From 27c8145da35fc28c3dbd172c15dbb496701f975e Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Christine Dodrill Date: Tue, 27 Oct 2020 09:10:05 -0400 Subject: [PATCH] moonlander first impressions (#245) * moonlander first impressions * hands --- ...nder-first-impressions-2020-10-27.markdown | 76 +++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 76 insertions(+) create mode 100644 blog/zsa-moonlander-first-impressions-2020-10-27.markdown diff --git a/blog/zsa-moonlander-first-impressions-2020-10-27.markdown b/blog/zsa-moonlander-first-impressions-2020-10-27.markdown new file mode 100644 index 0000000..92ec268 --- /dev/null +++ b/blog/zsa-moonlander-first-impressions-2020-10-27.markdown @@ -0,0 +1,76 @@ +--- +title: ZSA Moonlander First Impressions +date: 2020-10-27 +series: keeb +tags: + - moonlander + - keyboard +--- + +# ZSA Moonlander First Impressions + +As I mentioned +[before](https://christine.website/blog/colemak-layout-2020-08-15), I ordered a +[ZSA Moonlander](https://zsa.io/moonlander) and it has finally arrived. I am +writing this post from my Moonlander, and as such I may do a few more typos +than normal, I'm still getting used to this. + +![a picture of the keyboard on my +desk](https://cdn.christine.website/file/christine-static/img/keeb/ElVbBm_XUAcVhOg.jpg) + +The Moonlander is a weird keyboard. I knew that it would be odd from the get-go +(split ergonomic keyboards have this reputation for a reason), but I was +surprised at how natural it feels. Setup was a breeze (unbox, plug it in, flash +firmware, type), and I have been experimenting with tenting angles on my desk. +It is a _very_ solid keyboard with basically zero deck flex. + +I have a [fairly complicated +keymap](https://tulpa.dev/cadey/kadis-layouts/src/branch/master/moonlander) that +worked almost entirely on the first try. Here is a more user friendly +visualization of my keymap (sans fun things like leader macros): + +
+ +
+ +My typing speed has been destroyed by the change to this ortholinear layout. +Before I was getting around 70 words per minute at best (according to +[monkeytype.com](https://monkeytype.com/)), but now I am lucky to hit about 35 +words per minute. My fingers kinda reach for where keys are on a staggered +keyboard and I have the most trouble with `x`, `v`, `.` and `b` at the moment. I +really like having a dedicated : key on my right hand. It makes command mode (and +yaml) so much easier. The larger red buttons are a bit odd to hit at the moment, +but I imagine that will get much easier with time. + +Each key has a programmable RGB light under it. This allows you to get some +really nice effects like this: + +![The left hand of my steno +layout](https://cdn.christine.website/file/christine-static/img/keeb/ElTG7QSW0AEqXeE.jpg) + +However brown colors don't come out as well as I'd hoped: + +![My media layer that mostly has brown lighting, this looks a bit better in the +dark](https://cdn.christine.website/file/christine-static/img/keeb/ElVdFKoX0AE_dAA.jpg) + +I am not sure how I feel about the armrests. On one hand they feel a bit cold +(context: it is currently 1.57 degrees outside and I'm wearing a hoodie at my +desk so that may end up being the cause of this), but on the other hand i really +hate typing on this without them. The tenting is nice, I need to play with it +more but the included instructions help a lot. + +I still have a long way to go. I'll write up a longer and more detailed review +in a few weeks. + +Expect to see many more glory shots on +[Twitter](https://twitter.com/theprincessxena)! + +As an added bonus, here is the `if err != nil` key in action: + +