Learned a lot, not completely satisfied with the turnout, but I'll have more ammo for the next build.
Nice!Nano V2 using ZMK firmware, BLE, and custom PCB made with ergogen, kicad, and purchased thru JLPCB. Going to print a case and learn the keyboard layout.
Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards
Posts must be of/about keyboards that have a clear delineation between the left and right halves of the keyboard, column stagger, or both. This includes one-handed (one half doesn't exist, what clearer delineation is that!?)
i.e. no regular non-split¹ row-stagger and no non-split¹ ortholinear²
¹ split meaning a separation of the halves, whether fixed in place or entirely separate, both are fine.
² ortholinear meaning keys layed out in a grid
No excessive posting/"shilling" for commercial purposes. Vendors are permitted to promote their products/services but keep it to a minimum and use the [vendor] flair. Posts that appear to be marketing without being transparent about it will be removed.
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The layout looks Colemak-ish, so I'd expect the E to be the key labeled 5 on the right half.
Smaller keyboards like this use layers to reuse certain keys, rather than adding more. The idea is to minimize finger/hand/arm movement. Things like choosing a more efficient layout (QWERTY is actuality pretty bad in that regard), using home row mods (so the letter keys under your index fingers double as Shift when held, for example), and so on.
It takes some getting used to, but it actually quickly becomes second nature.
Trading physical effort for mental effort.
After getting used to the mental effort is similar to pressing Shift or Ctrl but you get to keep the physical comfort and the reduced travel.
Additionally you are able to press any key without looking or moving and repositioning your hand, be it symbols, numbers, fn-keys, all of them.
It's a different kind of effort, one that doesn't give you RSI or at least improves your situation. And as explained, that mental effort is temporary, it gets engrained in your muscle memory quite quick.
Thank you for the explanation