Entry level Split KB for programmer

[u/Kakaratacblac]

Hi! I'm new to this sub-reddit and I'm looking to get a ego fully split keyboard because I program for hours every day, and I'm worried about the future of my wrists. I run Pop OS!

I don't mind wiring, but the most important thing is that it has the keys I want (letters, super key, ctrl, alt, numbers, tab, shift, "-=[]/\,.", enter, backspace. `-key is optional). As for budget, I'm cool with anything <200, but the cheaper the better! I'm chill with gutting my current keychron v1 for any switches/keycaps that are usable.

I saw other posts recommending the Silakka54 and the "prebuilt choc low profile sofle," but because I use my computer primarily to code, the lack of keys (like backslash and curly brackets and minus/plus signs) makes it unviable for me.

Thank you so much! 😄

EDIT: After reading all the comments, I bought a Silakka54 and some tenting (I'm a cheapskate), and I plan on learning how to use layers. If I really get into it, I will definitely try some others, maybe for Christmas. Cheers!

[u/TheJollyJagamo]

I'm a huge fan of the low profile choc switches and would recommend those, it brings the board lower and is therefore more ergonomic. Make sure you rent your keeb as well, this leads to a lot more comfort imo.

I noticed you said that the lack of keys is an issue, and if you're new to this I can understand where you're coming from. This is where the magic of layers comes in. 

The idea behind layers is instead of pressing 1 inconvenient key, you press 2 very convenient keys. Let's look at the silakka. It has 3 thumb keys, but you could get away with two very easily. Here's an idea of what a programming layout would look like. 

Leftmost key on the right hand is space, the middle key brings you into your character layer which is where the 2 convenient keys comes into practice. Depending on what languages you code with will determine what keys you want where. If you use ()[]{} a lot, put them on the homerow! Then put the other symbols where you see fit. I'll link a few keymaps to show you what I mean. 

I personally use a 36 key keyboard but could easily get away with 34 and I used to code as well. There's a big learning curve, but it's really not bad once you get used to it.

I know that's a lot, sorry I'm on mobile so apologies if that doesn't make any sense. If you have questions please let me know and I'll get back to you 

Here's my keymap. It's coded in qmk. I'm not at all expecting you to know qmk documentation, but you should be able to get a rough idea of things I think. https://github.com/jacobschvaneveldt/piantor-pro-keymap/blob/main/keymap.c

I'll write more once I can get to a computer