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    Space saving keyboards (make your own)

    • Started by PiotrGrochowski
    • 5 Replies:
    • Reputation: -5
    • From: Banned
    • Registered: 02-May-2015
    • Posts: 116

    Make your own space saving keyboards for small computers like non-monitors!
    Here is mine (Shift+Delete=Printscreen):
    4yEAQUp.png
    It's possible to rearrange the keycaps here. If Backspace and/or Enter and/or Shift are made closer to fingers, some punctuation may be displaced.
    Space saving keyboard must* include all keys shown above with exceptions and restrictions:
    * F-number keys are optional, but recommended, for example Alt+F4.
    * Escape and Delete strongly recommended, but optional. Ctrl+Shift+Escape and Ctrl+Alt+Delete are wanted functions.
    * Space key must at least cover positions below VBN.
    * Alt Gr are optional, but recommended. Ctrl+Alt give function of Alt Gr.
    * Num Lock may be included with numpad keys replacing some keys.
    * PrintScreen optional.




    * These all rules are optional. But break these rules only if you can't do it better.

    Last edited by PiotrGrochowski (17-May-2015 12:23:24)

    Banned from Colemak

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    • From: Viken, Norway
    • Registered: 13-Dec-2006
    • Posts: 5,362

    Nice concept! Some thoughts:

    • I like the easy AltGr placement! It's as practical as the Wide mod on a standard keyboard.
    • The Enter key should've been straight – you're not going to hit that narrow strip anyway
    • I'd consider fixing the left-hand row stagger, like a milder version of the Angle mod but in hardware! It's really worth it for the wrists.
    • I'd split up the CapsLock and/or Left Shift key, making the left part (one key wide) the CapsLock itself and the inner part an Extend/Fn key!
    • Hitting BackSpace and Delete all the way up there looks risky? Maybe split the Enter key too, putting Back right outside Enter?
    • You're missing a Menu key? I use it (but the Extend version which is easier to hit). In Linux, I use it as the Compose key.

    Last edited by DreymaR (17-May-2015 18:50:07)

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    • From: Viken, Norway
    • Registered: 13-Dec-2006
    • Posts: 5,362

    It's a tight-butt Enter, obviously. But good points there, Davkol.

    I tried moving the apostrophe key around while experimenting with Wide mods, and it always had to go back to the right pinky! And the ?/ key was no fun when too far off either, which is why my current Wide(Slash) mod has it in the old RBracket position so it stays on the right pinky too.

    Last edited by DreymaR (18-May-2015 09:29:29)

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    • From: UK
    • Registered: 14-Apr-2014
    • Posts: 978

    I like the compactness, and also having lots of keys on the bottom row. But in that case I would remap them as having punctuation there is a bit of a waste IMO - I think they would be crying out to be made modifiers via thumbs - Shift, Control, Alt, Extend even. And of course us ISO users would be still needing an extra key next to the Z. Better still, go the whole hog and make it fully symmetrical :)

    Using Colemak-DH with Seniply.

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    • From: Banned
    • Registered: 02-May-2015
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    :'( Stop talking about it and make your own space saving!

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    • From: Viken, Norway
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    Here's an image I once made to show my suggested row stagger:

    Cmk-GadOE_90d-Finger.png

    In hindsight, I don't like the AltGr placement on that board. Too far to the right. Ah well. Not sure how single-width Space keys (one on each side) would work – okay, or too hard to hit? Maybe okay since the thumbs would be resting on them. They could have some sort of homing nubs too, being home position keys. Another possibility would be to add half a key width to the middle, making the 6 key 1.5 normal keys wide etc.

    Last edited by DreymaR (19-May-2015 10:41:22)

    *** Learn Colemak in 2–5 steps with Tarmak! ***
    *** Check out my Big Bag of Keyboard Tricks for Win/Linux/TMK... ***

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