After buying a split keyboard I've decided to try a layout with thumb letter. For English I strongly recommend Hands Down Promethium (bottom heavy variant):
v w g m q / ' . , x
s n t h k ; a e i c
f p d l j z u o y b
r
Note: place rare keys (q, j, z) wherever you'd like. I also use combo u + y for qu, it's quite helpful.
For Russian I use another custom layout with somewhat decent stats (I guess):
ё ы й г ю ф ц к л ш
и о а м х щ д н р т
у я ь с ж б в п ч з
е
Note: place rare keys (э, ъ) wherever you'd like. I also use a combo в + ч for ться.
After few months of practice I can say this layout feels good. I have only one minor complain about г key (I press it with middle finger btw). It will be nice to have that key on the right side. I've tried a combo в + п but result was meh.
oxey's stats
Finger usage:
finger 0: 9.87% finger 9: 8.42%
finger 1: 14.10% finger 8: 10.29%
finger 2: 10.44% finger 7: 12.56%
finger 3: 12.30% finger 6: 10.10%
Left hand: 46.70% Right hand: 41.37%
Left center: 2.352% Right center: 2.241%
Home keys usage: 49.38%
Sfb% per finger:
finger 0: 0.010% finger 9: 0.023%
finger 1: 0.095% finger 8: 0.049%
finger 2: 0.117% finger 7: 0.170%
finger 3: 0.212% finger 6: 0.216%
Sfb: 0.892%
Dsfb: 5.934%
Lsb: 0.764%
Inrolls: 21.352%
Outrolls: 15.144%
Total Rolls: 36.496%
Onehands: 1.550%
Alternates: 38.447%
Alternates (sfs): 8.887%
Total Alternates: 47.334%
Redirects: 4.923%
BadRedirects: 0.149%
Total Redirects: 5.072%
Other: 4.669%
Invalid: 4.880%
Note: btw you can get a little bit better stats without thumb key (less sfb, more lsb), didn't practice it:
. у ы Е г ю Ц Ч к л ш щ
э и о а м х ф д н р т ъ
ё я ь с ж б в п Й з
My current PBs on short MonkeyType tests (10 words, 1k set) are: for English is 92wpm, for Russian is 91wpm. So in terms of speed this RU layout is the same as Promethium and "safe" to use.
Searching a better place for a г letter results into new layout:
э ы й ж ф щ ч р п б
и о а д ш х в н т к
у я ь с ю ц м л г з
е
Note: I use a combo м + г for ться.
oxey's stats
Finger usage:
finger 0: 10.14% finger 9: 6.40%
finger 1: 14.10% finger 8: 10.72%
finger 2: 10.44% finger 7: 15.46%
finger 3: 10.64% finger 6: 10.45%
Left hand: 45.33% Right hand: 43.02%
Left center: 1.502% Right center: 1.783%
Home keys usage: 48.98%
Sfb% per finger:
finger 0: 0.014% finger 9: 0.057%
finger 1: 0.095% finger 8: 0.034%
finger 2: 0.117% finger 7: 0.232%
finger 3: 0.425% finger 6: 0.081%
Sfb: 1.054%
Dsfb: 5.989%
Lsb: 0.708%
Inrolls: 23.235%
Outrolls: 12.275%
Total Rolls: 35.510%
Onehands: 1.466%
Alternates: 39.383%
Alternates (sfs): 9.941%
Total Alternates: 49.325%
Redirects: 3.549%
BadRedirects: 0.155%
Total Redirects: 3.704%
Other: 5.115%
Invalid: 4.880%
The main differences are lower redirects and better г placement. This layout has more sfbs but it's not a problem because they come from strong left index finger. You can get better stats after switching д and г keys but then it will be too much load for a right ring finger.
In terms of comfort this new version feels the same (or maybe slightly better) as the previous one.
It seems like it's better to switch д and з:
э ы й ж ф щ ч р п б
и о а З ш х в н т к
у я ь с ю ц м л г Д
е
oxey's stats
Finger usage:
finger 0: 10.14% finger 9: 7.77%
finger 1: 14.10% finger 8: 10.72%
finger 2: 10.44% finger 7: 15.46%
finger 3: 9.26% finger 6: 10.45%
Left hand: 43.95% Right hand: 44.40%
Left center: 1.502% Right center: 1.783%
Home keys usage: 47.60%
Sfb% per finger:
finger 0: 0.014% finger 9: 0.050%
finger 1: 0.095% finger 8: 0.034%
finger 2: 0.117% finger 7: 0.232%
finger 3: 0.104% finger 6: 0.081%
Sfb: 0.726%
Dsfb: 5.743%
Lsb: 0.708%
Inrolls: 22.811%
Outrolls: 11.889%
Total Rolls: 34.700%
Onehands: 1.043%
Alternates: 42.039%
Alternates (sfs): 10.064%
Total Alternates: 52.103%
Redirects: 2.707%
BadRedirects: 0.181%
Total Redirects: 2.888%
Other: 4.386%
Invalid: 4.880%
Pros:
- less sbfs 1.0% -> 0.7%;
- less redirects 3.5% -> 2.7%.
Cons:
- more load on right pinky 6.4% -> 7.8%;
- less load on left index 10.6% -> 9.3%.
It feels a way better despite increased load on the right pinky.
Obsolete SOWA layout. See wiki page for details.
