2018-12-09

Ergonomics at the computer: keyboards

Keyboards

As the primary method of entering data into a computer, keyboards play a significant role in a workstation's ergonomics and comfort.

This is merely an outline, and I will fill it out over time.

Split Keyboards

Split keyboards come in two major flavors: all-in-one, or physically separate halves. The idea is to be able to position and orient each half of the keyboard so that each of your hands is in an optimally comfortable position.

One-piece split keyboards tend to be raised in the middle and have their keys laid out in a "smile line" arrangement. The most famous of those is likely the Microsoft Natural Keyboard. Alternatively, some have keys in concave key wells, like the Kinesis Advantage or Maltron. Then there's the Safetype, which is really its own beast.

The other family of multi-piece keyboards include the Kinesis Freestyle, VE.A and clones, and a raft of others.

Mechanical vs Membrane / Rubber Dome

Holy wars rage over what feels / looks / sounds better of mechanical switches (e.g. Cherry MX, buckling springs, Alps, etc) vs membranes or rubber domes.

Like everything else, each keyboard type has its pros and cons. There are some very high quality membrane keyboards with very low key actuation force, which is a great way to reduce stress on your muscles and tendons (viz. Kinesis Freestyle). On the other hand, mechanical switches come in a bewildering number of variations, allowing you to customize almost everything: key travel, actuation force, bump vs. no bump, audible click vs. not, pitch and loudness, even housing and stem colors. There's a cottage industry of geeky enthusiasts who take switches apart and recombine the parts into hybrid creations designed to maximize one characteristic or another. It's a little crazy, but more power to them, and I've benefited from that kind of mad scientist approach via some novel switches like Outemu Sky and Zealios, which arguably wouldn't exist if people were content with stock switches from Cherry, Gateron, Kailh, or Outemu.

In some cases, the argument between mechanical or membrane is truly pointless: some keyboards only come in one style, usually membrane, so if you like those models, you have to deal with a membrane, period. This applies to the MS Natural keyboard,  Gold Touch, Kinesis Maxim (all membrane); and on the other hand the Kinesis Advantage isn't available with membrane keys, which is a bummer if you like Kinesis's membrane options like the Kinesis Freestyle Solo.

Kinesis recently released two mechanical Freestyle models (the Freestyle Pro and the Freestyle Edge), which I haven't tried yet, but it's one of those rare cases where you can actually choose between a membrane or a mechanical version of essentially the same keyboard.

Tenting and Tilting

Tenting refers to the ability to lift each half of a split keyboard such that the center is higher than the outer edges. The result is a keyboard that looks like an A-frame.

Tilting refers to adding a front-to-back angle to a keyboard (split or not). Most keyboards sold today have built-in feet (usually retractable) that allow you to give the keyboard a "positive tilt" (the number row is taller than the space bar), even though that tilt is ergonomically questionable, as it makes your wrist angle more from a relaxed, straight position. Ergo aficionados often add "negative tilt" to their keyboards (the space bar is the tallest key, and the num row is lower), which helps keep your wrists on the same plane as your forearms, with no bending.

The Ultimate Hacking Keyboard comes with feet and mounting holes that let you choose what kind of tilt you want (if any), instead of forcing you to use positive or no tilt, like most keyboards do. 

Personal History

Here's an incomplete list of keyboards I've used over the years.

Ultimate Hacking Keyboard, Cherry MX Clear

Great! I'll write a dedicated post soon. I just started using it, but it's the most promising keyboard I've tried in a while.

Microsoft Natural Keyboard gen 1, 1994

Heavy-duty construction, heavy key presses, very good. I still use it on occasion.

Microsoft Natural Keyboard, early 2000s

The best era, hands down (see what I did there?) No multimedia button bs, light key presses, about as good as a mainstream ergo keyboard gets. I'll never understand why Microsoft discontinued this model. I still use one on occasion.

Microsoft Natural Keyboard, mid 2000s (black)

Lots of useless media and other keys; feels pretty good, except the space bar, which is much too heavy. Most workplaces in Silicon Valley have one of those lying around, so I'll use it if it's my only ergo option, but the heavy space bar is problematic.

Kinesis Maxim

A funky split/tenting/splayed rubber dome. Works well, and has been my main keyboard at work for some time. I still use it daily.

Kinesis Advantage, Cherry MX Brown

Very good, though it feels a little chintzy and the learning curve is steep. Becoming truly fluent with it would require using it exclusively for a while, and that hasn't been realistic given my day-to-day.  I still use it occasionally.

Kinesis Freestyle

This was my daily keyboard for quite some time. I made a tenting kit for it because Kinesis charges way too much for theirs. Very light keypresses, good layout. I still use it occasionally.

Gold Touch

This is a split with a handle to lock it into position. Not a great key feel, and that friction hinge thing feels like trouble down the line.  I sold it.






They also made a "travel" version (the Gold Touch Go)
with cheap laptop keys and it was horrendous. Better than nothing, but not by much. I got rid of it too.

Viterbi, Outemu Sky

My first foray into ortholinear keyboards. It doesn't feel terribly different from staggered layouts. I just started using it so I haven't decided how much I like it yet.

Koolertron, Cherry MX Brown

Very good construction, fully programmable, good quality keycaps, and each half is usable on its own. The layout is a little odd with extra keys that probably shouldn't be there. I never really got attached to this one, though there's really nothing wrong with it.

Safetype

This is an interesting beast. The alphas, mods, and function keys are vertical, while nav and numpad keys are in the center console, between the two upright halves. Some of the keycaps are printed backwards, and the keyboard has mirrors on each half so you can see what you're doing. I am not used to this keyboard yet, but it's a lot easier to use than I anticipated.

VE.A Clone, Gateron Brown

This is a clone of a very expensive Korean split keyboard. Mine has Gateron brown tactile switches. Very good, usable layout, funky backlighting, usable extra keys on the left side. I made a custom tenting kit for it, and use it daily.

Ergonomics at the computer, part 1

Background

I started typing a long, long time ago, in a galaxy country far far away. As an avid nerd, that meant programming or playing Tau Ceti for hours and hours every day. I didn't learn to type "properly" (that concept wasn't taught in schools at the time) and almost certainly developed terrible typing habits. Add to that the desire and ability to type pretty fast (95 wpm on average), and a couple of careers that relied on typing a lot, and it's not surprising I've been dealing with RSI (repetitive stress injury) for quite some time. This has led to a lifelong pursuit of ergonomics.

While it's fun to try various kinds of keyboards, mice, and computing devices, in my case fun is only a side benefit. Using standard devices is not possible: typing on a straight or laptop keyboard for just a few minutes will trigger a tendinitis flare-up that can be partially or completely disabling for days. As someone who makes a living typing all day, not being able to type is problematic. So I've been trying a lot of devices and learned a few things that may be useful to my two million readers, hence this post.

Outline

The plan is to discuss various approaches and devices I've tried over the years, with some semblance of structure. Topics will include keyboards, mice, trackballs, touchpads, tablet devices (with and without styluses), and accessories like keyboard trays, mouse pads, wrist/palm rests, tenting kits, etc.

Part 1: Keyboards