[kwlug-disc] Interview with Erez Zukerman about ErgoDox EZ keyboard

[Steve Izma]

On Fri, Sep 27, 2024 at 06:59:55AM -0400, Doug Moen wrote:
> Subject: Re: [kwlug-disc] Interview with Erez Zukerman about ErgoDox EZ
>  keyboard
> 
> I recently saw the ErgoDox EZ name-checked in a post about an
> even weirder looking keyboard:
> <https://sunaku.github.io/moergo-glove80-keyboard.html>
> 
> I've never used one of these weird looking ergonomic keyboards.
> (I'm typing this on a Thinkpad.)
> When I looked at the ErgoDox EZ website
> <https://ergodox-ez.com/>, what jumped out at me was that 3
> keys are missing on the keyboard:
>  -_   +=  \|
> That seems to be a deliberate design decision, you use a keymap
> that maps blank keys onto these characters. Designing your own
> keymap layers and relearning how to type seems to be a part of
> this keyboard hacker culture.

One excuse I have for not responding to this earlier: after about
three months of using my new ZSA Voyageur keyboard, I'm still in
learning mode.

But I really like it -- despite the fact that I'm embarassed by
how long it's taking me to learn how to use my thumbs to distinguish
between seven different keys: CR, tab, backspace, wordspace, left
control, layer 1, and layer 2. That's only one or two functions
per key per thumb, since, e.g., a tap of the tab key produces the
expected tab character, but holding down the key turns it into a
control key. Similarly, certain other keys can be given different
functions (either as a mod key or as glyph-producing key)
according to this binary distinction between tap and hold.
Rewiring my brain to be so careful about touch on the keyboard is
at least as hard as learning how to play piano.

But the mechanics of the keyboard are excellent, resulting in
what I think is an excellent feel. The degree of customization
is very useful if one is concerned with locating peripheral keys
(i.e., non-alpha-numeric) within reach but out of the way of the
keys one will use most of the time. As Erez Zukerman has pointed
out, the design goal was not so much to improve typing speed but
to reduce strain on the hands caused by stretching
inappropriately. Yet the customizable design means that I don't
really need to ever move my hand uncomfortably away from the home
row of keys. And I feel that learning to do this right makes me a
better typist.

The keys that Doug mentions above are on marked keys on this
keyboard, but not in the usual position. The keyboard is very
portable and comes with a well-designed case for that purpose.
not adding much freight if you're carrying a laptop around.

Over a year ago I suggested to Paul that we ask Zukerman to give
us a presentation (nad Paul has reminded me of this at least
once) but I hesitated passing the invite on to Zukerman until I
could talk and ask questions intelligently (i.e., from
experience) about the keyboards. Zukerman lives in New Hamburg.

	-- Steve

-- 
Steve Izma
-
Home: 35 Locust St., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada  N2H 1W6
Temporary residence: 36 Locust St., Kitchener, Ontario, Canada  N2H 1W7
E-mail: sizma at golden.net  cellphone: 519-998-2684

==
The most erroneous stories are those we think we know best – and
therefore never scrutinize or question.
    -- Stephen Jay Gould, *Full House: The Spread of Excellence
       from Plato to Darwin*, 1996