Reflections on my ErgoDox keyboard

ergodox.md

The article previously hosted here is now published on my website: My ErgoDox Keyboard.

If you care enough to buy and assemble an ErgoDox, you really should learn to touchtype. You don't "Always go back to the home row" except while learning. You just maintain awareness of where the home row is. I BIG part of touchtyping is learning to type common words and word parts and autocenter on the home row in preparation for what comes next. But when typing, you look ahead and move one hand while the other is setting it up with, say, the previous word or prefix. The better you are, the less you think consciously about the home row, but you always return to it when pausing and resuming.

You sound like me, in that you basically know how to touch type, but can benefit tremendously from a little methodical review. I highly recommend this tool, which is free. I'll warn you though, resist going too fast. This tool uses statistics to assess which keys you need to work on an when you are ready to move on. It works really well if you try to type accurately at an even, consistent rate, but you'll never make it though trying to type at max speed and blow past the errors.

I learned to type many years ago and decided to use this tool to brush up and break old habits before using my ErgoDox with blank keys. Works like a charm.

I can verify what others have said. The ErgoDoc thumb cluster is to far away. I'm six foot one and can only reach the two larger (and innermost) thumb keys without stretching if I place the keypads just so. The Kinesis is much better in this regard.

Incidentally, I mapped my ErgoDox to emulate the Kinesis so I can touchtype on blank keycaps. You can read about it and link to my ErgoDoc config here if interested.

A bit late to the party.. but if you read this..and havent seen the Model 01 yet.. you owe it to yourself to check it out. 2 piece split keyboard, more powerful processor (or similar..cant remember), fully programmable including multiple layers with shift/lock key capabilities as well as key combos, backllit LED, mechanical, and built in a wood keyboard frame, with tilt/tent options and more. A bit more in cost than the Ergo Dox, but by far the most beautiful keyboard youll find.

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/keyboardio/the-model-01-an-heirloom-grade-keyboard-for-seriou

Custom mechanical keyboard: ErgoDox, Atreus and GH60 is available here: https://falba.tech (Europe)

Backlit keys now available for preorder on Ergodox EZ.