Regarding the Angle mod, I had a thought:
Perhaps a better name for it would be the "Symmetric Mod". OK, so it's not perfect symmetry due the top row ¼-key offset, but it's still almost symmetrical, and certainly the range of motions of the hands feels a lot more symmetrical compared to the "official" typing method...
I think it's a good name as it neatly describes the benefit it gives you. Just a thought :)
Using Colemak-DH with Seniply.
Yes, it's a good and pretty name, I agree. But I don't think I'll change names.
The reason for calling it the Angle mod was the focus on its effect: A better wrist angle. Originally we called it the WristAngle mod iirc, but then the Wide mod came along and things were shortened so I could say 'AngleWide' (and today, 'CurlAngleWide' – CAW!).
Symmetry isn't the main benefit, so that's not a good argument I think. The main benefit is to protect the wrist from unnecessary ulnar deviation. Another name candidate would be the WristSaver mod! :-)
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I don't mind the name angle mod. In which you could state that it lends you more hand/fingering symmetry? But as you were saying, most keyboards aren't symmetrical. So that's a tad misleading.
--
Physicians deafen our ears with the Honorificabilitudinitatibus of their heavenly Panacaea, their sovereign Guiacum.
By the by: I looked at your GitHub pages again and... are you really sure that's the Wide mod you prefer?
The difference between your promoted Wide mod and "mine" (aka 'AngleWide-Slash') is the Slash vs # (or \) keys. You put the quite common Slash key in the hard-to-reach trench position, and the less common hash/backslash key in the better upper corner position.
I came to the conclusion after some testing that the Slash key needs to be in the position above the apostrophe as far as I'm concerned. I know it's "prettier" to just move it inwards on the same row it used to be on, but this way it gets to stay on the pinky which is a point for the more common keys like Slash.
The PC104/ANSI board Wide mod has to leave the Backslash and therefore move the Slash to the middle, as the Backslash has a different form factor. Can't be helped. But for us enlightened ISO types, I believe in the more accessible Slash placement. ;-)
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Is there a definitive place for all these mods and such? If not, it would be good to get a page going that has all the currently popular mods and variations, along with explanation and pros/cons. That way we can all be on the same page.
Just an idea...for someone else to work on.
That'd be my sig topics, for XKB and Windows/PKL.
Better pages will come eventually, as those topics are a long and confusing read now.
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Ah, I had never clicked on either since I work on a Mac and thought they would not apply to me.
By the by: I looked at your GitHub pages again and... are you really sure that's the Wide mod you prefer?
Probably your slash placement is more optimal but...
- In reality I never press those centre keys. My slash is mapped to AltGr-D (V in standard Colemak). I have gotten used to typing all symbols except apostrophe via AltGr. Plus as a poor unfortunate Windows user, for me slash is probably less common for me than for example backslash.
- I like the prettyness of the two slashes next to each other, has a nice symmetric look. Another nice option could be to have the two square brackets on the bottom row, and the two slashes in the middle and top rows, looking like "separators" for the left and right hands.
I imagine anyone experimenting with Wide mods will probably adjust the symbols to their preference - especially as they seem to be somewhat country-dependent.
Using Colemak-DH with Seniply.
The symmetry's pretty for sure, I agree with you on that. But I'll wager you use the slash more than the backslash unless you type file addresses all day long. It's after all in use in normal language.
I remember the discussion we had about whether to split the number row with the equals key. That's not so pretty, but we had to do it in the end. Beauty is only redeeming when it aids function, in my typing philosophy. ;-)
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