Hello! I had a stroke in early 2022 and was paralyzed in my left arm. Before the stroke I was an avid PC gamer and was working as a journalist, so I was used to use a keyboard a lot. I would like to get back to using keyboard and mouse both for fun and work (lately I’ve mostly been gaming on my Steam Deck) Today I’ve mostly recovered but my left hand is still affected somewhat: I’m having trouble keeping my wrist at an angle so my hand hovers above the keys, so I would prefer a keyboard with (perhaps adjustable) wristrests. The fine motor skills in the fingers are not very good, especially the pinky and ring finger are affected by this. I really like dactyl manuform keyboards, and would like to try them, and think they might make it easier for my pinky and ring-y to reach (I figure;“why not?” I basically have to learn how to type again from scratch anyway, so I might as well go with a different layout) My current keyboard (a regular TKL mech) has clear cherry switches which I really like (I like that they’re more stiff than browns), so something with similar switches would be great. I’m no good at wiring or soldering, so a pre-made keyboard would be necessary. I realize this is quite an extensive list of wishes but if any of you have suggestions, I would be very thankful. I’ve also been looking at the Kinesis Advantage2 and the Glove80, again I think the keywell will make it easier for my pinky and ring finger to reach.
Oh, yeah, I should have mentioned; I’m European. Located in the EU.
Edit: to clarify
depends on “how different” you want to go, there’s a couple steps beyond the ergo mech – a steno keyboard still requires good use of both hands, but a one-handed chording keyboard would be the next step
- hardware along the lines of the Paintbrush
- firmware along the lines of ASETNIOP or artsey.io
- your words-per-minute WILL go down (steno keyboards get their speed from the dictionary software (Plover) rather than any fanciness in the firmware)
EDIT: quick list of EU shops
I agree that you should get a keywell keyboard. I haven’t read any specific reviews (I’m down the make-your-own rabbit hole instead), but I’ve seen some sentiment that the Glove80 is better than Kinesis’ offerings, and I believe it’s more programmable.
And about that last, if you “have to learn how to type again from scratch,” you should use a key layout that will work best for you. This may not be a layout that already exists! Colemak and all its variants, for example, put A and R under your left ring and pinky finger. You might want K and J there instead. Or if it’s easy to press the key your left ring and pinky are on, but hard to move them to a different key, you might be OK with A and R. Though Dvorak, for example, has left-handed and right-handed variants, I don’t think there are any predefined layouts for people who want to type more letters with their right hand than their left – or to be more likely to need to move fingers on their right hand more often than their left.
Carpalx is a body of work that lets you define the typing effort for each key, and finds an optimum key layout for you. I haven’t used it myself - Colemak DH is a sufficiently high local maximum of goodness for me and I haven’t gone down that hill to find a higher maximum yet. But the moment you’re in may afford you a unique opportunity.
http://mkweb.bcgsc.ca/carpalx/?typing_effort
If you do end up making one, or having one made, you might be interested in something like the Concertina.
Thank you very much for your answer and suggestions! Do you know if any of the switches for the Glove80 are comparable to Cherry Clears? There is a tactile option, but if it’s closer to MX browns, I might want to go with the clicky option. Also, do you have an opinion about Bastard Keyboards? I think they look interesting, and they’re in Europe, which works best for me.
Uh, I think the Glove80 uses Choc switches, right? For heavy tactile in Choc you would want Burnt Orange. Not sure whether that’s an option they provide or what.
Bastard Keyboards – I’ve talked with Quentin and he seems like a cool guy. He’s an innovator in the use of printed-circuit boards for keywell keyboards. That’s important because it makes keywell keyboards much easier and quicker to make, without the huge cost associated with polyimide flexible PCBs. He has high quality standards, too, in my limited experience of his products.
Thank you for still being active in this thread🤗
Hi there! I hope we can help out! There are a few small community shops that sell prebuilt dactyls but it’ll depend where about in the world you are? There’s also the Kenesis boards which are prebuilt.
What kinda budget are you looking at?
I knew I forgot something! My location is Northern Europe (EU). My budget is quite flexible, as I’m planning to put money aside for a bit until I can afford a keyboard that works for me. The more I look at the Glove80, the more I think that’s a good bet. What are the pros and cons of this keyboard?
If you do have some time to spare, and some basic tools - building your own dactyl manuform is a fun and engaging project (I’ve built two in the past, have helped a colleague build one). The fact you control all the aspects of the result, including programming the firmware - will let you customize it to your hearts content.
What do you consider “basic tools” in this case? I’ve got a screwdriver and measuring tape.
Well you’d have to have a little more than that 😜 You’d need to have access to a soldering iron and solder, as well as some way to 3d print the body. Other than that, only a hobby knife/wire cutters.
Unfortunately, I don’t know how to solder.😕
Then maybe the Glove80 would be a good fit, as it uses ZMK firmware - you’ll be able to customize the functionality of all the keys…
