Guys, it's not really worth shifting the number row, almost all matrix-arranged keyboards have 1 over Q, 5 over T and so forth. It's actually very convenient to touch-type numbers, when the number row is symmetric (1-5 on the left hand, 6-0 on the right). It take very little effort to get used to.
Well the worthiness is a matter of opinion.
I'm sure it can work just as well, once used to it. I think it depends a lot on how one used to type numbers before changing to a matrix keyboard.
I argue that it's just as convenient to touch type numbers with 1-6 on the left and 7-9 and -_ and =+ on the right. The benefit is that there might be no need to relearn when switching from a staggered rows keyboard to a grid/matrix keyboard, depending on one's habits. You see, on a staggered keyboard, the "2" key is almost exactly above the "a" key, and thus easily pressed with the pinky, even though the ring finger is supposed to do it (!).
Prior to getting the Kinesis keyboard a couple of years ago I didn't pay attention to the numbers row much and just used whichever finger was most convenient (like pinky for "2"), however I did use the -_ and =+ keys quite a bit while programming (it's my job). So with the =+ key suddenly gone to the top left on the unchanged Kinesis and -_ taking its position I was making a lot of mistakes using them, the =+ key particularly, because it did not only change position, but change hands. As any Colemak user might tell you, a key switching hands is a bigger adjustment than just switching position (which might or might not require changing the finger), hello "E" and "P".
So I decided to shift the number row to restore the layout I'm used to, as I had seen on
Maltron 90 models (for the same reason, read 1st paragraph on the linked page). You're right that any other matrix keyboard has 1 above Q, even some other Maltron models, namely the 89 - I wonder though if that is a conscious decision or just happened.
For me it was enough work to get used to the new location of [{ and ]}, the thumb keys and the grid layout in general. I wanted to minimize the "indifferent" changes, and only have to adjust to the ones with a real benefit (I guess I got this idea from Colemak, which changes only the frequently used keys, and leaves the less frequently used keys alone - compared to QWERTY - so one doesn't have to relearn everything). Shifted or unshifted number row doesn't really matter in terms of ergonomics IMHO, for me the shifted row was just easier to get used to. Other stuff was worth relearning, because it's better in the long run. And then there's things where it's very hard to be sure, like the new location for Shift keys on the TE - it seems better because it's easier to reach, but it goes against muscle memory.
Anyway, I'm using a Kinesis keyboard both at work and also at home on my main computer. On my media computers I use a normally staggered bluetooth keyboard, and my laptop has a normally staggered keyboard as well. I can touch type numbers on all of them without conscious thought (which I need to given there's numbers in my password), as the position of the numbers is the same relative to the home row, compared to the Kinesis with shifted number row.
BTW later I was glad I had 1 to 6 on my left hand for control groups in StarCraft 2, rather than just 1 to 5, but that's pure coincidence.
