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0 pointsArrowmaster6mo ago0 comments

Thumbs are one of your stronger fingers. In contrast the pinky is by far the weakest but we have dedicated it to almost every modifier and outlying key. I currently use an Elora from SplitKB so I can't speak to the Moonlanders thumb cluster, but if you find one you like it's a massive difference in how much usage you can get out of your thumbs while typing.

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microtonal6mo ago

Thumbs can get overuse injuries: https://getreuer.info/posts/keyboards/thumb-ergo/index.html

I have used ergo keyboards with thumb clusters for several years now. After a while, even though switching to a split ergo keyboard alleviated wrist pains, I developed thumb discomfort.

In the end I solved it by only frequently using the resting key of each thumb (space and backspace). And using the other thumb keys for infrequent things. I use homerow mods to have all modifiers in the alpha block.

if you find one you like it's a massive difference in how much usage you can get out of your thumbs while typing

Until they start to hurt. It can take a few years (just like wrist pains). Be careful!

ArrowmasterOP6mo ago

The Elora I use follows the circular thumb cluster format so I have three keys per thumb that can be used with little movement the rest are for rarely used layer switches and such. One of those three is for often used layers.

I have homerow mods configured but still need to work on using them more. Unfortunately a lot of what's best for typing conflicts with what's best for gaming. Almost every example split layout puts space on the right half and I move it to the left. Still need shift and control on pinky holds. And the Elora has an exaggerated pinky stagger but swapped to WQSD makes an almost perfect diamond, but at the expense of the old Q now being A is below instead of above and Z is really far away.

MichaelDickens6mo ago

For me the biggest benefit of thumb keys isn't finger strength, it's the fact that the thumb is separated from the rest of the hand. It's really easy to hit a thumb key while hitting any other key on the "main" part of the keyboard. Whereas on a traditional keyboard, typing something like shift-T or ctrl-R requires stretching out your hand.

microtonal6mo ago

It's really easy to hit a thumb key while hitting any other key on the "main" part of the keyboard.

Mirrored home row mods are even much nicer (IMO).

lawn6mo ago

Thumbs are also less agile than all the other fingers, so having it move around a lot is not great.

Also, RSI on your thumb (especially with smartphone usage) is very common.

So yes, you should probably have the most frequent keys on your thumbs but only very few (I'd say 1-2).

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microtonal6mo ago

Thumbs can get overuse injuries: https://getreuer.info/posts/keyboards/thumb-ergo/index.html

I have used ergo keyboards with thumb clusters for several years now. After a while, even though switching to a split ergo keyboard alleviated wrist pains, I developed thumb discomfort.

if you find one you like it's a massive difference in how much usage you can get out of your thumbs while typing

Until they start to hurt. It can take a few years (just like wrist pains). Be careful!

ArrowmasterOP6mo ago

MichaelDickens6mo ago

microtonal6mo ago

It's really easy to hit a thumb key while hitting any other key on the "main" part of the keyboard.

Mirrored home row mods are even much nicer (IMO).

lawn6mo ago

Thumbs are also less agile than all the other fingers, so having it move around a lot is not great.

Also, RSI on your thumb (especially with smartphone usage) is very common.

So yes, you should probably have the most frequent keys on your thumbs but only very few (I'd say 1-2).

j / k navigate · click thread line to collapse