Keyboards with a backspace next to spacebar?

[user91]

One of my favorite keyboards was this thing called "The Right Touch" by NMB. In fact, here's my keyboard: http://i.imgur.com/IreXK.jpg

Unfortunately I killed the numpad with soy sauce some years back and the form factor isn't what I'm used to these days, plus some of the keys are wonky.

Are there any other keyboards that offer this backspace option to the left of the spacebar? Once I got used to it I found it to be SO much faster.

I know the Minila Filcos offer a function key combination to backspace, but it's still two key presses instead of one...

[FrostyToast]

Is this thing mechanical? If so I bet there are some people here who could take a look at that board for you.
Keyboards are simple which means that they very robust in the sense that there isn't much that can be fried in a board with liquids.

[hwood34]

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=62641.0
I'm sure you could program the left side of the split spacebar to be a backspace

[jacobolus]

Are there any other keyboards that offer this backspace option to the left of the spacebar? Once I got used to it I found it to be SO much faster.

This was actually patented for a long time, and marketed as “erase-ease”, though the patent recently expired. I think the IBM M15 licensed the patent.
http://www.google.com/patents/US5711624
http://www.google.com/patents/EP0467960B1

If you get one of Matias’s upcoming ErgoPro keyboards, either of the spacebars can be used for backspace.

Or if you get a keyboard like the Ergodox, you can easily use one of the many thumb keys for backspace.

I’m hoping that other keyboards can be designed to include a thumb erase/delete key in the near future: in my opinion it’s one of the biggest ergonomic improvements you can make for very little overall change to the keyboard.

[jacobolus]

By the way, if you’re selling, I’d love to buy the spacebar keycaps and stabilizers from your broken NMB board: I want to use them in a custom-layout space-invader board.

[user91]

Damn, that was quick!

Here's the thread I made about that keyboard, when I was trying to find out how many are out there: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=13295.0.
Sorry for the Mac keyboard in the shot. It was before I learned about good keyboards.

By the way, if you’re selling, I’d love to buy the spacebar keycaps and stabilizers from your broken NMB board: I want to use them in a custom-layout space-invader board.

I don't plan on selling, jacobolus, as that keyboard has sentimental value and is still mostly functional.

If you get one of Matias’s upcoming ErgoPro keyboards, either of the spacebars can be used for backspace.

Or if you get a keyboard like the Ergodox, you can easily use one of the many thumb keys for backspace.

Wow, that ErgoPro is...nuts. I'd gladly trade my Topre Realforce to try that thing out, especially with the two spacebars. I don't know much about the switches, though.

Is this thing mechanical? If so I bet there are some people here who could take a look at that board for you.
Keyboards are simple which means that they very robust in the sense that there isn't much that can be fried in a board with liquids.

It uses space invader switches, IIRC. I could take it apart and do a thorough examination and cleaning. The PCB is probably fine, it's true.

[yasuo]

rare not much keyboard with bs on thumbh usually in split unfortunately not many infos
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=13295.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59324.0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQpDHhJENRo

[user91]

rare not much keyboard with bs on thumbh usually in split unfortunately not many infos
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=13295.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=59324.0
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xQpDHhJENRo

This is one of those things, just like mechanical switches, where if typists just tried it they'd soon recognize how much better it is

[limitz]

Planck keyboard.

Ergodox (in a way)

[jacobolus]

I don't plan on selling, jacobolus, as that keyboard has sentimental value and is still mostly functional.

Yeah, I figured. Look at all those beautiful drawings on there!

Wow, that [Matias] ErgoPro is...nuts. I'd gladly trade my Topre Realforce to try that thing out, especially with the two spacebars. I don't know much about the switches, though.

I really like Matias switches, both the clicky and quiet versions. If you’ve tried complicated white Alps switches, they both feel pretty similar (though the quiet ones are obviously much quieter). They’re a different feeling and sound from either clicky space invaders or Topre switches.

Is this thing mechanical? If so I bet there are some people here who could take a look at that board for you. Keyboards are simple which means that they very robust in the sense that there isn't much that can be fried in a board with liquids.

It uses space invader switches, IIRC. I could take it apart and do a thorough examination and cleaning. The PCB is probably fine, it's true.

Someone could surely fix it. Hit up Dorkvader if you want professional help: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=61288

This is one of those things, just like mechanical switches, where if typists just tried it they'd soon recognize how much better it is.

Absolutely. http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=60830.msg1407511#msg1407511

[yasuo]

this is one but not sure its mechanical
http://www.impactcomputers.com/247430-001.html

edit: looks mecha
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/vshopu/2137-1801/

[user91]

Planck keyboard.

Ergodox (in a way)

Woa. That looks like something you'd use for data entry at a nuclear launch terminal.

[user91]

this is one but not sure its mechanical
http://www.impactcomputers.com/247430-001.html

edit: looks mecha
http://item.rakuten.co.jp/vshopu/2137-1801/

Yeah, I think those Compaq ones are rubber dome, just from memory of using a bunch like it

[user91]

Yeah, I figured. Look at all those beautiful drawings on there!

Thanks! It served me well in high school and college. I mostly used ThinkPad laptop keyboards after that, and that Mac chiclet one. I got a Filco Majestouch after advice from this forum and the rest was history.

[user91]

Oh yeah, also, caps lock as escape (or control) is a must-have, but you can do that in software easily enough.

[jacobolus]

Planck keyboard. Ergodox (in a way)

Woa. That looks like something you'd use for data entry at a nuclear launch terminal.

Here’s my prototype Ergodox-spinoff keyboard (ignore the legends); one of those thumb keys would certainly be a delete/backspace:


Also check out keyboard.io: http://www.keyboard.io/

And Esrille: http://www.esrille.com/keyboard/

[user91]

I didn't know people were still experimenting with those wacky designs. I thought that went out of vogue after the 90s, when the infamous Microsoft ergonomic keyboard didn't really catch on.

[tribade]

I didn't know people were still experimenting with those wacky designs. I thought that went out of vogue after the 90s, when the infamous Microsoft ergonomic keyboard didn't really catch on.

Shhh don't call the ergodox wacky...  Tp4 will be brought down upon us 

[yasuo]

I didn't know people were still experimenting with those wacky designs. I thought that went out of vogue after the 90s, when the infamous Microsoft ergonomic keyboard didn't really catch on.

wacky? you like traditonal qwery before i feel my lefthand odd/poor i think its wacky also

[mozaiq]

Another possibility would be to grab a phantom PCB and implement a 7bit bottom row.

The keys are smaller than just a split standard spacebar but you could implement any layout you like iirc.
In general I have to agree, it is a shame that there only so few mechanical boards out there that come with a split spacebar or something like that.

[fatmav]

Microsoft still makes one such keyboard, but not mechanical:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-ie/p/sculpt-comfort-keyboard#details

Note that only the Comfort one can be configured to have a backspace on the left thumb; the Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard also has two spacebars but I read that on the Sculpt Ergonomic the split spacebars are both space.

Also, I am typing this on a Kinesis Advantage. Technically there is a backspace underneath the left thumb on the Kinesis too.

[dorkvader]

Microsoft still makes one such keyboard, but not mechanical:

http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/en-ie/p/sculpt-comfort-keyboard#details

Note that only the Comfort one can be configured to have a backspace on the left thumb; the Sculpt Ergonomic keyboard also has two spacebars but I read that on the Sculpt Ergonomic the split spacebars are both space.

Also, I am typing this on a Kinesis Advantage. Technically there is a backspace underneath the left thumb on the Kinesis too.

the sculpt KB is actually pretty decent. If it had longer throw switches it's probably be one of the best RDs out there. Too bad it's wireless only. We'll have to fix that.

[berserkfan]

Planck keyboard. Ergodox (in a way)

Woa. That looks like something you'd use for data entry at a nuclear launch terminal.

Here’s my prototype Ergodox-spinoff keyboard (ignore the legends); one of those thumb keys would certainly be a delete/backspace:

Show Image

Also check out keyboard.io: http://www.keyboard.io/

And Esrille: http://www.esrille.com/keyboard/

Show Image

OH My GOd how did I ever miss your thread Jacobulus?

That is one awesome prototype. I think it beats Ergodox right off because the thumb keys have better positioning. I do hope you will improve on it and turn it into a group buy when it's done; it looks better than my matrix keyboards which, while being reasonably better than Qwerty, are non staggered.

[jacobolus]

OH My GOd how did I ever miss your thread Jacobulus [sic]? That is one awesome prototype. I think it beats Ergodox right off because the thumb keys have better positioning. I do hope you will improve on it and turn it into a group buy when it's done; it looks better than my matrix keyboards which, while being reasonably better than Qwerty, are non staggered.

Thanks. :-) This isn’t quite my ideal keyboard (which is sculpted and hard to produce at scale), but I think it’ll be pretty effective as a two-flat-halves keyboard. I’m definitely going to try to get it turned into a real thing that other people can get at some point.

[yasuo]

Filco FKB89J