Ergodox as the ability to move the halves further apart then standard split keyboards is a huge asset.I think if the ergodox has enough tenting/arrangement possibilities then that may be the ultimate for him.
The second thing you might want to look into is changing the key layout. DVORAK or COLEMAK layout may lead to less wrist movement depend on typing style.
Honestly I think the Microsoft Natural is the best ergonomic option for him other than ErgoDox if you can convince him to go that route. The Ultimate Hacking Keyboard is going to have some awesome ergonomic features, but that won't be out for another year.I agree with this, mechanicals may feel nice but the low travel and shape of some microsoft boards may be the best thing for him.
Honestly I think the Microsoft Natural is the best ergonomic option for him other than ErgoDox if you can convince him to go that route. The Ultimate Hacking Keyboard is going to have some awesome ergonomic features, but that won't be out for another year.He's actually been using these for years and still does. He wore out the membranes on 4 of the original ones and keeps several 'in stock' although now that he's on touchscreens so much he only really needs one at work and at home.
Maybe you should ask your friend to look for the precipitating factor because I have used normal keyboard for the past 15 years ( and long hours too ) because if the form like the post above is wrong then even a ergonomic keyboard wouldnt helpThere probably is a bit of a form issue that caused my brother's rsi in the beginning, but now since it's already there, almost anything aggravates it. And now that I know much more about keyboards, I look at his issue as a problem that has a better solution than what he's currently got.
He might be interested in trying an ErgoDox with Gateron Clears.But the Ergodox is a build your own right? Then I'd have to build it for him and then if he doesn't like it...
He might be interested in trying an ErgoDox with Gateron Clears.But the Ergodox is a build your own right? Then I'd have to build it for him and then if he doesn't like it...
True, but the time. I can't solder worth a damn.He might be interested in trying an ErgoDox with Gateron Clears.But the Ergodox is a build your own right? Then I'd have to build it for him and then if he doesn't like it...
... sell it for more than the components cost?
Interesting feedback. I think he's already discovered how to keep his wrist completely isolated from movement via the MS keyboards else he wouldn't be able to type at work at all.http://ergoemacs.org/emacs/vi_esc_syndrome.html
Good read. Interesting about the emacs shortcuts. When I was checking how I hit numbers, I realize that I always simply switch to the numeric keypad--it's less strain on my hands and I'm much, much faster there.Interesting feedback. I think he's already discovered how to keep his wrist completely isolated from movement via the MS keyboards else he wouldn't be able to type at work at all.http://ergoemacs.org/emacs/vi_esc_syndrome.html
It's not about numbers per se. How do you type `~!@#$%^&*()'-_=+? What about Esc, Tab, Backspace, Enter, Ctrl, Fx etc.?Interesting research. I think touch screen typing for long times will show it's issues as more people start to do it for long periods.
Another thing to keep in mind… Someone has recently linked a study that compared hardware and touchscreen keyboards—with obvious results: touchscreens allow effortless keystrokes, but at the cost of significantly increasing wrist strain, because fingers can't be "rested" on keys.
In this context, keyboard-less input methods are worth consideration. Something like MessagEase, Dasher, etc.
Another options that come to mind are the Kinesis Advantage plus a foot pedal. Or anything with foot pedals, because they remove the need for holding shift and ctrl at the very least.He's not big on tenting as he's using the MS Sculpt at work right now. I think the two main things he needs is a really light keypress with almost zero need for feedback, which is much different than what we as mech users usually want.
Or even the legendary - Orbitouch or Datahand?
As for tenting, why not try a vertical keyboard instead? You can easily diy a mount for the Freestyle for example or buy the commercial one.
Now if we want another interface - I suggest voice, and eyes. There are nice eye movement based mouses which with training could be used to type on an onscreen keyboard. The eyes are fast so maybe some reasonable speed can be achieved.
As for voice - you will need a decent mic and a lot of time for it.
If he ever fancies a change of board there's this one that requires only 20 grams.That's definitely an interesting board, especially that light. But I wonder if that's mech or another membrane that will wear out later.
http://www.fentek-ind.com/split_magic.htm#.VlQBAdjhCUkShow Image(http://www.fentek-ind.com/images/KBEMAST2U.JPG)Show Image(http://www.fentek-ind.com/images/KBEMAST2U_2.JPG)
I don't know much about it, but take a look at www.lightio.com. Looks like a modern day touch stream keyboard.I think this might seriously have some promise for him as its designed for carpel tunnel too. Thank you for the link!
But then again some theories talk about the opposite motion used to pull back your finger. Basically using your extensors is what hurts, not the presses themselves which the flexors. Hence it could be that actually a higher force keyboard might turn out better since it moves back your fingers much like a typewriter. It's also dubious if it's good to have a minimal key travel on press since it's obviously not- ergonomic to type on a touch screen(your fingers can't rest on it either), but the bigger the key travel the more force should be used to push up your finger. I've read some ppl saying that greens actually helped them, so even if this sounds outrageous perhaps it should be tried.This is a very good point. I think it's why a buckling spring and maybe even topre feel is so easy on the hands. He actually started typing on bs just like I did, but obviously his hands work differently than mine.