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What are the keys with tactile bumps called? (kbin.social)

submitted 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) by Telorand@kbin.social to c/mechanicalkeyboards@kbin.social

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I use a different layout to type, but I'd like to be able to have my physical layout reflect what I'm actually typing. The problem is that moving the F and J keys to where they should be means the home row would be missing the tactile bumps, and I use those to recenter my hands when I'm not looking. I'd like to add keycaps for different letters that have tactile bumps.

Do those type of keys have a name? I really don't know what to search for; "tactile keys" just returns rubber or textured keycaps (which, maybe the latter is a last resort). I'm open to alternatives.

Edit: Thanks, everyone! I have now learned they're called "homing keys," and they can have raised portions like bars, or a more recessed scoop.

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[–] cerement@slrpnk.net 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

usually “homing keys” (ie. allows your fingers to find the home row)

usually custom keycap sets will have a “typist” set of some sort with extra keys in the right row profile and homing keys for at least Dvorak (but that also means buying extra keys on top of the main set)

and useless trivia – old Apple keyboards had D and K as the homing keys instead of F and J …

[–] Telorand@kbin.social 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Learning is never useless!

ETA: I use Colemak, so I'll see if I can find something default or if I'll have to find something more piecemeal.