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Ergonomic Mechanical-Switch Keyboard?
dotancohen writes "As wear and tear on my hands builds up, I find that I need an ergonomic (split) keyboard. It seems the vast majority of available ergonomic models are either crippled with dome-switches or have unusual designs, which place many critical keys under the thumbs (I cannot use my right thumb). The one normal-appearing contender, the Northgate Ergonomic Evolution, seems to be noisier than even the Model M — in fact, it echoes! Programmers and hobbyists geeky enough to be here today: what do you type on?"
I hate to point you elsewhere rather than provide an answer, but the GeekHack forum is a very rich source of information and reviews from people who know what to look for in a keyboard (or any input device), and they've probably reviewed every keyboard out there (and modified them). I don't use ergonomic keyboards, but I am very adamant about mechanical-switch keyboards that have just the right amount of tension and tactile/audible response.
Check out the forum here:
http://geekhack.org/forumdisplay.php?f=31
There are also some interesting vertical keyboards like the SafeType and the Kinesis Freestyle Ascent, but they're kinda expensive and might take a bit of relearning.
Here's a survey of ergonomic keyboards: http://nsx.underbase.org/db/kbd/keyboard-survey.htm
Personally I use a DSI ASK-6600 and a Scorpius M10, and I like them both very much. The DSI keys need a bit more force to push, and it has the large "Enter" key I like from old Keytronix keyboards (as opposed to a large Backspace key and a repositioned backslash character, like the Scorpius and Model M have).
These two keyboards probably don't appeal to you because they're not curved/natural keyboards. I avoid wrist problems while using a regular (straight) keyboard because I have a custom typing style, wherein my wrists are not angled when they rest on my "home row" (e.g. index fingers rest on V and N instead of F and J). This limits my upper bound of typing a bit (under 100wpm), but fast continuous typing will only get you so far in programming and sysadmin work, whereas wrists that don't hurt are quite nice... I also remap my CapsLock key to be another Ctrl, for easy one-handed reach to Ctrl+F1-F5/etc.
While you're at it -- upgrade your mouse too! I found all my wrist problems went away when I moved to a Logitech Cordless Trackman (wish it was corded, but whatever). This has a finger-operated trackball and a thumb-operated left-click, which I find MUCH more accurate and comfortable than a thumb-operated trackball (e.g. most trackball mice on the market now). Trackball mice are usually considered to be more accurate than regular mice anyways. One of the big benefits here is the fact that your wrist isn't as twisted as with a regular mouse... if that's your main goal, there are also some expensive ergonomic vertical mice that might be comfortable.
Ergonomic Model Ms exist, but are incredibly hard to find. You may want to ask around, though. An old workplace of mine had one sitting around in the storage.
Natural Ergonomic keyboard (from Microsoft)
http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=043
The best a man can get...
It sounds like you are looking for this. Truly Ergonomic Keyboards
I agree with this. I have used one of these for a couple of years on my primary PC at home. I also use a Logitec Wave on one of my other PC's. Both are quite comfortable and I have no problem using them for hours on end (though the Wave does annoy me because of the stupid layout of the Del/Insert/PgUp etc. buttons - but you get used to that). IIRC the 4000 allows the "negative slope" that one other poster has mentioned. Re: the programmable buttons, I'm pretty sure you can change them to run whatever app you want - which is what they are for. With Win 7 though I don't use them (just pin what I want to the task bar. Not sure why the type of switch matters (dome/mechanical). If a keyboard is comfortable to use, then it's comfortable to use.
dnuof eruc rof aixelsid
Check out the Veyboard, a Dutch chorded keyboard with an ergonomic layout that uses Cherry keys. I'm mentioning it only as a curiosity, because the learning curve is fierce. But those who have mastered it can type at conversational speeds. The system works by splitting words into syllables and then keying them in with both hands, a syllable at a time. It exploits the fact that every syllable consists of zero or more starting consonants, one or more central vowels, and zero or more ending consonants. On the Veyboard, the starting consonants are keyed with the left hand on the left side of the board, the center vowels in the center of the board with fingers from both hands, and the ending consonants on the right hand side with the right hand. You "spell out" a syllable across the board, from left to right, with both hands. I own one of these things (though I can hardly operate it, sorry to say), and it's actually quite natural-feeling. The tricky part is getting all fingers of both hands at the right place at the right time and doing it really fast, but in theory that's just practice...
Certain combinations of keys produce certain letters, or entire strings. The system is really neat in that it produces plain text straight from the machine, not abbreviations, and the input fully defines the output. Apart from some simple rules ("T and J make D"), there is no interpretation layer or dictionary. You can even do special keys, or a single letter per chord; but not that you'd want to. Can be handy when you need to spell something funny. Alas, the Veyboard (or Velotype as it used to be known) is a famous futuristic flop from the 1980's, and these days finds traction mostly with live captioners and deaf interpreters. But I think it's still quite neat.
The problem with Microsoft's "ergonomic" keyboards is that they are made for people who have longer pinkies than index fingers. They slope the exact wrong way, forcing you to stretch more than you would with a normal keyboard.
If you really want an ergonomic keyboard that's shaped for your fingers and not your palm, Maltron make some of the best. They're not cheap, though.
But really, for most "normal" users, the best thing they can do is get a keyboard without a keypad on the right. Having to move the arm back and forth those four extra inches to reach the mouse is far more damaging than any of the typing. In addition, quite a few users end up with the keyboard casing centered in front of them, instead of the actual keyboard centered, which means the right hand reaches over to the left more than what's needed.
I have to go with this. I have been typing since the 80s and despite having a crippled finger on one hand just by using normal typing techniques and not the "hunched over the keyboard" posture my hands work just fine. If given a choice I prefer the older "clacky" keyboards, and have a fondness for older Compaq and MSFT keyboards. The fat lip at the bottom of the keys make them comfortable to rest your wrists on and the clack lets you know you've hit the key without having to constantly look up.
If he is gonna go for one of those awful ergonomic keyboards he is gonna find that most of the choices suck, simply because most folks hate them. I frankly couldn't give those things away here at the shop and hated when I got a machine in that had one. Better to just use good posture and take the occasional break when needed IMHO. I've found watching people type on ergonomics they tend to try to "force their speed up" which ends up giving them just as much trouble than if they'd have just used a regular keyboard and took breaks. And I have yet to see anyone that could type half as fast with a split keyboard than they could with a regular keyboard. Give me an old Compaq, IBM, or MSFT standard keyboard any day!
ACs don't waste your time replying, your posts are never seen by me.
Ya, I had the same problem!
Both hands bad. Exactly as you call it, "classic carpal tunnel". The MD's (all 3 of them). recommended surgery.
While hemming and hawing about it a friend of mine convinced me to go see his naprapath (ya, I know, one step less legit than chiropractors, but I was desperate to make the pain stop!)
He gave me (yup, did not even charge me for the visit or anything) a pair of wrist braces and told me to wear them when I slept and when I was typing.
Dude, I gotta tell ya, 10 years later, no surgery, no pain, it's a fucking miracle!
There are times that I still need to wear them at night.
It turns out that I (in my sleep) fold my hands back towards my wrists, under my head. This cuts off the nerves and inflames them making them cause pain anytime, at even the slightest provocation, typing, driving, biking, motorcycling, anything.
It may not work for you but a pair of bowling braces (with the insert to keep you from bending your hands towards your wrists) are MUCH cheaper than the alternatives AND they don't leave scars!
Oh, and whenever I manage to throw out my back, I go see my naprapath.
In the spirit of the above comment, I'd like to point out that I don't type on a typewriter, newspaper, carpet, the wind, or indeed, a pink zebra.
which is totally what she said