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Where Did All My Keys Go? A Look Into the Function Layers of the MiniVan
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keyboard_arrow_downTrike-Mike
15
Mar 29, 2022
I saw this now years old post in one of the spam emails from Drop. It's just as relevant today as when it was written
One thing I didn't see noted in this article or the comments is.... 40% is FAST. One's fingers move so little from home row that they just end up being really really fast.
I also used to be of the "just not enough keys" when I looked at these. So... my journey to "weird" began with the XD75 ortholinear... a 75% keyboard. Took days to get fast. Then on to an Ergodox. Only took a few hours to get fast on that one after breaking finger memory to the XD75. However, I found that if I looked at my hands, my typing turned into a trainwreck. I had found that it was sometimes difficult to get keycaps with legends in the right size for a given layout BUT... now that I was never looking at my hands... blanks rock. Go for style and color only since it no longer matters whether I have the "right" keycap for a certain spot.
The trip to 40% came when drop had the Planck on sale for what the heck money. That one took mere minutes to get used to after breaking finger memory on the other keyboards and I could style it how I liked as I didn't have to worry about what keycap went where other than color. After that I went directly to a Corne.
Both the Planck and the Corne have become my alternating daily drivers. I get the other two out once in a while for the change but never stay on them long and back to the small ones.
NOW I look at most keyboards and wonder why so many keys.
evangs
1493
Mar 29, 2022
Trike-MikeThanks for sharing. I love hearing other peoples stories coming into 40s. As firmware has advanced I’ve pushed even a bit further than what is written here.
Trike-Mike
15
Mar 30, 2022
evangsI'd love to see another post of your evolutionary changes. I am half tempted to grab another 40 of some sort and start experimenting with tap dance configurations.
Enzo1
Jul 16, 2020
But see what games does he actually play with his keyboard...
mclaughj
23
Jan 26, 2017
elFickPasting for future visitors (posted by @evangs toward the earlier part of the discussion):
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/d384da040916d6eeaf57361d6e436320
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/8dc936a9124e4630fabbad0e5204b109
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/bb7d938cdd1db5b97090dbb2e62b6317
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/gists/2060ab09580adc36a5dbb7504b566f11
wsjones1981
163
Keyboard Club Member
Sep 22, 2016
While checking around, I came across this post. Thanks, for providing your minivan function layer layout!
Hypocaffeinic
109
Sep 17, 2016
Hey Evan, do you have a layout map please with the size of each key? I'm purchasing some nice blanks for the mods and want to ensure I get the right sizes! Cheers. :D
MiTo
13964
MiTo
Sep 1, 2016
Pretty interesting Evan, very nice to see the layers organized like this. I play some games every once in a while, so in case I happen to up(down)grade from my 60% I'm definitely getting a Van! Fantastic job, great looking case as well!
EDIT: Forgot to say that the Arrow layout looks like it would work better for me since I don't need more than one Shift/Control. Also, do you have any plans for RGB underglow?
EDIT: Forgot to say that the Arrow layout looks like it would work better for me since I don't need more than one Shift/Control. Also, do you have any plans for RGB underglow?
evangs
1493
Sep 1, 2016
MiTorbg is something that has been in the back of my mind for quite some time.. I have some ideas, but nothing noteworthy yet. I hope to add more of these features over the next year :)
tobsn
263
Sep 1, 2016
Hey Evan! Would you mind telling me how you ordered those custom made keycaps? thanks!
tobsn
263
Sep 6, 2016
does the cost drop a lot? I just ordered a custom set of DSA caps and the cost is insane...
evangs
1493
Sep 6, 2016
tobsnyes, if you can get to 50 sets it starts to become pretty reasonable. the more you can buy the lower the price will be per set.
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The following image is my default layout, the layout of the keys without holding down any function keys.
The following image depicts Function Layer 1 which is activated by the red keys on the default layer.
"I still don't see any numbers!"
The following image is my Function 2 layer
My layout has changed significantly from the very first iteration. As I have moved things around and tried out different ideas, I have honed in on what I like and what works well for me. Your optimal layout might be drastically different. I encourage you to explore different layouts and to try different configurations.
Oh I almost forgot. I have a lock layer setup for gaming. This allows me to lock in something that doesn't really work for typing, but allows me the ability to play my favorite games.
I hope this post was informative for you and helped give you some ideas for what your optimal layout might be. As always, you're welcome to post questions and I'll answer to the best of my ability!