I have a TECK. To offload the pinkies and to make it easier to press multiple modifiers at once, I have put the modifiers on the number row, like this:
2: LALt
3: LCtrl
4: LShift
5: LSuper
6: RSuper
7: RShift
8: RCtrl
9: RAlt
I absolutely love it, even though it is a bit greater stretch. One modifier per finger makes it really easy to combine them.
(Note that I’ve put both Super and Shift on the index fingers, which means that Shift+Super can be a problem. For me it isn’t, though. When I’m on windows, Super is the Windows key. I’ve never used the Windows key together with a modifier. On Linux, I hardly ever use Super. I plan to reserve it for custom stuff. If I ever _do_ want to combine Super with other modifiers, it is still possible by moving the whole hand one key to the middle (since the the pinkies have no modifiers to operate).
So if I put the modifiers where the numbers used to be, where did I put the numbers and their shifted symbols? How dare I destroy that row?
Well, I’ve never liked the number row. The '1' and '0' are so difficult to reach. (That’s why I did not put modifiers on those two keys.) It is much easier to type numbers on a numpad than on a row. Finally, as a programmer, I’ve always wished all those symbols were in better positions. So I hit two birds with one stone here.
I have put the numbers and symbols in the FN layer of the TECK. I have a numpad like the following (assuming QWERTY):
Right “space bar”: 0
m: 1
,: 2
.: 3
j: 4
k: 5
l: 6
u: 7
i: 8
o: 9
I’ve put [](){}<>`~'\$_@" etc on the remaining letters and so on.
To make this FN layer usable, I’ve added two additional FN keys, on the default LAlt and RAlt positions. Having removed the wrist rest of the TECK, I can press those two keys by just dropping my hand down, hitting the keys with the side of the hand. Some call that “ninja-chopping”. I really like that. If you don’t, perhaps the default LShift and RShift are good candiates (I put Tab and Escape, respectively, there instead).
Summary:
1. Instead of letting the pinky operate all modifiers, use different fingers for each modifier.
2. Easily combine modifiers (since there’s one finger per modifier).
3. Put the numbers and symbols in really convenient locations in a new layer.
4. Gain extra keys in the main layer (the '1', '0', LCtrl, RCtrl, LShift, RShift spots etc.)
Hope any of that is of help
At least I like it. I don’t have RSI or any injuries, though, so I can’t say it it helps in such cases.
