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When posting your build, please provide a description of the build, preferably as a Top Level Comment or Reply to this Comment, with the following information:

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Layer 2 reminds me of the location of all my brackets and symbols for web dev, arrow keys, and num pad. Not color coded are media controls and F keys. I also set up color-indicated caps lock with tap dance on my shift key. Took a couple days to learn C basics and stumble through QMK docs, but I'm thrilled with the result!! I couldn't have done it without the community. (Edited keeb deets x2)

Git repo for keymap and config edits - I am no pro, use at your own risk

Keycaps: Amazon LTC Lava Caps PBT Pudding - they don't sound great, too clacky, but I can't find any other shine-throughs that I want to stare at all day

Blank keycaps for thumb keys: Amazon YMDK Keys - these actually sound and feel amazing?!

Switches: Gateron Black Inks 2.0 lubed, filmed, modded with 45g springs - I get the occasional accidental key presses, but I'm a light touch typer. These are way better than the stock 70g for me!

Rubber cone feet for minimal tent: Amazon rubber bumpers

https://preview.redd.it/cfmu9misebja1.jpeg?width=3736&format=pjpg&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=f209cabdac68dbc59177328c76e8e98dfa68a9a8

Like us know how long it takes lol. I wanna know if I should dive into alice layouts next...

So far a few lessons on Keybr have done wonders. I still stumble with V, X, and Z and of course all the new modifiers and symbols. My typing speed was originally 110 wpm on a good day and I'm at around 90 already. It's surprisingly intuitive and wildly more comfortable on the wrists and hands! I feel like Alices are similar to this, I'd say go for it.

What're alice layouts?

Pudding key caps are very fitting here

I feel like I’d splurge on this and still finger poke. For a keyboard enthusiast I am horrendous at typing

Those split keebs with angled rows, like this one

Give yourself a month to get back up to speed.

All I know is the pain I used to have is gone after switching to a keyboard like this.

if you get good at touch typing it might be helpful to put your second layer keycaps on so you can at a glance know where to push them when you need them.

Was this a DIY build or you bought a prebuilt one and just took keycaps separately?

Took me about a week to get back up to full speed. Some of the symbols/brackets are still a bit hard for me since I don’t code every day, but I’m sure it’ll be a smooth transition for you

Good luck and enjoy!

Do you have a link to your code? I was having trouble getting my iris to do layer based color changes without shutting down

Is it really good to have a split keyboard?

I built one and it took about a week for normal typing but weeks of a little tweaks for layers after that. I moved the SHIFT keys directly to the left of my pinkies, space is right thumb and backspace if left thumb.

I have layer switching to use arrows/numbers without having to move my hand at all which is a huge game changer.

IMHO it's really nice. I do a ton of typing day in and day out, and the position you can take with a split keyboard is so much more relaxed, your shoulders aren't tensed and your arms can just naturally point forward.

If you touch type it's really easy to adapt to a split keyboard.

Gaming gets a bit awkward, but most of that is due to the reduced number of keys. This board has no function keys and a reduced bottom row, which means you fiddle a bit with where to place ctrl/shift/alt/tab/tilde/esc which is more pronounced in video games.

Any way I guess it depends on what you use your keyboard for day to day and how you use it.

P.S. it's great when you have cats who love to sit right in front of you: you can just move the halves and still type just fine while receiving kisses.

But... Can you have GF sit in the middle though?

absolutely and you can receive/provide all the kisses in the world from/to your partner and still touch type with both hands just fine.

My advice is to keep your regular keyboard close and plugged it for when you get frustrated and really need to type something out, but still try to use your new layout most of the time with non critical stuff. It is easier to lean when youre having fun with it without frustrations. GL!

Well now I want this

I’d love to see the code as well

Great idea!

This was a semi DIY - Keebio sells the finished PCB board (soldered, hot swap, flashed) but I also had to purchase the top and bottom plates and optional middle layer. It took about an hour to put together, their documentation is very helpful! I also got some tall cone bumpers to angle both sides slightly since I didn't love the tenting system they suggested from ErgoEZ. Keycaps and switches are separate. Also forgot to mention I added some blank white keycaps since I needed those little tactile bumps on the surface to help with my thumb orientation.

Yes! I just updated my git repo with my latest rev. Keep in mind it's very simplified. I really don't know this language well but hey, this does what I need it to so I'm not going to mess with it anymore.

Credit to kahgoh on git for the bones of the RGB code and his awesome tutorial on finding the LED indexes for the Iris. This writeup was SO helpful. He made a map you can find at the end of the article that illustrates the default layout's snaking order. He also mentions the indexes for the underglow LEDs in that guide.

Ha well at least it'd look cool on your desk!

>P.S. it's great when you have cats who love to sit right in front of you: you can just move the halves and still type just fine while receiving kisses.

Clearly the only reason I got a split. Kitty comfort top priority.

It's hard to say no! The iris kits are at a decent price if you're looking at split ergos. Not including the switches and caps though, I guess it all adds up the same ha.

Thank you so much!

Of course! Please do DM me if you need help. It took me ages to get this to work properly and there isn't much out there on Irises aside from the more advanced QMK documentation on RGB matrix lighting.

Why are they called Alice? Isn't that a split columnar layout?

Iunno, all I know is that all the split keebs I've seen online tend to be called "Alice"

I think I’d want it but wireless, have to look into it!

That is one nice looking keeb

if you are already needed to relearn why not go to colemak ?

Perhaps down the line I will, but I grew up with qwerty and am very quick with it! If it's just a matter of learning where to reposition fingers to type, that's a lot easier than completely relearning.

What plates and middle middle layer did you buy? I want to change mine up and I really like the look of yours!

Thank you! I got the white acrylic plates and frosted acrylic middle layer. They still have them! I was thinking of waiting for another release of the white aluminum case, but it really does look awesome having the light shine through the middle with the frosted layer.

That is one beautiful looking Iris my friend.

Once you force yourself to learn to touch type, you'll be 100X more productive. If you really, really want to get better quickly, swap them keycaps to blanks!

Ah I didn't realize they sold middle layers under the `Iris PE (Phoenix Edition) Case/Plates` item in the store, so I had only seen the 3D printed middle layer! I'l definitely have to pick this up! I've been running mine without a middle layer for a long time, but I want to improve the look and sound a bit. Thanks!

Side note, how did you set the per key rgb? I've only been using the underglow RGB because I couldn't figure it out haha.

Heck yes on the middle layer! Per key RGB was a bit tricky and I think I understand it, but the entirety of my code is in my repo. Definitely reference that. With the assumption that you have QMK set up:

1. Enable RGB matrix lighting and optional tap dance for some shortcut fun in rules.mk
2. #define SPLIT_LAYER_STATE_ENABLE, #define EE_HANDS, and #define RGB_MATRIX_KEYPRESSES in config.h
3. State your safety net for max/min led range so it doesn't loop infinitely and use rgb_matrix_indicators_advanced_user to set up some if statements.

An example - on my layout, I have E, S, D, F as my arrow keys on my second layer.

if (i == 8 || (i >= 14 && i <= 16)) {

RGB_MATRIX_INDICATOR_SET_COLOR(i, 250, 55, 55);

}

With this if statement, i represents the key codes I'm targeting (see image below). || separates each range as "or". So if my range is (8) or (≥ 14 and ≤ 16), i then is defined with that RGB color code. Basically pink. Or you can say (i, RGB_PINK) or any other defined RGB string you can find in the QMK documentation.

Everything after the RGB LED Setup divider in my code is just there for per key rgb on any layer above 0, plus my simple tap dance command to double tap the shift key and turn it red when caps lock is enabled. DM me if you have any questions!

Edit, also! Here's the LED map for each key for when you define your ranges. Hope this helps.

https://preview.redd.it/yvldam3nthja1.png?width=640&format=png&auto=webp&v=enabled&s=4fbb9a7ebfe0110cfd55a34678d4fec909a2305c

How are you adjusting to the columnar key arrangement? For me it felt very close to traditional row staggered arrangement and it was easy to get used to. It is also easy to go back what I have to do using a notebook with the internal keyboard for instance. I had a much harder time to adjust to ortholinear key arrangement.

It’s easy with all keys controlled by index and middle fingers, but pinky and ring are tougher since it involves vertical movement that I’m not used to. Muscle memory tries to get my left ring finger to jump around and do all the work, but its faster to use my pinky for A and Z. I still jump with Q.

I feel that columnar is already so much more efficient and comfortable than staggered. I also could never give up layer functionality with this layout now that I’m getting the hang of it. Everything I need is already within reach and in a natural layout.

I’m surprised it’s easy for you to go back to staggered, I already find it so weird to pick up my old mech keyboard! My laptop though seems much easier but I guess that’s because it has flat keys?

The only normal row staggered keyboard I still regularly use is the one in notebooks. You are right, maybe the flat keys make it easier to adjust.

In regard to the layers, I love how I now have arrow keys and a numpad directly under my fingers. So much more efficient.

Thank you so much! I'll have to learn qmk, I've just been using Via. I'm going to take a crack at it once my new plates arrive!

I don't think at that position, my hands are on the keyboard. I am sure is away from keyboard.