I Took the ORTHO CHALLENGE... and LOST - Featuring DROP PREONIC

#Keybored I Took the ORTHO CHALLENGE... and LOST - Featuring DROP PREONIC
So... Over the course of time, I have gotten some interesting comments from you guys. One of them is... You type like a normal person. This had me thinking... I must have a good typing form... I can do anything! So I thought I could also master the Ortho... I failed... check out my journey lol.
I also created a Discord Server so check it out!
/ discord
Check out my Instagram!
/ ig_keybored
Links to Products Shown in this Video
DROP + OLKB PREONIC Ortholinear Keyboard
massdrop.7eer....
AquaKing Linear Switches
massdrop.7eer....
DROP Holy Panda Switches
massdrop.7eer....
GMK PULSE Mitolet Keycaps
massdrop.7eer....
Polyfill
amzn.to/3FMrIsG
Silicone O-Rings
4.5mm x 1.5mm x 1.5mm
amzn.to/2QkttZO
KBDFANS - For international Viewers
kbdfans.com/r?...
Shot on Sony A7 III + Sony FE35mm F1.8 and Shure MV7 Dynamic Mic
Sony A7 III
amzn.to/3cGUjma
Sony FE35mm F1.8
amzn.to/3bPHpTu
Shure MV7
amzn.to/2TXIpOO
A Quick Disclaimer - Some links I have provided are affiliate links that generate a small commission to support this channel. It helps me buy more stuff to create content if you shop through those links at no cost to you! Thanks for the support! :)

[@filk82]

My experience was totally different. I bought a Plank ortho and my muscle memory was retrained in just a couple of weeks. I type better now on my ortho than I ever did before. I found that getting used to the layers system was the hardest part as it's not really intuitive. Getting used to the key layout though, that was like going from swimming in tar to swimming in water.

[@karudero575]

Man, him confidently doing his usual mod sound test into just absolutely bombing the typing test was way funnier than I thought it’d be

[@Keybored]

It was a humbling experience!

[@yotam6x7]

Went from a staggered TKL to a Let's Split (pretty much a split version of the Planck) with no prior experience on an ortho layout. Got my previous typing speed of 100WPM within a week

[@Keybored]

Haha I didn't have the dedication it seems... Maybe I'll give it another stab

[@MAGAIVER]

@@Keybored Helps if you already have proper touch typing technique I thought I had it, but once I got my ortho keyboard I noticed I used the wrong fingers for v and b. Once I fixed those bad habits with some monkeytype practice I got back to my normal typing speed. After getting very comfortable with my ortho keyboard I moved to the Colemak layout out of curiosity, It wasn't that hard as I already had proper typing technique, I ended really liking Colemak and stuck to it. And now I'm typing this comment on a 30 key ortholinear keyboard without any issues.

[@nicholash8021]

@@Keybored I thought you were happy with just one stab? hahaha

[@j3rmyp4rkr]

I'm and engineer and use the numpad a TON so on my preonic I use the left thumb button layer to put a numpad beneath my right hand, that's basically the whole reason I got it along with wanting a smaller keyboard!

[@Keybored]

I heard from a lot of people the versatility of the orthos! I hope one day I can also figure it out!

[@TrebleMelodies]

I use an ortho, but not as a typing board, but rather as a macropad, its great value if youre streaming or edit videos! All the macros really do come in handy

[@Keybored]

Oooh... That is a great idea! I can get a set of blank keycaps or customizable ones and turn it into a giant macropad!

[@999samus7]

@@Keybored taekeboards did that with a planck, you could take it as inspo! :)

[@rev_dude]

Ortho is actually more about how our fingers bend (you know, straight not off on an angle) than getting the keys closer together; that's just a nice side effect. The small size is absolutely about reducing hand movement, which is ergonomically better. I've tested a friend's preonic and personally I much prefer column stagger split, our fingers are also different lengths. You should try out one of those like the Kyria or corne.

[@MrZachzippo]

I started off with a Plank, but after a year, more or less, decided to get a Preonic. Now I don't have any intensions of going back. I did give up on the keyboard mapping provided and made my own. Modifiers on the left and right edge symbol keys on the bottom. Also used a lot of the features in the QMK to push keys to the top layer. I think if I was just typing I could have lived on the Plank. But I program in addition and needed access to dedicated keys for the number row and symbols. I also went with a DSA set of keys since the others from Drop were all Cherry type and I didn't like being restricted to what row the key had to be on regardless of the extra keys provided. Lots of lick in your journey

[@Keybored]

Haha it seems like I have a long way to go! Will keep having to tinker to see what I can get that works for me! Thanks for the advice, and sharing your experiences!

[@avaviel]

Many lick in your journey as well, Spinks!

[@Tasty_sand]

I bought one last year and I can't type without it anymore. I mean, I can still use a standard layout, but my Preonic is just much more comfortable to type on.

[@Keybored]

You are one of the more sophisticated people that have adopted the ortho! I have had others tell me this also, so why I was intrigued... But I was not able to get on that lol

[@donathan5932]

I really love my preonic but I almost never use it, going between that and my other boards can be a little annoying especially when I want to game so I don’t use it that often

[@CiDK]

@@donathan5932 Gaming in my experience is definitely the hardest thing to do with an Ortho specifically because the '2' button is directly on top of 'W' which makes it awkward to press with either ring or pointer finger.

[@donathan5932]

@@CiDK exactly why I can’t use it as my main keyboard I constantly switch between ortho and normal

[@Xeptance]

The next step is to try a column staggered keyboard! Basically each of the columns is offset to match the natural length of your fingers. It's the next step towards an even more comfortable typing experience.

[@not_a_frog]

In case youre interested in actually getting ortho, I've found that not forcing it and taking it easy is the best way. I found it super hard at first but 2 months in it's actually my go-to comfort board for reduced motion. Wpm isn't quite as fast (110-120 vs 130 on ansi) but the reduced movement is a godsend. Also just helps make you more well-rounded on muscle memory as I find that I now have an easier time going btw ortho, ansi, and split ansi layouts. Either way thanks for the video!

[@ImOnMy116]

got my cousin into custom mechanical keyboards, and he ended up getting some sort of a split ortho after using a 75%, I used it a tiny bit, and would have to say the highlight of the build/user experience was no stabilizers to tune! Not sure the ortho or 65% or below layouts are for me, but I’m not one to turn down seeing someone else give it a shot! Thanks for the laughs, really enjoyed this video!

[@Keybored]

Haha, that was the highlight of my build as well! Only 1 stab haha. But yeah, I really struggled with this layout... I didn't think it would be so difficult, but it ended up becoming so lol.

[@alkyne1022]

Ortho keebs are just the beginning.. If this surprised you then check out split ortho keyboards! They go down to like 30% i.e 34 key layouts as well :>

[@alkyne1022]

Forgot to mention columnar stagger*

[@Keybored]

All new things to me! I've been just sticking with old skool stuff haha. But this ortho... Really humbled me for sure haha

[@dasc0yne]

You should try a 15x5 ortho. I run an Idobao ID75 configured, so there are two columns of function keys running down the middle, putting space between my hands. Much more comfy.

[@3lea.strato]

that training portion was so oddly satisfying XD made me wanna buy a ortho board and get motivated too

[@Keybored]

Haha, the ergo board was tougher to use than I thought! I was initially thinking... Alright... Nothing to it... Then I was very much humbled haha

[@twinklingwater]

You mix a few things, that only merge with this board. Ortho only means the rows aren't staggered. This sets an equal distance for the fingers to travel from the home row. A really bad example for staggered boards is the index finger. You'll have to move 1.5 key lengths from "f" to "b" but only 0.5 key lengths from "j" to "n". Hitting those keys consistently when changing layouts does require some re-educating muscle memory. The other aspect you're mentioning is layers, usually used on boards with fewer than 100 keys. Remapping keys from random locations on a board to right-under-your-fingers does require quite a lot of training. But once you're used to remapping just *any* key on a board to whatever you like, makes those things just so much more usable. The larges downside: You need to touch type to use its advantages. If you don't (want to) touch type, don't bother with a ortho, split or any other "weird" board. Personally I've been using a split ortho for a few months now and really don't want to return to "old-fashioned" boards.

[@numeral382]

when I got my 40 ortho I just thought that the keys where more to my left. Then I got back to my average typing speed and acc in a little over an hour..

[@ThatManFromGermany]

The layer concept is also on a "normal" keyboard: You have Shift for capital letters.

[@Keybored]

Haha you right

[@InvidiousIgnoramus]

You'd have an easier time if you used a uniform keycap profile. Also, ALL keyboards should have been ortholinear from the start. the only reason we use a stagger layout to begin with is because it was physically necessary for typewriters. It offers literally no benefit for a keyboard.

[@marounboumelhem3984]

One of the best training montages btw

[@Keybored]

Haha thanks! It was the most fun part of the whole video to film

[@MatVeiQaaa]

it took me around 2 weeks to learn typing on ortho and then 2 weeks more to learn changing between ortho and staggered back-and-forth seamlessly. But i made the layout completely from scratch instead of using what was there by default, to resemble what im used to more. I wouldnt say i find it more comfortable than the normal keyboard though. If anything im indifferent, but Preonic particularly has a bit too few keys on the right side.

[@gazehound]

You're so close to 100WPM!! So close!!!

[@3achau3]

i have never more disappointed in a review until now.

[@Hallinwar]

30 wpm legion is here, you did a great job!

[@coleydotmp4]

SCOTT! SCOTT! SCOTT! SCOTT! great vid homie

[@Keybored]

Thanks homie!

[@zhrimb]

Looks like you got keystroke doubling/chatter on the Y, H, and N keys which are likely are organized on the same PCB trace. Might be Drop's notoriously bad PCB doing you dirty on your WPM as well.

[@thatUtsavRatti]

LOL, I just came across this vid after finishing the edit of my own Preonic video. Very similar experience.

[@JenHamon]

The layout is very different, but I picked it up surprisingly quick. Now I can barely type on "normal" staggered layouts.

[@harakim4709]

Bringin back the skits! Yesssss!! 😂

[@Keybored]

Skits!

[@UnwantedMuse]

What O-rings did you use?? I have my first ortho on it's way and it's a ironic and I really love the flex you were able to give it

[@Keybored]

Check out the description below! I provided links to the silicone o-rings. I used the larger 4.5 on this one, but the 4mm one also works as well!

[@UnwantedMuse]

@@Keybored Thank you so much !! I can't tell exactly from the video, did they end up causing the keycaps and everything to sit above the case line due to everything being lifted a bit?

[@_ExTitus]

@@UnwantedMuse depends on the case you use

[@UnwantedMuse]

@@_ExTitus Well yes, I'll be using the normal hi pro case that comes with it from drop, nothing custom here

[@wcg66]

Your original ortho typing speed is just a bit slower than my regular speed :)

[@Keybored]

Haha time for some training!

[@SeraphimKnight]

I'm feeling this video pretty hard since I've been trying to teach myself touch typing for a couple weeks. I mostly really only type with 2½ fingers on each hand and I was getting frustrated about not being able to go much above 75 wpm so I've been struggling with touch typing practice. I can manage about 55 wpm now but this being still somewhat slower than what I could do normally has been a challenge for my motivation. Just typing this message is still a undue stress that wouldn't happen had I been typing normally 😩

[@Keybored]

Haha I totally hear you! Years of built up muscle memory isn't something you can forget overnight!

[@matasa7463]

I donno if anyone told you, but those silver hair on the side of your head? Those make you look real distinguished, it's good. Keep at it man, I think you'll get it very soon.

[@Keybored]

Haha thanks! Yeah the Greys came in real early for me haha. But will keep it going!

[@BoatJacker2]

Nice, I guess anyone can be a shill for the right price

[@ERAofVIQ]

not a preonic, but to share my ortho experience i got a ymdk air40 about a month ago. made a lot of fumbles typing with it initially. biggest mistake was using nk creams though for a first ortho. eventually replaced em with frankenswitches so tactile my box navies feel linear. now im at 3/4 my og speed mostly because of my typing mistakes. probs wont ever get to og speed, but i do love how i can turn the left side into a numpad config and it doesnt feel wrong like on a normal staggered.

[@JoNoEe]

Ooooh I'm definitely doing that reverse o ring mount to my Planck. The Planck was my first mech and it kind of ruined me. I haven't been able to daily drive anything else until the Waka60. Being able to add some slight bounce sounds perfect

[@Keybored]

It adds a nice little bounce and it felt much nicer to type on! It also adds a nice poppy sound to it

[@MichaelSamuelson99]

I love my preonics. It is funny when I switch back to the normal layout though. I slow way down and double-key like crazy. Laptop typing though seems pretty unchanged my speed is about the same between the preonic and my macbook

[@pluckngrit2]

Staggered was designed to slow you down. Ortho is better in everyway, but as you said, muscle memory is a bigger factor than the layout. I did not feel a much of a learning curve at all. A staggered layout has always bothered me for several reasons. You can get ortho full size ortho layouts or even with standard keycaps (-spacebar). The planck is the worst ortho IMO. Something about it makes me hate typing.

[@shelch]

I completely gave up on Ortholinear layouts lol. You basically need to throwaway muscle memory and actually think about where your fingers are going. Felt like learning to walk all over again lol.

[@YAMInoARTS]

Would you recommend this to someone who has small hands? A standard keyboard layout seems a little too big for me. ☹️

[@wryed]

hiya, not sure if anyone else has mentioned, but the intro vids where you are talking to us, the audio is a little robotic. the audio in the rest of the video is fine tho!

[@Keybored]

Hmm that's odd... I'll have to look into that!

[@jakel3812]

I modded my preonic to gasket mount and it’s one of my favorite boards. It might look ugly but it’s sounds, feels so good and it’s so easy to use for something that size

[@Keybored]

Oooh that is a good option! I assume you did a gummy ring mount on it?

[@wydx120]

I gotta say, I took at least 2 weeks to get used to the ortho layout, and I honestly expected to take even longer. I now swear by it, and hate every time I have to go back to a horizontal staggered keyboard, but I don't think it's something you can just switch to in a single afternoon

[@OnLyStrahl]

Changed my Drop ALT a year ago to a niu mini and im so happy!

[@Sincald]

Man I could never. I lose so much muscle memory just going between a TKL and a 65% lol

[@Keybored]

I got too confident... I was humbled very quickly

[@crainger]

I like how you still tested the mods when doing the sound test.

[@andytypes8271]

you know ortho have backspace? lol also love the videos!

[@davidnuanez3598]

aqua kings are badass, love these damn things

[@Unknownmanufacturer]

I wonder why all the custom keyboards have a 5° to 8° tilt to them, when ergonomically it's better to be at 0° or -ve°?

[@TimManuelMiranda]

I wonder how you would do with something like a spacey from p3d store. It has an Ortho layout but uses standard sized mods. I wanted to dip my toe into orthos and tried a cheap xd75, but the 1u mods were just too weird. The spacey however makes for an easier transition from the more traditional layout. Also, if you left it unscrewed then wouldn't the plate/pcb not be secured to the case? Even if they are secured to each other

[@douglashughes2331]

Love the humor! I changed from a standard keyboard to the Kinesis Advantage 2 and had to KEYBR every night for 2 weeks and drop the other keyboard cold turkey but that did it! Now I cant even look at a standard keyboard. Of course, I am dyslexic and cant even read as fast as you can type on your new keyboard!!

[@offbrandbiscuit]

Ortho is hella cool, I just personally lack the commitment to learn anything like Alice or columnar/grid stagger.

[@twinklingwater]

Getting used to ortho or col staggered is rather quick. You'll stop to press the wrong keys after a few days. When I changed to a redox (split col-staggered) board, I mapped space, backspace and enter to three right hand thumb keys. Those I mixed up quite a few times in the first weeks. If you can touch type, give it a try.

[@therick8417]

Been daily driving a Planck for about 4 years; definitely not for everyone! Next up - columnar staggered ergos! A Corne maybe?

[@Keybored]

Or another key layout even!

[@metalnwood]

I got an ergodox a while ago, that introduced me to layers for some things.. Then got a lily58 because I wasnt using many buttons on the ergodox and the lily is smaller. Now moving to corne as I find that muscle memory adapts to not having the number row. It has helped my large fingers not worrying too much out reaching for keys and hitting the edge of another one at the same time, because they are not there :)

[@yllib2012]

I am sure you would get up to speed on it if you stuck with it. By that, I mean use ONLY this keyboard for a few weeks.

[@geewiz70]

Every keyboard video needs a montage.

[@Keybored]

Haha, I agree. I wish I was more creative

[@matustrophic]

I don't think I could have gone ortho if I wasn't so motivated by wrist pains and dissatisfaction with staggered layouts.

[@Keybored]

I really should give this another try lol... I too have shoulder/neck/wrist pains and I ended up going split ergo... let's see how that is

[@hadifelani]

7:00 I literally had that much typo chance when I use linears on regular staggered keeb 🤣🤣💀 But I don't have that much typo on a low profile keeb (Tecware Phantom L 87, with a low profile Outemu Black) though, it's a bit bamboozling. Perhaps travel distance have some things to do with this?

[@sshum00]

I went full time Hatsu for two weeks and boy did that destroy me. Honestly, I loved it but I went from 140wpm straight down to 40wpm for the first day and then capped out at 90 wpm in two weeks then I went back to staggered.

[@Keybored]

Yeah, I didn't think the change will be so dramatic... But it was lol

[@clarencelsz]

That massage gun was oddly sus

[@Keybored]

Haha it works wonders

[@lauhernsean6179]

You type faster than me on the ortholinear lmao

[@Keybored]

Lol but my error rate... It was ridiculous haha

[@FearlessP4P1]

Hey @keybored what’s that program/website you’re using to measure your typing speed?

[@Keybored]

It's monkeytype!

[@FearlessP4P1]

​@@Keybored thanks so much for quickly replying. Got the notification while watching your crazy 12900k build. I loved that vid too 👍

[@SaHOG]

Lmao love the training montage

[@Keybored]

Glad you liked it!

[@marounboumelhem3984]

Hi Scott, what is your daily driver board

[@Keybored]

I put a handful into rotation depending on what I'm doing that day (for example, a TKL or the 1800 for work, etc.) but surprisingly, the one keyboard I was using quite a lot was the Keychron Q1... I think it was on my desk about 50% of the time. Now the Q2 took over that space... It's less practical than the q1 but I think it's just how the blue looks... I keep getting drawn to it haha

[@Archurus]

I can't even get used to an Alice, I will die using this. I have a Maja just sitting somewhere lmfao.

[@Keybored]

You know, I can use a split or an ergo pretty easily... Hence why I thought an ortho would be so easy... Man... Ortho linears are no joke

[@fnvfanMSPR]

A split ortho with normal sized modifiers would be amazing

[@Keybored]

I think there was something like that actually... Forgot what it was called

[@sophv]

The SPRH exists but is not split unfortunately

[@Lindi-]

This is so cool and i appriate you

[@Keybored]

Thank you! :) It was a challenging experience for me haha

[@KxKuK]

I took a bigger challenge, ortho and learning colemak dh, still practising the colemak side

[@Keybored]

Oh wow! I can't even imagine doing that... Even Qwerty ortho was tough for me

[@KxKuK]

@@Keybored haha yes I never tried qwerty on the ortho so I missed that fun. I was quite slow with colemak so didn’t feel that hard to swap. What I like is that with my Planck, any key is only within 2 keys reach. So backspace is much easier on the Planck rather than on a staggered where I find I really have to stretch etc. and the stretch to y from the home row is quite big

[@KxKuK]

@@Keybored next keyboard I’m trying will be a split!

[@cauchy_math]

can you please look at the acr64/75? its a budget gasket mount that sems preety good for its price

[@Keybored]

That's next! I'm building a themed ACR75!

[@razordimeback]

Personnaly, I added a 5-6° angle, and it just feels so much better! (Added some sticker rubber feet on the back)

[@PonyExpressOSRS]

Bought a planck and got to my 100wpm in like a week. I think my first ever typing test was like 5 wpm tho haha

[@Keybored]

haha I never got there

[@WoollyMittens]

After two weeks trying ortho I couldn't type on normal boards anymore either.

[@Keybored]

Once you get used to one thing, it's so hard to transition!

[@jatonium]

I took the ortho challenge and won.

[@timothyjholloway]

So this is how you get 130 wpm? No wonder my typing is so slow: I actually try to get things right. No reward for quickly typing stuff that looks like a stupid teenager wrote it. Thanks for the video!

[@jacebeleren429]

Dude, I suck at using the preonic as well.

[@Keybored]

Haha that makes the 2 of us!

[@mntish]

Eye of the tiger song to practice 😂

[@Keybored]

Haha it seemed very appropriate!

[@MooTaters]

"around 130wpm...I feel like it's pretty decent." ok....you know, that's only fast enough for typeracer to assume you're a bot......

[@jowsey.mp4]

I don't even understand how people even consider typing on an ortho keyboard xD it seems really hard to type on it

[@Keybored]

I learned the hard way...

[@jowsey.mp4]

@@Keybored I mean if you really don't need to type fast, it does make your setup look much cleaner, but again, it will take time to get used to.

[@Odd_Taxi_epi04]

Think of it like numpads. Do you find hard typing on them? And what about those laptop keyboards that have a numpad in the FN layer staggered? What if it was in the left side of the keyboard? Muscle memory makes those transitions difficult, but I always considered the grid-like numpad the easiest place to type on regular keyboards (and hated the staggered ones in laptops).

[@smoloms]

130 is definitely on the faster end I don't know what you are talking about

[@Keybored]

Haha I see some other guys pushing 150

[@NeoChromer]

oooh I love my planck.

[@Keybored]

Maybe I should have gotten that instead!

[@NeoChromer]

@@Keybored Sorry its a Preonic but I call them all plancks when they are not staggered.. my bad

[@dr.chimpanz.1324]

Use the speakers to make it sound like a blue switch.

[@Keybored]

That would be pretty cool!

[@thawzie]

is this good for gaming????

[@Keybored]

For me, probably not haha... I could barely type on it

[@NeoChromer]

I use the planck for a year now however I'm a developer and I really got used to it I now can't write on a normal keyboard haha

[@Keybored]

I commend you good sir!

[@adamapple8638]

I really struggle to program on 60% or below keyboards, I don't know how you do it...

[@NeoChromer]

@@adamapple8638 What exactly do you strugle with?

[@kawaisou167]

I’ve liked your video for so long and I’m quite interested in this board, I was wondering if you would sell this board to me if you’re not using it

[@jmisc]

No my comment to your video is, hey, you have great hairs.

[@dico8199]

The preonic is just too strong

[@Keybored]

For sure... Especially for me haha

[@Ribcut]

130 wpm would put you in the top 0.1% of professional typists. I can't tell if that was false modesty or trolling

[@johnsarthole]

Try a corne next

[@cobaltknightofficial]

Imagine using the ortho keyboard for gaming

[@Keybored]

I would have lost in multiple ways... Then probably lost the preonic also by throwing it out the window I'm sure haha

[@laundry1799]

It's really not that different on the preonic cuz it has the number row

[@hyperb0ria]

holy chatter

[@sat4.20]

I think innovation is valid if there is an advantage. Things that are done just for the sake of being different are repulsive to me.

[@Bagels29]

I still cant break the 50wpm mark ffs

[@Keybored]

Do you use a preonic also?

[@Bagels29]

@@Keybored no I have a Portico, I'm just bad at typing.

[@greyareaRK1]

You know what else 'some people swear by'? Hitler. ;-) I'm a little weirded out by typing speeds these days. Secretaries, back when they were still around, would average about 50-60 WPM, admittedly on electric typewriters and early word-processors. I suppose it helps if there is no penalty for a mistake.

[@Keybored]

Yup! You can always use the backspace lol

[@mslice55]

Planck EZ best keyboard

[@jsshaun725]

that my friend is not a purple board Lol

[@Keybored]

It's very Grey right? Not sure why they call it purple...

[@Jamy2x]

damn

[@Keybored]

It was a tough experience for me... Nothing wrong with the keyboard... But it was not easy for me to jump on and start using at 100%

[@aragami0686]

Ok there is something weird about the typing test, you constantly have issues like typing bee, evenn, or theyy, etc. (ie. duplicate the final character). You sure if that's just you that bad at ortholinear, or the board have some serious chattering / double registering issue? Cause that look like a key in the middle of the word got registered twice and push the rest of the word back, hence the double final character Plus, if you can't get used to the bottom row or tap b with my right index like me, you might wanna push the entire bottom row rightwards 1 unit (i.e. 2 x 1u left shift keys or be like me and do 1 left shift + 1 iso-like pipe key). Of course then you'll lose one of the comma, period or slash key, but I'm used to using them in the second layer in a day (Also is ortholinear serious that bad? I can type 130 on normal stagger boards, drop down to 80-90 the first time i use my ortho board, and back to 120-130 just after an hour or so) And finally: you chickened out and did not get the Planck, i'm disappointed. You haven't got the taste of accessing num row with layer keys yet, or even more extreme, use a 40% board as a programmer like me, which also require me to use the f keys and complex, 3-4 keys shortcuts

[@Keybored]

:) I wish that was the case with the bad pcb... But at the end of the day, it was all me haha. Something about the layout where my fingers just couldn't type on it clean. But your suggestion about shifting the bottom row is a great idea... I think the bottom row was the most problematic for me actually. I did think about the Planck actually. A coworker of mine uses the planck, always thought it was a cool board but I did chicken out and go with a larger preonic haha. But kudos to you if you can use this that efficiently and for programming nonetheless!

[@aragami0686]

@@Keybored Yeah i still can't use it for programming, sure it's possible, but I don't want to spend any bit of my brain power just to think about how to "type" on the board while programming (plus i played it hard on myself and use blank caps too), so it's there on my desk for whenever I feel like using it (great board for typing essays tho) And yeah, glad that the pcb wasn't dead. Just give the 2u shift bottom row a try and see how it helps you (I tried one without that offset and I was pretty suck at it too, but i only typed on it for a few minutes at the meetup)

[@Tasty_sand]

@@aragami0686 Programming with it was hard for me at first but it became a breeze after remapping the dash, underscore, plus, and equal signs to individual keys in the same layer. Those are the most confusing ones for me but the rest of the symbols are a bit easier to remember.

[@metalnwood]

@@aragami0686 I am on a smaller ortho, the corne. It was slow for programming and at first I wasnt sure if it would become as fast as I was used to or if it would feel like there was always going to be a constant feeling of having to think about things that used to be muscle memory. It took a few days before I got a moment where I knew that it was going to happen and I wasnt going to be thinking about layers and which key. I played around a bit with my layers, changing a number of times a day at first finding the best places for symbols that I use often. I got for number row on home row and symbols on row above. Bottom row brackets and some other things like underscore. I never thought typing underscore would be so easy, its on the period key for me. I put the tilde on the forward slash key making typing ~/ very easy. Once the muscle memory is done and your fingers are only moving one row up or down keyboard life is pretty nice :)

[@TheBigTimeChicken]

Up next a stenograph!

[@Keybored]

Haha I need to ask switch and click how she liked the steno!

[@simonnoellington4523]

Jackson Matthew Hall Michael Thompson Laura

[@dcsoda1]

I just don’t like the look of the board and key caps nearly as much….too boring haha

[@EbonySeraphim]

Stopped watching at “I type at 130wpm so I’m pretty decent.” Sorry, don’t need that humble brag energy out there. 80 is average-fast. Anything above that is considerably fast, and only select jobs/professions have any practical use or need for faster.

[@aureum1464]

2nd

[@Keybored]

Congrats! So Close!

[@jowsey.mp4]

I'm too fast B) /j

[@piplup10203854]

I love ortholinear layouts and I’m actually scared about switching to QWERTY 😆 I want a wireless mechanical keyboard but with ortholinear layout 🥲