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I had the same feeling; I've been using the Microsoft Ergonomic keyboards for what feels like the past 10-15 years now:

http://xahlee.info/kbd/microsoft_ergonomic_keyboard.html

Every time I change job I bring my own with me, or persuade the company to buy me one. I did experiment with an actually-split keyboard back in the late 90s; two pieces joined by a short cable, but it was really difficult to use and so I gave up on it almost immediately. My memory was that there was only a short/stubby space-bar on the left-half of the keyboard too.

(I'm a touch typist, and I definitely use both thumbs for pressing the space bar. Albeit I use my dominant hand most of the time.)



I did the same at every job for the last decade - either work buys an Ergo 4000 or I buy an Ergo 4000 and clear it with IT (honestly that was one place, I did it out of courtesy, I just took the new sealed in box to where IT sat and asked "ok if I use this?" and they said sure).

These days I'm WFH forever and can use whatever the hell I want (work issues a stipend for hardware).

The Ergo 4000 is such a large part of my computing experience that I have a stockpile of new in box units as a hedge against their eventual discontinuation.

I've yet to have one die though, I wear the letters off fairly quickly but otherwise they are tough little beasts and easy enough to take apart and clean.


They have been discontinued. Also i've had a few degrade after a few years and one died of water damage. If only they had nice switches...


That is a shame.

Then my strategic keyboard reserve is about to be useful.

Based on current MTBF I'll be buying USB-K adapters for these in my senility.




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