BeeRaider and the question of radical key layout changes

[trauring]

I recently came across the new BeeRaider keyboard (http://www.beeraider.com) with that they call a radial layout:



I have no idea what kind of switches they use. I find it hard to believe they could use any standard mechanical stick in that layout.

It's a bit strange that they built what they consider an optimal layout for the main block of keys, but then stuck in the nav block and the number pad block like any full size keyboard.

Regardless of how effective this layout may or may not be, it brings up interesting questions about keyboard layouts. I'm sure there are people on this board that could write books on the subject of which keyboard layout is the best:  QWERTY, Dvorak, Colemark, Maltron, Norman, etc. That said, however, those layouts still basically assume the same physical position of the keys. There are a coupe of things that vary, such as staggered vs. ortho-linear, or standard vs. split keyboards, but the layouts themselves don't change with those variations.

As hobbyists, building something without standard switches is not so simple, and would seem to be nearly impossible with mechanical switches. In any case, what do people think of radical layout changes like BeeRaider's 'radial' layout? If there something intrinsically advantageous to current linear layouts? What other radical layout changes have been done in the past? Any theories on what else might work well?

[plegnic]

That thing looks so absurd. Looks like it is just begging for accidental keypresses.

There is an equally ridiculous-looking app, too: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.apps.beeraider

I think a big benefit to linear layouts is that most of the keys are the same size so your movements are more consistent. Grid-ish layouts work better if you are searching visually for the keys (not really an issue since most of us are touch-typers, but so many people aren't). They also make a lot of sense in applications where size is important for portability, because you have less wasted space.

[SpAmRaY]

That main block of keys belongs on a space ship.

[intelli78]

I am not necessarily opposed to radical new layouts, but I am opposed to Bee Raider, because it sounds like they just made it all up without any research at all. They have a really long page about the design philosophy, but it doesn't actually say anything substantive.

[nubbinator]

That's one of the worst keyboard layouts I've ever seen.  From the mixed key sizes that make no sense (an eraser sized Ctrl key?) to horrible Shift placement (hope you never have to hit Shift+N...oh wait, you will since it's one of the most commonly used letters) to a myriad of other issues this thing is a cluster**** of a keyboard.

[FoC_Tow]

That main block of keys belongs on a space ship.

Doesn't look like that space ship is of terrestrial origin tho...

[davkol]

Regardless of how effective this layout may or may not be, it brings up interesting questions about keyboard layouts. I'm sure there are people on this board that could write books on the subject of which keyboard layout is the best:  QWERTY, Dvorak Simplified Keyboard, Colemak, Maltron, Norman, etc. That said, however, those layouts still basically assume the same physical position of the keys. There are a coupe of things that vary, such as staggered vs. ortho-linear, or standard vs. split keyboards, but the layouts themselves don't change with those variations.

FTFY. Good luck using DTHOR on a "standard" keyboard.

BeeRaider doesn't really change anything in regards to the Keyboard Arrangement Problem. Various Dvorak or Maltron layouts, OPTI, QWERTY, QWERTY on this monstrosity, they're essentially all the same in principle.

I actually think even design of input methods like Dash is equivalent to solving KAP.


The physical layouts solves some issues in this case. It's symmetrical, isn't straight… but that's about it. Symbol/function placement appears rather poor, and I'd be worried about index-finger overload in this particular case. Also, the buttons look cheap.