Ask HN: Brackets/braces placement on Kinesis Advantage?

[Kareeeeem]

I'm debating getting a kinesis advantage to help my wrist pain. The only thing that seems off is the placement of [] and {}. Anyone here with the keyboard have any thoughts about it? Are the y hard to reach, does it only seem that way, is it easy to get used to...?

[andriesm]

For me thr Kinesis advantage was a life saver! Thr braces were a gripe for a long time, but like anything you get used to it.

You can remap key locations, with built in programming options on the keyboard. (seriously considering making the CAPS lock a synonym for tab)

I have one very important tip - you need to get rid of pointer input too for a total solution - no trackpad or mouse.

A cannot recommend Karibiner highly enough - I have completely replaced all trackpad mouse movements and clicks with keyboard, and I am about 75-80 percent as fast with keyboard mouse as with TouchPad.

[andriesm]

My only gripe with the Kinesis is it's thickness and key travel distance. Wish someone would make a thinner lower profile version of this.

[Kareeeeem]

I'm not on mac but the idea is interesting.

[nowafizyka]

I've been using a Kinesis Advantage for about 3 years and the placement of those keys is my biggest gripe with the keyboard (apart from the fact that you look like a total dork / wannabe spaceship commander with it - whether that's a pro or con is up to you). I never really got used to the placement, but the keyboard so amazing in all other respects that it doesn't really matter overall.

[Kareeeeem]

Was it ever an option to remap them?

[smt88]

Before you try the Kinesis Advantage, have you tried $15 wrist braces? I used to have terrible wrist pain, and wearing the braces for a few hours a day (and sometimes overnight) made it disappear entirely.

[Kareeeeem]

Something like this you mean https://m.podobrace.nl/shop/merken/product/mcdavid-carpal-tu...

[smt88]

Yup, exactly! You can still use a keyboard and mouse while wearing them.