Shift is A, Caps Lock is Z, Control + Backspace is spacebar.
Don’t ask me why, I just searched the image and found the reddit thread that this post is riffing from and got my answers
bruh why would they make spacebar a two key combo. That is literally the most used key
Split spacebars are thing mostly because of layouts that won’t support a normal spacebar key. But, since most of these keyboards have user created and designed firmware, one could assign those spacebar keys to do anything.
I have a few keyboards with split spacebars where the “right” spacebar is normal; it’s just a spacebar but small. The “left” space does dual duty; tap it and it’s a spacebar, hold it down and it becomes a modifier key for a custom layer. Custom layers are used on small keyboards to make the “missing” keys available, sort of like how a phone keyboard has number layer and symbols layer.
I fully embraced this habit of split spacebars because I cannot train myself to use my left thumb to hit space for the life of me even though I’m a touch typist. Since my right thumb is the only digit hitting space, may as well get some use out of the rest of the space taken up by that spacebar.
Wouldn’t a split spacebar be two different keys that both individually can be used to type a space? This keyboard requires that both keys be pressed together to insert a space because each individual key has a different function. Given the common occurrence of spaces, that seems needlessly difficult.
This is still a split spacebar layout though, the person on reddit who built this thing even said that they just didn’t have the right sized blank keycaps. This is very normal for small keyboards since keycap sets usually are designed for regular layouts and don’t always have the right size, sculpt, and legend for weird layouts.
Ah, ok, so “control” and “backspace” don’t actually function as control or backspace keys. Then that makes more sense.
Uniqueness
They meant to say “Control or* Backspace is Space”, right? Right?!
Yeah both are individual space bars, at least that’s how mine is since I hit space with either thumb
Wait you have one of these? Who all is using this keyboard?
No haha mine is like a regular 65% but it’s split down the middle so I have two small space bars one for each hand
Even though I told you don’t ask me why… you’re asking me why. But I’m a good donut so I went back:
They dont have to press BOTH keys to press space, they just didnt have a spacebar key that is the correct size to fit, so they put those 2 random keys on instead until they get a permanent keycap set that all fits.
Ooohhh, keycap issue.
thanks. For the record, you are a great donut
Less used than the Code key apparently. Their editor must crash A LOT if they need a dedicated button to launch it more than A or Space
Thank you!
This is just retarded. Like how is it reasonable to have no a, z, space and enter key but have a code key and 2x alt, shift, control and fn keys. Like what do you need fn keys for anyway in this setup?
This has to be meant as a joke. Or it was an American who build/programmed it.
r-slur
Mechanical keyboard enthusiasts about to spend 1500$ on a keyboard missing over half it’s keys
literally 40 keys AND YOU STILL INCLUDE THE USELESS CAPS LOCK KEY
I want a keyboard that is just one main key with 100 or so modifier keys surrounding it.
Let’s embrace that stenotype life.
FN key on quadruple duty
That is the worst keyboard layout i have ever seen. Bravo.
Itrieditandiamnothappythatthereisnospacebaronthatkeyboard.
You couldn’t have written this on that keyboard. That keyboard has no a (or z).
The central control probably is set to spacebar, i dont think they make small space bars and they already have another control key down the right.
It does however not have an “a” key, so maybe yours is misconfigured so the control-spacebar is the letter a?
Ironically enough, talking about cutting expenses, the keyboard in the photo could easily cost 10 times more than the typical 100% keyboard you’d find in a corporate office.
A typical office keeb is around $15. If you can build this for anywhere close to $150 I’m gonna take 2, please!
I wrote “could easily cost 10 times more”, which doesn’t exclude an even higher price. $100-$150 for just the case (I couldn’t find the exact one) is what I’d expect.
Especially when they have luxury of lubed switches, foam, dampeners/stabilizers, custom case material (that keeb def. Custom one).
I was even thinking just about the case - good CNCd aluminium has come down in price, but it’s still expensive. You also have a point, I agree.
Don’t forget keycaps! It’s where the real money is lost.
That set looks like GMK Blue Samurai, which sells new for $150.
Keycaps is where I always avoid because that’s what makes keyboard standout other than the overall produced sound.
Still saving for my keycaps setsKeycaps are expensive but you can easily spend $500 on a keyboard chassis/plate/pcb alone
True. I was mostly thinking about having to buy keycaps aftermarket when the prices double/triple and having to source all the different kits.
Personally, I think I have three times as many keycap sets than I do keyboards.
This might be controversial, but at some point just buy a decent repro on AliExpress.
Looks like a knockoff to me. Look at the “Backspace” lettering up close for example.
You’re right. No shame there, but definitely knocks a $100 or more off the price.
As someone that into mech keyboard hobby, I can say that’s still perceivable for average user as you still retain the familiar “qwerty” layout.
Look up stenograph keyboard. They have lesser keys but allows someone to write higher wpm and programmable though I don’t think they would fit for average office workload (unless you types a lot).
Managers will still expect you to do 60% of your work on 60% of your keyboard.
Can someone explain why this would be even slightly useful to anyone?
How does one type without a and z?
Like this.
roasted
this is a fancy mechanical keyboard and can be programmed. The missing keys are typed using key combinations.
In general I love the reprogrammability of mech keyboards, but this one is fucking weird ngl
You cn totlly get by without them
Definitely unneeded. The ending letter of the series of letters we employ to form words is especially useless, but to be honest the first is mostly superfluous too
it is possible if you get enough time to think of every word, you just need to to find synonims so you don’t write specific letters, often needing to switch both words/speech style
(it’s very difficult though, I’ve been writing this comment for 5 to 10 minutes)
The left Shift is A, and Caps Lock is Z.
To get those keys to function as Shift/Caps you would need to hold down the Fn key (bottom right).
I’m all for minimalist keyboards, but this shit is a bit too ridiculous.
No Z key ?
You’ve got an ‘S’ key, so that’s enough.
Perfect for ordering some pissa
No ‘a’, so it’s perfect for ordering some piss.
Fun fact: “pissa” means piss in Finnish
But can you still order it online?
Alphabet didn’t turn enough profit this quarter, so they had to make some difficult choices and cut their less used options
At least you still can press Alt+F4
You cab remap it to required less finger gymnastics… I prefer super+q, personally.
The complete lack of A is concerning.
What? Ya can’t have access at all that; at what situation can ya fathomly have a want to access that?
If you ever do need it, just hit the ol’ fn+super+shift+q,z
If you ever need a ‘z’, just hit fn+alt+Ctrl+backspace.Ezpz
You know, I could do without the letter we’re referring to here. Plenty of other vowels to suit my needs.
What can anyone alternately make about usage?
All alphabetical antecedents are appropriate and appreciated.
I imagine a single press of shift probably types A
Z on the other hand
Also why have a caps lock on a keyboard like this the only time I’ve ever touched it is for keybinds or by accident
Outside of work, A was part of a Labor Union, a Marxist gathering and an Anarchist bookclub.
So he was let go.I was allowed to keep his job cause he was the one who ratted on A.
Can still beat Mario64 on Wii VC version.
Or a space key.
But you get two Fn keys next to each other, so it’s got that going for it.
You have a backspace.
To do a space you need to press CTRL + Backspace to do a space.
Duh…Is that true? the space bar is a keyboard shortcut?
My latest keyboard doesn’t have a ctrl on the right side and it took me 2 weeks to adjust.
