Which steno keyboard should you buy? | Plover Hardware Guide
HTML-код
- Опубликовано: 14 июн 2024
- If you're not sure what keyboard to buy, this video should is for you!
All the hobbyist steno keyboards available for purchase use one of three switches: Matias Quiets, Kailh Chocs, and Gateron Clears. I've used steno keyboards with all of these switches and I can conclusively say that they're all perfectly adequate for steno.
Join the Plover Discord server: / discord
Stenotoppers: cemrajc.github.io/stenotoppers/
Ecosteno and Multisteno: nolltronics.com/?v=3e8d115eb4b3
Splitography: softhruf.love/
TinyMod: stenomod.blogspot.com/
Uni: stenokeyboards.com/products/
Springs for TinyMod and Uni: stenokeyboards.com/products/2...
Unfortunately, springs for the Splitography are hard to come by so I don't have a link to them at this time.
F10 keycaps for TinyMod and Uni: pimpmykeyboard.com/f10-flat-k...
MBK keycaps for Ecosteno and Multisteno: www.littlekeyboards.com/produ...
You can also find MBK keycaps fairly easily just by searching them.
You can also just search for "phone tripod mount" if you are looking for one like I have.
Julia's spreadsheet comparing hobbyist steno machines: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/...
The spreadsheet predates the Multisteno, but it shares many design features as the Ecosteno. The Multisteno is basically just the Ecosteno but with more keys.
0:00 Intro
0:32 Regular Keyboards
0:38 N-key rollover
1:08 Steno Without NKRO
1:43 NKRO Keyboards
2:30 Why NKRO keyboards suck
3:23 Hobbyist machines
4:15 Spring Weights
4:40 Spring Swapping
5:08 Keycaps (Ecosteno, Multisteno, Georgi)
5:27 Keycaps (Uni, TinyMod)
5:52 Keycaps (Splitography)
6:05 Tripod Mounting
7:05 Summary of Hobbyist Machines
7:27 DIY Machines
7:45 Planck
8:12 Lever Machines
8:49 Outro
Little correction:
"Actuation force" and "bottom out" force are actually two different things and in all of my videos so far (including this one), I haven't made the distinction between the two. In short, actuation force usually comes before bottoming out, and for steno you want to compare bottom out forces. It turns out the bottom out force of Gateron Clears is also 35g (as is its actuation force) however Chocs (those on the nolltronics boards) actually bottom out at 25g but do indeed actuate at 20g. However, this means that in reality Chocs are effectively heavier than Gateron Clears with 20g springs (which do bottom out at 20g). You can buy lighter springs for Chocs: rndkbd.com/products/sprit-alps-springs?_pos=1&_sid=afb09f7d0&_ss=r
Alps and Choc springs are fully compatible with one another. It's also important to note that these 15g springs in Chocs actually result in 20g bottom out (the same as a spring swapped Uni).
@Сергей Assuming you have an app that will act like a touchscreen steno machine and will also transmit the chords (or the translations) to a host machine, it could work. As far as I know there isn't such an app available. I've also not really explored touchscreen steno all that much but it's definitely a neat idea.
If you have a tablet that runs windows or Linux, however, there is the plover-touchscreen-stenotype plugin. I've played around with it a little bit and it definitely has potential. And getting that to work is a whole lot easier than trying to come up with a custom solution for two smartphones.
stumbled over this video by accident i would say, only interested in 10 finger speed typing, but no steno for me... just wanna say that the way you are presenting, talking calmly and direct, pausing just every so slight here and there with your sentences, is extremely nice to watch and listen to. this makes for a very competent impression torwards the audience. keep it up !
Thank you Aerick for the review! This will help me in my keyboard purchase decision.
This is absolutely fantastic! Another triumph of a video!!
Really helpful and professional video! Thanks for the help :)
Thank you for this pragmatic video!
Last month, I was slightly baulking at the cost of hobbyist keyboards (especially after international postage was factored in). However, upon looking at the cost of getting a second keyboard to mod for something that would still end up inferior, as well as looking at this skill from a long-term perspective, it made sense to just get started earlier rather than later.
This was made all the easier after I wasn't too dissuaded by being "forced" to arpeggiate on a laptop keyboard without NKRO; proving to myself that I'm sufficiently determined to keep learning this. I've now had the Picosteno for a fortnight and am more than happy with my decision! If/when I get proficient at this, I may well buy a second board with embedded steno, etc; but "problem" will be a good one for future me to deal with.
Amazing & valuable knowledge source. Thanks so much.
Thanks for another great video!
Got the Ecosteno a few days ago and just got time to try it out. Feels much better than trying arpeggiating or steno toppers.
Honestly, it has helped me not to fall into my usual keyboard memory.
Cool content, I am thinking at the moment to improve my writing speed and want to learn steno (long-term goal).
I put round happy-face stickers on the letter keys. It makes it easier to navigate the echo-steno.
Truly the thumbnail says it all- they’re always out of stock when i check! I just want to grab whatever one’s available and then figure out the rest 😂
The TinyMod is almost always in stock! A bit more expensive, though!
@@AerickSteno Came back here to say that a few weeks after watching this video the ecosteno was on backorder and so I immediately placed an order and it just came today! Now I gotta go through the long process of actually learning stenography (who knows how well that'll go since I'm hopeless at anything to do with coding) but I'm excited!!
such an interesting subject. Will you be doing more videos on programming.. we use a lot of symbols in programming. And then there is the issue of IDE shortcuts... many thnaks for the material so far.
I only code occasionally as a hobbyist, so I'm not really sure if I could make a great video on the subject. Though, you can find other videos on RUclips from actual professional programmers who use steno for coding.
Hi Aerick, I think I have discovered an ideal solution that provides a cheap and accessible option for most people.
I have purchased a couple of 24 key (6x4) fully NKRO macropads that are hot swappable with RGB LEDs from a company called Sayo. Each key can be programmed to output whatever key or function that is required.
I have swapped the springs and keycaps to allow for easy chording however I have kept the original switches which seem fine to me.
This allows for a split keyboard design with the option of a number row, or even better, top S as the number key which allows for the remaining keys to be used in whatever way you find most useful.
For me I have the steno specific keys in exactly the same layout as on my Uni which I find most comfortable. I have set the key below the -G to output the keys that form the unique ender from Emily mods and the key below the -S to output * which makes it simpler to use the mods.
I have also set the keys above the vowel keys to output * which sometimes helps with chording with use of * by using my thumbs to activate *.
The thumber keys are used as function keys that allow me to access other layers that I have programmed which can be an easier option for certain commands when compared to Emily mods such as having my left hand on the left keyboard and my right hand on the mouse.
The best bit is that each keyboard cost me 25 pounds (less than 30 dollars) including shipping. The design feels solid and the springs were super easy to swap.
I hope this is useful information for you.
Thank you so much for all of your content.
That sounds awesome! I might try it myself at some point and see if I can recommend it to others. I'm a bit hesitant with DIY options since I'm not really comfortable with QMK or assembling hardware, but it sounds like your solution is significantly easier and doesn't require much programming knowledge (if it all).
Yes no programming involved at all, the company has online and downloadable software that allows you to easily allocate key functions. Changing the springs was really easy due to the fact that each key switch can be removed. If I can do it anyone can!
John can you point me in the direction of where you bought this?
I have a bit of experience with electronics pcb design and soldering - are there any resources you would recommend for this?
I wanted to build a keyboard but wanted to take this opportunity to learn a new skill and try steno
Hi
First of all I'm big fan of your videos. Thanks for all the knowledge your sharing.
I would like to suggest another option for people on budget.
There is a 60% space-apart (semi-split) ortholinear keyboard kit called "waka" from mechwild. For around 40$.
It is a diy kit so youhave to assemble it. If you can't do that there is option for preassembled for 40$ (I think).
It is 60% so you can left some switch blank and made similar layout to the uni, if you want.
Or you can just used it as normal keyboard along side steno (in gmk you can have normal layout and another layout that used Steno protocol)
It only downside is it a 60% and it come in a kit.
Sorry for my English in advance.
Thanks for the tip! I'd like to explore DIY options in the future, but haven't been able to get around to it. Will definitely keep it in mind!
Aerick, sorry to bug you with one more question. The website that sells 1u and 2 u keys is sold out. I found another one but it refers to them as 1 space, 2 space POS 2 mounts, and 2 space 3-mounts...do you know which ones would be the right fit for The Uni stenoboard?
I believe 1 space is what you're looking for.
Hi Aerick! Would it help with the heavy actuation force problem to change the switches on an N-Key rollover keyboard to something like a Gateron Clear or Matias Linear (both 35cN force) or just replacing the springs on the existing switches? I'm still on the fence about buying a hobbyist keyboard so I'm curious if changing out the switches/springs on my N key rollover keyboard (which has switches with 70+ cN force) would be helpful
Sure that can work! I would recommend Gateron clears, Matias linears are used in the Splitography and feel stiffer and heavier than the former switches. If you go with Gateron clears, it will also be also be much easier to find compatible 20g springs (see links in the description). Just keep in mind it's not always possible to easily swap the switches or springs. If your keyboard is hot swappable then it should be relatively trivial.
@@AerickSteno I've millmaxed the PCB so swapping out the switches/springs shouldn't be an issue. Thank you for such an informative video!
You can get a ortholinear keyboard in kprepublic called cstc40
Excellent! Can you do a multisteno machine evaluation?
The Multisteno is out of my price range, but I'm sure it's a great keyboard. The Multisteno is basically just a larger version of the Ecosteno with more keys for QWERTY and maybe other steno theories. They both use 20g Chocs which are great for steno. I used to have a Georgi with 12g Chocs and they were amazing. The Ecosteno and Multisteno are probably the best boards you can buy without having to do any modifications. You may want to take into consideration the layout of the keys, specifically where the thumb keys are. That said, I've used a Georgi, Splitography, and a Uni which all have their thumb keys in different locations and have gotten used to each one.
@@AerickSteno thank you. I've bought it.
@@AerickSteno Ive actually wanted to ask you the same thing about the Ecosteno, because I find myself in the rare position of actually having the Ecosteno be cheaper than the Uni (with the recommended key caps and lighter springs), because shipping fees are hellishly high to Europe. So I've been wondering whether there's any factor that would put the Uni above the Ecosteno, except for its lower price. I thought that maybe having more keys would be harder for beginners (me being a total newcomer to steno, would be my first go at it), but I don't really have the insight to judge that yet.
Also you can actually get the Ecosteno 5 dollars cheaper than the Uni, although you'll have to use your own cables to connect it.
@@psi_executor4323 Yes, there isn't any reason not to go for the Ecosteno. Out of the box, it already has decently light springs and the keycaps are adequate as well. As I mentioned, the Ecosteno and Multisteno both basically have the same specs. As for the extra keys, I really don't think they will confuse you. In fact, both of them use a number row and it's just that the Multisteno has individual number keys (which doesn't impact the usage at all).
very helpful video! do you think a kyria keyboard would work for steno? most of it looks fine but i’m not sure how easy it would be to press 2 vowel keys down with a thumb because of spacing
Yeah I think it could work. Several people have reported it as a good keyboard in the Plover Discord server. It's also compatible with Javelin steno (lim.au/#/software/javelin-steno) an embedded steno firmware.
@@AerickSteno cool, thanks! actually i'm leaning towards a lily58 now (probably wireless, so with zmk), do you think this would work? i don't see why it wouldn't
@@colourfrag You may have to jump through a few more hoops to get it working with Plover. The default protocols that most hobbyist steno keyboards use don't work wirelessly and I believe bluetooth is limited to 6 key rollover. But I think it can be done with the Plover-hid protocol and plugin: github.com/dnaq/plover-machine-hid
@@AerickSteno ok, thanks
Do you think I can get a job as a stenographer with a hobbyist machine? I enjoy typing and just came across this video and it seems like stenographers make good money. I'm wondering if it's possible to work part-time during summer when I'm not at college. Thanks for your time.
It's possible! Stanley Sakai (who is a bit of a legend in the Plover community) taught himself steno and was able to get certified. For a while he did steno full time, but these days he is a software developer and does steno on the side. With regards to hobbyist machines though, I wouldn't really recommend it. The biggest advantage lever machines have is that the bottom out force required for pressing one key is the same for pressing all the keys. That puts a whole lot less strain on your wrists when pressing chords which is very important if you're writing for more than an hour without break. That being said, Mirabai Knight has used her hobbyist machines in a pinch when her professional machine wasn't working so it's certainly possible.
I think your biggest barrier to doing steno professionally is getting certified rather than the machine. It requires a lot of time and practice to get up to the skill level that is required for professionals. For basic certification (RPR), you have to be able to do 225 WPM Q&A dictation, 200 WPM jury charge, and 180 WPM literary with an hour of editing after. If you're curious how hard these are, you can just search on RUclips "225 WPM Q&A dictation" for example. There is also the CRC which is more suited for captioning than court reporting. It only requires 180 WPM literary, but at 96% accuracy and without any editing at all.
Where can I buy the steno keyboard?
Where can I buy steno keyboard
Hello! What do you think about the PicoSteno? Thanks.
The Picosteno is really just a DIY Ecosteno; no real difference between the two, in my opinion.
Would a touch screen be superior to a keyboard for steno? It would be silent and require no pressure.
Could be, but you also lose out on being able to feel where your fingers are on the keys. There is a Plover plugin for touchscreen steno though, and I think it certainly has potential, but I don't have a suitable touchscreen device to try it.
what about a hot -swappable n-key rollover keyboard where you get linear switches ,spring swap the switches and get stenno toppers
this way you dont need to deal with availability issues
Yes, that should work.
how many fingers do you have that you can press 12 keys at once??? i got confused over that part :)
You can press multiple keys at once with one finger! The keys are very close together so you press in between the cracks: docs.google.com/drawings/d/1grC3Bv3FCAVeNez4OzjzkGJDwQj4JouclzXNdpWzyF4/preview?h=450&hl=en&w=900
On a good steno keyboard, you can press almost all keys at once!
@@AerickSteno make sense :) thank you so much!
I wanna get f10 caps for my uni but there are several sizes: 1u nem, 2u nem, 1u wan and 2u wan. does anyone know which one i should get?
You want to get 1u. I believe wan and nem refer to colour (white and black).
@@AerickSteno Wow, thank you so much for the quick response, Aerick!
Why aren't there more virtual keyboard. I have a tablet and would have thought that using a virtual steno keyboard would be really good, and possibly free. I have come across dotterel, but I am gutted that there isnt a version for windows.
There is a touchscreen plugin for Plover, but last time I checked, it wasn't working.
where to buy this steno keyboard
Check the description.
I ordered a steko hobbyist machine from the Plover catalog, have you heard anything about those? I haven't received it yet and cannot find any reviews online. Thank you.
Haven't tried it myself-it just came out a month ago. It uses Durock silent switches, the same ones in the quiet version of the TinyMod and it's also got a similar layout. I'm not sure about the bottom out force in these switches (probably 35 grams, same in Gateron clears) but Charley (the one who makes TinyMods) puts 20g springs in his. Not sure where you can get them, though. My only concern with this keyboard are the choice of keycaps. They're nice and flat and look really nice for chording but I'm not a huge fan of the 3D printed texture. I've used 3D printed stenotoppers for a while and they definitely weren't the nicest. Other than that though, it seems like a perfectly good steno keyboard like others.
No mention of game controllers? 🙄
Give me a controller and I'll do a video on it.