This article represents personal opinion only.
Friendly discussion in the comment area is welcome. Although it is a short understanding, sharing it can be regarded as an experience. Thank you very much for your viewing and opinions.
Hello everyone, I am not a fast car, a keyboard lover who is a little idle, and I am very happy to meet you again. This time, a new column “Key Micro Knowledge” has been opened. This column is mainly to share some of my own thoughts and opinions related to the keyboard. It is relatively subjective, so I hope everyone will be happy when watching, but the update frequency of this column is not frequent. It will be too high, because it does take time to settle, and it can be regarded as some traces left by me playing the keyboard.
Cut to the topic, today I will talk about a niche group that has suddenly emerged some time ago – Alice.
FOFO shooting
Presumably this keyboard is familiar to everyone. The Spring keyboard can be said to be “famous” this year. With its excellent feel, it has successfully broken through. At the same time, it has also driven Alice, a niche arrangement, to become popular again, even in the mass production environment. All have been affected to a certain extent, and there have been many mass-produced Alice keyboards for players to choose from.
For example: akko Alice, Keychron Alice, FEKER Alice, etc.
SnVittarius filming akkoAlice
feker Alice
The first time I saw Alice’s keyboard, the feeling was “weird” , the resistance to deformation, the adherence to tradition, yes, I am ashamed to say, as a customized player, many times I still adhere to the traditional concept of view. These novel products, but I think this is also the biggest meaning of customization to me. I have the opportunity to try these new things, and I can also get out of the traditional and conservative concepts. What age are you still playing with traditional keyboards?
However, after using it for nearly a year, my doubts about Alice’s configuration have increased rather than decreased. Where is this arrangement? Why are so many players accepting and using it?
Looking back, the labels “ergonomic keyboard”, “cracked keyboard” and “aesthetically pleasing keyboard” that were once attached to it, which words describe this keyboard most appropriately?
In order to find the answer, I started a long search, tapping the Alice column in my hand, and the answer seemed to be at my fingertips.
When we introduced Alice’s arrangement, what was the most impressive point?
Ergonomic keyboard
Before discussing the current configuration of Alice, let’s take a look at how Alice has developed to what it is today, let’s go back to 2016
EM7
This keyboard is the closest to the complete Alice arrangement I can find so far, from a post by Korean netizen Lynn
At this point, the EM7 is very close to the complete Alice, with a cracked and bent key layout.
When this post was posted at the time, the question that had been haunting Alice’s set-up had already appeared – could he call it ergonomics? Is it really miraculous, or just a gimmick?
The following reply is from the original post
“with out the tenting of a split design. that layout is completely useless, and only barely improve ergonomics.”
“The ergonomic effect of a split layout without a split design is minimal”
“Is there any actual research regarding the ergonomics of this design or did the designers just create something that looked kinda ergonomic?”
“Is this ergonomic layout actually researched? Or the designer just wants to create something that looks like an ergonomic arrangement”
“Vertical Wrist angle makes all the difference in the world.”
“The vertical wrist design makes it unique”
It can be seen that this arrangement has been controversial since its birth. Is there any ergonomics? Is it ergonomic enough? How to answer these questions, let’s see below
shot from water
TGR ALICE
2018
In 2018, this keyboard was designed by yuktsi, and the tgr Alice at this time can already be called a complete Alice arrangement. The author of this keyboard said that the layout is based on the layout of the EM7, and the appearance is drastically cut, the overall thickness is reduced, and the bottom edge is also shaped to fit the column, and the shape design follows the old Kustom .
“I often see myself more of a keyboards collector hoarder than a maker/designer. There isn’t really anything new or original with the Alice, but a high-quality board with good typing feel.”
“I consider myself more of a keyboard collector than a producer or designer. There is nothing new or original about this keyboard, but I think it’s a high-quality keyboard with a good typing experience.”
In fact, from these words of the author, we can also understand his cognition of ALICE, a product designed based on predecessors and more in line with his own understanding.
Under the IC post of this keyboard, many netizens rated it as “good-looking” compared to its ergonomic attributes.
This actually leads to another feature and highlight of Alice’s arrangement – unique.
I think this arrangement is good-looking. Compared with the general keyboard arrangement, it is more slender and more symmetrical, like a butterfly.
“Good-looking” is a very subjective feeling, but there is no doubt that this keyboard is very unique.
Photo by Jinnnxxu
At the same time, this keyboard is completely open source, which also laid the foundation for the emergence of a large number of variants of Alice’s configuration.
In the following years, Alice has been in a tepid state in China.
Owlab Spring
2022.1
Taken from FOFO
Regarding the ow studio, there is a lot of controversy now, but there is no doubt that Spring’s keyboard has really ignited the trend of Alice’s configuration in China. In fact, before this, there have been studios to do Alice’s products, such as Lao Zhou’s Lumos, lumos r2.
Taken from Dingxi ozZ
Photographed by FLAG brother
samice
Photo by TFOE
These products are all modified on the basis of TGRAlice, but the same is true, and the general shape characteristics have been finalized.
Regarding Spring, ow studio is very clear about the positioning of this keyboard.
“A keyboard that’s easy to use, fun, and makes people around you look at it.”
This sentence may be the initial mentality of most players to buy Alice’s configuration. It’s also something I think players want when they buy this set.
Spring became popular, which was unexpected but reasonable. Because of the niche arrangement, the mentality of many players at that time was to wait for a break to play, but the price of the keyboard doubled several times, and it became a “high-end” keyboard. Unreachable” keyboard. And that is, this year, Alice’s arrangement has sprung up like mushrooms after a spring rain, and a large number of products are produced, which can be called “abnormal” for an unconventional arrangement. Today, Alice’s configuration is enough to be called “the public in the niche” configuration.
What are we after when we use Alice collocation?
– eye-catching
The side glances here may be considered too one-sided by many people. After all, not everyone uses a keyboard to work, and even if they work, they may not necessarily bring Alice to the company. Yes, few people are willing to bring the general customized keyboard to the company to use it, but the “eye-catching” does not necessarily have to be realized offline at the moment. When communicating with friends, when sharing in circles, and in the media. When uploading photos and videos on the platform. I think this sentence is also applicable to the customization market. Customization can make people look up. Alice’s arrangement magnifies this effect. It does not need any “Hokkaido-flavored gravel sound”, nor does it need a very design sense. Appearance, this arrangement alone is enough to focus attention.
The question then arises, where is the ergonomics?
Let’s go back to the original EM7, and in the early days of this set, the debate about whether it was ergonomic or not has been fierce.
What is the difference between traditional TKL configuration and Alice configuration?
Alice visually splits the board in half, with the keys extending outward in a wingspan shape, on top of which Alice’s keyboard layout moves some of the keys (mainly the letter area) to new positions where the index finger can reach them more easily position, some variants also move other key positions. Undoubtedly, the Alice layout is still based on the standard QWERTY layout, which is one of the reasons some people think its so-called ergonomics are a complete gimmick.
Unfortunately, there are also some stubborn opinions in the keyboard circle. Some people who hold the idea of ”pure-blood supremacy” have given Alice’s keyboard a death sentence from the moment it is not a split keyboard. . But there will also be quarrels between split lovers and layout lovers, because many split keyboard layouts that are split in half are also based on the standard QWERTY layout.
What exactly is ergonomics?
Regarding the ergonomic keyboard, I have searched a lot of articles, online soft articles, soft wide or extremely vague descriptions, I don’t think they can provide effective help for this article.
At this time, I got the help of a friend who has been in the field of ergonomic keyboards for many years, Dr. Wang from X-bows, and I am very grateful to him for taking the time out of his busy schedule to give me some doubts.
(The following dialogue is for reference only, not absolute. The current ergonomics is still in a developing state. Please purchase the keyboard with your own needs as the highest standard)
Let’s start with the core question first.
Why we need ergonomics – because of fatigue and discomfort in the wrist.
1. Why do I feel tired when typing? What are the key points in the progression from fatigue to pathological diseases?
Any long-term and frequent movements will make people tired, and the movements will be natural and stretched, which will delay the arrival of fatigue, and will not even appear during working hours. Natural, stretching movements are also the most efficient. For the understanding of “Zhan Zhan”, you can refer to “One-step sissy, two-step bullshitting Tingbu/Slate Road.
From this sentence, how to maintain the body posture in a natural non-“compressed” state is the core of solving the problem of uncomfortable typing.
Unnatural movements can cause fatigue and boredom in a short period of time. Unnatural joint motion is the key to repetitive stress injury (RSI).
The arrangement direction of the traditional keyboard keys is contrary to the natural movement direction of the fingers.
One issue that has long been debated in the keyboard world is that of layout. In fact, from this point of view, the character layout is not the problem of the basic nature, but the layout is the key point. Just like the relationship between the foundation and the house.
After knowing these ergonomic knowledge, I also began to look for a variety of ergonomic keyboards, perhaps through these keyboards, I can peek into the tip of the iceberg of ergonomic keyboards.
It can be roughly divided into the following categories:
Key-Bowl (Concave Surface – concave bowl, in-line)
One-Piece, Split-Sections
Two-Pieces Split, Normal
Two-Pieces Split, with Thumb Keys
After looking at so many keyboards, sifting through and refining some information from online forums and purchase reviews, I have gradually gained a certain understanding of the main points of ergonomic keyboard composition.
My second question to Dr. Wang
2. There are various ergonomic keyboards on the market, which one is the most important construction element.
Vertical alignment is the most basic element
I also agree with this. After looking at a lot of ergonomic keyboards, the critically acclaimed keyboards often have the key feature of “in-line”.
In-line or in other words, the arrangement that is more in line with the shape of human fingers is a major focus of ergonomics, and the inverted V shape is also one of the core points. Besides in-line, what is there to further protect our wrists?
The second point is that the problem of internal rotation, which is also a problem that cannot be solved by simply arranging the layout. In fact, there are already some solutions for the problem of internal rotation on the office mouse, and they have been put into use.
logitech mx master 3
When used on the keyboard, the angle is bulging, but it is best that the angle of the bulge can be adjusted freely to a comfortable position, after all, thousands of people have thousands of hands.
So what about the Alice arrangement?
After understanding this knowledge, look at this arrangement again, and see the sun .
From an ergonomic point of view , is there any essential difference between Alice’s arrangement and the split (including layout and split) keyboards based on the QWERTY layout?
The answer is obvious.
The effect can only be said to be minimal
Essentially, they did not get rid of the unnatural finger posture caused by the traditional layout, but there is no doubt that it will be more comfortable than the traditional TKL layout.
3. What do you think is the relationship between professional ergonomics and non-professional ergonomics, and the impact on the keyboard market and users?
Ergonomics should not be divided into “professional/non-professional”. User needs vary widely and cannot be generalized from point to point.
Dr. Wang’s words reminded me that as a player and keyboard user, your own needs are the core point.
There is a controversial point about Alice’s arrangement
Correction of fingering
1. There is no doubt that Alice’s collocation is valuable for operating fingering
2. Standard fingering “is a popular thing by chance based on the limitations of traditional keyboard design, just like WASD. Standard fingering is the same as the design of traditional keyboards. Many people use it, which does not mean that it is the best.
3. In fact, there should be a more efficient and reasonable fingering, but it is of little significance and is not worth discussing
On this point, I also agree with Dr. Wang’s view that the standard layout is a tradition left over by history, and it will cost a lot to change it.
I think that Alice’s arrangement is more realistic than his ergonomic name, “Fingering Corrector” . After using Alice’s arrangement for half a year, my fingering is still not a complete standard form (the little finger is only responsible for the keys in the mod area), But it helped me correct some issues that I wouldn’t notice at all while typing, such as pressing G with my right hand. The fingering improvements that come with using the Alice arrangement are real.
Of course, there is also a problem here, that is, whether the standard fingering mentioned above has practical application value. There is indeed a constant debate on this point. At present, it is still based on our personal needs. I personally think that some standard fingering is beneficial in the current environment, so I need to learn and train my fingering.
About the value of Alice’s arrangement
After researching a few different ergonomic keyboards, I think the Alice arrangement still has some advantages that cannot be ignored.
1. Improvement of wrist placement
The split distribution of Alice’s arrangement allows more space for finger typing. Of course, the split keyboard will have more freedom at this point, but the traditional Alice arrangement can already provide enough space for some users. Liberation can bring a more comfortable input experience.
2. Low threshold
Alice’s layout can be popular today, and it is inseparable from his low threshold and easy-to-use attributes.
This is also my fourth question to Dr. Wang.
Regarding the explosion of Alice’s layout this year, what impact do you think it will have on the spread and development of ergonomic keyboards?
The impact is positive, and I hope more manufacturers will conduct in-depth research and introduce better designs.
Knowing it and knowing why can solve the problem.
Compared with the unique keys required by most ergonomic keyboards, Alice’s configuration additionally requires a B key and a short space. The selection of keycaps can be diversified and low-threshold, and can also be adapted to most customized keys. At the same time, even with non-standard fingering, it is not difficult to get started. These two points make this configuration more players willing to try, and some manufacturers rarely appear in the mass production area to make this product.
3. Unique appearance
In fact, based on the above points, the answer to whether you need a keyboard with Alice is ready to come out.
I have listed some of the characteristics, if you meet a few of them, then I think it is a good idea to buy a keyboard that comes with Alice
1. I hope to learn standard fingering through some tools
2. Want to experience an ergonomic keyboard, but hope for low learning costs and low silence costs
3. Want to buy a keyboard with a unique shape but can be used as the main tool
Four, want to buy as a toy keyboard
At the same time, I also listed some characteristic points that are not suitable for purchasing ALICE accessories
1. People who have symptoms of CTS (Carpal Tunnel Syndrome) and RSI (Repetitive Strain Injury)
There are different treatment options for different disease stages and symptoms. It is not appropriate to generalize in the medical field, which will mislead the public.
Elimination of the cause and the generation of immunity are prevention. The rational design of the keyboard can eliminate the cause and prevent RSI. In fact, it has been confirmed from user feedback that for users who already have RSI symptoms, the X-BOWS keyboard is also effective in relieving symptoms and helping recovery.
Therefore, for people with a state of strain, I personally think that you should not rely on the ergonomic effects of Alice’s configuration, but should go to the hospital for treatment, and use or customize a keyboard that is more in line with your hand state.
At the same time, it should be said that there is no medical data to show that alice can reduce the strain and disease caused by using the keyboard for a long time.
2. Users with limited desktop space and users who need to go out
The split layout of Alice’s arrangement will cause the entire keyboard to take up more space than the traditional TKL layout. Even the common 65-arrangement is already close to 80 in length.
3. Users who have a rigid demand for the collocation function
Alice has few products with 100% layout, most of which are 65%, and some can reach 80%, so if users have rigid requirements for the keypad area and other functional areas, it is not suitable for purchase and use.
Fourth, the need for multiple keyboards
If you are used to Alice, you need to be equipped with a keyboard equipped with Alice in all the places where you type. Of course, Alice is relatively free in keyboard selection. There are also many mass-produced cheap products to choose from, but there is no doubt that , which will more or less add an extra burden.
Hope the above experience can help some players who are interested in Alice’s configuration and ergonomic keyboard.
What are we after when we use Alice collocation?
For me, exploring this question is also exploring my original intention of playing customization.
What am I looking for when I’m playing custom?
It can be found that everyone uses Alice for different reasons, practical, beautiful, following the trend…
Just like this circle, you never know what will be popular next, but there is no doubt that I hope that more players will be willing to try these weird and novel things, whether it is leek or playing with concepts, if everything If you follow the rules, you will lose your vitality and be too boring.
Finally, leave a preview of the new X-Bows product as the end, and I am very grateful to these players who are willing to help an ordinary player.
Thanks for reading, if you have good suggestions and ideas, welcome to discuss in the comment area. If you like it, please follow, like and subscribe.
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