geekhack

geekhack Community => Ergonomics => Topic started by: jamster on Sat, 06 June 2020, 22:36:28

Title: How ergo is the Alice design?
Post by: jamster on Sat, 06 June 2020, 22:36:28
I've been seeing Alice boards pop up in renders and other threads.

How 'ergonomic' are they, or is the key angling more of a cosmetic effect? Looks like the keys under the pinkies are canted back towards horizontal, which would require the wrists to kink out away from straight to frequently accessed keys such as Enter, Backspace and Shift.

I have found earlier posts on the Alice layout which talk about the design, but there's no mention of ergonomics.
Title: Re: How ergo is the Alice design?
Post by: yuppie on Sat, 06 June 2020, 23:47:18
its not really, it just looks cool.
Title: Re: How ergo is the Alice design?
Post by: yicaoyimu on Sun, 07 June 2020, 00:49:39
It's better than traditional staggered layout for sure. I have been using Alice layout for a couple months and it really helps relieve shoulder pain.
Title: Re: How ergo is the Alice design?
Post by: jamster on Sun, 07 June 2020, 01:06:47
Quote from: yicaoyimu on Sun, 07 June 2020, 00:49:39
It's better than traditional staggered layout for sure. I have been using Alice layout for a couple months and it really helps relieve shoulder pain.

Do you need to kink your wrists a bit to access the outermost keys like on a straight board? e.g. Enter or Control?

(I guess different people need different amounts of 'ergo')
Title: Re: How ergo is the Alice design?
Post by: squizzler on Sun, 07 June 2020, 02:32:29
I am not familiar with such a design. Would somebody be so kind as to put a link to what we are talking about?

(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bc/Gompie-who_the_x_is_alice.jpg)
Title: Re: How ergo is the Alice design?
Post by: jamster on Sun, 07 June 2020, 02:57:44
Quote from: squizzler on Sun, 07 June 2020, 02:32:29
I am not familiar with such a design. Would somebody be so kind as to put a link to what we are talking about?

Show Image
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/b/bc/Gompie-who_the_x_is_alice.jpg)


Just Google "Alice keyboard" and it'll pop up. It looks a bit like a Microsoft Natural board.
Title: Re: How ergo is the Alice design?
Post by: Findecanor on Sun, 07 June 2020, 03:21:45
I'd say that they are mostly for people who have developed muscle memory on Microsoft's "Natural" keyboards before discovering mechs.

But do check out Slice (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=105390.0). and BuzzSaw (https://www.gboards.ca/product/buzzsaw).
Title: Re: How ergo is the Alice design?
Post by: nevin on Sun, 07 June 2020, 08:03:22
Alice is not very ergo. Yes, better than straight, angles help when you can't split the board. Splits are better, space between halves. Ortho is a pretty easy transition as well. You won't miss the wide keys as much as you think you will. (At least in my experience)

Research & explore all the wonderful keyboard options we have these days.

Figure out what you can & can't live with and find a board that fits your guidelines.
Title: Re: How ergo is the Alice design?
Post by: harlekein on Mon, 29 June 2020, 08:59:32
Quote from: yuppie on Sat, 06 June 2020, 23:47:18
its not really, it just looks cool.

Quote from: yicaoyimu on Sun, 07 June 2020, 00:49:39
It's better than traditional staggered layout for sure.

That's a very low bar to pass.