The Smallest Keyboard Ever | Prime Reacts

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Original: • Has Your Keyboard Got ...
Author: / @benvallack
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[@BenVallack]

Lol the barefoot shoe thumbnail grossed you out (my vid as well). Thanks for this though - made my day! It’s quite the rabbit hole. I’m using an 18 key version now. Very interesting what you’re saying about the role of whole word patterns in different layouts. With the two alpha layers I find it really becomes a lot about whole word patterns. As a result I hit a speed plateau and now feel that improving my whole word patterns is the way to get over the plateau. It’s still super enjoyable to use but it’s still error prone.

[@fgsz291]

Build a Ferris Sweep after watching your video. Still switching between my Moonlander and the Ferris because I am not up to speed for something like pair programming. Thanks for your videos 🙏

[@Nik930714]

3:50 As a hardware engineer i can confirm, its not that complicated. Its just new and unfamiliar to you. You can understand that image after an hour or two of tutorials.

[@bennettzug]

agreed, did it in like 10th grade with 0 prior knowledge

[@ericvogler6909]

Building your own keyboard and your own layout feels like the same vibe as deeply customizing your IDE. It's all about having an intimate relationship with your tools.

[@pistol0grip0pump]

Yes ! Absolutely would love to watch you build this / or your own ideal keyboard, it'd be a great learning experience for you and just a great journey to follow along with

[@uchennaofoma4624]

I actually wanted to buy an ergonomic keyboard, but after I found out that you'd have to build it yourself I got sad. I'm a dev with no hardware knowledge 😂😂

[@MirkoVukusic]

etsy

[@zorbat5]

​@@uchennaofoma4624You can buy them as well, but they are standardized for mass production. Building one isn't nearly as complicated as it looks though. Just do your research well and you'll be fine.

[@xkali8119]

@@uchennaofoma4624 there are quite a lot of shops where you can buy ergo keebs, but they can be very expensive.

[@FilipGodlewski]

I've been following Ben since he did a ZSA Moonlander review. I've got interested and after some time, bought it and got into customization. After a year I decreased the number of keys down to 18 and was very happy with the layout. I had a take on Engram keyboard layout (I had to change it a bit). In the meantime I realized that Ben also did an 18 key layout, but we had a totally different philosophy. I stopped using the layout ultimately, and actually moved back to a regular keyboard, even though I was very confidently using it day-to-day on both MacOS and Windows. I do recommend trying this out, it's gonna teach you a lot about the keyboard ergonomics. My journey started, because I had a chronic index finger pain. And actually, even though I'm not using this keyboard anymore, the pain went away (fingers crossed forever)

[@thestopper5165]

Engram's philosophy is good, and the research behind it is really nicely-structure - but it's not for folks who want their results in O("TV episode"). I really like the "punctuation symbols on the middle columns" and how is : and is ; - it makes it slightly tedious to wrote the QMK code for it, because it requires a .h file to define the alternative shift behaviour. Anyone who's keen to try Engram should understand that it really helps to spend plenty of time on "back to basics" using something like Klavaro. It'll take 2 half-hour sessions a day for a month before there is any point using MonkeyType. The benefits of Engram are really significant. I had Engram and QWERTY as keyboard options on my Windows desktop, with as the toggle key-combo. I'm still not competent enough to use Engram if I need something written quickly.

[@FilipGodlewski]

​@@thestopper5165 Exactly. Well, for anyone wondering - Engram is super for English and programming (even if you're using vi bindings), but for other languages, e.g. Polish it was too hard to put diacritical marks fast. Since I was using 18 keys only, I decided to help myself just a little bit with hammerspoon on MacOS (which worked, since I connect to Windows machine only through RDP), to set up the usual emacs-like terminal keybindings for the regular delete/esc/enter/etc. keys. Pretty straightforward and fast to do. Unfortunately, the downside was that some windows key combinations weren't working (ctrl-h for instance), but I didn't care. The good thing, that as opposed to what Ben suggests, I only had 3 key layers, with a total bare minimum keys. If you're interested in how the layout looked like, head to on: https:%%configure.zsa.io%moonlander%layouts%n69dJ%latest%0 (change the % to /, YT blocks sending links :/ )

[@Omikronik]

the ferris sweep is so good, i made a sweep with nice!nano's last year and for the past year ive been using that for all my coding, just having all my shortcuts, symbols and numbers within reach without moving my hands is so comfortable. I cannot recommend it enough

[@ThePrimeTimeagen]

really... dang

[@maximilianhonig2049]

I’m contemplating buying the Athreus for weeks now, but am kinda hesitant at because I’m primarily using Vim and thus heavily rely on the number keys due to motions…

[@Sc0nes]

Fell down the split ergo keyboard rabbithole a few months ago. With no previous soldering experience I built a "Piantor" keyboard. I'm using the Miryoku keymap with Colemak-dh keylayout. I'm currently really slow at typing but it's been a really fun experience, I feel like there is so much potential to be gained if I just keep at it. I was nervous about the soldering (watched a bunch of youtube videos before starting) but everything went great and worked on the first try. Looking forward to building more keyboards

[@maxisqt]

Prime the patterns you’re referring to are bigrams and trigrams, they’re the “rolls” which you want to feel good. There are layouts which optimise the most common tri and bigrams, colemak-dh for example!

[@ishanzuaim5579]

11:10 You can easily change the settings of PopOS to allow you to switch workspaces via hotkey and also open certain application with hotkeys

[@Ataraxia_Atom]

I build Ben's 34key ergo board, and it's really a great layout. I highly suggest it. I have an extra pair of PCBs if you want them prime

[@ivanjermakov]

I guess you mean Ferris Sweep?

[@Ataraxia_Atom]

@@ivanjermakov I don't remember what it's called

[@oku-mq7kg]

@@Ataraxia_Atom Yeah, it's a modified Ferris Sweep, with the PCB cut around the keycaps, and a different silkscreen.

[@lukasz_sarnacki]

I started writing on ergo keyboards from ~50 keys on Iris and after 2 years I had so many symbols on my layers that I decided I don’t need as many keys. I finally went down to 36 and I have never felt so comfortable before. That said, I’ve never been very fast (90wpm on simple words) and I don’t think I ever will - not sure how well would it work if I typed >100wpm (especially when using the home row mod). But experimenting with different layers layouts was a lot of fun. Not for everyone probably but I think it is worth trying.

[@rapzid3536]

This is really cool. But this remind me of the person given 20 years to cut down a tree that spent 19 years, 11 months, 30 days, 23 hours, and 45 minutes sharpening their axe.

[@anlumo1]

On macOS, there's a Dvorak with QWERTY command keyboard layout. Text typing is Dvorak, but as soon as you hold the command (meta) key, it switches to QWERTY. Then, all shortcuts have the layout they were designed for.

[@moonasha]

10:47 windows already has these macros, it's windows key + number, and it's related to what's on your windows bar thing.

[@meistertigran]

Yabai is basically i3 for Mac

[@glyakk]

6:05 this is why I went back to qwerty. I had moved to another layout and was really enjoying it and gaining speed. However I had to use somebody's keyboard and I just felt like a fool... I immediately gave up and went back to qwerty.

[@alphabee8171]

Next level of customization would be around languages you use, an optimzed design for most use keystrokes in lifetime in a particular language.

[@n3cro2012]

C-c-c-combo Breaker!!!

[@ThePrimeTimeagen]

i too was a fan of glacius on SNESs hit killer instinct

[@kahnfatman]

The man not only types fast, he speaks fast

[@ViniciusProvenzano]

You should take a look at Miryoku layout, for a starter. Ben's layout was too much for me, Miroku was the sweet spot. You can try it on a mechanical keyboard before commiting to a board - removing some keycaps... As for keyboards you can use anything - my suggestios are Ferris Sweep, Draculad or Corne/Helidox. You can buy those as kits for soldering but some vendors will build them for you. As a suggestion if you want to have space for A LOT of features it is better to have a RP2040 microcontroller, but for the basics any Promicro clone will do. Last hint: check if you really need bluetooth - this limits a bunch the microcontroller and firmware choice. QMK (C) and KMK (python) and ZMK (C) are the main players - keyberon is a new player on the block (Rust). To a coder each one has different appeals. Again, not all run on all microcontrollers. I love QMK, but Bluetooth as far as I am aware works only on ZMK. Welcome to the rabbit role.

[@oku-mq7kg]

My only dislike with Miryoku is the use of homerow mods. But if they work for you, it really minimizes the amount of key presses you use for modifiers. I personally use an adaptation of Callum-style mods, which although increase the amount of key presses when using modifiers, I can chord them just as quickly. Bluetooth is supported by QMK, but it's not nearly as optimised as ZMK, so it's one or the other depending on whether you're going wired split, or wireless (although ZMK is adding wired support in the future).

[@RozMazov]

I went back to QWERTY after using Colemak for like 2 years. I loved the feeling of Colemak, but like Prime said I want to be able to type on any computer, and also I didn’t barely use vim in all these years because of it and I missed it.

[@odoenet]

I use a Corne daily and only downside is if I need to hit the enter key, I may not have an extra hand available for the layer key if you know what I mean

[@rodrigo.55]

having already seeing this video this guy is on another level.

[@maxisqt]

Primeagen X Ben Vallack crossover yes babyyy - Prime if you dont want to get into making your own keebs, there are programmable prebuilts (I use a Dygma Raise) which allow you to experiment with the thumb clusters and smaller key layouts, I would say a 36 or 38 layout is a good starting point, Miryoku is a well established 36 key layout.

[@sebastianramirez5781]

Firmware builders like QMK make this type of thing really really not hard at all, if you wanna start getting into wanting to code your own firmware from scratch too then yeah it’s gonna be hard but just producing a keyboard like that is something prime can do in honestly a day at most.

[@ISKLEMMI]

You could become the guy who builds his own keyboard but is still chill about it.

[@ThePrimeTimeagen]

try not to get hurt by a quote

[@ISKLEMMI]

​@@ThePrimeTimeagen Definitely not! I thought you were funny. Just think it might be cool if you soldered some stuff on stream. :D Building things is fun!

[@somebodyoncetoldme1704]

So what window manager do you use that lets you go back to the browser without alt+tab?

[@zsh7862]

Currently using an 18 key split board right now with a modification of Ben Vallack's layout. Couldn't be happier with it.

[@_modiX]

In MacOS I use the State Manager in combination with Better Touch Tools that has maps for each of my commonly used programs to bring them in front on specific hotkeys. You can totally turn MacOS into your own, but it's true that the stock experience of MacOS (and Windows) just sucks.

[@prism223]

Colemak is underrated. Although I recommend the following customizations: 1. Instead of replacing Caps Lock with a second Backspace: Just swap Caps Lock & Backspace. 2. Add a secondary mode/profile where top-row numbers & symbols are swapped but can be retrieved during Caps Lock. Once I went Colemak I never went back. Although it does definitely make it awkward to be stuck using other peoples' keyboards, but at the same time keyboards are like smartphones now. Those things are almost never clean, and especially not the ones that people share. For your own hygiene's sake, just use your own keyboard.

[@matscalia]

I built one of these following what Ben says. Been using it for a year now. Best keyboard ever. Best keyboard ever. Can't stress it enough. Super comfortable once you get accustomed to it.

[@canoozie]

The callout for dvorak is wholly why I use workman as my layout instead of dvorak.

[@trevorsmale]

Though the English stenography system would not work outside of the court room, Having a similar combo based system for programming would be so fast with proper practice. Court room stenographers can reach 300 wpm.

[@HsStenopractice]

It absolutely works outside the court room, here's someone speedrunning vim on steno kzbin.info/www/bejne/bl7SdYOeotWBb8k

[@nucatus]

oh man, I started using Dvorak because of you. I guess that half of the Dvorak fanclub has the same source if inspiration :)) After 10 months of using it I reached like 80% performance I had on QWERTY before switching. But hey! the very first thing I did when I moved to this new layout was to remap that f***ing L out from that place. So, I swapped it with D and I'm very happy with my decision since.

[@HaMMeR33661]

I designed own version of the layout while impatiently waiting for his video on it, back half a year. Now I work with 22 keys -- that's what I found best - 2 rows of 4 keys, 3 keys on each thumb. I did it all until that point -- qwerty, dvorak, workman, colemak -- started having issues every time I approached 70 wpm; I'm prone to RSI I guess! Small hands. I've put comments in his video about my journey, I think I was at 50wpm in 2 days (able to work), 60wpm in a week, 70wpm in a month, 90wpm in 2 months (current speed). I think because there are no movements and only presses, the issues with learning are limited to forgetting to press the layerswitch for letters, and that is really easy to overcome. The rest is just remembering the very few positions -- it makes it really easy to visualize the layout and keep in your head when you're working with two 4x2 boxes of keys! I cannot recommend it enough, if you don't "need" to do above 120wpm (for programming, I find optimized symbols, macros and editor/OS fluency as way more important anyway). Now I literally -cannot- get RSI issues because there is literally no weird angles whatsoever. Sub-50gram switches for comboing columns and you're golden. And you can pick whatever weird switches you want to when there's just 20 of them -- I'm even considering going no-PCB handwired so I can optimize the key angles (esp. thumbs) more due to how approachable and small my keyboard is!

[@dan_rad]

I went with a 40% otholinear - Planck EZ after watching one of Ben's videos. The don't ship them anymore. Quite an aesthetic keyboard, highly customisable. I have a slight hold on C, P & V to get copy cut and paste. It's nice to have macros stored on the board too... Though even after proper lubing the keys still feel scratchy.

[@0xc0ffee_]

@ThePrimeTime consider the corne 3 layout.

[@dromedda6810]

me with a 42 key crkbd split key board that i build my self running arch and having a convoluted and highly customized keyboard layout: shit... im that guy

[@daniel29263]

As a Kyria rev 3 owner, yes. Go do it.

[@Danielo515]

Hardware is hard, but it is also very satisfying . And building something you use every day is even a better thing. Be careful of the rabbit hole though

[@spitefol5504]

Built a ferris sweep a few months ago, my only advice is build a wireless as wired felt messy and get a case for the bottom mayve 3d print one

[@oku-mq7kg]

Yeah, I also have regrets going wired. Certainly made the build process easier as my first time soldering, but my next board is 100% going wireless, especially as I have plans to mount tripods to it for tenting.

[@samirahmed4869]

top crossovers in prime history

[@asdqwe4427]

I think that using vim makes you “that guy” already. And it’s a good thing

[@ThePrimeTimeagen]

;) lets go

[@LEXIXON]

Only 10 keys ... for all char.

[@excelfan85]

As Randy would say, building your own keyboard is a piece of piss.

[@PixPMusic]

Keyboard Maestro is magical

[@hotdog2c]

The Ferris is a very nice keyboard, very easy to solder if you get the diodeless version

[@morli5301]

I have seen the exact video and made my own ferris sweep because of it. It was very worth it but getting used to the new layout and learning it, took time. I still recoment it!

[@allsunday1485]

Those flashbangs are unbearable

[@heroe1486]

counter strike 2 preview

[@Imaltont]

If you want to build something, then I think the Dactyl Manuform might be something to look at. The designs comes in various sizes, and has a concave shape rather than flat.

[@oku-mq7kg]

This would be the closest thing to his existing board for sure.

[@Sw3d15h_F1s4]

holy shit i absolutely hate key layers, wish there was a full size split keyboard.

[@Nick_fb]

Yes, same reason I use a one-button Apple mouse.

[@NdxtremePro]

If you are going this far, why not chording?

[@TheLemuroid]

It feels like we're only a few steps away from coding with an Xbox controller

[@antonmaier2263]

the cost benefit is simply not worth it. the worst are the combos you have to relearn

[@F00dstamp96]

Tom doesn't even use his fingers to code

[@azazen]

im using colemak dh keymap in my split ortholinear keyboard, but I cant still typing using qwerty in normal keyboard. for me, I like different layout on ortholinear keyboard and normal keyboard. I'm using qwerty at first on my ortholiear keyboard, but when I go back on normal keyboard, my brain cant get it right because the keymap are similar, but the key position are little different. then I move to colemak on my ortholinear keyboard, but still using qwerty on normal keyboard, i feel much better. my brain can switch quickly now, when typing on normal keyboard then use qwerty, when on ortholinear keyboard then use colemak.

[@Fran-on1mm]

"I just hate this idea of, like, thinking"

[@JoshuahEdwards]

Ben is so legit, glad your giving him some cred. He is a fellow vim user.

[@nightshadedude]

The "That Guy" Primeagen

[@Male_Parent]

well now it has too little keys and too many layers... At least IMO. 36 keys is like the sweet spot for me. I love my Corne. 😆

[@nodidog]

Do you still use hjkl when typing Dvorak, or have you remapped it to dhtn?

[@ThePrimeTimeagen]

no remaps, ever

[@nodidog]

@@ThePrimeTimeagen j and k seem pretty awkward in Dvorak layout!

[@NathanHedglin]

​@@nodidog feels completely natural to me now. Though I have a VIM layer that I rarely use

[@Ycros]

I'm also a dvoraker and you get used to it. However on my main keyboard now (model 100), my right hand shift layer that I can access with the heel of my thumb gives me regular arrow keys where hjkl are in qwerty

[@nodidog]

@@Ycros I'm sure you do - I was just wondering. I've got all sorts of layers on my keyboard that feel completely natural now, but the thought of moving hjkl makes me shiver with unease 😂

[@johnychinese]

Ben is a genius

[@Sammysapphira]

People trash on gaming keyboards, but programmers consistently have the most contrived, stupid keyboards imaginable, and will try to convince you why investing 1000's of hours into re-learning a new keyboard to type 45 wpm instead of 35 wpm is a great investment opposed to just learning how to actually type.

[@bonecircuit9123]

quality spazzes

[@nov_ver]

Tom can type using only one finger

[@NdxtremePro]

Norman is the keyboard layout of champions, if colemak is too strange for you.

[@ChilenonetoYoutube]

This dude types 1000 WPM but man TALKS 1000000000000 WPM

[@DrewryPope]

I feel the real answer is chording like stenographers do.

[@PinakiGupta82Appu]

I've always wanted to build one such keyboard. The cost is much higher than a 3-dollar imported QWERTY keyboard. Do you know what I mean by imported? Yes! Is he using RP2040? I'll have to check that out.

[@jonarmani8654]

5:07 "N-H, also feels great, just doesn't make any sense in English, right? There's not a lot of N-Hs" don't be unhappy by the unholy manhood you inherited. it makes you unhealthy. - an unheard of, unhinged guy from manchester (NH, usa)

[@MrRhonin7]

I have a lily58 and I was surprised at how much further I could have gone without problems probably

[@piq-dg3vz]

What is he doing with his hands?

[@omelettttttteeeeeee]

I've heard you mention on stream a few times that you don't like to take on new cognative overhead. Don't you think that having like... however many layers you need for this many keys is kind of a lot of overhead? I use a split, and I was going to get one without the number row, but I found that using numbers on a function layer along with all of their shift variants was too much overhead for me while coding and stuff.

[@explosionspin3422]

The surprising part for me is how good the human brain is at adjusting to new layouts like that. Like, I was able to feel productive for all my tasks in like a day (vim keybinds on the other hand... I still can't use vim properly on colemak-dh.... gotta train more)

[@oku-mq7kg]

You just build the muscle memory for it. I have my numbers under a layer, because my fingers are too short to hit them in using the conventional method, so they're just pulled one row down for the number row, so I could get rid of it.

[@oku-mq7kg]

@@explosionspin3422 Try using arrow keys on alternate layouts, but _only_ if you have a board with thumb keys so you aren't reaching or moving your hand. Ben Vallack was able to rebind the keys and get away with it, but my concern is if I switch layouts in the future, this won't be so lucky. Being able to use hjkl really depends on where the layout places them, some are in better positions than others (Dvorak for example leaves them in usable locations, no SFBs, but the layout is pretty outdated now).

[@mvargasmoran]

Hell yeah! Reacting to Ben Vallack

[@zackadam2598]

is this guy just creating a stenograph?.... "just"

[@crispyybaconx]

This guy uses vim to speak

[@abbefrick]

Ben is the man!

[@crides0]

Welcome to the small keeb world!

[@MarcinP2]

D-pads instead of keys.

[@joshuathomasbird]

look up hammerspoon.

[@michaelmueller9635]

How about going into stenotyping? xD

[@NathanHedglin]

That'd be amazing.

[@oku-mq7kg]

I want to do this, I would just like to find a hardware implementation, but I can just use Plover I suppose. It requires a decent chunk of memory, so it's not something I can fit on these tiny micro controllers on conventional keyboards

[@jsonkody]

the biggest problem? Games .. ( ͡° ͜ʖ ͡°) I don't play much anymore, but when I do, I would need normal qwerty keyboard OR .. it would need to have REALLY good software and some 'gaming' button .. that would change maping of the keys so you may use WASD etc. that could maybe work

[@lpanebr]

1:30 I follow him for a long time and kind I've built me a 36 key split keyboard similar to this!

[@ThePrimeTimeagen]

that is radical

[@lpanebr]

@@ThePrimeTimeagen I frequently though while building it (not kidding) "what would prime think of this?"!

[@Sam-cp6so]

Hardware is a complete moneyhole

[@leetaeryeo5269]

I'm debating how I want to go forward with keyboards. I really want to do a split ortholinear keyboard, I think. I'm just debating between Colemak or Workman for the layout.

[@ThePrimeTimeagen]

you can always just stick with qwerty :) just a good split keyboard

[@adokce]

​@@ThePrimeTimeagen ​ @Lee Taeryeo I got a moonlander and I since I didn't know proper touch typing with qwerty, I had to learn something anyway. I learned Colemak-DH in around a week and after one more week I was on 30-ish wpm, now after half a year I'm as fast as I was on qwerty, around 80

[@leetaeryeo5269]

That’s true, but I’m the type of person who isn’t against learning new layouts if there’s a perceived advantage (I mean, I can type in multiple languages). Given the nerve issues I already have and the possible advantages, it’s something that’s been on my radar for a while

[@ghosthunter0950]

​​​@@adokce I used qwerty but was one of the people that touch typed with 3 fingers in my left and 2 in my right. My speed was around 60 wpm. I changed my form completely and within the same day was at 30 wpm. after the first 3 days I was back at 60 wpm. Switching layouts or form is really not as hard as people think. It just takes commitment and not going back to the previous habits unless you're seriously in a time crunch cuz of real life.

[@JoshuaB86]

Not sure if your hunt is ergo/pain related, but I was wanting to avoid a split ergo board for the longest. The issues and pain throughout the day won that battle. I ended up getting a kinesis and it's amazing how much that design helped. I can type all day without any pain.

[@patto2k358]

QWERTY was a mistake

[@johnychinese]

Qwerty is bloated

[@slimsh4dy115]

10:27

[@Bu7MaiD075]

Why not use your feet?

[@NathanHedglin]

Kinesis has optional foot pedals.

[@Bu7MaiD075]

@@NathanHedglin that would solve having to toggle to the second layer + freeing up a key

[@oku-mq7kg]

I met one person who could type using his toes. It was pretty interesting, and honestly I'm jealous, that could add so much functionality!

[@mixed_nuts]

If you're looking for a board to build look into BastardKB's. They make some nice things! You'd probably like the Dilemma or Charybis Nano (CNano)

[@cherubin7th]

Yes learn soldering, understanding computers even one level lower. Its like the C of real hardware creation.

[@ThePrimeTimeagen]

i am scared

[@T33K3SS3LCH3N]

To become a true low level programmer, you start with a rock to build your first hand axe and then work your way up to the bronze age...

[@vaisakhkm783]

Next is custom computer... with custom cpu...

[@ShrirajHegde]

​@@T33K3SS3LCH3N everybody gangsta until low level learning starts digging the sand

[@juniorceccon]

@@ThePrimeTimeagen hold my hand

[@cholst1]

So is this the keyboard enthusiast equivalent to a waifu pillow?

[@BlackDragon-tf6rv]

Yeah.. but better

[@robfielding8566]

I made an iPhone case with a 16-key mechanical keyboard on the back of it. You wrap your fingers around the back, thumbs still on the glass. It uses braille layout; using circuit Python to implement the chordes layout. Using braille collapses everything down into 8 keys; and the other 8 are special chording, like alt/ctrl, etc. What is great about it is that it fully emulates US qwerty, and you don't need to look at your iPhone while you type. You can respond to text messages while looking ahead of you. I created it because I learned computer braille, due to vision issues. The only problem I have with it is that the USBC to lightning cable sticks out. It drains the battery a bit. If I used bluetooth, it would drain it even more. Chorded layouts are a little slower than non-chorded layouts, because you need to take overlapped keys into account.

[@concray]

sorry, youtube just recommended me this video a year after it came out. But i'm so intrigued about this, because i had the idea of a "handheld" keyboard like that forever but could never make it work. Do you have a video of it?

[@robfielding8566]

@@concray kzbin.info/www/bejne/mn_PeGR5r8yXarc a keybow2040 is a good start for a 4x4 mechanical keyboard. it's perfect for the backside of an iPhone case. However, the USB to lightning cable is special. It has an IC to emulate an Apple dongle. If it wasn't for that cable, and the power draw; I would have a real product for sale already.

[@concray]

@@robfielding8566 very cool, i was thinking about something like the taipo layout, never even would have thought about braille, thanks so much

[@geno_purple]

Just made a keyboard like this with minimal soldering experience and although it was a bit stressful, it was a ton of fun.

[@jammeri]

Been trying Colemak DH ISO and it has been quite pleasant layout to write English. I recommend checking it out if you're looking for an alternative to QWERTY layout that will reduce finger movements. Colemak has copy & paste functionality close to the original positions for quick access if you don't want to change the keybinds.

[@darukutsu]

Bro you can't use hjkl on this 😫

[@muz1903]

I was inspired by you talking about your split keyboard on stream, found this guys channel and ended up building my own ferris sweep split 34 key keyboard, I love how you can totally customise it to fit your own needs.

[@oku-mq7kg]

Yes! This is the same board I started with. I'm looking forward to designing my own over the summer.

[@Tw33ty271]

I think he says directly why he doesn't want to hold for layer. His example as I understood it was he wants to hit a key A in layer1, press the modifier and key B in Layer 2, then hit key C in layer 1 faster than he's able to remove his finger from the modifier key. I'm assuming that the reason for the speed difference is that it's slower to press and lift one finger than press two separate fingers in quick succession.

[@narkfly]

Exactly.

[@kobibr9362]

Once you have used OSM on qmk, a split keyboard, and i3, your are part of the club. You may try to get out but you will always come back.