> But the standard row-stagger is asymmetrical; the way a hand types with the left hand is not mirrored by the right hand.
How is it asymmetrical? Unless you consider the right hand typing on the numpad/cursor keys.
How is it asymmetrical? Unless you consider the right hand typing on the numpad/cursor keys.
So ortho fixes this, but could it then introduce problems for other pairs? It seems hard to believe that there is a layout which is 100% better for all combinations.
Regarding symmetry, our hands are already asymmetrical due to handiness (left-handed, right-handed), and the brain naturally adapts, and there is also the risk of Hawthorne effect if you A/B test ortho/staggered. Some real studies on layouts would really be useful.
Ortho layouts are also most often used on compact boards, and the Preonic (5x12 grid, '50%' form factor) is probably the most 'plug and use' friendly ortho I've come across.
The Zlant is a uniform-stagger board I got once as a fun project, but you'll see the stagger difference right away: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/keyboards/zl...
On the LHS, the index-finger RFV. The finger rests on the homing key F, with R to the left.
On the RHS, the index-finger column is UJM. The finger rests on the homing key F, with U also to the left of F.
I'd consider (say) a Katana keyboard to have a symmetrical row-stagger.