PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever.

RealityRipple · Jan 29, 2009, 08:40 AM

I doubt many people know about this keyboard, which is a real shame, but I'd like to share my PLUM with you all.

For quite some years, I was content with the standard QWERTY layout, telling myself it would take too long to learn a new one, and that the gain couldn't possibly be much as I could already type around 100 words a minute on it. One day, I pick up a copy of PC Magazine which has an article on various alternate keyboard layouts. Instantly, the PLUM catches my eye in the fact that it looks like it makes sense. For a while, it was priced at $100, though, and I kept it in the back of my mind. Finally, the price dropped down to a quarter of what it was, and I bought one a bit over a year ago.
One week later, I had the layout completely memorized, and I was already forgetting QWERTY. After a month, I had exceeded my typing speed, and have now reached about 150 words a minute, with no pain in my hands or wrists whatsoever. The keyboard just made perfect sense to me, and I latched onto it quickly.
With three fourths of the most common letters under my home fingers, my hands barely move, and the squared off layout gives my fingers minimal strain when I do move. Each finger controls three letters, with the exception of the index fingers which control four. Sensibly, each thumb has its own key as well, the spacebar being broken in half to make room for Enter on the left.
It's not perfect, though. Keyboard shortcuts were a hassle for a long time, especially for Cut, Copy, and Paste, since X, C, and V are no longer next to each other. Ctrl+C in particular can be very annoying, and I've wished for a way to universally remap keyboard shortcuts throughout an Operating System for a long time. The single key size for shift, tab, and backspase took a little while to get used to, and I often type a row of C's instead of deleting a line if I'm sitting with my feet on the desk. It also has six "blank" keys that aren't even programmable, and send no signal to the computer. Whether they're for future use in later revisions or just spacers that were cheaper than a plate, I don't know.
However, both those problems are nothing compared to the real problem behind PLUM: it's not being adopted, and no other manufacturer creates the layout, nor does any laptop have it, despite it's obvious size benefit (it's really small compared to most keyboards). This keyboard makes sense, and after a year of using it, I detest QWERTY every time I'm forced to type on one. After getting used to a PLUM and going back to the standard layout, you really see how stupid it is that we're using a format designed for typewriters, precisely to be slow and mechanical.

If you think you've been on QWERTY for too long to learn a new layout, you're wrong: it's fast and easy to learn. If you think it's not worth it, you're wrong: if nothing else, your hands will love you for switching. If you think you'll just wait until mind/machine interfaces become commonplace... Well, don't hold your breath. Try a PLUM.

Zardon · Jan 29, 2009, 09:40 AM

ive actually used one of these for a few weeks. Nice idea but I disagree with you on the fact it can replace QWERTY as being faster. I am sure for some people like yourself it works better but after you have been typing for 25 years+ I dont see the point in trying to move. You are really only handicapping yourself in the long run as you would have to carry the keyboard with you everywhere or adopt to using both layouts (laptops etc). Don't know about anyone else but my life is complicated enough !

Interesting idea but I honestly don't see the point. Please don't get me wrong, im not mocking your feelings on this, if it works well for you, im very happy !

NathanMarks · Jan 29, 2009, 09:52 AM

Looks like a very interesting layout, I just started moving my fingers around pretending to type on that layout and I can see where it has some advantages but i'm just too used to QWERTY now, it isn't for me.

I can see how for some people it might prove to be a useful tool but for many, including myself, it just isn't practical to adopt. I use far too many machines and different laptops and as Al stated it would simply handicap me in the long run.

It is a nice idea but it goes against that old saying, "if it isn't broken, don't fix it".

Some may argue that QWERTY is broken but i'm sure they would be met with opposition in numbers similar to that of the army in 300. It is a proven keyboard layout and in my opinion is going to be with us for a long time to come.

**dj_stick** · Jan 29, 2009, 11:07 AM

although QWERTY was essentially designed to slow down the typing speed (so typewriters wouldn't jam so quickly) it's not really all that bad

personally I don't think I would have the patience to try another layout, and while I'm not the fastest typer, I'm happy with QWERTY

Zelig · Jan 29, 2009, 11:36 AM

The fact that this is a physically different keyboard really limits it. Alternate layouts (Dvorak, Colemak) are better than QWERTY, and are far more universal, as they can be switched to via software in a matter of seconds.

I switched to Dvorak a few years ago, and love it, but can still comfortably touch type on QWERTY in situations where alternate layouts aren't feasible.

FWIW, one huge advantage to the Colemak layout is the remapping of the backspace to the capslock key. Even if you keep the rest of the standard QWERTY layout, this is a great, simple change.

RealityRipple · Jan 29, 2009, 12:04 PM

You'll never understand how wrong, broken, and foolish the standard layouts like QWERTY and DVORAK are until you've used this keyboard. That's really all I can say.

Zardon · Jan 29, 2009, 12:50 PM

Well I think its a little dramatic to say a keyboard layout is foolish if you are able to work for 20 years on it and create masses of content with it. After all this site and all its content was created entirely with QWERTY keyboards.

I get the point you are making, that there is room for further improvements over QWERTY etc but I wouldn't really be getting too excited about it. I actually notice there could be various improvements actually made to the PLUM keyboard too. If you have a little engineering skill you could actually build a keyboard yourself from parts of others and put the keys etc exactly where you want them.

Cow_160483 · Jan 29, 2009, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

If you have a little engineering skill you could actually build a keyboard yourself from parts of others and put the keys etc exactly where you want them.

That would be a nice idea. personally i prefer the QWERTY keyboard lay out it works just fine

~~scurvy~~ · Jan 29, 2009, 01:05 PM

cow loves a good PLUM eh, cow?

Vikingod · Jan 29, 2009, 02:36 PM

Interesting idea, but I'm too used to qwerty.

Judas · Jan 29, 2009, 04:05 PM

that keyboard looks highly in-erganomic and made for people with small hands...

my enire hand looks like it could span it....

Zelig · Jan 29, 2009, 04:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealityRipple

You'll never understand how wrong, broken, and foolish the standard layouts like QWERTY and DVORAK are until you've used this keyboard. That's really all I can say.

How are Dvorak, Colemak, etc. broken? The plum keyboard is essentially just another rearrangement of letters, there are only a few other changes, and while some of them look useful, I don't think their usefullness constitutes any standard shaped keyboard qualifying as broken.

Also, using this, you're stuck with that keyboard, you give up the hundreds of options you have in regards to colour, key feel, ergonomic build, media/function keys, scroll wheels, LCD screens, etc. that you have with regular keyboards.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Judas

my enire hand looks like it could span it....

We all know you've got freakish monster hands.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zardon

I get the point you are making, that there is room for further improvements over QWERTY etc but I wouldn't really be getting too excited about it. I actually notice there could be various improvements actually made to the PLUM keyboard too. If you have a little engineering skill you could actually build a keyboard yourself from parts of others and put the keys etc exactly where you want them.

I really like the system carpalx uses to analyze keyboard layouts. Even for people who aren't actually interested in switching layouts at all, the models they use are interesting.

RealityRipple · Jan 29, 2009, 08:59 PM

I also have huge hands, and extremely long fingers, and trust me, it's not a problem. All standard keyboards are broken because the keys are angled; tilted keys cause unnecessary strain to your fingers, causing extreme pain in the wrists due to the repetitive nature of typing. I'd been typing on a QWERTY for ~19 years (my whole life at the time) when I made the switch, and it was much easier than you'd ever guess.

The "few" changes are very important, with the tab and backspace key in the middle, your index fingers use them. The enter and space keys share what's usually a huge waste of a single spacebar, allowing both thumbs equal importance rather than sharing a key.
True, you only have one option on color, design, and features, but that's because it hasn't been adopted widely enough yet. If people start switching, other companies will see the benefit and make PLUM keyboards with all the things you can get on a QWERTY. You can blame capitalism for that, not the keyboard.

Imagine you were born with hands that were only as useful as most people's feet. They could get things done with a lot of effort, but they were always clunky and strenuous to use. You never really knew there was an alternative, though, because hey, they're your hands and they work. But then one day, a new medication comes out and suddenly your hands start acting like regular hands. The amazing feeling, the freedom of movement, the pure SENSE of it overwhelms you. That's what PLUM is like.

Zardon · Jan 29, 2009, 10:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealityRipple

I also have huge hands, and extremely long fingers, and trust me, it's not a problem. All standard keyboards are broken because the keys are angled; tilted keys cause unnecessary strain to your fingers, causing extreme pain in the wrists due to the repetitive nature of typing. I'd been typing on a QWERTY for ~19 years (my whole life at the time) when I made the switch, and it was much easier than you'd ever guess.

I think most people in this thread understand the points you are making ... in that you like the configuration of the layout. I think you need to maybe listen a little also because I fail to see how something can be classed as "broken" because the simple definition of the word is that whatever you are describing doesn't actually work. Right now im typing on a QWERTY keyboard and I think we can all see it is working. I also have to say that maybe im in the minority but I have been working in the industry since I was 16 (22 years ago) and I don't have pains in my hands, nor do I have problems typing over 8 hour periods. I think its all about the quality of the keyboard and how you use it, rather than specific key positions.

Quote:

The "few" changes are very important, with the tab and backspace key in the middle, your index fingers use them. The enter and space keys share what's usually a huge waste of a single spacebar, allowing both thumbs equal importance rather than sharing a key.
True, you only have one option on color, design, and features, but that's because it hasn't been adopted widely enough yet. If people start switching, other companies will see the benefit and make PLUM keyboards with all the things you can get on a QWERTY. You can blame capitalism for that, not the keyboard.

Again, I understand your points but I think you are missing a few points. Why would the planet suddenly adopt a new standard and ask everyone to relearn key placements? Lets be honest, most of us know that the general populace have a hard time changing operating systems never mind being expected to relearn key positions. So my point to you is this.... how could you sell the keyboard to a huge company like Apple or Dell? Do you think it is possible that if you and a few salesmen went in with a Plum keyboard that you would be taken seriously? Im pretty sure that if Dell starting selling laptops with a plum keyboard that they would maybe sell less than 0.1 percent compared to QWERTY.

Quote:

Imagine you were born with hands that were only as useful as most people's feet. They could get things done with a lot of effort, but they were always clunky and strenuous to use. You never really knew there was an alternative, though, because hey, they're your hands and they work.

Interesting analogy, but let me put it to you like this.

I have tried a PLUM keyboard, ive tried DVORAK and I still prefer QWERTY. I actually don't find plum easier or better or in anyway beneficial to me. I don't want to change to it and I don't want to be using two layouts (and I dont find it practical to haul a plum keyboard about if I want to use my laptop either).

So what im saying I guess is, QWERTY to me is totally natural, It's not broken, I don't get hand pains, I don't find PLUM better and I don't want it. This is not a slight on your opinion or your views as I feel they are very relevant if you feel them, but can you at least acknowledge mine?

Quote:

But then one day, a new medication comes out and suddenly your hands start acting like regular hands. The amazing feeling, the freedom of movement, the pure SENSE of it overwhelms you. That's what PLUM is like.

I don't mean any offense here, but im beginning to feel that you might actually be working on some level with the company. If so, then its a nice way to promote the product. If not then ill let this thread continue. There isn't much sense being made in here now because I don't think some of your points are actually relevant.

Maybe we should start a poll and find out how many people feel QWERTY is broken or that people might like key placements moved. Perhaps you could make some good points rather than saying that something is broken when in fact im guessing most of the internet and content as well as magazines and newspapers have been produced via that configuration for a very long time.

Grace · Jan 29, 2009, 11:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealityRipple

You'll never understand how wrong, broken, and foolish the standard layouts like QWERTY and DVORAK are until you've used this keyboard. That's really all I can say.

Well, I've tried QWERTY, DVORAK and German QWERTZ keyboards but I've never even heard of a plum keyboard before. If it was as good as you claim it is, a person like me who spends most of her life on every high tech matter a human could possibly imagine would have heard about it at least once. Even if it was just some gossip or rumor.

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealityRipple

I also have huge hands, and extremely long fingers, and trust me, it's not a problem.

You really have interesting looking hands. And actually you could do many, many things with them which the opposite sex could classify as 'adorable'. If you stop wasting them on trying keyboards anyway!

Seriously now, I type faster than 99% of all people on the planet. I got another laptop, it has the 'delete' button at the top right side of the keyboard and WEEKS after using it I still cannot get used to it. I would never even think of using another layout rather than a QWERTY or QWERTZ now, even though I'm a little used to DVORAK as well.

...and the more "revolutionary" they are, the lower the chance of me trying it gets.

RealityRipple · Jan 29, 2009, 11:41 PM

I must admit, I'm a complete idealist, and I have no tolerance for society's reality. The very fact that people are used to one layout, I view as a failure as a species. Life continues through adaptation to change, because change is a law. Sticking to a comfort zone, whether it be QWERTY (or PLUM [if a better design comes out, I'll try it in a heartbeat]) keyboards or a capitalist society, goes against my very way of thinking.

@Grace: I'm celibate by choice. I have no interest in what I could do with the opposite sex.

Zardon · Jan 29, 2009, 11:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealityRipple

I must admit, I'm a complete idealist, and I have no tolerance for society's reality.

Well this is fascinating because although the definition of an idealist is "a perfectionist who rejects practical considerations". idealist definition - Dictionary - MSN Encarta

my own definition is an idealist is a person who is too self indulgent on his or her ideals or principles to accept practical or logical thinking from anyone else.

Quote:

The very fact that people are used to one layout, I view as a failure as a species. Life continues through adaptation to change, because change is a law.

Change is law for sure, but changing for the sake of a law when in fact it could be worse is actually regression.

Quote:

Sticking to a comfort zone, whether it be QWERTY (or PLUM [if a better design comes out, I'll try it in a heartbeat]) keyboards or a capitalist society, goes against my very way of thinking.

Then maybe there is no place for you on a forum, because a forum by definition is actually a place for debate. There is surely no debate if the people involved have no interest in discussing, listening to others and perhaps even learning how other people think or feel. There are problems with a dictatorship society as well...

RealityRipple · Jan 30, 2009, 12:01 AM

That's why I only post on forums in little sections. By next week, I should be as silent as I have been for the past half a year or so. I don't have interest in other people, or even myself honestly. I post what I think may be helpful or useful, occasionally giving and receiving opinions, but I never let either change anything about myself. I'm not a people person, plain and simple.

Zardon · Jan 30, 2009, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealityRipple

That's why I only post on forums in little sections. By next week, I should be as silent as I have been for the past half a year or so. I don't have interest in other people, or even myself honestly. I post what I think may be helpful or useful, occasionally giving and receiving opinions, but I never let either change anything about myself. I'm not a people person, plain and simple.

Well actually this isn't true and I dont mean to be sounding confrontational. If you had no interest in yourself or other people you really wouldn't be here talking right now and trying to get people to switch to (or even try) what you feel is a better keyboard configuration. This is logical.

You are a little bit of a paradox because while you say that change is law, you have just said that you never let opinions change anything about yourself. In fact, what you are saying is that while you are annoyed at people not accepting a new keyboard mechanic under the laws of change you are unwilling to change as a person at all.

Anyway, I honestly do appreciate your views on this, because I had almost forgotten about the Plum keyboard and it was fascinating when I first tried it, I didn't even think they were still making them.

Hope you hang around.

mkk · Jan 30, 2009, 12:14 AM

I'd like someone dare to put out a keyboard with a straight rowed QWERTY design. That might not take much time to readjust to and I'd love to get rid of this jagged irregular angle. Incidentally it might be great for gaming as well.

Zelig · Jan 30, 2009, 12:16 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grace

...and the more "revolutionary" they are, the lower the chance of me trying it gets.

Although I don't personally use it, this is one of the reasons I like the Colemak layout, it's designed as a compromise between efficiency and ease-of-leaning for QWERTY users.

As per the carpalx site, the QWKRFY layout manages 85% of the effieciency of the maximumly efficient layout with only 5 key swaps from QWERTY.

RealityRipple · Jan 30, 2009, 12:23 AM

@Zardon: I believe you misread me. Humans are not the only source of change by a long shot. Just because I don't let people affect me does not mean I'm static by any account. I'm being hopeful, despite knowing that this layout will never take the place of QWERTY. A lack of interest does not prevent me from attempting to improve others. Think of it as someone who fixes bugs and releases an update to an application that the someone has never even used, nor plans to use. Oh, and I should have mentioned this earlier, but I have no connection to any company or corporation whatsoever. I just think this keyboard is the best thing to happen to computers since the Hard Drive.

Callandor · Jan 30, 2009, 08:42 AM

At the end of the day the ABCDE keyboard is the best keyboard ever for beginners, and professionals alike, I've found it delves deep into my soul and pulls out the child in me. It is the only other keyboard I've tried besides the QWERTY keyboard.

Edit: oh and best of all, dell makes them too.

Callandor · Jan 30, 2009, 08:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grace

You really have interesting looking hands. And actually you could do many, many things with them which the opposite sex could classify as 'adorable'. If you stop wasting them on trying keyboards anyway!

Hey Grace, I know this doesen't mean much, but my hands are bigger than both Vance's and RealityRipple's.

Cow_160483 · Jan 30, 2009, 10:30 AM

ABCD keyboard lol funny stuff callandor

Grace · Jan 30, 2009, 11:42 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RealityRipple

@Grace: I'm celibate by choice. I have no interest in what I could do with the opposite sex.

I'm SURE you aren't. Which means that either my thinking is right and you are just another egoist, or you're more interested in what you could do with the same sex. Or even with yourself!

[

"I have no interest in what I could do with the opposite sex".
"I don't care what women think of me".
"I'm celibate by choice".
"I like to choose and not to be chosen".
"I'm very picky when I socialize with members of the opposite sex".

I've heard those phrases before so many times that if I kept a file and decided to count them today, even a Skulltrail would need about 8 seconds to come up with a result. And 99.9% of the people who said them without fail were:

1. Asking me about my girl-friends after a few minutes
2. Drooling over some normal girl passing by after a few hours
3. Trying to hit on me after a short period of time (and yes, they usually know that I'm the queen b!tch of the universe but it seems that the world is full of hopeless people)
4. Begging at the door of some girlfriend they just broke up with. (usually publicly of course, you can never be humiliated enough if nobody is watching)
5. Married within a year.

I'm not implying anything (no, really) but I'm cursed with photographic memory and have an attitude towards statistics, which in this case they aren't in your favor. But I do believe you, even though I think that being "celibate by choice" is a little...funny. At least be a little careful what you are using your big hands for.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Callandor

Hey Grace, I know this doesen't mean much, but my hands are bigger than both Vance's and RealityRipple's.

Oh, that actually means something! Which is that you should try the PLUM keyboard too.

Judas · Jan 31, 2009, 12:12 AM

as a joke, i sold a 2nd hand keyboard that i had taken the keys off and rearranged in the ABC style layout... obviously to someone i know would get a kick out of it.

the reaction was pretty good as he came back into the store..... lol

Callandor · Jan 31, 2009, 12:38 AM

Yeah, it's tough being hot lol, funny thing is, I don't have anywhere near as much casual sex as most people think I do, I'm afraid of teh aids

Mac Daddy · Jan 31, 2009, 01:25 AM

Nice post Grace

On hands my long guitar player fingers are still getting used to this OCZ Alchemy Elixir I picked up but getting there. On the PLUM keyboard if it works for whoever uses it that's great. But for anyone who has chatted with me on MSN my typing is horrid and the PLUM platform might entail reversing years of slow typing techniques I have learned over the years

Jan 29, 2009, 08:40 AM	#1
RealityRipple Embrace Entropy Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Berros Canyon, Nipomo, CA Posts: 195 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. I doubt many people know about this keyboard, which is a real shame, but I'd like to share my PLUM with you all. For quite some years, I was content with the standard QWERTY layout, telling myself it would take too long to learn a new one, and that the gain couldn't possibly be much as I could already type around 100 words a minute on it. One day, I pick up a copy of PC Magazine which has an article on various alternate keyboard layouts. Instantly, the PLUM catches my eye in the fact that it looks like it makes sense. For a while, it was priced at $100, though, and I kept it in the back of my mind. Finally, the price dropped down to a quarter of what it was, and I bought one a bit over a year ago. One week later, I had the layout completely memorized, and I was already forgetting QWERTY. After a month, I had exceeded my typing speed, and have now reached about 150 words a minute, with no pain in my hands or wrists whatsoever. The keyboard just made perfect sense to me, and I latched onto it quickly. With three fourths of the most common letters under my home fingers, my hands barely move, and the squared off layout gives my fingers minimal strain when I do move. Each finger controls three letters, with the exception of the index fingers which control four. Sensibly, each thumb has its own key as well, the spacebar being broken in half to make room for Enter on the left. It's not perfect, though. Keyboard shortcuts were a hassle for a long time, especially for Cut, Copy, and Paste, since X, C, and V are no longer next to each other. Ctrl+C in particular can be very annoying, and I've wished for a way to universally remap keyboard shortcuts throughout an Operating System for a long time. The single key size for shift, tab, and backspase took a little while to get used to, and I often type a row of C's instead of deleting a line if I'm sitting with my feet on the desk. It also has six "blank" keys that aren't even programmable, and send no signal to the computer. Whether they're for future use in later revisions or just spacers that were cheaper than a plate, I don't know. However, both those problems are nothing compared to the real problem behind PLUM: it's not being adopted, and no other manufacturer creates the layout, nor does any laptop have it, despite it's obvious size benefit (it's really small compared to most keyboards). This keyboard makes sense, and after a year of using it, I detest QWERTY every time I'm forced to type on one. After getting used to a PLUM and going back to the standard layout, you really see how stupid it is that we're using a format designed for typewriters, precisely to be slow and mechanical. If you think you've been on QWERTY for too long to learn a new layout, you're wrong: it's fast and easy to learn. If you think it's not worth it, you're wrong: if nothing else, your hands will love you for switching. If you think you'll just wait until mind/machine interfaces become commonplace... Well, don't hold your breath. Try a PLUM. __________________

Jan 29, 2009, 09:40 AM	#2
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. ive actually used one of these for a few weeks. Nice idea but I disagree with you on the fact it can replace QWERTY as being faster. I am sure for some people like yourself it works better but after you have been typing for 25 years+ I dont see the point in trying to move. You are really only handicapping yourself in the long run as you would have to carry the keyboard with you everywhere or adopt to using both layouts (laptops etc). Don't know about anyone else but my life is complicated enough ! Interesting idea but I honestly don't see the point. Please don't get me wrong, im not mocking your feelings on this, if it works well for you, im very happy !

Jan 29, 2009, 09:52 AM	#3
NathanMarks DriverHeaven Junior Member Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: Oxford, UK Posts: 99 Rep Power: 29	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. Looks like a very interesting layout, I just started moving my fingers around pretending to type on that layout and I can see where it has some advantages but i'm just too used to QWERTY now, it isn't for me. I can see how for some people it might prove to be a useful tool but for many, including myself, it just isn't practical to adopt. I use far too many machines and different laptops and as Al stated it would simply handicap me in the long run. It is a nice idea but it goes against that old saying, "if it isn't broken, don't fix it". Some may argue that QWERTY is broken but i'm sure they would be met with opposition in numbers similar to that of the army in 300. It is a proven keyboard layout and in my opinion is going to be with us for a long time to come. __________________ nathanmarks.dh

Jan 29, 2009, 11:36 AM	#5
Zelig HardwareHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jun 2003 Location: Canada Posts: 3,187 Rep Power: 71 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. The fact that this is a physically different keyboard really limits it. Alternate layouts (Dvorak, Colemak) are better than QWERTY, and are far more universal, as they can be switched to via software in a matter of seconds. I switched to Dvorak a few years ago, and love it, but can still comfortably touch type on QWERTY in situations where alternate layouts aren't feasible. FWIW, one huge advantage to the Colemak layout is the remapping of the backspace to the capslock key. Even if you keep the rest of the standard QWERTY layout, this is a great, simple change. __________________ --

Jan 29, 2009, 12:04 PM	Thread Starter #6
RealityRipple Embrace Entropy Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Berros Canyon, Nipomo, CA Posts: 195 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. You'll never understand how wrong, broken, and foolish the standard layouts like QWERTY and DVORAK are until you've used this keyboard. That's really all I can say. __________________

Jan 29, 2009, 12:50 PM	#7
Zardon DriverHeaven Founder Join Date: May 2002 Posts: 32,480 Rep Power: 179	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. Well I think its a little dramatic to say a keyboard layout is foolish if you are able to work for 20 years on it and create masses of content with it. After all this site and all its content was created entirely with QWERTY keyboards. I get the point you are making, that there is room for further improvements over QWERTY etc but I wouldn't really be getting too excited about it. I actually notice there could be various improvements actually made to the PLUM keyboard too. If you have a little engineering skill you could actually build a keyboard yourself from parts of others and put the keys etc exactly where you want them.

Jan 29, 2009, 01:05 PM	#9
~~scurvy~~ So Cutesy Wootsy Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 241 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. cow loves a good PLUM eh, cow?

Jan 29, 2009, 02:36 PM	#10
Vikingod Int'l Fish Liaison Join Date: Jul 2004 Location: By the light of lamp I sit and type... Posts: 16,197 Rep Power: 112 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. Interesting idea, but I'm too used to qwerty.

Jan 29, 2009, 08:59 PM	Thread Starter #13
RealityRipple Embrace Entropy Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Berros Canyon, Nipomo, CA Posts: 195 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. I also have huge hands, and extremely long fingers, and trust me, it's not a problem. All standard keyboards are broken because the keys are angled; tilted keys cause unnecessary strain to your fingers, causing extreme pain in the wrists due to the repetitive nature of typing. I'd been typing on a QWERTY for ~19 years (my whole life at the time) when I made the switch, and it was much easier than you'd ever guess. The "few" changes are very important, with the tab and backspace key in the middle, your index fingers use them. The enter and space keys share what's usually a huge waste of a single spacebar, allowing both thumbs equal importance rather than sharing a key. True, you only have one option on color, design, and features, but that's because it hasn't been adopted widely enough yet. If people start switching, other companies will see the benefit and make PLUM keyboards with all the things you can get on a QWERTY. You can blame capitalism for that, not the keyboard. Imagine you were born with hands that were only as useful as most people's feet. They could get things done with a lot of effort, but they were always clunky and strenuous to use. You never really knew there was an alternative, though, because hey, they're your hands and they work. But then one day, a new medication comes out and suddenly your hands start acting like regular hands. The amazing feeling, the freedom of movement, the pure SENSE of it overwhelms you. That's what PLUM is like. __________________

Jan 29, 2009, 11:41 PM	Thread Starter #16
RealityRipple Embrace Entropy Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Berros Canyon, Nipomo, CA Posts: 195 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. I must admit, I'm a complete idealist, and I have no tolerance for society's reality. The very fact that people are used to one layout, I view as a failure as a species. Life continues through adaptation to change, because change is a law. Sticking to a comfort zone, whether it be QWERTY (or PLUM [if a better design comes out, I'll try it in a heartbeat]) keyboards or a capitalist society, goes against my very way of thinking. @Grace: I'm celibate by choice. I have no interest in what I could do with the opposite sex. __________________ Last edited by RealityRipple; Jan 29, 2009 at 11:48 PM.

Jan 30, 2009, 12:01 AM	Thread Starter #18
RealityRipple Embrace Entropy Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Berros Canyon, Nipomo, CA Posts: 195 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. That's why I only post on forums in little sections. By next week, I should be as silent as I have been for the past half a year or so. I don't have interest in other people, or even myself honestly. I post what I think may be helpful or useful, occasionally giving and receiving opinions, but I never let either change anything about myself. I'm not a people person, plain and simple. __________________

Jan 30, 2009, 12:14 AM	#20
mkk Cthulhu/Dagon 2012 Join Date: Oct 2003 Location: Gefle, Sweden Posts: 4,490 Rep Power: 132 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. I'd like someone dare to put out a keyboard with a straight rowed QWERTY design. That might not take much time to readjust to and I'd love to get rid of this jagged irregular angle. Incidentally it might be great for gaming as well.

Jan 30, 2009, 12:23 AM	Thread Starter #22
RealityRipple Embrace Entropy Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Los Berros Canyon, Nipomo, CA Posts: 195 Rep Power: 0 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. @Zardon: I believe you misread me. Humans are not the only source of change by a long shot. Just because I don't let people affect me does not mean I'm static by any account. I'm being hopeful, despite knowing that this layout will never take the place of QWERTY. A lack of interest does not prevent me from attempting to improve others. Think of it as someone who fixes bugs and releases an update to an application that the someone has never even used, nor plans to use. Oh, and I should have mentioned this earlier, but I have no connection to any company or corporation whatsoever. I just think this keyboard is the best thing to happen to computers since the Hard Drive. __________________

Jan 30, 2009, 08:42 AM	#23
Callandor Forged on Dragonmount Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 7,237 Rep Power: 304 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. At the end of the day the ABCDE keyboard is the best keyboard ever for beginners, and professionals alike, I've found it delves deep into my soul and pulls out the child in me. It is the only other keyboard I've tried besides the QWERTY keyboard. Edit: oh and best of all, dell makes them too. __________________

Jan 30, 2009, 10:30 AM	#25
Cow_160483 HH's only cow moooooo... Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: BOTSWANA Posts: 6,817 Rep Power: 300 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. ABCD keyboard lol funny stuff callandor __________________ Decode! Muhahahahah!

Jan 31, 2009, 12:38 AM	#28
Callandor Forged on Dragonmount Join Date: Oct 2004 Location: Saskatoon, Saskatchewan, Canada Posts: 7,237 Rep Power: 304 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. Yeah, it's tough being hot lol, funny thing is, I don't have anywhere near as much casual sex as most people think I do, I'm afraid of teh aids __________________

Jan 31, 2009, 01:25 AM	#29
Mac Daddy DriverHeaven Extreme Member Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: Ontario, Canada Posts: 7,950 Rep Power: 79 System Specs	Re: PLUM Keyboard: The best layout ever. Nice post Grace On hands my long guitar player fingers are still getting used to this OCZ Alchemy Elixir I picked up but getting there. On the PLUM keyboard if it works for whoever uses it that's great. But for anyone who has chatted with me on MSN my typing is horrid and the PLUM platform might entail reversing years of slow typing techniques I have learned over the years __________________ "My mom said the only reason men are alive is for lawn care and vehicle maintenance." - Tim Allen