"Split" keyboards

[wayndom]

I've wondered for some time about "split" keyboards -- the ones where the keys are separated down the t/y, g/h, b/n axis, and each side is set at an angle, so your hands lie more naturally on the home keys.

I'd like to hear from anyone who's switched from a standard keyboard to the split kind. Is it easier to use, and do your hands get less tired using it?

Or was it not worth the extra investment?

And on a related note, does anyone use a Dvorak keyboard (that's one in which the most-used letters are the home keys, next most-used are the next easiest keys to reach, etc.)

I know writers using Dvorak keyboards move their fingers about a quarter of the distance that Qwerty keyboards consume, but I've never seen any hard- or software to "convert" a qwerty to Dvorak, and just as important, have never seen any "teach yourself to type" programs for Dvorak boards.

[Sage]

I don't have one now, but when I was in high school, my dad had one for his computer. I didn't notice if it helped my wrists or not (maybe the fact that I can't remember means that it wasn't aggravating them), but it wasn't any harder to use.

[Billingsgate]

I have a split keyboard that I've used for years. I now find it very awkward to use a normal keyboard. Whether it's because the split one is more ergonomic or just because I've gotten used to it I can't tell. My wife is a very fast typist (I'm not) and she also uses an ergonomic keyboard and seems to think she can type slightly faster with it, with less fatigue. Again, whether this latter point is actually so or merely self-fulfilling prophecy, she can't reliably say.

One thing I will warn against: keyboards with built-in track pads where you use your finger instead of using a mouse. Both my wife's and my ergonomic keyboards also have those, and we both needed physiotherapy on our hands after using them for a month. Awful! After I disconnected the track pads, just using the ergonomic keyboard seems quite comfortable.

[benbradley]

And on a related note, does anyone use a Dvorak keyboard (that's one in which the most-used letters are the home keys, next most-used are the next easiest keys to reach, etc.)

I know writers using Dvorak keyboards move their fingers about a quarter of the distance that Qwerty keyboards consume, but I've never seen any hard- or software to "convert" a qwerty to Dvorak, and just as important, have never seen any "teach yourself to type" programs for Dvorak boards.

Programs to convert your computer keyboard (whether PC/Windows, Mac or Linux) are no doubt out there and just a Google away. Some computers/OS'es may have alternate keyboard layouts built in. It takes very little software to rearrange what keys generate what characters. Rearranging keycaps may be a problem depending on your keyboard, but not on the PS/2 keyboards I use. I haven't tried Dvorak - yet...

Oh, looky here, EVERYTHING you asked for, all on one website:
http://www.mit.edu/~jcb/Dvorak/

[Prawn]

And while we are at it, there is a forum (http://absolutewrite.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=81) for tech questions such as these, and Fahim and the other tech-y writers over there know a lot about things like this.

[PeeDee]

I really hated it, when I had to use one (my wife's parents had one). I could type as fast, but because my hands don't sit on the keyboard properly (I can only type with 9 fingers, so my hands are arranged differently) I find it awkward as hell. It didn't hurt my wrists, but it hurt the muscles above my elbows, of all places.

[johnzakour]

Yeah, I tried one back in the old days (the early 2000s) when I had a real job and didn't like it at all. Some people swear by them though.

[GeorgieB]

During the time that my wife and I travel about the US in our RV, we both do our writing on laptops with that flat, miserable keyboard. At home, both of us have an external, split keyboard positioned at the right height at a typing desk. The laptop does sit farther away and to compensate for that I just set the font to Verdana 14 and go to it.

Both of us are fast typists, my wife faster than I am. The split keyboard facilitates that and after a morning writing session my fingers, hands and wrists don't feel as if they've been used to blenderize rocks.

JMHO.

[Sassee]

I use both. I have a split keyboard at home and a regular one at work, and I switch between them easily.

Honestly, what is going to help your wrists more is to have the keyboards with lighter key press. Pounding away on the keys of a tough keyboard is going to injure you more than not having your keyboard split and tilted. Find one that's been adjusted so the top row of keys requires less pressure than say hitting the space bar. Usually those sorts of keyboards are more expensive but they're worth it.

I hate my work keyboard not because it isn't split, but because I have to pound on it. It's annoying and I can feel the fatigue faster.

[maestrowork]

I have one and it's great -- much more natural, but I do find it harder to switch to normal keyboards (except my MacBook...)

[PeeDee]

I'm debating giving it another shot, now that I'm full-time at this. I'd like my wrists to not give out on me before I hit thirty.

[Scribhneoir]

I've got a split keyboard at work and I love it. But I agree with Sassee that comfort depends as much on the touch of the keyboard as the arrangement. My laptop has a lovely light touch that makes typing a breeze even though the keyboard is straight.

I'd say a split keyboard with a light touch is well worth the investment.

[CheshireCat]

I use a split keyboard (Microsoft ergonomic), have for years now, and absolutely love it. Once I adjusted, I found I had far fewer problems with muscle aches, was able to type faster and for longer periods without undue fatigue, and for whatever reason it's easier for me to keep my knuckles-forearm-to-elbow line straight -- which my high school typing teach told us would protect our wrists.

She was right. I've been typing for decades now, heavily, and have never had a problem with carpal tunnel, though many of my writer friends have. (Never rest the heel of your hands on the keyboard while typing!)

My mouse is by the side of the keyboard, standard style, though I use quite a few Ctrl/whatever commands to minimize the mouse use when I'm writing.

Oh, and for what it's worth, since my laptop has a standard layout keyboard, I always expect the first hour or so after a switchover to be slower and awkward.

[Haphazard]

I have one and it's great -- much more natural, but I do find it harder to switch to normal keyboards (except my MacBook...)

I have a MacBook, too, and the keyboard is very easy to use and is pretty easy on my fingers. I find it hard to use a normal keyboard with normal height keys now because of it. I tried to use a split keyboard once, though, and it was really annoying because the way I learned to type has my fingers sharing a lot of the middle keys (especially "B"). My wrist used to hurt before I switched to a MacBook but now I haven't been having any problems.

[Alana Mortensen]

aye love,

the keyboard to which you referr as "split and angled" is called an ergonomic keyboard. Microsoft has one and I preffer it to a standard keyboard.......... For the reasons, 1) easier to hit the correct key, 2) not as touchy as a standard keyboard, 3) relieves the strain on the wrists, 4) I can actually type a wee bit faster with one aka I can type 2 pages in the time it takes for me to type 1 with a standard. But I am stuck with this painful and often bitchy standard keyboard until I can get a new pc. I have seen laptops,special order type deals, with "split" adjustable keyboardsbut you are talking money, at least doble normal price.

[RedScylla]

I had some pretty serious carpal tunnel symptoms--pain and numbness in my fingers--so I got a split keyboard, with dipped key wells. The return, space, delete, back space are all under the thumbs. It's made by Kinesis, cost about $400, is fully programmable, and switchable between qwerty and Dvorak. Worth every penny. Two years later I don't have any pain or numbness in my hands.
I'm still not 100% on Dvorak, but I'm making progress. It's quite good for the brain, making that switch--exercises brain cells you thought had gone into retirement.