Switching to HHKB: A Developer’s Experience

I’ve started using the HHKB Professional Hybrid keyboard daily for the past month, replacing the Keychron K8, which I’ve used for three years. The HHKB does not feel cramped compared to other 60% keyboards such as the Filco Minila Air, which I previously owned. I’ve been using external keyboards ever since Apple released its butterfly keyboard switches, which were so painful to use. I have then formed an opinion on what constitutes a good external keyboard: (1) key placement, (2) portability, and (3) multiple-device connectivity. The HHKB Professional Hybrid Type-S has exceeded my expectations for all three.

Key Placement

A critical aspect of my keyboard preference is key placement, and here’s how the HHKB stands out. The HHKB’s Control key is placed where the Tab key is usually located. This makes it easy for my left pinkie finger to access without having to remap keys. The distance of the other keys allows for touch typing with fewer fat-fingered mistakes. The Keychron K8, on the other hand, is a TKL layout, and tends to have the hands spread out more often to reach keys on the far ends of the keyboard. The Filco Minila Air feels too cramped for a 60% layout, with a very small spacebar.

One downside to the HHKB’s key layout is the reliance on the pinkie fingers (left to access Ctrl key and right to access the Fn key). This introduces a new kind of finger strain if you find yourself using a lot of arrow keys to navigate or using the Ctrl keys repeatedly. This is a good signal to take a break from typing. Despite the initial adjustment to the pinkie’s increased role, the HHKB’s layout promotes a more natural hand position, reducing the need for excessive reach and thereby minimizing strain.

Portability

Sometimes I bring my keyboard when traveling with my laptop. The HHKB is one of the lightest external keyboards I’ve used. Given its weight, I am hesitant to bring the Keychron for travel. While the Minila Air’s size is convenient, its weight is a drawback, unlike the HHKB, which offers the perfect balance of lightness and compactness. I brought my HHKB without issue to a recent overseas trip without needing to buy a keyboard cover and it fits in my backpack’s pouch.

Multiple Device Connectivity

The HHKB supports Bluetooth connectivity up to four devices. Pairing with my devices is easy and switching between devices is fast. Unlike the HHKB, the Keychron and Minila Air struggle with Bluetooth connectivity; the Keychron, despite supporting three devices, has a slower switching process, and the Minila Air is limited to just one connection

Bonus Feature 1: Batteries Included

The HHKB decided to ship with replaceable batteries (2x AA) and its sleep mode can be disabled through a setting. The Minila Air also supports replaceable batteries. The Keychron, on the other hand, has a built-in rechargeable battery. After three years of continuous usage, the internal battery’s diminished capacity may require keeping a charging cable handy, a minor inconvenience compared to the eventual need for battery replacement. Ultimately, the choice between replaceable and built-in batteries hinges on personal preferences.

Bonus Feature 2: Shine-resistant keycaps

Continuous use can lead to keys becoming shiny, affecting the keyboard’s aesthetic appeal. This issue is common with the Keychron and Minila Air, where the keycaps tend to show wear relatively quickly. In contrast, the HHKB seeks to mitigate this problem by utilizing PBT keycaps, which are reputed for their resistance to shine and wear. PBT keycaps are known for retaining their matte finish and texture longer than the more common ABS keycaps found in many keyboards. While only time will confirm the longevity of the HHKB’s keycaps, the use of PBT offers a promising outlook for maintaining a pristine look much longer.

For a comparison between ABS and PBT keycaps, I recommend this article.

Bonus Feature 3: Suppressed keystroke noise

I chose the Type-S variant, which is known for its effective sound suppression during keystrokes. This feature ensures the HHKB offers solid, yet subdued feedback while typing, striking an ideal balance between tactile response and quiet operation. In contrast, while using the Keychron or the Minila Air, I’ve stuck with the standard brown switches, which, despite their reliability, tend to produce a more noticeable sound. This becomes especially obvious during early morning or late-night sessions, when the quieter performance of the HHKB Type-S proves invaluable in a small house with spouse and small children sleeping.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the HHKB has truly lived up to its promises, justifying its premium price with performance that exceeds expectations. Its ability to blend into various aspects of my daily routine, while minimizing disruptions, speaks volumes of its thoughtful design. For those in search of a keyboard that marries functionality with minimalistic elegance, the HHKB Type-S proves to be an unparalleled choice.

Unfathomable Grief

I learned that someone I knew had lost a child. I could not imagine the grief of losing one’s own. My heart goes to their family.

Nurturing a child — investing time and energy, and witnessing their growth first-hand — is nothing short of miraculous. It improves your worldview, perhaps immortality through your child is within reach. Yet, tragically, fate can intervene, shattering this vision with a sudden loss.

Reflecting on this loss, it took me roughly ten years to come to terms with my mother’s death. I regret letting the sadness linger for too long. Opportunities to grow were lost.

Yet the only way is forward, as life on this planet is too short. We grieve, but we should not dwell in it.

Screw

I was listening to this tribute last night, which was an almost 20-minute rendition of Wally’s instrumental Screw. I am not a musician, but I found myself liking this song.

To be a better man

In his interview with Steven Pressfield (The War of Art, The Legend of Bagger Vance, etc.), Joe Rogan mentioned that he didn’t have any goals. Instead he wants to get better at what he does. He thinks there’s an art towards becoming a better person.

I remembered a Chinese TV drama (To Be a Better Man). The protagonist, a Michelin-starred chef Lu Yuan had everything, but his risk-seeking behavior for the next high cost him his relationship with his girlfriend and then he lost his career after being incarcerated. Only his best friend (who died on the first episode) was there for him. Lu Yuan took his best friend’s death as a signal to rebuild his life, make amends, and restart his culinary career (he lost his sense taste for most of the series).

Around a month ago I was asked if I had a desire to change the world. My answer was all I wanted to do is to stay in the game (software) for as long as I can. What I didn’t say was I there was always that need to continuously get better, not only because the field is competitive (and biased towards youth), but also by getting better, the people around me get better as well. Getting better at something shouldn’t be at the expense of the people around you.

Blue skies

The clouds have lifted; it’s time to rebuild. There will be confusion up ahead (smog and blurry reflections), but it’s good enough for me.

Previously

Problems after upgrading to macOS Ventura

Two days after the upgrade, I’ve ran into a high CPU utilization problem in some processes (e.g., zsh). I think something was using zsh on the background and my guess it was Spotlight. This article confirmed it and also made some recommendations.

No memory pressure issues so far, which is good.

Cycles and the ECM

It’s October 2022, and yesterday, I stumbled upon an article called The Business Cycle and The Future by Martin Armstrong in 1999. I saved this article back in 2015, probably because ECM (Economic Confidence Model) was mentioned in other articles I read back then.

The thesis of the ECM is that markets follow a rhythm (cycle) of 8.6 years in length. At the end of a cycle, one should expect a significant event (e.g., a market crash). These events are significant enough to signal a new cycle. A cycle can be classified into major and minor cycles with longer and shorter intervals.

Each cycle, according to the article, tends to increase in volatility (swings) and intensity. One date caught my eye: March 22, 2022. This was one month into the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

As markets behave cyclically, so does politics. The article warned that tyrants would rise following markets collapsing (similar to Hitler’s rise following the collapse of the Weimar Republic):

Such periods have always brought not merely great booms and busts, but they too hold in the palm of their hand the thunderbolt of war. The economic future of Russia is one of such corruption and decay, that it too will rise as the warlord who seeks to regain what he has lost. China too will eventually beat the drums of war as its economy worsens and its leaders seek to hold the slippery reigns of power. 

The Business Cycle and The Future

See also
– The decline and fall of the West (John Mangun)
– The 2016 political cycle (John Mangun)

Bad trees cannot bear good fruit

Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves. By their fruit you will recognize them. Do people pick grapes from thornbushes, or figs from thistles? Likewise, every good tree bears good fruit, but a bad tree bears bad fruit. A good tree cannot bear bad fruit, and a bad tree cannot bear good fruit. Every tree that does not bear good fruit is cut down and thrown into the fire. Thus, by their fruit you will recognize them.

Matthew 7:15-20

I remembered this passage while I was at a birthday party: how would these kids turn out in 20 years? How will my children conduct themselves when they’re older? Am I setting them up to fail with how I conduct myself now?