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(such as not using my little and ring fingers when I really should)

No, that is an error of the layout! Your rind and little finger are weaker. Basically your little finger is just an outreaching touch sensor, and not meant for grabbing. Especially not on such an incredibly convoluted and stupid layout as the default one. And I’m not talking about the position of the letters, but about the shape and layout of the physical keys!

If you want to make it a bit better, I recommend this keyboard (if it’s still sold): http://www.datadesktech.com/desktop_base.html
I had it, and it was the best keyboard I ever had. Like an IBM one, but ergonomic. Not that fake-“ergonomic” style that e.g. Microsoft uses. Look at the upper outside keys (those for the smaller fingers). They are wider, and easier to press. Also the columns are exactly aligned. Not slanted. And you raise the front, not the back. So it’s really nice. (I recommend buying the black USB variant.)

Why do I tell you this? Simple: Because the new layout forces you to re-learn touch-typing. In which case you can learn it properly and comfortably right from the start. :)

But a note: Even those keyboards are not perfect, since you still have to raise your elbows to type in that V shape. (Much better than default keyboards though!) So you will get a bit of strain in your shoulders.
The only way around that, that I know, is using two Datahands, mounted right on the chair. But it looks like they aren’t sold anymore. Also the last time I checked, they were at $700 per hand!

About Dvorak: Go for it!
I doesn’t even come close to our German version of an alternative layout (NEO 2.0), which has 6 levels, but it’s still much better than the default one.
I just left the default key stickers on my keyboard when learning NEO. Which made it impossible to look on the keys, and so I learned touch-typing much quicker. :)

You forgot one more: The Datadesk SmartBoard. The Microsoft Natural keyboard is a nice keyboard, but I much prefer the Datadesk SmartBoard. It uses individual mechanical switches instead of dome switches. Admittedly, it is more expensive ($99), but it is much more comfortable to type with and lasts much longer than dome-switch keyboards.

... non-ergonomic.

I'm sorry, but we live in two-thousand-fuckin'-nine! Give me a real keyboard, or at least the closest affordable thing. (Now unfortunately defunct.):

'Nuff said...

Works like a charm and they're not that expensive. The only upgrade would be if they did a buckling spring version but that's probably too much to hope for.

But you can get the "Lil Big Board" for $80 with a buckling spring (ie: mechanical keyswitch).
http://www.datadesktech.com/desktop_lbb_start.html

The MS Natural is ok - but if you check out the "SmartKey" layout from DataDesk, I think you'll find that it's much more ergonomic. The far reaches just plain go away and your fingers don't have to move in unnatural directions.

My favorite Emacs-specific ergo tip: avoid chording. It's not for nothing that Emacs is so massively configurable. I have:

(define-key global-map [f1] 'Control-X-prefix)
(define-key global-map [f2] 'find-file)
(define-key global-map [f3] 'save-buffer)
(define-key global-map [f4] 'kill-buffer)
(define-key global-map [f5] 'switch-to-buffer)
(define-key global-map [f6] 'other-window)
(define-key global-map [f9] 'compile)

in my .emacs (inspired by this.) I used to have a host of other things mapped all over the numeric keypad -- kill, yank, undo -- but I lost them at some point. I should re-create those.

Also don't neglect a good setup (good posture, good keyboard, good pointing device), and stretch breaks at least once an hour.

They cost $99 but are well worth the money, IMHO. I have used these for nearly a year, and I love them.

Product URL: TypeMatrix EZ-Reach

Another suggestion would be the DataDesk SmartBoard line of keyboards. I have not tried these keyboards yet, but the design is very appealing.

Good luck!

Product URL here

The EZ-Reach is about 14 inches wide, and can easily be transported in most laptop bags or portfolio cases. It is thin (less than 0.75 inches) and very portable. It has an embedded numeric keypad (similar to what you'd find on a laptop computer) which can be enabled at your discretion, or ignored altogether.

EZ-Reach has a very symmetrical design, with almost equal key layouts on both sides. It can be placed in front of a monitor and you can sit straight-on, without having to twist your body (or neck) during typing.

Since it has no extra numeric keypad, you can place your mouse closer to your typing area - this applies to lefties, and especially to righties (like me).

The key technology feels like a *very good* laptop keyboard. The keys have a scissor mechanism and a thin profile which makes them flat and easy to hit, with a minimum of vertical displacement. I have found the feeling to be very crisp and rich in tactile feedback; normal keyboards feel too "mushy" to me now.

The key layout is patterned in a matrix fashion, without any of the vestigial staggered-key pattern of the (arguably) archaic design of the original typewriter. Motion studies have shown that fingers move more naturally when they move straight up-and-down, and the staggered key layout increases risk of RSI. The TypeMatrix EZ-Reach is one of only three keyboards that I have found which lays out the keys in this fashion. Here are the others:

• DataDesk SmartBoard
• Fingerworks TouchStream

If you ever have the urge to learn the DVORAK keyboard layout, you can switch the layout of the EZ-Reach with a single function-key (Function+F7). This toggles the mode between QWERTY and DVORAK. TypeMatrix sells (at least) three versions of this keyboard, all with the same guts but differently labeled keycaps: one for plain QWERTY, one for plain DVORAK, and a dual-labeled QWERTY+DVORAK version. The operation of all three models is identical.

One of the very few disadvantages of the EZ-Reach is the fact that the Home/End/PgUp/PgDown keys are overlaid on top of F9-F12, and require the Function key in order to be activated. This is somewhat annoying for me, but I've found a way to re-map the keys in Linux (using xmodmap) such that I sacrifice the F9-F12 keys in order to use the text navigation commands. On the other hand, I use a FingerWorks iGesture NumPad for most of my cursor control, so I can access those commands using gestures as well. (TypeMatrix is working a new keyboard design that addresses this limitation. Please contact them directly to learn more about it.)

The other disadvantage (and this one depends on your preference) is that this keyboard only comes with a PS/2 interface. I use all-USB setups wherever possible, so I have to use a PS/2-to-USB converter (which introduces a few quirks of its own), but it generally works very well. I've had several conversations with TypeMatrix customer support, and they do plan to introduce USB keyboards in the near future.

Your mileage may vary. I really love the TypeMatrix design and philosophy, and the keyboard works very well for me.

Disclaimer: I don't work for TypeMatrix, but I love the company and their products.

One thing that can help, while retaining the QWERTY layout, is removing the "tilt" from the keys that was to originally accomodate the mechanical linkages to the type-bars.

Unfortunately, I've only seen this from one maker, DataDesk SmartBoard. (All the other boards I've seen that drop the "slant" are the "contoured" boards, such as the Kinesis Ergo ones.)

I find the most important thing in a keyboard is the switch mechanism. If you put a bad switch in any layout, you'll still have wrist problems. I just can't type on those "rubber dome" keyboards everyone makes today; after an hour or so, my wrists are on fire. But I can go all day on a buckling-spring switch; or any other switch that "fires" before the bottom of the keystroke. (That's what I'm used to, from the ferrite-bead-through-circuit board on the ICON, the wedge-and-fingers on the Amiga, to the buckling spring on the IBM RS/6000 (and all their other systems up to the mid-late 90s).)

But what I want to know is, if you're going to re-invent the keyboard, why not do it right? The most comportable keyboard I ever used was the Smartboard (or here) . Instead of just turning the keyboard in, like those crappy Microsoft keyboards, they also line the keys up correctly. About time - the only reason key rows are offset like they are is historical accident. Key rows used to be offset so all the mechanical arms would have room to reach the keys - not because they're even close to comportable.

And don't even get me started on Dvorak, which I've used for the past six years. Novel idea - why not use a key layout which is optimized for speed, comport, and accuracy, instead of one which was custom-make to slow you down.

Of course, with a laser keyboard, you could easily program whatever layout you want (with the correct labels), and possibly even use a Smartboard-type layout (although it is patented) ...

1. Nice key action. You get a good click. Of course this makes it a bit noisy.

2. The key layout is slightly better than a normal keyboard. The stagger of the keys is removed, so they all sit in lines along the movements of your joints. The first week was frustrating while I made typing errors. After that, I found that I typed a bit faster with a lot less finger movement. I don't have any trouble using other keyboards.

I paid about $80 for mine, which is pretty reasonable for an ergonomic keyboard. I consider it one of the best computer purchases I've ever made: I can type all day without ever having hand troubles. I've never had that experience with any other keyboard.

I'm not affiliated with DataDesk at all. I'm just a very happy customer!

You might want to check out the SmartBoard by Data Desk. It's a nicely laid-out split keyboard with low-force mechanical keys. It's a little loud, but boy does it feel beautiful. The layout might look odd to begin with, but I found it very easy to adapt and I'm a fucking fast typist. Plus it's only $70, which in these days of cheap Microsoft Natural knock-offs and $300 UberErgo boards is a pretty good deal.

Checkout this link for the best Natural keyboard with mechanical switch keys!
DATADESK SmartBoard

Datadesk technologies makes a very nice alternative to the MS Natural keyboard. It's called the SmartBoard. I bought a MS Natural the day they came out and used it for years. But I decided to try the SmartBoard and liked it so much I bought a second one and sold both my MS Naturals. If you like the MS Natural, then give this a try. It's better.

You can buy them at several places (distributors listed at the web site), but Microwarehouse is selling them for $80 USD.

The good:

1. Takes up less space than the MS Natural
2. Keys at the edges are wider, making typing easier (see web site for diagram).
3. Nice firm clicky keys instead of those dead sponge abominations on most so-called "soft-touch" keyboards.
4. Two control keys
5. Big backspace key
6. The windows keys (maps nicely to META)
7. Cursor keys are much closer to your fingers. This is really really nice. (see diagram to get the exact positioning)
8. PC and Mac versions.
9. I had a problem with one of my keyboards and they replaced it with no hassle or fuss or questions.
10. Mine came in a cool black color (bought it back when they were Darwin Keyboards, but I don't think they make black ones anymore).

The bad:

1. The +/= button is on the left, between the ~ and the 1. Weird, but once you get used to that it's no big deal (and you can always remap).
2. The home/end/pageup/pagedown/insert/delete buttons have been moved above numeric keypad. This saves space and makes it easier to reach the num keypad. The problem is that they don't do anything to differentiate between the home/end/pageup/pagedown/insert/delete keys and the numeric keypad. It's just one big grid. If you're going by feel you'll make a few mistakes. Again, it takes some getting used to.
3. The clicky keys means they are noisier than most "quiet" keyboards. I like this, but some people may not. The keys don't require much pressure and you know when you've hit them. Some people prefer the feel of the MS Natural. Not me.

You should check the website for full details, including photos. Having used these keyboards for the over 1.5 years I can confidently say these keyboards are a superior replacement for MS Natural keyboards. Highly recommended.

http://www.datadesktech.com