Thoughts on this layout?

[blawb]

Hi everyone. I recently made a numpad using a pro micro that I wrote some code for. My next project is a full keyboard. I currently have an eagle schematic done for the board, and I just need to decide on a layout.


My goals for this project were:

• Split
• Backlit (rgb but probably not individual keys)
• All functionality of a tkl (I rarely find myself using the numpad I built and can easily program a numpad layer in)
• Dedicated media keys
• Profile compatible with a 104 key set from Maxkeyboard (since they do custom backlit legends relatively cheaply)

And this is the layout I came up after a few hours of going back and forth between different designs. What are your thoughts on it? Any feedback is appreciated



Another note: I actually find it more comfortable to have my arrow keys under an fn layer so I don't have to move my hand to a new position.

[tp4tissue]

Shift    ASDFG

ZX  B  CV 

;   UIO   '

HJKL     P     Shift
NM   Y    ,.



These changes are ideal for split layout without compromising main qwerty structure and fingerings.


I use them on ergodox

[Myteethfeelweird]

This is pretty cool, idk if I can give up Dvorak though!

[soran]

Having tried both, I'd personally suggest moving the arrows 1u to the right to allow for the thumb to be placed in a more comfortable position.

[batfink]

I like it. Loving the bottom row thumb keys especially.

Given the possibilities for layers, I'd argue the function key row isn't really necessary. You could probably have one fewer column on each half too.

If it didn't need to be portable at all, what you have there would be OK. But my ideal keyboard would be a bit closer to something like a Preonic, but split.

[ErgoMacros]

You could take a look at the "Orthogonal Pattern PLUM keyboard" as a test bed.
While iut certainly does not meet all your requirements (no RGB, not split)
for about $45 on ebay (including shipping) you get the same number of keys,
in about the same layout.

Remap in software or a USB to USB adapter and you could try a very similar layout without to test on,
without having to build a keyboard.

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=98748.0