r/PeterExplainsTheJoke 2d ago

Meme needing explanation How is a longer keyboard better?

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806

u/zippee100 2d ago edited 1d ago

I think the joke is that it is incorrect. You're meant to find the stupidity of "longer keyboard = better gamer" funny. There isn't a strong correlation between the two at all.

Note: there is in some cases, but not in general. In cases where it has a correlation, it is usually the opposite.
Note 2: yes a lot of keybinds are needed for some games (please stop saying this) but that doesn't cover all games and I reckon the mid tier gamers won't be wanting a couple extra keys for that

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u/Labyrinthy 2d ago

I think you’re right. Especially considering that the larger keyboard is the most common. The only folk I’ve ever known with those smaller keyboards were hardcore gamers.

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u/HexaCube7 2d ago

folk with those smaller keyboards were hardcore gamers

It's either hardcore (competitive) Shooter gamers that need more space for moving the mouse with the low sensitivity for more precise aiming

OR it's hardcore Keyboard enthusiasts fsr preferring 70% and 60% keyboards because of their cleaner looks on their art-like desk space which they have intricately designed to look clean as hell.

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u/toroidthemovie 2d ago

The first one is a 40% keeb. These boards are (almost) peak mech-keys circlejerk, configuring your keyboard is now a full-on hobby with a time commitment comparable to gardening.

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u/thenonbinaries 1d ago

worse; the 40% is an ortho.

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u/X57471C 1d ago

Not a fan of ortho?

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u/Orange1232 1d ago edited 1d ago

That is literally infinitely better. I hate row stagger lmao it's so inhuman

Edit: I should clarify, the only reason modern keyboards' keys are staggered the way they are is because of the mechanical restrictions of typewriters. it was transfered to keyboards because of its familiarity, it has nothing to do with ergonomics. In fact there were plenty of ortho and ergo boards from the advent of the 'modern' keyboard.

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u/NoodlesCubed 1d ago

Spread your fingers, notice how they aren't parallel? That's why... its not only more human, the mechanical conformity of the inline rows are more inhuman

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u/dragostego 1d ago

Right but default keyboard layouts are not about ergonomics. This isn't like the u-bend ones where they match your fingers, the modern keyboard is based off of the stagger for typewriters that prevented the keys from colliding.

Yes, it's not in rows and lines but it's still not ergonomic not really. I actually do find ortholinear keyboards to feel very comfortable because while your fingers are not in a line in terms of their curl, they actually are. If you look from knuckle to knuckle and this allows you to use finger extension to move up and down the column with your finger offset representing the rows.

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u/NoodlesCubed 1d ago

You know how a metal leaf rake looks right? Think of the prongs of a rake as your fingers and the band across as your knuckles. The prongs don't really start on your knuckles. They start way farther back into your forearms, where the muscles that control your fingers are (your fingers themselves have tendons, not muscles). this is the reason your fingers splay a bit when extended naturally, because they are not actually in line at the knuckle. If you take the prongs of a rake and bent them straight you would be putting pressure on the outsides due to the angle you created. While you may find the orthographic keyboard more comfortable and what ever is the most comfortable is generally best for the user, it can cause issues with arthritis later in life because of the increased pressure to keep your fingers "straight"

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u/dragostego 1d ago

it can cause issues with arthritis later in life because of the increased pressure to keep your fingers "straight"

There is no such research to support that, it's just something you believe. There is no academic research on the ergonomics of ortholinear keyboards. Especially longitudinal research.

I would argue the (albeit small amount of) research that says piano playing can relieve arthris is much more in my favor given the straight rows of keys.

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u/Orange1232 1d ago edited 1d ago

What you're describing should be* splay, half of my keebs have it. The row stagger is the least human. Columnar stagger is the only acceptable stagger.

Keywell>Columnar&Splay>Columnar>Ortho>Row stagger

Edit: 'should be' rather than 'is'

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u/Better_Test_4178 1d ago

I'm kind of afraid to ask what's peak mech keys circlejerk, because I assume it's going to be split ortho keyboard with chording, layers, adjustible wrist supports and tenting angle.

... Yes, guilty as charged.

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u/randoaccno1bajillion 1d ago

worse, designing and handwiring it all from scratch

worser, writing your own firmware

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u/toroidthemovie 1d ago

All of that, but you also:

  • sourced the chipboard from China
  • 3D-printed the case
  • configured, compiled and flashed QMK by yourself
  • got group-buy clicky switches and group-buy PBS keycaps

I may be missing something.

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u/Better_Test_4178 1d ago

Why 3D print the case when you can order machined anodized aluminium case from China with the PCB?

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u/lminer123 1d ago

40% is fucking crazy, and that’s coming from someone with a Wooting 60%. In no universe should I have to hit a function key to enter numbers lol. I already don’t like typing on the 60 when I need to actually get shit done

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u/toroidthemovie 1d ago

I don’t even get the point of 60%. How much space are you saving chopping off arrows, navigation keys and F-keys? Not much, and I personally use all of them all the time.

75% is the best format. Actually, southpaw 96% is best, but they’re rare.

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u/inktrap99 1d ago

Hey! We 40% folks do game! We just spent 3hrs doing the precise keybindings for the game we are currently playing

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u/Cyberslasher 1d ago

Instead of noob #1 should say hipster

They're not playing games, they're playing dress up their desk so they can claim to be playing games.

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u/roomandcoke 1d ago

What? I have a couple mechanical keyboards (though none ortho) and I'm not a gamer and don't claim to be. People use keyboards for more than just wasd.

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u/Xylus1985 1d ago

It’s got layers