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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: nvus on Sun, 05 April 2009, 00:21:28

Title: keyboard feet
Post by: nvus on Sun, 05 April 2009, 00:21:28

Is it ergonomically better for my hands/wrist to have the keyboard feet up or collapsed (so keyboard is flatter)?

Title: keyboard feet
Post by: wheel83 on Sun, 05 April 2009, 00:27:32

"they" say having your wrists bent upwards is not ergonomically correct.  i like mine down personally.

Title: keyboard feet
Post by: Hak Foo on Sun, 05 April 2009, 13:17:04

Quote from: webwit;27116

I've read conflicting ergonomic reports about that. First there's the "keep it as low as possible" school from the soft science western ergonomics branch, based on the principle of not bending your wrists.

Plus, there's the assumption that you're lying your wrists on the table.  It would be interesting to see if people do or don't.  I don't, because the comical two-fingered way I type, my arms have to move substantially.

Title: keyboard feet
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 06 April 2009, 07:09:40

Whether correct or not, I keep the feet colapsed.  I like the 'board to lay flat; It's more comfortable that way, IMO.

Title: keyboard feet
Post by: FKSSR on Mon, 06 April 2009, 08:02:56

For me, it depends on the keyboard.  I am typing on my Macally MK96 right now, and I have to have it flat.  When I type on an AT101W or my Filco, I have to have them at a tilt.  In those cases, it seems to have to do with how much pressure I have to put on the keys.  My Model M also lays flat, to support that theory.

Also, when talking about ergo, I am pretty sure that you should start from a correct typing technique.  Of course, people can use whatever works for them, but there really is a best practice.

Title: keyboard feet
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 06 April 2009, 08:28:28

Quote from: FKSSR;27227

For me, it depends on the keyboard.  I am typing on my Macally MK96 right now, and I have to have it flat.  When I type on an AT101W or my Filco, I have to have them at a tilt.  In those cases, it seems to have to do with how much pressure I have to put on the keys.  My Model M also lays flat, to support that theory.

Also, when talking about ergo, I am pretty sure that you should start from a correct typing technique.  Of course, people can use whatever works for them, but there really is a best practice.

Look closely at the keys, too.  I wonder if the Macally has spherical keys (keys that are angled if you look at them from the side.).  The Filco and the Dell do not.

Title: keyboard feet
Post by: patrickgeekhack on Mon, 06 April 2009, 08:50:15

It also depends on how high the keyboard is setup. If I'm using a keyboard tray, I won't tilt the keyboard, but will if I'm not using a tray.

Title: keyboard feet
Post by: FKSSR on Mon, 06 April 2009, 12:31:10

Quote from: itlnstln;27229

Look closely at the keys, too.  I wonder if the Macally has spherical keys (keys that are angled if you look at them from the side.).  The Filco and the Dell do not.

The MK96 are actually flat.  That does make sense, though.  I'd never thought of even looking for that.