I just watched this, to the end...twice! I’ve just ordered my first mechanical keyboard, an X-Bows. I’m a full-time programmer, so an ergonomic keyboard is a must-have. I bought the X-Bows because I wanted an isolinear ergonomic keyboard, but was worried about having to relearn all those weird keys programmers use (like tilde, curly braces, etc.). And I think it was a good move. But I also used a Windows utility called Touch Cursor to get used to layers while waiting on the X-Bows to arrive. And that convinced me I could adjust to layers - and therefore smaller keyboards - without much trouble. Thank you for a great video showing the utility of a programmable keyboard, and just how few keys are really needed to get work done.
I watched it, I appreciate the video. There's surprisingly little information out there about this stuff, and what there is, is convoluted. I didn't understand the part about the key caps, because I don't know anything about them. I'm looking for specific things in a keyboard, willing to make sacrifices, but it seems that there's nothing out there that gives even half of what I want. This is attractive, has a wonderful shape, but I need number keys, preferably F keys too. I like the staggering, but options like that restrict all other options so severely. And yes, the wrist position you were showing, is very bad for you. Bending the wrist one way or another is fine, but when you are bending or twisting in two or more ways simultaneously, and doing it more than once or twice every few minutes, it's very bad for the connective tissues, they become damaged, then inflamed because they need to heal, which then incurs damage even faster. My hands seem to work better with smaller keyboards than most of them, sadly. I'd like a split, separate numpad, the "vertical stagger", MX red or speed switches, or maybe even something like red for WASD and brown everywhere else, I need the number row if I'm going to do any programming, and now I learn that even the shapes of the caps make a significant difference? Ugh. Maybe I'm unusual, but I even use the "control cluster" sometimes. Most of all home / end / delete, least of all scroll lock. And, I'd like it to be overall compact, without a useless half inch of plastic sticking off of the sides. I might not even mind if the switches were exposed on the sides, if it means a smaller keyboard. This whole keyboard market seems like a nightmare. Even though we seem to have more options than ever before, it's not enough. Especially if you look for a "gaming keyboard" (red / speed switches), there's no chance at all of finding something with nicely positioned keys like this. They're *always* the standard positions, as though the keys are connected to typewriter levers. But they're not! And by the way, it's not handwritten, hah. Maybe you meant, that he made the instructions himself, instead of someone else.
Yeah, I came to the same conclusion about DSA. I really wanted to like them, but without the key profiles, my fingers were just flying blind. The profile lets your fingertips automatically feel where they need to be, and you don't really notice it until there's no profile to follow. Sure, you can eventually learn DSA, but you can also eventually learn to drive with one hand tied behind your back. But why? I actually wound up doing the same with my QFR caps. Those things have been swapped between boards for years. Also, nice job inverting those purple keys. Bonus tactility; basically the inverted spacebar. I'm also trying to Colemak, but just getting started... Trying not to get discouraged.
Still waiting for parts to build my 1st 60%, and I already want a planck and an ergodox, now Atreus is added to the list. This is going to be an expensive hobby :/ .. great video BTW
Hey @ergonomech could you do an update video of what you are using these days and if you would still recommend a board like this. Could you also include a typing /speed test please? Would really love to see all this in action to see if it's worth the cashh!
Try to find something like the ThinkPad red nubs if you can, they work very, very well when they're not cheap knockoffs used by other brands. It's crazy how good they are, I preferred it over the touch pad for everything, and it was positioned right in the middle so that you can reach it with an index finger without even moving the hand. But texturing on the top of the rubber tip, it wears off over the months or years of constant use, might want extras. A conventional analog stick like a game controller, is not good enough to substitute for a mouse, not even close. But the best of those nubs... they are workable, better than track pads. Still not good enough for (desktop) gaming, though.
Thanks for making this video! Do you still use Atreus? I've never used an keyboard like that, but I think that Atreus is a beautiful tiny keyboard. Trying to decide if I should build one for myself.
Thanks for your video! What are your thoughts on the Atreus today? I'm about to buy an ergonomic keyboard but I don't know yet which one to take, there's too much choice! (TypeMatrix 2030, this Atreus, the X-Bows, …)
people are still watching... love the video, it really helped me decide against the higher-profile switches and in favour of the sculpted keycaps... btw what keycaps are those purple ones? haha ruclips.net/video/tWVdWFSIbqI/видео.html
It's 4 years since this video was published. . Watched it all. Hope it makes you happy :)
Honestly a pretty good video.
Please make more videos!
This is the right time to do so.
I really enjoy your videos and I think these days many others will do also.
I just watched this, to the end...twice! I’ve just ordered my first mechanical keyboard, an X-Bows. I’m a full-time programmer, so an ergonomic keyboard is a must-have. I bought the X-Bows because I wanted an isolinear ergonomic keyboard, but was worried about having to relearn all those weird keys programmers use (like tilde, curly braces, etc.). And I think it was a good move. But I also used a Windows utility called Touch Cursor to get used to layers while waiting on the X-Bows to arrive. And that convinced me I could adjust to layers - and therefore smaller keyboards - without much trouble. Thank you for a great video showing the utility of a programmable keyboard, and just how few keys are really needed to get work done.
"Maybe two years from now, someone will see this." :D
Make it four.
@@elsasslotharingen7507 make it 5
I was cracking up all the way through. The keyboard community needs a little more of this blunt honesty, I think.
I watched it, I appreciate the video. There's surprisingly little information out there about this stuff, and what there is, is convoluted. I didn't understand the part about the key caps, because I don't know anything about them.
I'm looking for specific things in a keyboard, willing to make sacrifices, but it seems that there's nothing out there that gives even half of what I want. This is attractive, has a wonderful shape, but I need number keys, preferably F keys too. I like the staggering, but options like that restrict all other options so severely.
And yes, the wrist position you were showing, is very bad for you. Bending the wrist one way or another is fine, but when you are bending or twisting in two or more ways simultaneously, and doing it more than once or twice every few minutes, it's very bad for the connective tissues, they become damaged, then inflamed because they need to heal, which then incurs damage even faster.
My hands seem to work better with smaller keyboards than most of them, sadly. I'd like a split, separate numpad, the "vertical stagger", MX red or speed switches, or maybe even something like red for WASD and brown everywhere else, I need the number row if I'm going to do any programming, and now I learn that even the shapes of the caps make a significant difference? Ugh. Maybe I'm unusual, but I even use the "control cluster" sometimes. Most of all home / end / delete, least of all scroll lock. And, I'd like it to be overall compact, without a useless half inch of plastic sticking off of the sides. I might not even mind if the switches were exposed on the sides, if it means a smaller keyboard. This whole keyboard market seems like a nightmare. Even though we seem to have more options than ever before, it's not enough. Especially if you look for a "gaming keyboard" (red / speed switches), there's no chance at all of finding something with nicely positioned keys like this. They're *always* the standard positions, as though the keys are connected to typewriter levers. But they're not!
And by the way, it's not handwritten, hah. Maybe you meant, that he made the instructions himself, instead of someone else.
Yeah, I came to the same conclusion about DSA. I really wanted to like them, but without the key profiles, my fingers were just flying blind. The profile lets your fingertips automatically feel where they need to be, and you don't really notice it until there's no profile to follow. Sure, you can eventually learn DSA, but you can also eventually learn to drive with one hand tied behind your back. But why?
I actually wound up doing the same with my QFR caps. Those things have been swapped between boards for years.
Also, nice job inverting those purple keys. Bonus tactility; basically the inverted spacebar. I'm also trying to Colemak, but just getting started... Trying not to get discouraged.
Still waiting for parts to build my 1st 60%, and I already want a planck and an ergodox, now Atreus is added to the list. This is going to be an expensive hobby :/ .. great video BTW
Wow! Keycaps configuration? I'm waiting for mine to arrive and already planning on keycaps replacement...
Really like your videos. Please keep making them! I am interested in this keyboard and I am going to try to learn Colemak too :D
Watched the whole thing! You are entertaining, who would've thought? I just wish you did show more of the keyboard in action... 😅
Must admit i skipped around a bit. But thanks, was curious about this funky keyboard
Hey @ergonomech could you do an update video of what you are using these days and if you would still recommend a board like this. Could you also include a typing /speed test please? Would really love to see all this in action to see if it's worth the cashh!
I have a similar keyboard, but I use you backspace key as shift. In Germany you have much more capital letters
Really enjoyed your ranting :D Brings me peace.
I saw this. I'm planning on making my own Atreus soon. I'm going to try and put an analog stick in to function as a mouse. Wish me luck...
you suck, dont even try
nice I am thinking about adding a joystick to one as well
Try to find something like the ThinkPad red nubs if you can, they work very, very well when they're not cheap knockoffs used by other brands. It's crazy how good they are, I preferred it over the touch pad for everything, and it was positioned right in the middle so that you can reach it with an index finger without even moving the hand. But texturing on the top of the rubber tip, it wears off over the months or years of constant use, might want extras.
A conventional analog stick like a game controller, is not good enough to substitute for a mouse, not even close. But the best of those nubs... they are workable, better than track pads. Still not good enough for (desktop) gaming, though.
Thanks for the keyboard review.
I’d probably quote many things you said here in my life many times
I decided to finally make another video on my channel
perfect review, you should do one for the ssk or any keyboards that you have
haha this is hilarious because I have an ergodox with granite and I am thinking about making an atreus!!
Great video, bought one because of it. THANKS
Awesome, make more please.
Thanks for making this video! Do you still use Atreus? I've never used an keyboard like that, but I think that Atreus is a beautiful tiny keyboard. Trying to decide if I should build one for myself.
Thanks for your video!
What are your thoughts on the Atreus today?
I'm about to buy an ergonomic keyboard but I don't know yet which one to take, there's too much choice! (TypeMatrix 2030, this Atreus, the X-Bows, …)
only '11,000' views. which is definitely 'no one'. hehe. thanks for the video!
For saying none will watch your video, here you are with 10k views
Would you share the SATAN configuration? Especially the case and caps?
What is the wrist rest you are using for your Atreus? They look pretty cool!
Watched it. Great work! Which switches are you using in the end?
All the switches!
Interesting video. I am interested to know if you are still using it as your primary keyboard or if your opinion has changed. Thanks!
I use it only when on trips, it is not my primary
what wrist wrests are those?
DSA does suck. Absolutely.
Watched the whole video. =P
What's your username on geekhack by the way?
I watched it
23:00 Wait for it...
people are still watching... love the video, it really helped me decide against the higher-profile switches and in favour of the sculpted keycaps... btw what keycaps are those purple ones? haha ruclips.net/video/tWVdWFSIbqI/видео.html
watcheddd to the ennnnddddd
Sub :) keep keyboarding
Thank god I was able to watch this at 2 times speed, because it only wasted 15 minutes of my life!
Sorry, I mean keep making vids brah!