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Be forewarned though: this is a toy, not a workhorse. It will get the job done for basic internet use, but it is an awful keyboard for programming. I'm sure dedication to this board alone could eventually pay off, but this is the Dark Souls of keyboards. You have to be a particular kind of masochist to enjoy it. That said, if you're reading this review, you just might be that kind of person.
Note on the keycaps: These keycaps don't include mod keys of the appropriate 1u size. You'll have to make do with some spare key that does fit but doesn't match the command (take a look at the pictures). I have white alphas and black mods. I used the leftover black alphas as mods and match them to the first letter of the corresponding mod key. For example, B is backspace and E is Enter. I definite improvement to this drop would be to include 1u mod keys.
One thing I can't agree with you is it's not just a toy, I mean I do programming with my planck, Planck has been my main driver for 3 years after hhkb for 10 years. I think it's a "bias" a tiny keyboard cannot be a main keyboard for coding, I'm not a masochist. (but you can think I am, we have freedom of thought, freedom of speech.)
After using my planck, I feel num rows are too far to reach from the middle when I use bigger size keyboards, it can distract my focus, that's why I don't use 60% layout keyboards any more for programming only for casual gaming. Of course I admit I had to make some macros for some inconvenient key combinations like 3-key shortcuts, but now I found out inconvenient key combinations are also difficult to press on big-size keyboards without macros. It will be a long article how I use my planck, it's not appropriate to write here about that.
Some say, we have to use full-size keyboards for hard work, (I read many writings claiming this) but there are a lot of people out there now who likes using tiny keyboards for programming or some hard work. You never know what keyboards will suit for you before you try to practice for many years. But it's your choice what keyboard you want to use, every one has their own keyboard, every keyboards are valuable. Enjoy your keyboarding, sir.
How many years would you say it took you to become proficient with the HHKB?
In my case, I don't use a numpad, I can type numbers faster than when I use numpad, because I enjoy typing like playing the piano with my both hands. I memorize all keys, I don't have to look my keyboard when typing, and I always put my index fingers on homing keys, that means my both hands stay on the middle of the keyboard most of the time typing, and that's the main reason I use small keyboards for programming.
So it was not that hard to get used to my hhkb, it took only one year to get my best wpm, but after 2-3 years of intense use, I can finally feel comfortable to use it. Arrow keys were the hardest part, when I misstyped something.
Planck, for 3 years is not enough to get my best wpm, now 80-90%. But I like using my planck, don't need to rush, I've been still experimenting some new layout every 6 months with this keyboard.
I can tell you one thing with certainty, if you want to practice a new-style keyboard, you must not touch other kinds of keyboards, switching between various keyboards too often, it will ruin your practice. If you try to stick to only one keyboard, that will make shorter time to adapt yourself to a new keyboard. But I know it's not easy to stick to only one keyboard for keyboard enthusiasts.
If you cannot enjoy your practice, you don't have to practice, the most important thing of this hobby, we have to enjoy ourselves with our keyboards.
One more thing to tell you, the reason I started to use small keyboards. When I was in the university studying computer engineering, I had to live in a dorm, and there was a tiny desk in my room. I got a big monitor and a big desktop at that time, so if I put my big text books on my desk, it was a nightmare. Now I have a huge desk, but still a big-size keyboard is not allowed on my desk even for only display. I like the beauty of full-size keyboards but waste of space, and low efficiency of use is intolerable. It's obvious, my personal experience and preference affected my choice before understanding how to use small keyboards.