Portable Layout for Programming

[paecific.jr]

I've been wanting to build a portable keyboard for programming at my college (Because let's face it, rubber domes suck). I was looking at a 60% keyboard, but recently I have realized that 60% isn't right for me and the thumb is wasted on most keyboards. Thus I am starting a mission to create a more useful keyboard. Right now it only uses each thumb independently, but it has a full keyboard tucked on it.

Here is a link to the Keyboard Editor of it.
https://goo.gl/6NjNpk

What do you guys think? How can we make this better? Does something better already exist?

[Menuhin]

It looks like a ZZ96 with a trendy split-spacebar.

There are a few related post:
Your Ideal Layout
Programmer's keyboard design
Most pressed keys in programming languages

By the way, you double-posted your topic.

[Gnatogryz]

I'm a programmer myself, pretty allergic to split spacebars and to wasted desk space. I suggest you give 60% a chance, and turn your spacebar into a fn key (essentially, make it a dual-use key).

I've been using this setup myself for some time now and haven't looked back. A well thought-out function layer allows you to almost never leave the home row, even while navigating or selecting text.

[Menuhin]

... and turn your spacebar into a fn key (essentially, make it a dual-use key)...

So you're from the SpaceFN layout school.

Does that interfere with other keys when you type fast?
Not many programmable keyboards have firmware that supports Tap vs Hold programmability, right? I just know AutoHotKey can achieve something like that.

[Laser]

Hasu's TMK does that, also QMK firmware (derived from TMK).

[Gnatogryz]

Does that interfere with other keys when you type fast?

Thankfully, I don't type too fast Seriously though, I've had no issues. In case I need a proper spacebar (e.g. for games), I've set capslock to switch to a layer that removes fn from spacebar and sets right ctrl block to an arrow cluster.

To achieve this level of customizability, you'd generally have to build a custom keyboard.

[Menuhin]

Does that interfere with other keys when you type fast?

... (e.g. for games), I've set capslock to switch to a layer that removes fn from spacebar ...

Finally some use for the Capslock key.

[Sigmoid]

You probably do want two Alt keys, believe me. European layouts use the right Alt as AltGr, which accesses a whole other keyboard layer. I've never seen a human being use the menu key on the other hand, but do correct me if you do find a use for it. (If you intend to use it as a Compose key, Compose has a dedicated USB usage code.)

Control, on the other hand, is probably enough to have a single one of, in the 1980s position (where Caps Lock is on modern PC keyboards). The only thing you use it for is key commands, not 20-finger touch typing, and most Ctrl-based key commands were invented for the original position of the key, to be held down with your pinky.

[davkol]

derp

[Gnatogryz]

And this is exactly why I switched to the fn/spacebar thing, frees up modifier keys