alt Hacker NewsI will admit, I type exclusively on 40% keyboards. I used to have a Happy Hacking Keyboard, (in fact, the original Happy Hacking Keyboard (HHKB) with separate PS/2, Sun and ADB cables, still have the board and cables), then the HHKB USB, then the HHKB 2. One day I saw a 40%, in fact an original "minivan" by "The Van Keyboards" and thought I would give it a shot. For someone who uses the computer all day, this was an advancement over the HHKB in the same way the HHKB was an advancement over the 104:
* Your hands move a lot less during typing.
* Your hand is much (_much_) closer to the mouse to grab it.
Even though there is a slight learning curve using layers, after a short while it becomes just like the muscle reflex for "hit shift to use the alphanumerics", etc. When I have to run into the data center or go somewhere and use a "real" keyboard for a moment, I am reminded of just what a huge time difference it is to grab the mouse, or reach for keys like PGUP/PGDWN, etc. It may not be for everyone, but I advocate for giving small keyboards (even split ones) a try.
I feel most people could get like 80% benefits with simple key moves rather than macroing:
* add column of common movement keys (pgup/down/home/end) on the left side * move entire numpad block after that (so its leftmost) * remove the spacing between the top level FX/esc keys
if you don't need arrows, that immediately puts your mouse good 6.5 cm closer
I especially don't get losing the numeric top of the keyboard but that's mostly because I actively use the Fx keys for window navigation (one window per key,capslock+ 1-9 get the left monitor, F1-9 get the right).