Why I prefer 7-inch spacebar

donpark · February 17, 2021, 3:32pm

I haven’t seen much discussion over space bar size preference so…

I prefer 7-inch because its:

Symmetrical, at least in the alpha keyboard section.
Easier to use - I use ⌘ key very often and it’s easier to reach.
Sounds better - not sure why this is but I’ll take it.

ddrfraser1 · February 17, 2021, 3:45pm

Hell yeah. Plus it looks cool.

Some 7Us on my desk right now.

Plus this guy for extra credit

rpiguy9907 · February 17, 2021, 4:13pm

6u, 6.5u, are also usually symmetrical and look better, but 7u is definitely the easiest to support.

We can blame the 6.25u space bar on Microsoft for insisting on a menu key to the right, ruining any symmetry.

djmantis · February 17, 2021, 5:38pm

I switched to 7u cause it is symmetrical, and with this configuration, I can use right hand mods as pseudo-arrow keys on smaller layouts.

Screen Shot 2021-02-17 at 9.36.43 AM

EDIT - Auto-correct took out my arrow keys part

ddrfraser1 · February 17, 2021, 5:43pm

Yes

sarvopari · February 18, 2021, 9:26pm

So far, I’m indifferent.

I do love symmetry, but every standard/common non-ortho layout is not symmetrical on R2 and R3 (right?). So, I’m not sure yet that I would feel particularly strongly about maintaining symmetry on R5.

Anecdotally, I have all three on one keyboard or another, and I hadn’t thought about it much before this thread.

I do think the case-by-case rationale behind a particularly spacebar length choice seems more appealing to me (v. a universal preference). For example, the HHKB’s spacebar length is to avoid forming a cross at the right edge with the , and . keys; or @djmantis’s use of mods as arrows keys, which is pretty cool.

mwb · February 18, 2021, 9:40pm

what are the key sizes on the bottom of the EO87?

ddrfraser1 · February 18, 2021, 10:09pm

What is that like 1.25 and 1.5?

mwb · February 18, 2021, 10:27pm

ah I see. I thought I was looking at a 1u all funny. That’s an interesting one! I don’t think I’ve seen 1.25u-1.25u-1.5u mods before.

Manofinterests · February 18, 2021, 11:43pm

Do you mean 7u?

A 7 inch spacebar would be roughly 9.3u long; 1 inch is 25.4mm

pixelpusher · February 19, 2021, 12:16am

I feel like you are certainly sliding your glasses back up on your nose after this comment.

Manofinterests · February 19, 2021, 12:20am

I’m forgetting the, "Akshually"

donpark · February 19, 2021, 1:23am

Yeah, I meant that. shrugs nonchalantly with rolling eyes