Wow...I'm interested myself and I don't even like ALPs!
I believe we already have the keyboard in our midst that far exceeds the Truly Ergonomic concept keyboard at every level.
Do 2 things to the HumbleHacker:
1- Angle the keyboard at the mid-section apart (easy to do)
2- Incorporate finger length row adjustment (easy to do)
http://www.humblehacker.com/keyboard/ (http://www.humblehacker.com/keyboard/)
This keyboard can be made to order, as a kit, customizable, etc. AND one has already been made. If you email Mr. Humble, he will actually respond.
I'm sold. :)
I find that flat Maltron to be a bit weird because there is 1/2 key staggering in-between each finger. I find that to be a bit much.
I don't know how old that flat, Maltron layout is, but... how about the japanese M System (http://museum.ipsj.or.jp/en/computer/word/0027.html) keyboard, that you could buy in 1983?
I believe the Maltron 2D is a new product line for them.
Base plate + PCB + Switch + Keycap + Wrist rest = height of 2D Maltron keyboard, where is the problem?
Base plate + PCB + Switch + Keycap + Wrist rest = height of 2D Maltron keyboard, where is the problem?Last I checked, most 2D mechanical boards out there weren't even close to 2 inches thick. You don't think two inches is a bit fat? My 3D Kinesis Advantage is barely thicker than that.
Many typist's can type faster on an notebook like keyboard.. haha ;-)
The problem is that for proper ergonomics for most people the keyboard should be as thin as possible. Some people put the keyboard directly on their thighs to avoid the thickness of a keyboard tray.
The Maltron is way thicker than a Topre, for instance (55m vs 38mm). The Leopold is 33mm, and the Kinesis Freestyle is only 30mm:Show Image(http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/solo_profile_690x238.jpg)
I hired a 3d maltron a while back, I remember that it encourages you to not rest your wrists when typing.
I certainly wasn't saying that the 3D maltron was silly thick, I was saying that the one the OP refers to, which is a 2D maltron is silly thick. It's as thick as the 3D maltron, but isn't 3D.
Proword, You've certainly got your money's worth, those thumb keys have seen some use!
I think you should treat your keyboard to a new set of keycaps. I'm sure Maltron can help you out there.
Hi Proword,
What's your experience typing on black cherry switches, as used by Maltron on this keyboard?
This is something I worry about, as I find them to be rather stiff. Not sure if I could get used to it.
Also, is there any difference in texture and feel between dual engraved and standard maltron keycaps?
Proword:
Have you ever used a Kinesis Contoured? If so, how does it compare to the Maltron? That's something I would like to know.
Proword:
Have you ever used a Kinesis Contoured? If so, how does it compare to the Maltron? That's something I would like to know.
for instance shift 5 to get the left parens (horrible layout in the first place), and I lifted the shift
before I released the number, I saw the keyboard repeating 999999999 till I hit another key. And shift 2 for the carret (yuk) produced 6 once you released the shift.
Hey Proword, do your maltrons behave in that weird way too?
And don't forget... If you cannot find the exact specification of keyboard that you are looking for, we may be able to supply it as a special order. Please contact us!
I think the Truly Ergonomic one certainly LOOKS better.
My son took one look and agreed with me. He thought the Maltron was especially fugly.Show Image(http://www.trulyergonomic.com/images/Truly_Ergonomic_Keyboard_M104p.jpg)
Hmm, those Maltron layouts look pretty sweet. I like the dual {} and [] under each hand (I used those a LOT as a software engineer). I've never seen one first hand, just what pics online which had all sorts of weird keys (with diagonal arrows and such) that I couldn't figure out what they were for.
I'd be tempted to buy one just to see, but the reports of weird behavior scare me as I'm struggling with that already with Kinesis. I have it on a USB hub with switch so I can flip it and reboot the keyboard every time it wakes from sleep. OS X sends a different USB wakeup from Windows and the Kinesis behaves differently (it freaks out).
A problem with these older designs is that, naturally, they don't update the chipsets.
How much does Maltron charge to work on a keyboard? Also, I wonder what the logistics are, especially for people that are not in Europe...
And don't forget... If you cannot find the exact specification of keyboard that you are looking for, we may be able to supply it as a special order. Please contact us
As I mentioned Windows will kick the Kinesis in the butt on wake from sleep. It appears to do a full USB reset (the keyboard makes the same sound as when you plug it in.) On the Mac, no such sound, obviously a different reset sequence, and the keyboard comes up schizophrenic.
Hmm, I've noticed such an issue on my USB Kinesis Advantage, it sometimes does that "click" sound even by itself (especially if I plug something else into the computer) and (rarely) freezes in which case I need to unplug it and plug it back in.
Have you contacted Kinesis about this? If so, what did they say?
Even though apparently they have multiple reports of said problems, they seem to blame it on Apple, say they can't reproduce and ultimately won't do anything about it. The only fix is to plug/replug the keyboard every time after waking from sleep, which happens constantly during the day. A little annoying, after 15 years I've had it with Kinesis.
Joe - that's fine thanks, but I'll wait for the TE. It's a fraction of the price and has exactly what I want. TBD.
I plug various Kinesis Contoured boards (ps/2, USB) into several Macs (Intel chip models) with Tiger/Snow Leopard, either directly or through a USB hub, and use VMware for Windows and never have those issues. I imagine if Kinesis can't reproduce it, they can't evaluate it. It sounds like a ****ty problem that I couldn't tolerate. :(
One the TE, as I look at the key layout, where is a "command/windows" key? Is it in the upper row?