical keyboard today, some cheap 75%, so I've been watching keyboard videos all day and this was easily the best I've seen!

[@gothamdoes835]

That's high praise, thank you so much!

[@shanksisnoteventhatstrongbruh]

This is by far the best video explaining keyboard layouts i've seen. Great work.

[@le_schmii]

Another great example of a small youtuber doing great videos. Thanks

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you!

[@Heidegaff]

We could push it a little more to the 2% keyboard. It's just two keys, one is an FN button that cicles through all the keys in a keyboard, the other is the key that has each normal key mapped as a layer on it.

[@gothamdoes835]

Haha it has been suggested more often than you'd think in the subreddit! With 2 keys you could also do Morse code. But if you're curious, definitely checkout ASETNIOP and ARTSEY layouts. Not quite 2 keys, but with 10 or less keys, these 2 layouts are actually viable for full typing.

[@nitanice]

Nice video. I'm a court reporter, so I'm used to a totally different keyboard that lets me fly. But I learned a bit more about why I like my Apple keyboard more than a regular one!

[@jayasreeyerroju4539]

Wow, I got a clear idea about the keys in keyboard which I overlooked all these days. Excellent explanation waiting for more videos Gotham Does :-)

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you very much!

[@carbonfibreguy]

Dude, this is perfect. Also absolutely love your personal split keyboard at the end, very straightforward. The one big benefit that I hadn't considered before with split keyboards is at 5:05 !

[@gothamdoes835]

Thanks! I usually have my plate there when I eat my lunch :D

[@davidbcg286]

Great video, I switched to Colemak DH 18 months ago and got a Planck keyboard. Learnt to touch type. Love it! I wish to get into Steno and/or column stagger, split keebs in the future. Your introduction was very good.

[@ShawnFumo]

Nice work! One other thing not covered here is you can have a bowl-shaped design for each hand instead of a flat keyboard. Like the older Kinesis Advantage (though their newer 360 ver is coming out later this year) and Glove80 (kickstarter end of this month). It'd be cool to see a video on your layout and demonstrating using it while programming. I know people can be skeptical of the usability of 40% layouts.

[@daninspace9009]

Best explanation of ergo keybaoards I ever seen!

[@gothamdoes835]

That's high praise, thank you!

[@TapanJella]

Wow !! So clear and to the point

[@mr.ethings1545]

nice explenation! I just got into ortholinear 40% boards. You should keep making content!

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you, that's the plan!

[@NicolaLarosa]

Very nice explanation. I'd add a mention of the importance of the thumb cluster, both for frequently used keys, modifiers, and layer activation.

[@garethwillis]

I don't own a pc or keyboard and yet I really enjoyed this video. It was informative, interesting and easy to understand. Now I know why those strange keyboards exist.

[@gothamdoes835]

I'm glad you liked it, thank you!

[@maxfiialkovskyi5346]

You should give talks, if you don't already. Others said that this is an amazingly clear guide to keyboards. I want to note that it's an amazingly clear guide not because of the keyboards.

[@Marxone]

Probly the best video about keyboards I've seen in years.

[@dogbert32]

Amazing presentation. Really is the best explanation of a keyboard on KZbin.

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you!

[@laStar972chuck]

Incredible video of top quality and pedagogy, congrats !!

[@npcnugget]

Why does everybody who sees a split keyboard immediately thinks CAT?... XD

[@nyx7056]

Easy to understand and straight to the point, great video!

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it.

[@stefanhopfer3905]

Hi und vielen Dank für die tolle Arbeit. Mit deinem Input kann ich mich auf die Suche machen. Ich habe erst vor ein paar Tagen mit dem 10-Fingersysten angefangen zu schreiben und war praktisch gleich soweit, zu erkennen, dass das alles unergonomischer, unlogischer Müll ist, was da läuft. (Verrückt ist ja, dass das Layout auf die Klemm-Anfälligkeit alter mechanischer Schreibmaschinen zurückgeht... Ähnlich wie bei der Klaviatur, die auch wegen jetzt irrelevanten Gründen immer noch nicht radial angeordnet ist und das Spielen so wesentlich erschwert und ungesund macht.)

[@pravinelliah6686]

Best guide on mechanical keyboard.

[@gothamdoes835]

This is high praise, thank you!

[@deadadam666]

Super informative and despite basic recording equipment you were perfectly visible and audible (clearly) the entire time - well done on being of a higher standard than many far larger channels

[@danielvelho6627]

The clearest intro to this universo so far. When are you going to upload more?

[@clumsyjester459]

I fully support the notion of making more inputs available close to the home row via layers, especially if the layers are activated with thumb keys. But I think most people that start building their own keyboards take it a bit too far. All frequently used keys should be close by, but there is no harm in having additional keys for rare inputs in less perfect spots. Just because you want the number inputs closer to the neutral position, that's no reason to get rid of the number row completely.

[@sabbath9503]

Well, because there isn't really any point in having a number row if you can have access to one with less effort. The stretch required to reach the number row, especially ones on the outer column where you have to move your hand to reach them, becomes extremely tedious. And this is only amplified by things like small hands/short fingers. The only nuisance is the extra keypress toggling into a layer with numbers, but I would take that any day over that uncomfortable stretch. You can get very fast at chording into a layer and pressing a number anyway, so the speed loss is pretty negligible. It really just depends on your workflow, and whether or not you need dedicated keys or can suffice with having them behind layers. These will never be a mainstream product and there are plenty of options that offer the same benefits but have these missing keys/rows/columns included.

[@clumsyjester459]

@@sabbath9503 If you move your number keys to a more comfortable place, the old number row would be free for new keybindings. There are plenty of things I could imagine to put there. Media controls, rarely used accents for foreign languages, toggles for additional layers. There is value in making the footprint of your keyboard smaller. All I am saying is that there are reasons not to overdo it.

[@uryaar7216]

Great explanation - clear and concise! Thanks. I'd also add a reference to the thumb cluster.

[@kodandapaniyerroju7235]

Nice stepwise narration and display. Looking forward for next video. Btw, Gautham, may I know whether one can get a customised key board from you if interested?

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you :) Just let me know your budget and use case, and I can help you build or pick one!

[@GunturKH]

I also programmer myself and use my crkbd (corne keyboard, an ortho column staggered 40% layout split keyboard) for my daily driver and survives using it for the last 1 year. I must say I cannot go back to the usual staggered keyboard by now since the comfort of ortho keyboard really makes me lazy moving my finger far away from the home row.

[@gothamdoes835]

Completely agreed! Going back to a horizontal stagger keyboard makes me uncomfortable and vaguely irritated now.

[@sayo9394]

this is a great video! it's a shame you stopped and haven't shot anything else! you're good at it!

[@suthtech]

I'm making the switch to ortholinear with a Preonic here in ~2 days. I'm also learning programming, so I expect at some point I'll be looking at the staggered column boards down the road. Thank you.

[@gothamdoes835]

I highly recommend it! It's the next natural step. But the Preonic is a great intermediate step and a great travel board (although I'm partial towards an Atreus myself).

[@pnwdrew8586]

Nice quick explanation. Looking for a better keyboard and happy I came across this.

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you! Do check out the FAQ in the description for some direction, or check out r/ergomechkeyboards for a great community who can help you pick your next keyboard.

[@lucazollner9804]

Great video! Makes it very easy to understand every "normal" layout out there in coustum keebs.

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you, glad you enjoyed it!

[@dave14647]

This was so clear and concise. Hope you get more views

[@a7mdbest15]

this is awesome video, it explain every why they did this. i just got a split keyboard myself but mine is much bigger, i cant live with 3 rows man i would cry, but maybe one day.

[@ndought]

That was such a good video. I don't own a mechanic keyboard, yet, but I have been watching videos on and about them for months now. This explanation of some of the different types was such a good break down.

[@mattymerr701]

Wow, great video. You give an awesome quick summary.

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you!

[@arsickler]

FANTASTIC video. Just plain fantastic.

[@gothamdoes835]

I'm gushing now, haha! Thank you so much!

[@LEGIONofPHREAKZ]

Well done, mate! Looking forward to more content, specially on split mini keyboards such as the Centromere Mini. Typing on my Gergoplex. :)

[@gothamdoes835]

Thanks! Gergoplex is my next build, and I've been putting off building it so I can do a build log video for this channel :)

[@frankprogrammer]

Legendary video. This is the one I will share to discuss my addiction.

[@philipnelson5]

You should do a video on the layers you use for programming

[@gothamdoes835]

Indeed, that's my next video. Thank you!

[@m33pr0r]

This needs 100x more views

[@zerosandones701]

Incredibly well explained, thank you!

[@gcason2]

Great video. The way you explain it is very logical and follows a nice progression. Thanks!

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you!

[@Ashwekar]

Such a lucid explanation amazing Just missing explanation of key Wells and thumb clusters

[@insanekg6299]

Thanks Man. That's a lot of help. Now I know that I need a 75% Keyboard without a doubt.

[@gothamdoes835]

Awesome! It's great to see the vid helped you gain clarity, thanks! :)

[@wolfgangh.7027]

Being in the middle of this video I am waiting for the introduction of the keyboard having only one single key!

[@KENTOSI]

Hey man please do more videos! Your content here is awesome

[@violentkat5198]

This was a very clear and well organized video. Thank you for your explanation 🙏

[@herrwolken]

After this, can you from now on please explain everything to me? That was awesome!

[@gothamdoes835]

Hahaha Happy to! That's very flattering, thanks!

[@marianouvalle895]

Really awesome guide! thanks for putting it together!

[@BenMilford]

Indeed, this is great!

[@whoibrar]

Thankyou for making this! really well explained, and they way you explain this feels like im learning evolution not mechanical keyboards!

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you very much!

[@AlexGhoro]

Yeah this is the best video about keyboards

[@gothamdoes835]

That's high praise, thank you!

[@repalmore]

Very good presentation. Good tempo. Well thought out and presented. Keep up the good work.

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you so much! I put in effort on getting the tempo and information density right, so I'm happy you noticed it!

[@sanasification]

Subscribed and crushing on your script writing!

[@LS-jv4uh]

Would love to see more videos from you. This was excellent. As a coder, I wonder what it’s like using this keyboard with programs with a lot of their own unique key combinations, such as VIM.

[@vividist]

Explained so clearly, thank you!

[@cheshireemoon]

Really great video! I'm so in love with your keyboard! For someone with small hands and a lot of wrist pain, he looks like a dream lol

[@In10did]

Nice breakdown on a variety of keyboards. I wonder if you have tried anything other than QWERTY in your experience? For example, the DecaTxt chord keyboard only has ten keys but still produces all of the keystrokes.

[@AustinMarlar]

Looking forward to a video about your setup : )

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you! It's going to be my next video. In the meanwhile I recommend googling "Miryoku layout" for an example of how small keyboards are actually viable. My layers are here: github.com/GauthamYerroju/qmk_firmware/blob/a26b80bd0b7730bd3989aa2b1e2ac5e79eb5197f/users/gotham/wrappers.h#L150 but I also heavily rely on Combos: github.com/GauthamYerroju/qmk_firmware/blob/userspace/users/gotham/userspace_combos.def

[@datasciencedecoded7840]

Very interesting video. Looking forward to more content👍

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you, and same from you!

[@edonis2787]

One video but what a 💎!

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you so much! I'll try to make more videos in the coming month :)

[@DeputatKaktus]

After trying and building a bunch of keyboards, my favorite at the moment is the FiFi. Its layout is very similar to the Gergoplex except the pinkie column is staggered differently. I use it with the Miryoku keymap (in QWERTZ because I am not completely crazy…yet 😜). Took some time to get used to (about two weeks), but now I get along pretty well with it. The only thing you never want to do is put really heavy switches (like Box Jades) into your keyboard when using a keymap like Miryoku. My go-to switches are Holy Pandas, or Gateron Yellow if I want linear ones. But that is unsurprisingly a matter of personal preference. When I just need a bigger keyboard, my other „daily driver“ is an ErgoDash. And yes I have always loved split keebs.

[@vali69]

This is like watching a programming tutorial. For anyone who has heard in memes about watching indian programming tutorials for uni or intership/junior rolls but has never seen one, this is exactly how it feels like.

[@Bluepaccao]

What a great structured video. Thank you!

[@srivenkatesan5047]

This video was super informative and concise. Thank you!

[@AlleBalle54]

nice video with clear transitions

[@ShadesGameSource]

Great video, man. Very well-structured and to-the-point. Love it!

[@rafeu2288]

6:25 Does someone know the keyboard in the upper right? The one with what looks like a thumbstick. Great summary of keyboard physical layouts, made me realised the Ergodox has a slight column stagger. Can't wait for your next videos, considering the quality of this one!

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you so much! The one on the top-right is the Kyria by SplitKB. An excellent board, it was my daily driver for nearly a year before I switched to the Centromere. That is a rotary encoder (rotatable knob) which you can map to anything you want (volume, move cursor left or right, etc). I will try to make my next video in the next month or so, thank you!

[@GutoMottaMus]

Dude, this is awesome. Really. Thanks!

[@eloreneloreneloreneloreneloren]

Fantastic explanation

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you!

[@gurgle9849]

Fantastic video, thank you so much! I would love a full video on your keyboard, the one you showed in the end. Are you using QMK or is it wireless? I would also love to know your layer configuration as I am also a programmer, and would love to know what setup you find the most convenient for symbols and chord-shortcuts

[@KnowArt]

great summary

[@Youtubings335]

Excellent video, very clear and informative

[@definitelynotcole]

GREAT VID! Very ragtag but hey you "work with what you got" and you did some great work.

[@gothamdoes835]

Hahaha thank you!

[@charlesbarden2042]

It's definitely not perfect but overall I'm a big fan of this video. I currently daily drive a dactyl manuform and actually build them for commission and am currently in the process of designing my own split keyboard from the ground up, which so far looks something like an Iris with only 38 keys and a more intense, kyria-like, stagger. Glad to see someone is trying to make these keyboards understandable to the Lehmann.

[@jhelvy]

Nice video! For those interested, here is an app I made for comparing different split keyboards: jhelvy.shinyapps.io/splitkbcompare/

[@gothamdoes835]

Thanks for that awesome tool! I will cover it in a future video when the occasion arises.

[@jhelvy]

@@gothamdoes835 awesome! Happy to give you feedback or more details if you'd like to do a vid on it

[@gothamdoes835]

Thank you! That was the goal for making this video. I'm also eager to hear any feedback so I can do better in the next one!

[@gothamdoes835]

@@jhelvy Will let you know when I do!

[@5olano]

Great start! Really enjoyed the video - great summary. I especially like that you used what you had - regarding the camera quality - it made the point you wanted to and thats what matters. I dont need 8k for that ;)

[@gothamdoes835]

I really appreciate it! The camera quality still bothers me, but something is better than nothing applies here. It's great to have that validated and know that I have added value somehow :)

[@strictnonconformist7369]

@@gothamdoes835 your video doesn’t cover fine detailed schematics or have anything resembling a need for color accuracy or even being perfectly artifact-free: it was more than clear enough, the lighting was sufficient, and more importantly, beyond the orderly quick-and-brief intro to layers, covered enough in enough detail, with clear speech and audio quality. I suggest for this level of detail, your camera is perfectly sufficient.

[@mostafa2199]

Bro you managed to make a great video out of a slide show You did a very good job, keep the good work up

[@SALSN]

Great video. I'm on a Ferris Sweep (34 key split.) been on a 34 key Colemak layout for about a month, not easy to get used to, but i am finally getting close to a tolerable speed. If you make a follow up video, be sure to include some dactyl variants :-)

[@ShawnFumo]

I thought the Ferris Sweep is 34 keys, or did you remove a thumb key on each side?

[@SALSN]

@@ShawnFumo ahh, my bad, it is 34, I will correct my comment, thanks. One of my friends actually uses only 32 keys on the same board, though he did not remove the key, just did not bind it to anything. Also I'm happy to report that my speed is now close to my original qwerty speed on a full size board.

[@カンボジアのナーガ]

Wonderful presentation!