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Show HN: Best Keyboard for Programming

9 points| keymouse | 6 years ago |keymouse.com | reply

28 comments

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[+] jacknews|6 years ago|reply
I love the idea, and am quite tempted to give it a go.

I especially love the option to '3d print your own dummy model to try out the different sizes'

Are you a single inventor bringing this baby to life, or is this a project from a larger company? I'd really love to hear your startup story, particularly as I also have some gadget ideas I'd like to reify.

[+] keymouse|6 years ago|reply
Yes, single inventor (programmer of 25+ years now). Started a Kickstarter campaign, but ended up changing to a 3D printed modular system, rather than going injection mold route. Gave us the flexibility to improve our design without high costs, but also allowed us to create a modular system, so anyone can use our parts to build their own devices.
[+] jmagaro88|6 years ago|reply
I'm a big fan of Ergodox (https://ergodox-ez.com). It's a little clunky to get used to at first, but it's so customizable that you can easily adjust for any positions your hand wants to be in. It made a huge difference for my RSI.
[+] keymouse|6 years ago|reply
KeyMouse is also fully programmable (including the mouse motion and scroll/trackball), and like the Ergodox, you can place each hand in whatever is the most comfortable position, but you don't have to move your hands off the keyboard to use the mouse.
[+] Wiles_7|6 years ago|reply
I have an Ergodox but never got used to it. I prefer a normal 75% layout.
[+] antjanus|6 years ago|reply
yeah, I was wondering how they compare because I'm hoping to buy it sometime later this year.

Mind giving a quick review so I know if I'm making the right choice? haha

[+] IdontRememberIt|6 years ago|reply
(I have been programming for +20y for +8 hours minimum a day) I tried so many keyboards. Types and brands. Mechanical are unfortunately a no go because of the noise (I am not alone in the office) and the required position of the arm, wrist and hand (if I want to have everything aligned naturally and because of the height of the keys and the keyboard).

Finally, the best (for me) is the Microsoft Modern Keyboard with Fingerprint ID. Only complains: missing removable battery and missing some separation space between "blocks" (numpad, f keys, arrows, etc). IMPORTANT: it would not use it for gaming.

On the go, the keyboard of my Lenovo X1 carbon is fantastic.

[+] codingdave|6 years ago|reply
Intriguing, but not a price point that many people will be willing to pay just to try it out. Even with a 30 day return policy, the 10% return fee isn't an ideal experience if it doesn't work for me.

A way to get a live demo before buying would be a good thing.

[+] ReC757|6 years ago|reply
I love the idea of this keyboard/mouse. I looked into it while searching for a keyboard to help with my RSI.

By the way, I would love to see something like your product that would allow me to use dual cursors on the screen at the same time to interact with the computer. Resizing and passing things back and forth between monitors while doing graphic design would be awesome!

I know that this may be out of reach for windows, but I would love to see something come about that allowed this on Linux. I'm sure program support is asking too much...

Also, I would love to see both a trackball and optical sensor in a new version of your product.

[+] keymouse|6 years ago|reply
Thank you! There are some possible options out there for 2 mouse cursors, you can see here: https://www.keymouse.com/resources, but not sure how well they work. Also, we are considering making a product that will allow 2 mouse sensors in the same device (trackball and bottom mouse sensor).
[+] snapdaddy|6 years ago|reply
One product (not yet mentioned here?) that seems to be getting overlooked is the trackball version of the split keyboard that you can mount on your armrests:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fd4TipIRVlc

I've often sort of fantasized about that exact product. Now that I see it, I'm not sure how great it would be to facilitate working while laying back, but . . . it's certainly intriguing.

[+] bradhe|6 years ago|reply
"Best" is quite a statement. Indeed, by "feature" it's great...but personally I'm never going to switch away from a QWERTY keyboard.

It's really easy to under index consistency.

[+] mpoteat|6 years ago|reply
This is QWERTY, albeit not one linear rectangle.
[+] stunt|6 years ago|reply
Congrats! It looks awesome!

I love KinesisAdvantageII. Having two of them myself both with Cherry MX Brown! One for office, and one for home.

I can see some similarities and some differences comparing Keymouse to mine. It looks like a mix of Ergodox and AdvantageII!

Very much like it that you are offering different sizes.

[+] keymouse|6 years ago|reply
Thank you! The AdvantageII and Ergodox are definitely good keyboards. We just went the next step and added the mouse built in, so you don't have to move your hands of the keyboard to use the mouse.