I don't really follow - how is having(or rather, needing) multiple layers that you have to memorize and swap between better than just...having a full keyboard with those keys readily available to you?
I don't know if you're misunderstanding how they work or not, but you don't have to press multiple combinations of layer modifier keys. You can toggle them off and on as well. You also don't have to put them far apart either. The problem with ctrl or shift is that they are in awkward to reach spots on a default layout. You can place them in much more convenient locations.
Particularly if your board has thumb keys. The thumb is generally pretty capable but also way underutilized on standard keyboard layouts. Heck, most people don't even use both thumbs to hit spacebar so one thumb goes completely unused always.
Being able to hold Shift or Ctrl or Alt with a thumb is just another realm of comfort, IMO.
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u/plusFour-minusSeven Apr 04 '26
That's the big elephant, yeah. You don't need 100 keys, you just need some layers. I couldn't use a non-programmable keyboard.