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?
Thanks for all of the amazing advice! I have decided to go five column with two modifier keys. The suggestions about getting six columns and not programming the sixth were good in theory but I know what I’m like - I would end up using them. Same with the third modifier key that would end up making me twist my thumb too far inward. It’s too tempting - all those lovely layers.
So Ferris Sweep it is. No fancy-shmancy stuff just USB and blank keycaps, and I’ll see how I get on. I’m excited to see what I can do with combining layers with Vim keybindings. I may even learn Colemak-DH.
Good luck with your build. Hope you share it here once it’s complete! I would definitely recommend looking into alt layouts and colemak Dh is a good choice