A tool worth optimizing

My keyboard is the interface to the digital world, the gateway to so much stuff that I enjoy. It is there to impose my will on my computer, to write words and form thoughts, to play video games, which is a big hobby of mine, and to build stuff, which makes me feel creative. I use my keyboard daily, and, like most people, don't usually think about it too much.

But because it is my primary tool for using my computer, I want to master its usage. I have a split keyboard and use vim keybindings for almost everything. I take pleasure in using my tools to their full potential, understanding them, even if (or especially because) it is such an everyday item as a keyboard. I even soldered a split mechanical keyboard myself and flashed a self-written configuration on it with QMK. Not only can you master these devices, but you can also personalize them to exactly fit your preferences. That's what I love about open hardware and the open source community. The hardware belongs to you and is there to serve you.

Everything we use that much should at some point catch our attention. Maybe we can make our experience better with a little bit of research and effort. Hardware and software can often be bent to make the usage as frictionless as possible. I also don't feel bad about spending a bit more money on the things I use so frequently. I already know that I will use it a lot, so the investment will definitely be worth it.