[ajross]

It's similarly much less an issue when you map your keys correctly. Control goes to the left of "A", meta below "/". Much less pinky travel. Sun got this right way back in the 80's with the Type 3 keyboard (vi users prefer its placement of ESC too).

[rwg]

FWIW, you can get an unused Unix layout (Control left of A, Esc left of 1, Backspace directly above Return) Sun Type 6 USB keyboard for around $40.

http://ep.yimg.com/ca/I/memx_2267_226185665

If you're using X11, you can go nuts with xmodmap and get it functioning at least as well as it did on Solaris.

I think getting a genuine Sun keyboard beats just remapping keys on a 101/104-key PC keyboard. There are 12 additional keys at the left and top-left of the keyboard just begging to be remapped for your own nefarious purposes. You also get meta keys that are separate from the Alt key, as well as Compose and AltGr keys for your åçcéñtêd character needs.

Plus when you look down and see the Sun logo, you can reminisce about the old days and have a good cry at your desk.

[wtallis]

Apple also does well in their modifier key placement by having a narrower space bar that extends from "C" to "M" on most keyboards, meaning the modifier keys next to the space bar are easily reachable with thumbs.