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Ortholinear Split keyboard Interest Check

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Updates

2025-02-10

Initial release.

Introduction

Currently, this is just a passion project initiated to fulfill my personal needs as a developer of the RAKKA keyboard series (hereafter referred to as "I").

Below is the layout of the ortholinear split keyboard I am personally using. My plan is to create a wired Hall-effect switch PCB for this split keyboard.

For those unfamiliar with this layout: Please ignore the text on the keys, as this is my personal configuration. Combined with advanced key functions, the labels may not accurately reflect their actual functions.

#3
*8
@2
$4
&7
(9
%5
^6
Esc
!1
)0
BS
E
I
W
R
U
O
T
Y
Tab
Q
P
|\
D
K
S
F
J
L
G
H
Caps
A
:;
"'
C
<,
X
V
M
>.
B
N
Shift
Z
?/
Alt
{[
Win
}]
Ctrl
Enter
Space
Delete

Advantages I See:

  • Flexible placement of the left and right keyboards
    Allows positioning according to personal preference, reducing wrist strain and enabling a more natural shoulder posture.

  • Ortholinear layout makes finger movement more natural
    Unlike the traditional staggered layout, the ortholinear layout allows fingers to move more naturally.

  • More thumb usage for improved efficiency
    The design enables thumbs to take on more key functions, increasing overall efficiency.

  • Advanced key functions minimize finger movement for complex operations
    For example, the right-side Enter key functions as "Tap for Enter, Hold to switch to Layer 1," while IJKL serve as arrow keys in Layer 1.
    This means I can use arrow keys without lifting my fingers off their positions.

    Similarly, in Layer 1, Y and H are Page Up and Page Down, while N and M are Home and End.
    This setup allows for efficient editing without requiring large finger movements.

  • Possible the lowest latency
    Since there is a microcontroller for each half, the processing power is technically doubled. However, the overhead of inter-device communication is unknown.