# Introduction to Keyball39 ```ad-abstract Typing on your favorite keyboard is still fun in the world after AI. ``` ![[IMG_4216.jpg]] ## This Post is for - Programmers who can’t stand the marathon between the keyboard and mouse. It's like, why travel when you can telecommute, right? - Students looking to elevate their nerd status to “Supreme Overlord of Nerdiness.” - Retro lifestyle enthusiasts who believe the aroma of solder is the new car smell for techies. ## Self-introduction Hey there! I'm Yuji, a programmer on a quest for the fun things left to us humans in the world after AI. I was a loyal fan of the Happy Hacking Keyboard series for over a decade, thinking we'd grow old together. But then, this wacky keyboard caught my eye... ![[Pasted image 20240413092119.png]] https://shirogane-lab.net/items/64b8f8693ee3fd0045280190 ## The Essence of Keyball Keyball isn’t just a keyboard; it’s a game-changer with a trackball that snuggles right under your thumb. Say goodbye to those annoying mini-jumps between the keyboard and mouse that feel like a never-ending workout. After a month with the Keyball, I'm smitten. Let’s dive into what makes this keyboard a tech marvel. ## Varieties of Keyball Keyball comes in three flavors: [[Keyball39]], [[Keyball 44]], and [[Keyball 61]]. The number is a straight-up key count, not a secret code. I went with Keyball 39 on a whim, thinking, "Go big or go home!" But apparently, Keyball 44 is the crowd favorite, according to its creator, Mr. [[Yowkees]]. Who knew? ![[Screenshot 2024-04-13 at 9.22.50.png]] ![[Screenshot 2024-04-12 at 23.52.25.png]] [Interview with the developer of the Keyball series](https://youtu.be/5S8-Qo-Jx40?si=Ic56YgfqYI-rlnv5) ## The Build Process I got myself a Keyball 39 kit, plus 34 MX Cherry keycaps, and 5 Choc keycaps. ![[EAF78B17-D05F-4CCD-AE11-50994346C36B_1_105_c.jpeg]] Even though it’s the smallest of the trio, piecing it together felt like assembling a spaceship, taking me around 5-6 hours. There were moments of drama when I bent some switch legs, but with tweezers in hand, I performed delicate surgery to straighten them out. ![[06AA9EB0-B7A2-4DD6-93D6-C200919D9DB7_1_105_c.jpeg]] ![[38D3D030-556E-4A5C-9C71-C92B5AAEA828_1_105_c.jpeg]] ## Keymap The Keyball 39 can’t fit the entire keyboard ensemble on one layer because, well, it’s not a piano. So, it uses logical layers to pack everything in. Let’s waltz through the default layer and give you a sneak peek of the magic behind each layer. ### Layer 0 a.k.a. The Default Layer Here is the keymap of the default layer of my settings. ![[keyball_layer0.png]] The thumb keys are like the VIP section. My left thumb has three keys, and my right thumb gets two keys plus a trackball. ![[keyball_layer0_both_thumbs.png]] I assigned the basic edit keys left thumb. They go like this, the leftmost thumb key is a backspace (`<-`), the one right to it is a space (`->`), and the rightmost one is a tab (`->>`). ![[keyball_layer0_left_thumb.png]] ### Layering up Holding down the space key is in the default layer opens a portal to Layer 1, filled with all sorts of signs. ![[keyball_layer1_transitioned.png]] In the same way, the tab key whisks you away to Layer 2, featuring a number pad and arrows. ![[keyball_layer2_transitioned.png]] Fancy a leap to Layer 3? The "F" key’s got you covered with function keys and more arrows, because you can never have enough arrows. ![[keyball_layer3_transitioned.png]] ### Mouse Keys And for my next trick, these two keys on Layer 0 will perform as a left and right click. ![[keyball_layer0_mouse_keys (1).png]] Toggle the trackball's scroll mode with a push of a button, because who needs a scroll wheel? ![[keyball_layer0_mouse_scroll_mode.png]] ## Tenting All hail the Japanese tenting video that enlightened me on propping up Keyballs at a 60-degree angle using camera gear. It’s like yoga for your hands. Plus, my 3D-printed blue Keyball cases add stability for the tented use of my keyball. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zcd_l9BTo0s ## A Programmer's Perspective We programmers use a lot of keyboard shortcuts. That's the hardest part when using mini-keyboards like Keyball 39. For example, moving to the cursor to the right, left, at the beginning of a line, end of the line, moving to the left tab, right tab, and taking a screenshot. It felt like a never ending dark tunnel until I mastered all of these shortcuts. Now, my productivity has recovered almost completely. ## Separate Keyboard and Ergonomics Another point worth mentioning is the use of a separate keyboard, like the Keyball. Not only is this setup good for your posture, but it's also a brain booster. For the first time in my computer life, I've naturally mastered the home position. It was a real eye-opener to realize how much I had been relying on just my pointer and middle fingers. Now, every finger gets in on the action, which feels like a small victory in itself. Of course, there are times when my hands feel a bit lost. But here's where tenting the keyboard comes into play. By setting each half of the keyboard at an optimal angle, my hands naturally gravitate towards the outer columns. This subtle guidance significantly reduces the times I lose my place. It's these small tweaks that make a big difference in comfort and efficiency. ![[IMG_4295.jpg]] ## Summary Falling for Keyball 39 wasn’t about typing speed; it was about rediscovering the joy of typing. It’s not just a change; it’s a typing revolution. I cannot wait to explore more with these tiny titans of tech. Grab yours and let's embark on this keyboard odyssey together. --- # References - [[Description of YouTube Video "AfterAI Desk Setup '24"]] ## My Keyball 39 Keymap ![[keymap_cheatsheet_keyball39_yuji_afterai_20240410.pdf]]