Nothing about ergonomic (mechanical) keyboard ?

[zet13]

Hello I'm new to this board, and I see a lot about mechanical keyboard.
But as our primary input interface with a computer there is some improvement in the design such as Typematrix 2030

wich is not mechanical (sic)

such as the old datadesk smartboartd http://www.datadesktech.com/desktop_sb.html

or such as the brand new truly ergonomic, with matrix oriented layout and mechanical switch


If anyone is interested by discussing about ergonomic keyboard, not just mechanical ones, this thread is here

I personaly own a few boards : IBM model M, old kortex with cherry mx black switch, typematrix 2020, typematrix 2030 and a filco full board with brown switch.

PS : I'm french so please excuse my poor english.

[webwit]

I was the first to say this was a scam, see here (earlier and also). I do think he is trying to bring a keyboard to market (and eventually it may happen, or not, he is an amateur), but I also do think his business practices are completely unacceptable. Such as fabricating business addresses, reviews and production dates, repeatedly. Even if he does manage to produce them in the end, I'm not interested because of the way he does business and has communicated with plain lies. He does not get my money.

[zet13]

So you're saying there is little chance to see in the market the truly ergonomic. What a shame, I have a forum friend who bought it already and is waiting to get it now, hope I will get it someday though ^_^

[webwit]

The chance is not zero, because I do think he is trying to produce this keyboard (too bad he lied to people buying it that the money would be used for immediate production, he hasn't even ordered yet). Because if he was only after your money to run away, there are much better ways.

It's also a fail of an ergonomic keyboard despite its wild claims, since it is not split or adjustable, one size fits all. What is an ergonomic shoe of one size? A fail if it isn't your size. So this is mostly an exercise in marketing, looking to sell keyboards to people who like the sound of ergonomic, but who are alienated by real ergonomic keyboards. His price does not seem realistic considering the tooling costs.

Your opinion may vary though. I find the typematrix easily one of the worst keyboards in my collection and certainly not ergonomic in any way, unless your arms grow out of the center of your chest at 90 degrees and you like laptop keys.

[zet13]

Well we can discuss this matter a lot of time but what I can say :
1. I use the Typematrix everyday and I feel confortable on it and my arms don't come from my stomach at 90°, the matrix layout is really an improvement.
2. one size for all, yes but it's the case for 99.9% of all keyboard (indeed) and no one complain. The best should be split keyboard with matrix style and mechanical keyboard, if you finf one like this I will greatly appreciate.

The fact is : there an improvement for some people, for you it's the worst keyboard, but the matter is to discuss what is the best ergonomic board for everyone.

[sixty]

2. one size for all, yes but it's the case for 99.9% of all keyboard (indeed) and no one complain. The best should be split keyboard with matrix style and mechanical keyboard, if you finf one like this I will greatly appreciate.

Hoggy's DIY solution is pretty close:
http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=283

[zet13]

Indeed, it's a great idea in this thread

[pzlate]

I would get something like the UTRON

[Phaedrus2129]

My KB-7061 is still up for sale. Typical ergonomic layout, white Alps, doubleshot keycaps.

[zet13]

If you mean this :


then it's just a splitted keyboard, wich is a little improvement but it's most likely the microsoft natural keyboard 4000 :


Ergonomic in the name but nor really in the facts since you still need 2 right hands to type on it.

[Culinia]

If you mean this :


then it's just a splitted keyboard, wich is a little improvement but it's most likely the microsoft natural keyboard 4000 :

Ergonomic in the name but nor really in the facts since you still need 2 right hands to type on it.

Not sure what you mean -- two right hands??

[zet13]

Like this :

[Culinia]

Like this :

So that's why it feels out of place compared to my right hand. Thought it was in my head or because I am right-handed.

[zet13]

Of course there are some keyboards that give you a good placement of your hands on the boards, like maltron, utron, typematrix,truly ergonomic, some old nec keyboards (they exists but no one can find them)
for example the old ultra rare boards:

(thanls to Mikael Le Fou for this picture)

[webwit]

Not sure who Mikael Le Fou is, but I found that picture here:
http://pc.watch.impress.co.jp/docs/arti ... 3/ipsj.htm
through here:
http://www.sol.dti.ne.jp/~cdrcarco/

Both interesting web pages..

[zet13]

You are full of ressources webwit ^^

[hoggy]

Some amazing looking keyboards there. Nearly 30 years later - we seem to have made little headway.

[sixty]

Don't forget the world's first massmarket ergo keyboard:



Not a fan though. I just never managed to get used to the layout.

[tehpassenger]

Don't forget the world's first massmarket ergo keyboard:



Not a fan though. I just never managed to get used to the layout.

Same here, it seems to feel very uncomfortable ... I would not be able to type on this

[appie747]

It's also a fail of an ergonomic keyboard despite its wild claims, since it is not split or adjustable, one size fits all. What is an ergonomic shoe of one size? A fail if it isn't your size. So this is mostly an exercise in marketing, looking to sell keyboards to people who like the sound of ergonomic, but who are alienated by real ergonomic keyboards. His price does not seem realistic considering the tooling costs.

"one size fits all" you say is not ergonomic, so the Kinesis contoured is not ergonomic? Not much to adjust there. Keyboards where the split is adjustable (Freestyle, Goldtouch) still have a staggered (why?) key layout, so the angle of the hands/wrists is not optimal.
The TE seems to be a good compromise between a standard keyboard and 'freaky' ergonomic ones. I wish there was a company that would produce it!
I agree with you on the TypeMatrix, they should cut that one in half like de Kinesis Freestyle. A non staggered Freestyle would be my first choice, but with better switches.

[webwit]

Yes, a split Kinesis Countered where you can place, rotate and tild the two halves any way you like, would be much better. I like this keyboard, but obviously it is not optimal.

[webwit]

Now consider the Datahand.

datahand.jpg (123.62 KiB) Viewed 20790 times

1: Dial 1 moves left part of key area away or towards you
2: Dial 2 moves right part of key area away or towards you
1 + 2: you can rotate the area and move the complete key area away or towards you
3: Dial 3 moves the left part up or down
4: Dial 4 moves the right part up or down
3 + 4: you can tilt the key area and move the complete key area up or down
5: four multi-level adjustable feet (not visible)
6: I skipped 6 just to see if you are still paying attention
7: Adjustable distance between the two halves
8: Rotate left part any way you like
9: Rotate right part anyway you like

[appie747]

@Webwit: the Datahand is what I would call a "freaky" keyboard, if you can call it a board, so not really an alternative for the masses. So for me the TE design has certain good ergonomic features and good switches, without looking like something from Star Wars.
But the datahand is probably a great ergonomic tool, although very expensive.

[webwit]

Nah, if an alien would land or Charles Manson would be released, the Datahand would appear the logical device and your habitual standard keyboard a freaky device. You are lost, Sir. I advise a Microsoft Natural keyboard. Your neighbors might approve of it. It is hardly ergonomic, but exactly aimed at the kinds of persons who want unergonomic keyboards labelled as ergonomic as long as they can wrap their head around it, and willing to pay for such a visual yet non-solution. There is a whole market out there for people who want an ergonomic keyboard but don't want an ergonomic keyboard.

[7bit]

Now consider the Datahand.

datahand.jpg

...
6: I skipped 6 just to see if you are still paying attention
...

I doubt I will ever like the Datahand. I'm quite sure that it is the ideal tool for a true touch-typist who just writes plain text.

I count only around 50 'keys' on the Datahand. How is programming going?[1]

------------
[1] Given it is not COBOL!

[webwit]

Programming goes better than a regular keyboard. Clearly there were some nerds at datahand or as early datahand users. What makes you think it is a problem?

[7bit]

Programming goes better than a regular keyboard. Clearly there were some nerds at datahand or as early datahand users. What makes you think it is a problem?

Well, going by the image you posted, it looks like that you need to hit more than one modifier to reach keys like () {} [] <> or ; : ~!@#$%^&* etc.
Are there different shift keys to reach these symbols?

[Findecanor]

I think that Microsoft's other "ergonomic" keyboards that are just curved and not split are worse than their "Natural" keyboard, because the curve is completely wrong. It moves keys longer away from the fingers, instead of closer to them as they should be.

I found a design patent (first match) the other day for a keyboard that has the keys for each hand curved around the hand -- as they should be. I wonder if this design ever went into production. It is only somewhat staggered, but symmetrically.
The search results page (you can not link directly to a patent on Google patents) shows also that Smartfish's design patent for their "ergo" keyboard cites this one, but apparently, Smartfish did not learn anything from it ...

[webwit]

Programming goes better than a regular keyboard. Clearly there were some nerds at datahand or as early datahand users. What makes you think it is a problem?

Well, going by the image you posted, it looks like that you need to hit morethan one modifier to reach keys like () {} [] <> or ; : ~!@#$%^&* etc.
Are there different shift keys to reach these symbols?

Yes, but remember your thumbs are on the modifiers with no travel. Think cursor keys on a special HHKB with your thumb always on the Fn key. It's faster if you can get used to it.

[7bit]

Programming goes better than a regular keyboard. Clearly there were some nerds at datahand or as early datahand users. What makes you think it is a problem?

Well, going by the image you posted, it looks like that you need to hit morethan one modifier to reach keys like () {} [] <> or ; : ~!@#$%^&* etc.
Are there different shift keys to reach these symbols?

Yes, but remember your thumbs are on the modifiers with no travel. Think cursor keys on a special HHKB with your thumb always on the Fn key. It's faster if you can get used to it.

Well, then there is only one argument against it left:
$995.00 plus shipping, plus taxes!