QwickSteps VS Pinky4

I'm using a typical ten-keyless keyboard that otherwise has a standard US 103 ANSI layout. My need for remapping keys is for the letters as I accidentally developed[0] my own custom non-Qwerty layout[1] that turned out to be very similar to NIRO.

[0] https://github.com/qwickly-org/Qwickly

[1] https://github.com/qwickly-org/QwickSteps

I'm also 50+ and had issues with shooting pains along the back of my hands. My solution was to use a keyboard layout that reduces awkward finger movements. I tried some alternative keyboard layouts but wasn't happy with how hard they were to learn and ended up making my own[0] that ends on the Qwickly layout[1] that was easier to transition to compared to Colemak/Tarmak.

My error rate is probably still higher than using Qwerty but my hands are more comfortable so worth the tradeoff. I also learned that I don't type all that much while coding, spending much more time thinking than typing and had to use a practice site[2] to get enough practice to learn a new layout.

[0] https://github.com/qwickly-org/QwickSteps

[1] https://github.com/qwickly-org/Qwickly

[2] https://www.keyhero.com/free-typing-test

I'm a software dev and thought that learning a new layout would help me. It does, but not in the way I thought it would. I found that the normal amount I type every day isn't enough to actually learn a new layout and that I had to go to sites like keyhero.com a few times per day to get enough typing volume. The greatest benefit I've learned is that my hands are so much more comfortable and I never get pains along the backs of my hands that I used to get. I too struggled with Colemak (and the Tarmaks) then gave it up to learn a layout I made that I thought was easier to learn and as fast or faster. I use the Qwickly-KZ (pinky comma) variant and there's QwickStep layouts along the lines of Tarmak.

found it: https://github.com/tamanishi/Pinky4 looks like my next build 😄

I've already used a multimeter to verify that the TRRS cable is connecting the correct pins across both boards on the TRRS connector, and even verified that they're connecting the correct pins on each pro micro controller (e.g. GND to GND, VCC to VCC, Data to Data) according to the PCB layout (https://github.com/tamanishi/Pinky4/tree/master/pcb)

In my experience it does become harder to type on staggered keyboards unless you're continuing to do it regularly. You may need to relearn to do that. Same deal with continuing QWERTY usage.

VIA is proprietary and not really an official QMK thing (QMK is free software). There is also Vial[0] which is free software if you want a GUI, and the QMK configurator[1] web app (but this lacks some features like enabling mouse keys or NKRO).

Lastly I want to add that Workman[2] may be preferable to Colemak Mod-DH. Rather than an attempt to fix major issues in Colemak like Mod-DH, it's a whole new layout that avoided the issues from the start. I have also heard from some that it had ortholinear and columnar stagger boards in mind with its design.

I type on a Pinky4[3] keyboard that I assembled from a kit. More keys than your keyboard, but a similar idea. I was coming from a 60% and wanted a similar amount of keys. I've been quite happy with it.

[0] https://get.vial.today/

[1] https://config.qmk.fm/#/

[2] https://workmanlayout.org/

[3] https://github.com/tamanishi/Pinky4

and this one may not fit your requirements since it doesn't have the full bottom row, but a personal favorite, pinky4

I'm currently evaluating which keyboard to build. There are currently 2 main contenders: zodiark and pinky4 The sofle I also took into consideration but I would like to have a few more keys than 58. There are some pros and cons for both boards

you might want to take a look at PCB designs such as the Pinky4: https://github.com/tamanishi/Pinky4 (or Pinky3)