The Smallest Keyboard Ever | Prime Reacts

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  • Опубликовано: 18 ноя 2024

Комментарии • 298

  • @BenVallack
    @BenVallack Год назад +347

    Lol the barefoot shoe thumbnail grossed you out (my vid as well). Thanks for this though - made my day! It’s quite the rabbit hole. I’m using an 18 key version now. Very interesting what you’re saying about the role of whole word patterns in different layouts. With the two alpha layers I find it really becomes a lot about whole word patterns. As a result I hit a speed plateau and now feel that improving my whole word patterns is the way to get over the plateau. It’s still super enjoyable to use but it’s still error prone.

    • @fgsz291
      @fgsz291 Год назад +8

      Build a Ferris Sweep after watching your video. Still switching between my Moonlander and the Ferris because I am not up to speed for something like pair programming. Thanks for your videos 🙏

  • @cherubin7th
    @cherubin7th Год назад +412

    Yes learn soldering, understanding computers even one level lower. Its like the C of real hardware creation.

    • @ThePrimeTimeagen
      @ThePrimeTimeagen  Год назад +212

      i am scared

    • @T33K3SS3LCH3N
      @T33K3SS3LCH3N Год назад +153

      To become a true low level programmer, you start with a rock to build your first hand axe and then work your way up to the bronze age...

    • @vaisakh_km
      @vaisakh_km Год назад +14

      Next is custom computer... with custom cpu...

    • @ShrirajHegde
      @ShrirajHegde Год назад +44

      ​@@T33K3SS3LCH3N everybody gangsta until low level learning starts digging the sand

    • @juniorceccon
      @juniorceccon Год назад +3

      @@ThePrimeTimeagen hold my hand

  • @Nik930714
    @Nik930714 Год назад +60

    3:50 As a hardware engineer i can confirm, its not that complicated. Its just new and unfamiliar to you. You can understand that image after an hour or two of tutorials.

    • @bennettzug
      @bennettzug 7 месяцев назад +1

      agreed, did it in like 10th grade with 0 prior knowledge

  • @ericvogler6909
    @ericvogler6909 Год назад +27

    Building your own keyboard and your own layout feels like the same vibe as deeply customizing your IDE. It's all about having an intimate relationship with your tools.

  • @robfielding8566
    @robfielding8566 Год назад +15

    I made an iPhone case with a 16-key mechanical keyboard on the back of it. You wrap your fingers around the back, thumbs still on the glass. It uses braille layout; using circuit Python to implement the chordes layout. Using braille collapses everything down into 8 keys; and the other 8 are special chording, like alt/ctrl, etc. What is great about it is that it fully emulates US qwerty, and you don't need to look at your iPhone while you type. You can respond to text messages while looking ahead of you.
    I created it because I learned computer braille, due to vision issues. The only problem I have with it is that the USBC to lightning cable sticks out. It drains the battery a bit. If I used bluetooth, it would drain it even more.
    Chorded layouts are a little slower than non-chorded layouts, because you need to take overlapped keys into account.

    • @concray
      @concray 3 месяца назад +1

      sorry, youtube just recommended me this video a year after it came out. But i'm so intrigued about this, because i had the idea of a "handheld" keyboard like that forever but could never make it work. Do you have a video of it?

    • @robfielding8566
      @robfielding8566 3 месяца назад +1

      @@concray ruclips.net/video/dNlG1Czgd4U/видео.html a keybow2040 is a good start for a 4x4 mechanical keyboard. it's perfect for the backside of an iPhone case. However, the USB to lightning cable is special. It has an IC to emulate an Apple dongle. If it wasn't for that cable, and the power draw; I would have a real product for sale already.

    • @concray
      @concray 3 месяца назад

      @@robfielding8566 very cool, i was thinking about something like the taipo layout, never even would have thought about braille, thanks so much

  • @pistol0grip0pump
    @pistol0grip0pump Год назад +53

    Yes ! Absolutely would love to watch you build this / or your own ideal keyboard, it'd be a great learning experience for you and just a great journey to follow along with

    • @uchennaofoma4624
      @uchennaofoma4624 Год назад

      I actually wanted to buy an ergonomic keyboard, but after I found out that you'd have to build it yourself I got sad. I'm a dev with no hardware knowledge 😂😂

    • @MirkoVukusic
      @MirkoVukusic Год назад

      etsy

    • @zorbat5
      @zorbat5 Год назад

      ​@@uchennaofoma4624You can buy them as well, but they are standardized for mass production. Building one isn't nearly as complicated as it looks though. Just do your research well and you'll be fine.

    • @xkali8119
      @xkali8119 10 месяцев назад

      @@uchennaofoma4624 there are quite a lot of shops where you can buy ergo keebs, but they can be very expensive.

  • @FilipGodlewski
    @FilipGodlewski Год назад +17

    I've been following Ben since he did a ZSA Moonlander review. I've got interested and after some time, bought it and got into customization. After a year I decreased the number of keys down to 18 and was very happy with the layout. I had a take on Engram keyboard layout (I had to change it a bit). In the meantime I realized that Ben also did an 18 key layout, but we had a totally different philosophy. I stopped using the layout ultimately, and actually moved back to a regular keyboard, even though I was very confidently using it day-to-day on both MacOS and Windows. I do recommend trying this out, it's gonna teach you a lot about the keyboard ergonomics. My journey started, because I had a chronic index finger pain. And actually, even though I'm not using this keyboard anymore, the pain went away (fingers crossed forever)

    • @thestopper5165
      @thestopper5165 Год назад

      Engram's philosophy is good, and the research behind it is really nicely-structure - but it's not for folks who want their results in O("TV episode"). I really like the "punctuation symbols on the middle columns" and how is : and is ; - it makes it slightly tedious to wrote the QMK code for it, because it requires a .h file to define the alternative shift behaviour.
      Anyone who's keen to try Engram should understand that it really helps to spend plenty of time on "back to basics" using something like Klavaro. It'll take 2 half-hour sessions a day for a month before there is any point using MonkeyType.
      The benefits of Engram are really significant. I had Engram and QWERTY as keyboard options on my Windows desktop, with as the toggle key-combo. I'm still not competent enough to use Engram if I need something written quickly.

    • @FilipGodlewski
      @FilipGodlewski Год назад

      ​@@thestopper5165 Exactly. Well, for anyone wondering - Engram is super for English and programming (even if you're using vi bindings), but for other languages, e.g. Polish it was too hard to put diacritical marks fast. Since I was using 18 keys only, I decided to help myself just a little bit with hammerspoon on MacOS (which worked, since I connect to Windows machine only through RDP), to set up the usual emacs-like terminal keybindings for the regular delete/esc/enter/etc. keys. Pretty straightforward and fast to do. Unfortunately, the downside was that some windows key combinations weren't working (ctrl-h for instance), but I didn't care. The good thing, that as opposed to what Ben suggests, I only had 3 key layers, with a total bare minimum keys. If you're interested in how the layout looked like, head to on: https:%%configure.zsa.io%moonlander%layouts%n69dJ%latest%0 (change the % to /, YT blocks sending links :/ )

  • @muz1903
    @muz1903 Год назад +12

    I was inspired by you talking about your split keyboard on stream, found this guys channel and ended up building my own ferris sweep split 34 key keyboard, I love how you can totally customise it to fit your own needs.

    • @oku-mq7kg
      @oku-mq7kg Год назад

      Yes! This is the same board I started with. I'm looking forward to designing my own over the summer.

  • @cholst1
    @cholst1 Год назад +37

    So is this the keyboard enthusiast equivalent to a waifu pillow?

  • @Omikronik
    @Omikronik Год назад +24

    the ferris sweep is so good, i made a sweep with nice!nano's last year and for the past year ive been using that for all my coding, just having all my shortcuts, symbols and numbers within reach without moving my hands is so comfortable.
    I cannot recommend it enough

    • @ThePrimeTimeagen
      @ThePrimeTimeagen  Год назад +7

      really... dang

    • @maximilianhonig2049
      @maximilianhonig2049 Год назад

      I’m contemplating buying the Athreus for weeks now, but am kinda hesitant at because I’m primarily using Vim and thus heavily rely on the number keys due to motions…

  • @Tw33ty271
    @Tw33ty271 Год назад +5

    I think he says directly why he doesn't want to hold for layer. His example as I understood it was he wants to hit a key A in layer1, press the modifier and key B in Layer 2, then hit key C in layer 1 faster than he's able to remove his finger from the modifier key.
    I'm assuming that the reason for the speed difference is that it's slower to press and lift one finger than press two separate fingers in quick succession.

    • @narkfly
      @narkfly 6 месяцев назад

      Exactly.

  • @Sc0nes
    @Sc0nes Год назад +5

    Fell down the split ergo keyboard rabbithole a few months ago. With no previous soldering experience I built a "Piantor" keyboard. I'm using the Miryoku keymap with Colemak-dh keylayout.
    I'm currently really slow at typing but it's been a really fun experience, I feel like there is so much potential to be gained if I just keep at it.
    I was nervous about the soldering (watched a bunch of youtube videos before starting) but everything went great and worked on the first try. Looking forward to building more keyboards

  • @P3PPING
    @P3PPING Год назад +1

    Been watching Ben for a while now, his videos are *chefs kiss* and he goes so deep you get pulled in with him.
    Super fascinating stuff!

  • @geno_purple
    @geno_purple Год назад +14

    Just made a keyboard like this with minimal soldering experience and although it was a bit stressful, it was a ton of fun.

  • @aidanbrumsickle
    @aidanbrumsickle Год назад +2

    If you watch The Mother of All Demos from the 60s, he has a little chorded device he uses to type with his left hand when he's using the mouse, in addition to having a full keyboard

  • @jammeri
    @jammeri Год назад +9

    Been trying Colemak DH ISO and it has been quite pleasant layout to write English. I recommend checking it out if you're looking for an alternative to QWERTY layout that will reduce finger movements. Colemak has copy & paste functionality close to the original positions for quick access if you don't want to change the keybinds.

  • @kahnzo
    @kahnzo Год назад +3

    Big fan of Ben Vallack. I really want someone that is deep into Vim to work through how they'd like their layers on a fewer key keyboard.

  • @maxisqt
    @maxisqt Год назад +2

    Prime the patterns you’re referring to are bigrams and trigrams, they’re the “rolls” which you want to feel good. There are layouts which optimise the most common tri and bigrams, colemak-dh for example!

  • @samhughes1747
    @samhughes1747 Год назад +1

    "Hold, what's wrong with hold-for-layer?" When you start to get into these uber-tiny layouts, there's a lot of pressure to start doing key-combos and gestures to increase what your few keys do. I LITERALLY got my 54-key Iris rev7 today, so I don't know who I'll be after a year of this, but I can't see myself using a keyboard that small. The 36-key boards like the Ferris are about as small as I could see myself going.

  • @lukasz_sarnacki
    @lukasz_sarnacki Год назад +3

    I started writing on ergo keyboards from ~50 keys on Iris and after 2 years I had so many symbols on my layers that I decided I don’t need as many keys.
    I finally went down to 36 and I have never felt so comfortable before. That said, I’ve never been very fast (90wpm on simple words) and I don’t think I ever will - not sure how well would it work if I typed >100wpm (especially when using the home row mod).
    But experimenting with different layers layouts was a lot of fun. Not for everyone probably but I think it is worth trying.

  • @Ataraxia_Atom
    @Ataraxia_Atom Год назад +10

    I build Ben's 34key ergo board, and it's really a great layout. I highly suggest it.
    I have an extra pair of PCBs if you want them prime

    • @ivanjermakov
      @ivanjermakov Год назад

      I guess you mean Ferris Sweep?

    • @Ataraxia_Atom
      @Ataraxia_Atom Год назад

      @@ivanjermakov I don't remember what it's called

    • @oku-mq7kg
      @oku-mq7kg Год назад +1

      @@Ataraxia_Atom Yeah, it's a modified Ferris Sweep, with the PCB cut around the keycaps, and a different silkscreen.

  • @blackphidora
    @blackphidora Год назад +7

    You mentioned not understanding why Ben did not use a 'hold' function as the layer, the problem was the hold function itself.
    In other words, Ben's problem was that he was typing faster than his hand could move, his index finger and thumb would work together to hit a letter that was on a layer. But when his intentions were to hit a character that was not on a layer, his fingers would hit the next key before his thumb has responded and lifted from the key.
    My moving this to a macro, he made it a one shot layer. His intention to hit a key not on a layer would be typed in, even though his thumb was physically pressing down the key and did not lift in time.

  • @GS12478
    @GS12478 Год назад +1

    "I hate this idea of thinking"
    Could be a take from Tom..
    He's a genius btw

  • @anlumo1
    @anlumo1 Год назад +1

    On macOS, there's a Dvorak with QWERTY command keyboard layout. Text typing is Dvorak, but as soon as you hold the command (meta) key, it switches to QWERTY. Then, all shortcuts have the layout they were designed for.

  • @ishanzuaim5579
    @ishanzuaim5579 8 месяцев назад +1

    11:10 You can easily change the settings of PopOS to allow you to switch workspaces via hotkey and also open certain application with hotkeys

  • @ButtonsAndSwitches101
    @ButtonsAndSwitches101 Год назад +2

    I use neo2 as my keyboard layout (even though I haven't typed anything in German in years). The layout starts with XVLC so you still have all of those available for left hand copy/paste. Also it has a 3rd layer that gives all the brackets on index/middle finger and just a well thought out layout for programming (I haven't bothered with anything above layer 3, but things would be useful for productivity if you had a 60% keyboard or even smaller. Admittedly I'm currently only at 100 ish wpm (on a Q8 alice layout), but I definitely see much room for improvement.

  • @robsmith2936
    @robsmith2936 Год назад +1

    In the context of courtroom proceedings, stenographers or court reporters use a specialized chorded keyboard or typewriter called a steno machine or stenotype machine to transcribe the spoken words into written form in real time . These machines have a limited set of keys, each of which represents a syllable or a group of sounds, allowing stenographers to type much more quickly and accurately than the average typist. The written text produced by these machines is then used to create an official transcript of the proceedings. There are also specialized keyboards and mice designed for courtrooms that are quiet and easy to clean.

    • @gcolombelli
      @gcolombelli 6 месяцев назад

      And you don't even have to buy an expensive steno machine to try it, there's plover, you can try it with pretty much any NKRO capable keyboard.

  • @rapzid3536
    @rapzid3536 Год назад +1

    This is really cool. But this remind me of the person given 20 years to cut down a tree that spent 19 years, 11 months, 30 days, 23 hours, and 45 minutes sharpening their axe.

  • @asdqwe4427
    @asdqwe4427 Год назад +2

    I’ve watched all of his videos. I ended up getting a sofle. I have all of the “programmer keys” on the home row on one layer. And then A for @ and S for $. And arrow keys on hjkl on another layer

  • @histeward
    @histeward Год назад +1

    Ben has awesome tutorials on building those boards! The corne keyboard is my fave

  • @JoshPaulie
    @JoshPaulie Год назад

    Building and customizing a keyboard is the natural next step for you

  • @maxisqt
    @maxisqt Год назад

    Primeagen X Ben Vallack crossover yes babyyy - Prime if you dont want to get into making your own keebs, there are programmable prebuilts (I use a Dygma Raise) which allow you to experiment with the thumb clusters and smaller key layouts, I would say a 36 or 38 layout is a good starting point, Miryoku is a well established 36 key layout.

  • @cornheadahh
    @cornheadahh Год назад +1

    I use the corne keyboard. It has 42 keys total. That is all you ever need because the concept of layers exist. That's 4,398,046,511,104 keys essentially... would you ever need more than that? The corne keyboard is essentially the vim of keyboards. It's a more practical version of the keyboard in this video.

  • @thomasw.4298
    @thomasw.4298 Год назад +1

    I started with kinesis, then used ferris sweep (like 32 keys) for like 6 mo. I found when I got fast I was hitting wall and it got frustrating because you have to throttle a bit to switch layers. Now i use hillside (52 keys) as perfect compromise. Allows for dedicated layer keys and so no throttling. Give it a try sometime!

  • @kobibr9362
    @kobibr9362 Год назад +2

    Once you have used OSM on qmk, a split keyboard, and i3, your are part of the club. You may try to get out but you will always come back.

  • @UnhingedNW
    @UnhingedNW Год назад +2

    Prime, you are literally already the guy 🫠🤷‍♂️

  • @Ruhrpottpatriot
    @Ruhrpottpatriot Год назад

    QWERTY "flows" so well because the most used keys are far apart, meaning you can't hit them easily by accident when fast typing. A welcome leftover from mechanical typewriters.

  • @dulcebelluminexpertis4147
    @dulcebelluminexpertis4147 Год назад +2

    I use a ferris sweep, and i absolutely love it.

  • @tonytwostep_
    @tonytwostep_ 8 месяцев назад +2

    would love to see a guy who's "never soldered anything" try to handwire a keyboard lmao

    • @gcolombelli
      @gcolombelli 6 месяцев назад +1

      Handwiring will be a huge pain for someone not used to breadboarding, soldering on a PCB would probably feel a lot easier to most people.

  • @degenerate20
    @degenerate20 Год назад

    If you are already a fan of the dactyl style keyboard, but want less keys, the Charybdis Nano from Bastard Keyboards is amazing, even has a trackball built in.

  • @zsh7862
    @zsh7862 Год назад

    Currently using an 18 key split board right now with a modification of Ben Vallack's layout. Couldn't be happier with it.

  • @roaba3581
    @roaba3581 Год назад

    Love Ben Vallack's vids. Strongly recommend you get a ferris sweep or a corne for starters though.

  • @ISKLEMMI
    @ISKLEMMI Год назад +1

    You could become the guy who builds his own keyboard but is still chill about it.

    • @ThePrimeTimeagen
      @ThePrimeTimeagen  Год назад +3

      try not to get hurt by a quote

    • @ISKLEMMI
      @ISKLEMMI Год назад +1

      ​@@ThePrimeTimeagen Definitely not! I thought you were funny. Just think it might be cool if you soldered some stuff on stream. :D
      Building things is fun!

  • @nucatus
    @nucatus Год назад

    oh man, I started using Dvorak because of you. I guess that half of the Dvorak fanclub has the same source if inspiration :)) After 10 months of using it I reached like 80% performance I had on QWERTY before switching.
    But hey! the very first thing I did when I moved to this new layout was to remap that f***ing L out from that place. So, I swapped it with D and I'm very happy with my decision since.

  • @JohnLadan
    @JohnLadan Год назад

    My solution to copy, paste with one hand on dvorak: holding `-` acts as ctrl, to mirror my esc/ctrl for caps lock. It also makes ctrl-shift combos really nice; hold ctrl-shift with one hand, press the key with the other.
    I could probably make it a bit nicer with a dedicated layer, but choosing all the hotkeys, mapping them, and remembering them when needed is a lot more work.

    • @NathanHedglin
      @NathanHedglin Год назад

      I just make the lower row pinky CTRL and lower row pinky ALT when I hold them for both hands.

  • @Danielo515
    @Danielo515 Год назад

    Hardware is hard, but it is also very satisfying . And building something you use every day is even a better thing. Be careful of the rabbit hole though

  • @meistertigran
    @meistertigran Год назад +2

    Yabai is basically i3 for Mac

  • @BillLambert
    @BillLambert Год назад

    QWERTY for life. I touch-typed at ludicrous speed as a kid, then relearned it "the right way" in my teens which was frustrating AF, but at 150+ WPM I just don't see the benefit in learning a new layout. Faster typing isn't going to make NPM suck less.

  • @Imaltont
    @Imaltont Год назад

    If you want to build something, then I think the Dactyl Manuform might be something to look at. The designs comes in various sizes, and has a concave shape rather than flat.

    • @oku-mq7kg
      @oku-mq7kg Год назад

      This would be the closest thing to his existing board for sure.

  • @HaMMeR33661
    @HaMMeR33661 Год назад

    I designed own version of the layout while impatiently waiting for his video on it, back half a year. Now I work with 22 keys -- that's what I found best - 2 rows of 4 keys, 3 keys on each thumb.
    I did it all until that point -- qwerty, dvorak, workman, colemak -- started having issues every time I approached 70 wpm; I'm prone to RSI I guess! Small hands.
    I've put comments in his video about my journey, I think I was at 50wpm in 2 days (able to work), 60wpm in a week, 70wpm in a month, 90wpm in 2 months (current speed).
    I think because there are no movements and only presses, the issues with learning are limited to forgetting to press the layerswitch for letters, and that is really easy to overcome.
    The rest is just remembering the very few positions -- it makes it really easy to visualize the layout and keep in your head when you're working with two 4x2 boxes of keys!
    I cannot recommend it enough, if you don't "need" to do above 120wpm (for programming, I find optimized symbols, macros and editor/OS fluency as way more important anyway).
    Now I literally -cannot- get RSI issues because there is literally no weird angles whatsoever.
    Sub-50gram switches for comboing columns and you're golden. And you can pick whatever weird switches you want to when there's just 20 of them -- I'm even considering going no-PCB handwired so I can optimize the key angles (esp. thumbs) more due to how approachable and small my keyboard is!

  • @matscalia
    @matscalia Год назад

    I built one of these following what Ben says. Been using it for a year now. Best keyboard ever. Best keyboard ever. Can't stress it enough. Super comfortable once you get accustomed to it.

  • @ViniciusProvenzano
    @ViniciusProvenzano Год назад +1

    You should take a look at Miryoku layout, for a starter. Ben's layout was too much for me, Miroku was the sweet spot. You can try it on a mechanical keyboard before commiting to a board - removing some keycaps...
    As for keyboards you can use anything - my suggestios are Ferris Sweep, Draculad or Corne/Helidox. You can buy those as kits for soldering but some vendors will build them for you. As a suggestion if you want to have space for A LOT of features it is better to have a RP2040 microcontroller, but for the basics any Promicro clone will do. Last hint: check if you really need bluetooth - this limits a bunch the microcontroller and firmware choice. QMK (C) and KMK (python) and ZMK (C) are the main players - keyberon is a new player on the block (Rust). To a coder each one has different appeals. Again, not all run on all microcontrollers. I love QMK, but Bluetooth as far as I am aware works only on ZMK. Welcome to the rabbit role.

    • @oku-mq7kg
      @oku-mq7kg Год назад +1

      My only dislike with Miryoku is the use of homerow mods. But if they work for you, it really minimizes the amount of key presses you use for modifiers. I personally use an adaptation of Callum-style mods, which although increase the amount of key presses when using modifiers, I can chord them just as quickly.
      Bluetooth is supported by QMK, but it's not nearly as optimised as ZMK, so it's one or the other depending on whether you're going wired split, or wireless (although ZMK is adding wired support in the future).

  • @prism223
    @prism223 Год назад

    Colemak is underrated. Although I recommend the following customizations:
    1. Instead of replacing Caps Lock with a second Backspace: Just swap Caps Lock & Backspace.
    2. Add a secondary mode/profile where top-row numbers & symbols are swapped but can be retrieved during Caps Lock.
    Once I went Colemak I never went back. Although it does definitely make it awkward to be stuck using other peoples' keyboards, but at the same time keyboards are like smartphones now. Those things are almost never clean, and especially not the ones that people share. For your own hygiene's sake, just use your own keyboard.

  • @mattlaw4395
    @mattlaw4395 Год назад

    Should try building a witless corne, either 36 or 42 key layout, hands down my favourite out of the custom builds I’ve tried

  • @alphabee8171
    @alphabee8171 Год назад

    Next level of customization would be around languages you use, an optimzed design for most use keystrokes in lifetime in a particular language.

  • @johanngambolputty5351
    @johanngambolputty5351 Год назад

    One of the larger keys could double as a small trackpad (but only acting like a trackpad if pressing another key, otherwise its just a normal key), a bit like the steam deck ones in form factor. Either that or one of those thinkpad trackpoints in between some keys.

  • @HalfMonty11
    @HalfMonty11 5 месяцев назад

    old video so I'm shouting into the void but... if you want to get into a non qwerty layout, do it at the same time as moving to a non-standard keyboard, like one a split one with ortholinear keys. Something that you will be able to immediately feel is different as soon as you put your hands on it. Yes at sucks for a while starting from scratch and typing slow BUT, because the keyboard is different, you'll be able to hold onto your qwerty muscle memory any time you sit at a normal keyboard which is very useful. Learning two different layouts on the same style of keyboard is really hard and take a lot of flip flopping and practice. I learned colemak on a split ortho keeb and now I don't even think about it, once my hands touch the keyboard it just auto switches layout based on the feel of the board. Very handy. I eventually replaced Colemak (which is way better than dvorak btw) with Engrammer which is pretty obscure but really great for comfortability and speed as a developer. Engrammer really needs an ortho keyboard though, staggered or not, but it's been really great. Focuses on inward rolls and easy placement of common programming symbols

  • @AScribblingTurtle
    @AScribblingTurtle Год назад

    5:42 : I think, that is a good Idea. If your keyboard has the posibility to use custom layers, than just put the symbols on one of thouse, and make it aktivate by holding one of your thumbkeys.
    As for the 16 Key keyboard:
    By combining even the alphanumerics, you limit yourself, to how fast your keybaord can react between "this key is held" and "this key was tapped".
    Sure you can tweak those timing values, but your personal timing will also vary over the day. A fast typer as yourself will constantly need to change and tweak thouse timings.
    My Dygma Raise has the same feature, where I can make any key do something different on hold, and on tap respectively and it just does not work for me. I constantly feel like I'm told by the keyboard, how fast I can go.
    In addition, without any LEDs to tell what "Mode" the keyboard is in, there is always this uncertainty about if I'm typing at the right speed and I hate that.

    • @oku-mq7kg
      @oku-mq7kg Год назад

      Yeah, I'm the same. I've never liked hold-tap functionality, it feels like a deliberate hinders to speed. There is a limit in these smaller keyboards, at least in terms of how fast you can use them, but for the most part I suppose the offset of being extra comfortable outweighs that for them. The lowest I could realistically go is 30-keys (4 thumb keys, and chop off a key from the index and pinkie column on each side) without hindering speed, but I'm yet to try combos, so I can't realistically say for sure.

  • @justintew6693
    @justintew6693 Год назад

    Bro, this video came at the perfect time. I am obsessed with split ergos. I started with an interest in the Kinesis, thanks to you, and then decided on the low profile 5 Column Corne with 36 keys. But I want the “concavity”! So now I’m about to pull the trigger on either a Charybdis Nano or Skeletyl from Bastard Keyboards.
    36 keys seems like the sweet spot, and I really want to try the Miryoku layout.

    • @justintew6693
      @justintew6693 Год назад

      Edit: you can skip the soldering by getting prebuilts, and the price point is still a little less than the Advantage 360.

  • @rodrigo.55
    @rodrigo.55 Год назад

    having already seeing this video this guy is on another level.

  • @thestopper5165
    @thestopper5165 Год назад

    OK... real talk: if ypu enter the dark realm of self-built QMK keyboards, it never ends. it is simply not possible to _master the concrete_ - every few days you will realise that is would make more sense to shift the arrow keys to layer 5 and also attach some 'tap dance' behaviour to them becasue *WHY NOT* .
    My first foray was with a keebio Iris 2.5 with a 'stock' controller, no underglow, and no RGB (and *wired* - like a cave-man keyboard)... upgraded the controller to an ElitePi (for 1Mb instead of 32kB); added Bluetooth; added RGB (so I knew what layer was active).
    I've even retained a *QWERTY* layer - mostly so that I can compare typing speeds (which have never been hot: 70wpm is more than enough). That's *LAYER 12* .
    Layer 0: *Engram* with {|=~+^&%*} as numrow and 'mod' keys (Ctrl; Alt; Shift, Win) on HOLD of home-row (LH has LShift etc; RH has RShift etc); HOLD of top row activates other layers (some for one keypress; others switch to the layer); tumb keys are SPACE and ENTER. NO DEL or BKSP.
    Layer 1: RH is numpad; LH is symbols, also some app launchers for mail, web; calculator etc.
    Layer 2: LH is multimedia controls; RH is arrows/keypad/PgUp/PgDn; top row is F1-F12.
    ...
    Layer 12 is QWERTY (alpha-only) with 'mod' keys on strong fingers
    Layer 13 is an experimental layer, trying to get every vim 'leader' combo to be a single- or double-tap on a single key.
    Obviously there are layer-nav keys sprinkled about the place - most often on the thumb keys. And the 'mod-keys on hold' applies to every layer where it has any use.
    Seriously, ThePrimeMegan - once you go there, there is no going back without some sort of cult-deprogramming workshop.
    I use Artix, dwm, tmux, lf, st, and (usually) *ytfzf* - and vim - btw.

  • @morli5301
    @morli5301 Год назад

    I have seen the exact video and made my own ferris sweep because of it. It was very worth it but getting used to the new layout and learning it, took time. I still recoment it!

  • @F00dstamp96
    @F00dstamp96 Год назад

    Tom doesn't even use his fingers to code

  • @eagledee7753
    @eagledee7753 Год назад

    "I don't even know who this is... Ben Vallack? Ok Ben Affleck..." Lol!

  • @AtomToast
    @AtomToast Год назад

    I can maintain both colemak-dh and qwerty along side each other quite well. Switching is just a skill that you have to practice. There are quite a few tricks for learning this but currently I can full speed switch between the two, while typing.

  • @notapplicable7292
    @notapplicable7292 Год назад

    The inability to type on other PCs is the number one reason I refuse to learn another type layout

  • @asdqwe4427
    @asdqwe4427 Год назад +1

    I think that using vim makes you “that guy” already.
    And it’s a good thing

  • @glyakk
    @glyakk Год назад

    6:05 this is why I went back to qwerty. I had moved to another layout and was really enjoying it and gaining speed. However I had to use somebody's keyboard and I just felt like a fool... I immediately gave up and went back to qwerty.

  • @sebastianramirez5781
    @sebastianramirez5781 10 месяцев назад

    Firmware builders like QMK make this type of thing really really not hard at all, if you wanna start getting into wanting to code your own firmware from scratch too then yeah it’s gonna be hard but just producing a keyboard like that is something prime can do in honestly a day at most.

  • @Ycros
    @Ycros Год назад

    I use dvorak on a split keyboard (model 100 from keyboardio) - I have a one-handed left hand layer for when my right hand is on the pointing device that I can access for cut/copy/paste, as well as space and enter (both of which are usually on the right side) and arrow keys. (ok also mouse buttons because I was playing with a ploopy nano trackball for a bit and it's just a ball with no buttons, don't ask).

  • @solderingiron9405
    @solderingiron9405 2 месяца назад

    pcbs actually very easy to make. so much so that i was able to make some simple circuits at home using printer, lemon asid, hydrogen peroxide and salt. i was 14 at time

  • @JoshuahEdwards
    @JoshuahEdwards Год назад

    Ben is so legit, glad your giving him some cred. He is a fellow vim user.

  • @Maxelya
    @Maxelya Год назад

    I've been using a self-made FerrisSweep v2 (32 keys, the one you see at 2:35 ) for like 5 months now (thanks to Ben Vallack's video).
    I created a custom layout with mod keys on the home row (meaning I have to hold f or j to use "shift" or d/k to "Ctrl") and I switch between my layers holding one (or both) the thumb keys.
    When I got my hands on it, I think my typing speed was like 20wpm instead of my usual 80 and I thought "Ok, let's just say it was a fun experiment, but there is no way I'll ever be able to write at a decent speed with this thing)"... but I'm quite persistent so ...^^
    Since then, I hit 110wpm and working has never been so fun, especially since I use vim so that I can keep my hands on the keyboard 90% of the time.
    It's not so much about the speed, but rather about how comfortable it is to use once you get used to it (mods keys + symbols on home row changes everything).

  • @RozMazov
    @RozMazov 10 месяцев назад

    I went back to QWERTY after using Colemak for like 2 years. I loved the feeling of Colemak, but like Prime said I want to be able to type on any computer, and also I didn’t barely use vim in all these years because of it and I missed it.

  • @Fran-on1mm
    @Fran-on1mm Год назад

    "I just hate this idea of, like, thinking"

  • @trevorsmale
    @trevorsmale Год назад

    Though the English stenography system would not work outside of the court room, Having a similar combo based system for programming would be so fast with proper practice. Court room stenographers can reach 300 wpm.

    • @HsStenopractice
      @HsStenopractice 10 месяцев назад

      It absolutely works outside the court room, here's someone speedrunning vim on steno
      ruclips.net/video/8-oDPhmpN9g/видео.html

  • @hotdog2c
    @hotdog2c Год назад

    The Ferris is a very nice keyboard, very easy to solder if you get the diodeless version

  • @moonasha
    @moonasha Год назад

    10:47 windows already has these macros, it's windows key + number, and it's related to what's on your windows bar thing.

  • @kahnfatman
    @kahnfatman 7 месяцев назад

    The man not only types fast, he speaks fast

  • @JonathanSwiftUK
    @JonathanSwiftUK 6 месяцев назад

    It's absurd. If I want to press P, then I press one specific key, not learn some weird shortcuts in my head and press 2-3 keys together to get a P. Absolutely absurd. But interesting, enjoyable to see new ideas, even those which are dumb.

  • @odoenet
    @odoenet Год назад

    I use a Corne daily and only downside is if I need to hit the enter key, I may not have an extra hand available for the layer key if you know what I mean

  • @NdxtremePro
    @NdxtremePro Год назад

    Norman is the keyboard layout of champions, if colemak is too strange for you.

  • @daniel29263
    @daniel29263 Год назад +1

    As a Kyria rev 3 owner, yes. Go do it.

  • @dan_rad
    @dan_rad Год назад

    I went with a 40% otholinear - Planck EZ after watching one of Ben's videos. The don't ship them anymore. Quite an aesthetic keyboard, highly customisable. I have a slight hold on C, P & V to get copy cut and paste. It's nice to have macros stored on the board too... Though even after proper lubing the keys still feel scratchy.

  • @canoozie
    @canoozie Год назад

    The callout for dvorak is wholly why I use workman as my layout instead of dvorak.

  • @heroe1486
    @heroe1486 Год назад

    Yeah the tab thing is suboptimal, you have to process what you see then switch to the app, we can do exactly the same with Rofi, I even have it mapped to super+tab but I never use this option.
    Never used the popshell more than few minutes because it was buggy at the time but Gnome isn't even capable of hanfdling independant workspaces per monitor so it's a no go for multi monitor users, maybe the PopTeam would do better with the cosmic DE they;re developping since they won't have to deal with the hassle of being a gnome extension.
    Otherwise it's cool but don't get why he isn't using a tiling wm if his goal is being more efficient by using his keyboard skills, here it's like building a Ferrari but driving it in the sand.

  • @nickr753
    @nickr753 Год назад

    Surprised Prime isn’t looking into stenotype for programmers

  • @vzakanj
    @vzakanj Год назад

    I'm using moonlander and corneish-zen in combination with a mbp, with a 3x5 heavily modified miryoku layout and I'm pretty happy with this setup.
    Moonlander on the work desk when the mbp is connected to a monitor, and Corne-ish Zen everywhere else since it's very easy to transport and setup (no wires and no tenting shenanigans in comparison to the moonlander).
    Tried the mouse emulation, but felt challenging to click the GUI elements with precision at times.
    In the end, I just switched to using the Homerow app instead - works like vimium link hints for the OS.

  • @spitefol5504
    @spitefol5504 Год назад

    Built a ferris sweep a few months ago, my only advice is build a wireless as wired felt messy and get a case for the bottom mayve 3d print one

    • @oku-mq7kg
      @oku-mq7kg Год назад +1

      Yeah, I also have regrets going wired. Certainly made the build process easier as my first time soldering, but my next board is 100% going wireless, especially as I have plans to mount tripods to it for tenting.

  • @n3cro2012
    @n3cro2012 Год назад +3

    C-c-c-combo Breaker!!!

    • @ThePrimeTimeagen
      @ThePrimeTimeagen  Год назад +1

      i too was a fan of glacius on SNESs hit killer instinct

  • @geostokes8573
    @geostokes8573 Год назад

    The end game is a Stenography keyboard. 300wpm+

  • @_modiX
    @_modiX 11 месяцев назад

    In MacOS I use the State Manager in combination with Better Touch Tools that has maps for each of my commonly used programs to bring them in front on specific hotkeys. You can totally turn MacOS into your own, but it's true that the stock experience of MacOS (and Windows) just sucks.

  • @gruanger
    @gruanger 6 месяцев назад

    I know I am so late commenting here, but another nice thing is, I have an entire 10 key on my right and left hand, so if I have to use my mouse, I can still do all the numbers and things with my left hand. It is very nice in the Finance world.

  • @skyturtle7233
    @skyturtle7233 Год назад

    I tried the kinisis A. 360 and ended up returning it and using a Ferris sweep. Such an amazing keyboard (you can buy them premade)

  • @RagnarokReinier
    @RagnarokReinier Год назад

    I'm using a Ferris Sweep for a year it's amazing all the things that I can do with only 34 keys. You should try it.

  • @cjstronger
    @cjstronger 10 месяцев назад

    13:59 was that a rob riggle pop?

  • @thomasrichards8055
    @thomasrichards8055 Год назад

    I got recommended this same bare foot video after that keyboard video

  • @antonmaier2263
    @antonmaier2263 9 месяцев назад

    the cost benefit is simply not worth it.
    the worst are the combos you have to relearn

  • @pe_w
    @pe_w Год назад

    ben vallacks subscribers has increased by over a thousand since this livestream

  • @thisbridgehascables
    @thisbridgehascables 9 месяцев назад

    Someone needs to get you the Work Louder Creator board or their mini micro ..