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A comment on Ask HN: What are the best-designed things you've ever used?. Parent comment

Re:Ask HN: What are the best-designed things you've ever used? by alpaca128 on Saturday November 27, 2021 @03:29AM (#29358586)
I use a custom keyboard with a similar columnar stagger. In addition it's small enough that I can reach every key without moving my hands, which means my accuracy is noticeably better. There's no chance I'm ever going back voluntarily. Typing all kinds of symbols all day just doesn't get more comfortable.

This is why I'm always so annoyed by all the "qwerty vs. dvorak" arguments. It's pretty much the least problematic part of conventional keyboard design.

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Re:Ask HN: What are the best-designed things you've ever used? by Oddskar on Saturday November 27, 2021 @05:36AM (#29359127)
Could not agree more. Especially for programmers I would argue that the alphabetical character layout matters so much less than where one reaches special characters and the modifiers.

Having used a DIY columnar staggered keyboard for about a year a laptop keyboard feels like using a device that is not designed for humans.

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Re:Ask HN: What are the best-designed things you've ever used? by fleaaaa on Saturday November 27, 2021 @07:03AM (#29359532)
100% agree, most of qwerty keyboard with flat staggered layout as in typewriter is faulty and ancient design yet it's widely adapted for some reason.
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Re:Ask HN: What are the best-designed things you've ever used? by exikyut on Sunday November 28, 2021 @12:07AM (#29366327)
If I can ask, what sort of custom keyboard? A completely bespoke 3D printed sort of thing, or a combination of different parts?
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Re:Ask HN: What are the best-designed things you've ever used? by alpaca128 on Sunday November 28, 2021 @09:44AM (#29369265)
I bought the PCB(Signum 3) and soldered on 42 keys and the controller board. It's got no case but with rubber pads on the bottom it's pretty quiet and thin.

I'm planning to build a custom 3d printed one with a comparable layout but fewer keys. Mostly to try some ideas and features.

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