Reposting this on what is probablty the correct community, which I didn’t know actually existed on Lemmy until five minutes ago …
I’m humming and hawing over which split 36-key or thereabouts keyboard to get, either pre-soldered or as a kit to do the soldering myself (which would be an adventure because it has been a minute).
I’m pretty sure I want five columns not six, because I don’t see the point of giving my pinky extra work. I’m not sure about giving my thumb two or three keys for layers. Three keys would probably give me more options but I don’t want to get all layered out, you know?
Any thoughts on that? I know there is huge potential for going down the rabbithole here but assuming I get one keyboard, would I be better getting more rather than less - six columns - to play with layouts and layers? Or just go with my gut and get 5x3+2 right at the start?
PS: Does anybody know if Beekeebs 36-key Piantor case fit the 36-key PCB snugly? Or is it just the 42-key case with a big gap where the extra PCB has been broken off?
I’m a big fan of the Kyria/Hillside layout, personally. I prefer having an outer pinky column personally, but that’s down to preference and individual anatomy. Some boards do allow you to break off the extra column, so there’s no reason you couldn’t try 6-column first and then break off the column later.
You also don’t necessarily nead to get a case right away or at all, lots of folks use split keyboards as bare PCBs. You can use thin adhesive foam to cover the bottom of the board and trim it to fit, if you need to use it on a bare desk and don’t want to scratch anything. If it’s a soldered build, you also don’t need a plate. (Hotswap, a plate is pretty beneficial)