Can someone explain to me how you're supposed to type on a 40%?

[mind_funeral]

I'm really interested in getting my first 40% keyboard.  Have little to no interest in a Planck.  Really looking at the JD40 as sherryton is working towards starting a CNC aluminum case kit group buy.  I like that the JD40 has a full sized spacebar but I'm curious about other 40% and even 45% layouts.

Anyway, can someone explain to me how you're supposed to type on a 40%?  Maybe some example layers and layouts that work the best?  I assume the 40% boards are fully programmable.

Thanks

[jdcarpe]

Yes, they are almost always fully programmable. The JD40 and JD45 are, certainly.

Heavy use of function layers, to accommodate the missing keys, to answer your question. Once you get your fn layers set up to where they are comfortable for you, it takes only about a week to learn where everything is.

And honestly, the JD45 is easier for me to use, because of the extra column. I don't have to adjust my finger position on the home row to make up for the missing key under my pinky. And it allows for alternative mappings, like Dvorak, Colemak, Workman, etc.

[chuckdee]

I'm really interested in getting my first 40% keyboard.  Have little to no interest in a Planck.  Really looking at the JD40 as sherryton is working towards starting a CNC aluminum case kit group buy.  I like that the JD40 has a full sized spacebar but I'm curious about other 40% and even 45% layouts.

Anyway, can someone explain to me how you're supposed to type on a 40%?  Maybe some example layers and layouts that work the best?  I assume the 40% boards are fully programmable.

Thanks

Supposed to type in relation to ... what?  When you start going down in size, a lot of it relates to your specific use case.  In mine, when I use my miniVan, I'm typing text for the most part.  The main layer is tailored towards that, with applicable modifiers easily available.  For formatting, I have to use symbols, so my first function layer is around creating those symbols, and numerics.  For numbers, it's easier in a number pad format.  So I have the symbols from the numbers on a standard keyboard across the top, and a 3x3 section with the numbers as they would be on a number pad, with the 0 added on, on the left side, and the other used keys on the right side.  My second function layer has these laid out in a more standardized format across the top, but I never really use it.

There were a couple of good articles on how to customize your keyboard to your personal use on MassDrop:

https://www.massdrop.com/talk/115/where-did-all-my-keys-go-a-look-into-the-function-layers-of-the-mini-van

https://www.massdrop.com/talk/77/tailoring-a-keyboard-to-your-needs

HTH

[mind_funeral]

Yes, they are almost always fully programmable. The JD40 and JD45 are, certainly.

Heavy use of function layers, to accommodate the missing keys, to answer your question. Once you get your fn layers set up to where they are comfortable for you, it takes only about a week to learn where everything is.

And honestly, the JD45 is easier for me to use, because of the extra column. I don't have to adjust my finger position on the home row to make up for the missing key under my pinky. And it allows for alternative mappings, like Dvorak, Colemak, Workman, etc.

Best to hear it straight from the horse's mouth.  I'm not too worried about the  dvorak or colmac layouts as I'm already ****ty enough at typing qwerty lol. I think I'll still go with the JD40 first and if I decide I don't like it,  I'll trade it for a JD45 or something.

Thanks for the help, Carpe.

[lolpes]

Use function Keys like you use the spacebar That is what I do in my JD45, pretty functional, haven't decrease my typping speed a lot, mainly due to learning the new layout

[Calmfixup]

I've been curious about this myself, anyone use these minimalist layouts for programming?

[Tactile]

I'm really interested in getting my first 40% keyboard.

The MiniVan is on Massdrop now in a complete kit or a barebones (without switches) kit.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/minivan-keyboard?mode=guest_open

[jdcarpe]

And the JD45 is available in-stock at MK.com

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_list&c=345

[chuckdee]

I'm really interested in getting my first 40% keyboard.

The MiniVan is on Massdrop now in a complete kit or a barebones (without switches) kit.

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/minivan-keyboard

Unfortunately unregistered people cannot see the product you linked, but don't worry, I'll fix that:

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/minivan-keyboard?mode=guest_open

Courtesy of your friendly neighborhood /u/massdropbot

[jdcarpe]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot. JD40 kits coming soon to originativeco.com

[Tactile]

Unfortunately unregistered people cannot see the product you linked, but don't worry, I'll fix that:

https://www.massdrop.com/buy/minivan-keyboard?mode=guest_open

Courtesy of your friendly neighborhood /u/massdropbot

Fixed. Thanks.

[oneproduct]

I've been curious about this myself, anyone use these minimalist layouts for programming?

I absolutely love my 40% for typing, but I don't think it's great for programming due to how much you need to use combinations of modifiers + Fn keys. My rule of thumb is that having to press more than two modifiers is not acceptable and Windows + Shift + Fn + Right to move a window to another screen (assuming arrows are on a function layer) is an example of that. Also certain things where I'm used to doing while holding one modifier became two which takes quite some time getting used to, such as Control + # becoming Control + Fn + #. It's part muscle memory but also that some commands I used to be able to do with one hand became two-handed. Also if you need heavy usage of function row keys it's not ideal. Debugging in visual studio and pressing F10/F11 a lot for example.

I totally don't mind holding modifier keys when they are occasionally needed during typing, but if you are going to frequently need your modifier layers it can be quite inconvenient.

[chuckdee]

I totally don't mind holding modifier keys when they are occasionally needed during typing, but if you are going to frequently need your modifier layers it can be quite inconvenient.

Most support locking layers, which is what I use for keys I need for coding.  But yes, it is a valid point, which is why I use mine only for writing, instead of programming.

[GL1TCH3D]

40% is only effective if you're only using the letters and lightly using the numbers / other characters.

I find that as soon as you need to do extensive number input and other things it's not worthwhile, though, if you want to train yourself to do it you can put a locking layer and turn your board into a big numpad for input

My issue comes more from having to switch between

[DWawa]

I'm really interested in getting my first 40% keyboard.  Have little to no interest in a Planck.  Really looking at the JD40 as sherryton is working towards starting a CNC aluminum case kit group buy.  I like that the JD40 has a full sized spacebar but I'm curious about other 40% and even 45% layouts.

Anyway, can someone explain to me how you're supposed to type on a 40%?  Maybe some example layers and layouts that work the best?  I assume the 40% boards are fully programmable.

Thanks

Supposed to type in relation to ... what?  When you start going down in size, a lot of it relates to your specific use case.  In mine, when I use my miniVan, I'm typing text for the most part.  The main layer is tailored towards that, with applicable modifiers easily available.  For formatting, I have to use symbols, so my first function layer is around creating those symbols, and numerics.  For numbers, it's easier in a number pad format.  So I have the symbols from the numbers on a standard keyboard across the top, and a 3x3 section with the numbers as they would be on a number pad, with the 0 added on, on the left side, and the other used keys on the right side.  My second function layer has these laid out in a more standardized format across the top, but I never really use it.

There were a couple of good articles on how to customize your keyboard to your personal use on MassDrop:

https://www.massdrop.com/talk/115/where-did-all-my-keys-go-a-look-into-the-function-layers-of-the-mini-van

https://www.massdrop.com/talk/77/tailoring-a-keyboard-to-your-needs

HTH

I've been curious about this myself, anyone use these minimalist layouts for programming?

I absolutely love my 40% for typing, but I don't think it's great for programming due to how much you need to use combinations of modifiers + Fn keys. My rule of thumb is that having to press more than two modifiers is not acceptable and Windows + Shift + Fn + Right to move a window to another screen (assuming arrows are on a function layer) is an example of that. Also certain things where I'm used to doing while holding one modifier became two which takes quite some time getting used to, such as Control + # becoming Control + Fn + #. It's part muscle memory but also that some commands I used to be able to do with one hand became two-handed. Also if you need heavy usage of function row keys it's not ideal. Debugging in visual studio and pressing F10/F11 a lot for example.

I totally don't mind holding modifier keys when they are occasionally needed during typing, but if you are going to frequently need your modifier layers it can be quite inconvenient.

Can you choose any key to be a Fn key? The Minivan's current Alt key, to the right of Space, is so tempting.

[oneproduct]

On the one I'm using you can. I imagine that you can remap it on most of the others as well.

[menuhin]

40% is only effective if you're only using the letters and lightly using the numbers / other characters.
I find that as soon as you need to do extensive number input and other things it's not worthwhile ...

I do quite some coding (e.g. R, Matlab C, Lisp, etc) and then also enjoy writing and editing in LaTeX. Perhaps I will have a hard time finding the 40% keyboard comfortable to use? Currently I am using my ThinkPad X220 which has a 5-row (some say 6-row) keyboard layout, similar to the 75% keyboards.

[OfTheWild]

I will say that for the more common keys, you find them easily and it just becomes second nature - things like Delete and the Arrows. Its things like "end" and "print screen" that trip me up and i have to fumble around a bit to figure out where it is.