tulip robin
~In an alternate reality, where Wooting dared to reach for layout perfection, especially for gaming...
The normal v2 version is always there - this is a suggestion to replace the pcb #2 of the v2 version - and also merge it into 1 SKU (instead of current 2).
(with SUPER-PERFECT version in first reply: #1375090389240909944 message)
We all know it - the spacebar doesn't have to be as big and the area could be more efficiently used in general. But the better solution for this area is not a split spacebar - but a smaller spacebar with extra keys on the side.
(This would be a 1 SKU product only - only keycap sets would be different.)
It so happens, there is a JIS-like layout possible, rearranging the keys a bit - that is also overall compatible with JIS keycap sets (just of course some keys not having correct legends).
I went a bit further and also changed position of the inconveniently placed Caps Lock key (annoying both for typing and bindings for gaming).
Benefits:
- Now both ANSI and ISO users would have the best of each other's worlds - Big LShift and Big Enter (non-flex). This makes this keyboard more unique and an attractive purchase for both camps.
- Alts being closer to the center improves their functionality, probably especially for ISO users, and also for gaming - where you sometimes use the Alt modifier (having to bend your thumb too much). This also makes ESDF/homerow position while gaming or not less inconvenient.
- Finally big LShift for ISO users - making homerow typing better (but it's in gaming where this will matter most, especially using ESDF).
- Overall 2-3 more keys added (for ANSI users, but since the LShift takes away 1 key from ISO users, it's 1-2 more for them) (1 more if doing 1.75 JIS RShift - 1 more on the RIGHT side of it, not left how JIS does it).
- Fully centered spacebar (to homerow G | H ).
- Better Caps Lock placement (both keycaps would follow (and other needed keycaps for other keys as well)).
Extra benefits for perfected layout:
- Bigger 1.5 Ctrl means easier access to it with normal use, but better for gaming as well - especially for ESDF usage.
- 'Arrow keys' more perfectly aligned (compared to both jis-like and current wooting versions).
- Bigger 1.5 Fn makes layout more symmetrical and is also nicer to use (and a bit more centered).
Other things:
- Market this variant as "gaming-focused", listing all the benefits of it (similar to ones I listed). Then there is also less stigma about getting used to some keys being in different places. (As well as 'ANSI+ISO' unification kb.)
