34-key keyboard with emacs

I recently built myself a [ferris sweep](https://github.com/davidphilipbarr/Sweep) and I am exploring different keyboard layouts. I am set on using colemak-dh for my alphas but everything else is still a work in progress. I am interested to see what people are using! So, please share your layout if you use a small keyboard with emacs.

I did my own key bindings for emacs based on a custom keyboard but I don't want to share because I'm afraid you're going to yell at me... I use a 122 key!

Ha, thats almost 4 sweeps! To each their own, I guess! I am intrigued what do you use all of those keys for, so please do share!

Voilà https://github.com/scarpazza/battlecruiser I hope you enjoy it!

My daily keyboards are 30 keys, but pretty much everything should apply the same. I use vanilla emacs bindings, but tend to use the keys on my nav layer instead of many of the readline-style navigation keys. For most of the \`C-x C-\` style shortcuts, I hit my cut shortcut and then my Ctrl key on my nav layer, then whatever the alpha or symbol is for the shortcut. Same with any \`C-c C\` chords. I use my copy shortcut key. You can see a visual here: https://github.com/jcmkk3/zmk-config

Thanks for sharing! Those are some nice looking boards! I wouldn’t have thought to use Cut/Copy shortcuts for C-x/c, I might try that. So far I have dedicated Ctrl, Alt on my left thumb keys (when held) but I will probably change that.

I use a TKL, stock keyboard (but split). Based on advice in Xah Lee's page, a few years ago I created a custom map for my own keys. It's been excellent for me, and recently started using Esc instead of Alt/Meta. Example: Esc, then shift 5 for replace (M-%).

I also use a 34-key layout (36 keys, but two are mouse buttons) with Colemak Mod-DH in Emacs. You can see an older iteration (prior to switching to Colemak) in the comments here: https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/8kucaz/minidox_in_oak_and_steel/ Homerow modifiers are key to Emacs useability for me.

I’ll definitely take a look! I was also thinking homerow mods but having mods on the thumb keys seemed more intuitive to me. Instead I have layers on the home row, we’ll see how that goes.

I use a 36 key layout for emacs/vim, my config is not as polished as others here but here it is https://github.com/alejandrogallo/luakh-keymap/blob/master/luakh/luakh.h I use crkbd, atreus and some custom built keyboards hand-wired painting them with svg, you can see some stuff here: https://github.com/alejandrogallo/keyboard-lab Recently I'm using a lot of combos in qmk, like jk at the same time for enter, ui at the same time for escape and m, at the same time for tab. Up to now they are working pretty well and this assuming that I usee from cream alps switches to gateron reds. You can find the large amount of combos I have here https://github.com/alejandrogallo/luakh-keymap/blob/master/luakh/rev1/rev1.c#L123 I hope this helps, I'm goint to take a look at the 30-key folks configuration maybe I gain some inspiration ;)

this is really awesome, I wonder if you only use light linear switches or if you have tried also these combos with harder switches or even tactile, I was afraid of using a lot of combos and they misfire sometimes quite a lot depending on the switches I am using. I'm curious to know your experience.

I usually use gchocs or purpz on my choc boards and bobgums spring swapped with 30g springs on my MX boards. So I tend to like light linears. I don’t think that something a little heavier would be a problem, but I don’t have first hand experience to confirm.

Hey, how are the ergonomics on this keyboard? Basically where do rest your palms and what's the finger range of motion.

[deleted]

I find it very comfortable. Currently, I rest my palms on the desk and its fine (the sweep is very thin) but a wrist rest might be nice. The finger travel is minimal and the only motion you are doing is equivalent to basically closing and opening your palm (idk if that makes any sense). Also, the sweep has a large pinky stagger which I find very comfortable.

I'd be very curious to try it. The only thing that doesn't fully convince me is the lack of an integrated palm rest. I have the fear the keyboard would "slip away" from under my fingers.