Comment by 🚀 stack
Re: "The keyboards rabbit hole"
Check out /s/keyboards and /s/mechanical-keyboards! you may want to move your post there.
Many of us have too many keyboards, looking for that right one.
Personally I have 3 loud Das keyboards I am almost happy with, even though people say there are better ones out there.
2025-01-21 · 1 year ago
10 Later Comments ↓
🗿 argenkiwi [OP/mod] · 2025-01-21 at 19:44:
Thanks @stack. I had created s/keyboards but somehow messed up my draft and published it as a personal post. I have found out how to move the post now.
You do seem to be spoiled for choice in the US and Europe when it comes to keyboards (and many other things). I bought a VIAL adapter to try to get my layout to work on programmable keyboards. When I manage to get it working well I'll invest in better gear.
👻 darkghost · 2025-01-21 at 20:59:
Oh man. I haven't bought a keyboard in ages. I keep pulling them out of the trash or having them built in (laptops, raspberry pi x00). The absolute worst one I pulled out of the trash was a GETT, which was intended to be hosed off and is like typing on melted marshmallow.
🗿 argenkiwi [OP/mod] · 2025-01-21 at 21:24:
There is a store run by the city council called Eco Shop. They have creates full or keyboards they sell for next to nothing. I can see why the keyboard manufacturers had to re-invent themselves to make a profit. Many of those who buy into the hype find themselves not liking what they bought and sell them almost brand new keyboarts at a loss. Those are the ones I am willing to buy. XD
Ergonomic keyboards are such a delightfully weird topic! They're such a harmless and low effort improvement to your work desk, but there's still weird looks every time, I'm loving it ❤️
The Microsoft natural keyboards have been my go to since I was a child. bought multiple of the 4000s. Just recently switched back to the awesome sculpt keyboard, since my self-built Corne is not so ... reliable. The sculpt's separate, wireless numpad was just a killer move, I'm still working on replicating this as a mechanical add-on for my Corne.
Now I just need to fix the loose solder joints for good...
🗿 argenkiwi [OP/mod] · 2025-01-21 at 23:21:
Interesting you ditched a Corne for a Sculpt! Did anyone get angry at you for it? XD I have been considering getting a pre-built Corne from AliExpress, but I fear it will not live to my expectations in terms of programmability. I would hate having it sit in a wardrobe.
I wish the split spacebars of some of the membrane ergonomic keyboards registered as 2 different keys, I would love to hit the backspace key with my right thumb.
🦂 zzo38 · 2025-01-21 at 23:52:
I use all of the keys, including the number pad (which can be used for entering numeric data, but also is useful for some computer games that allow diagonal movement, such as Hero Hearts).
🗿 argenkiwi [OP/mod] · 2025-01-22 at 00:11:
The Extend layer promoted by the Colemak community made me ditch a lot of the non-central keys. I stopped using the numpad and numrow when I managed to get my function, numbers and symbols layer to work while my spacebar is held (took a while to bring errors to a minimum).
I think it is safe to assume that the row stagger on keyboards has to do with avoiding the jamming of the typewriters. But I have heard many dispute QWERTY had something to do with that as well. I suppose it'd be impossible to confirm it 100% either way.
But it is so wide-spread that it won't change in our lifetimes. I think hardware is much easier to change than people's habits.
🚀 stack · 2025-01-22 at 16:10:
My out-of-fashion second hand Das boards cost me maybe $20 each on EBay.
🗿 argenkiwi [OP/mod] · 2025-01-22 at 19:09:
I like your style @stack.
I have been tempted by the 47-key Inland (house brand of Micro Center) for awhile now, and may succumb, if only for the learning experience (programming the layers I want). 30-day return. Lists for $40 USD. Would only be my 2nd mechanical kb.
— Inland 47-Keys Hot Swappable RGB Wired Mechanical Keyboard
Original Post
The keyboards rabbit hole — Many of us went down new rabbit holes during and after the pandemic (Gemini, cough, cough...). For me one of them was keyboards. I just wanted to share how, after almost 30 years, I significantly changed how I use them and what I expect from them. I believe it was the agressive influencer marketing around mechanical keyboards that got me thinking first. Thinking why they were unnecessary that is. I had been using membrane keyboard forever and I was doing just fine...
💬 11 comments · 2 likes · 2025-01-21 · 1 year ago · #keyboards