[hwbehrens]

I've been using these types of keyboards for a couple years now, and I find that although the enthusiast community has sort of gravitated towards <50 key layouts, trying to achieve the complex combinations often required by IDEs can be an exercise in dexterity (both physically and mentally).

For example, let's say you need to do Shift-Option-F12. First, you need to hold a modifier to bring your F key layer, possibly a separate or chorded modifier to get you to the F-keys above 10 since you only have have 10 numeric digits. Then, that needs to be compatible with both your shift modifier AND your option modifier, which with only 2 thumb keys per side it probably won't be. So, then you think, oh no worries, I'll just set up a single shortcut that does what I need, but then you end up with a profusion of shortcuts that you need to remember.

I've found that in practice, I can't really go much below 58 keys and 3 layers without requiring tap-and-hold or losing some of my less-frequently used chars (` comes to mind), so I can sympathize with the ancestor posts.

[lucw]

Why would you ever need to hit Shift-Option-F12 ? They keyboard is customizable and the IDE shortcuts are customizable. I have a VsCode layer on my crkbd (https://github.com/luc-languagetools/qmk-crkbd-vscode-builde...). I generate the actual keycodes using this python script, which also outputs my VsCode keybindings.json: https://github.com/luc-languagetools/qmk-crkbd-vscode-builde...

[rgoulter]

It's understandable if some people would prefer a larger layout. I wouldn't argue people should be using smaller keyboards.

It's "I don't mind moving my hand to hit the key" vs "I don't mind holding down some Fn key to hit the key". (Or with F1-F12 on Macbooks, you need to both hold down a Fn key and move your hand).

For an example of "36 keys ... how", I think the popular miryoku layout is fascinating. https://github.com/manna-harbour/miryoku/tree/master/docs/re... -- Often, mnemonics for particular keys aren't all that complicated.

[lbussell]

I picked up the Miryoku layout a year or two ago and the home row mods (Ctrl, alt, shift...) make all the difference. Adding a thumb key into the shortcut to hit a key on a layer doesn't take much extra mental energy and it becomes muscle memory for certain shortcuts. It's a little like playing different chords on the piano. I added some customization for Vim arrow keys and now I don't think I'll ever go back.

[mkozlows]

"a profusion of shortcuts that you need to remember" -- sure, true, but you're already talking about something esoteric like shift-option-F12. Were you remembering that in the first place?

[strongly-typed]

I hate to be that guy but this line of reasoning leads to “redefine every shortcut for every app” in order to fit your keyboard. Yes, it’s possible, but cognitive overload is also a thing.

[eviks]

you wouldn't use horizontal numbers, but a numpad-like layer, so that'd be just one extra f layer tap / hold