> I'd advise the author to go one step further and adopt the ANSI layout instead of ISO. So you can just get the US version with most of the keys already etched with the correct symbol, no matter where you are in the world.

Totally. I once had to use a UK keyboard with this weird vertical ISO enter key - it's a pain.

I think I might live with a smaller space bar, as I got a rare IBM SK-8835 keyboard in JP locale before I could source a US one ( see: http://www.komotch2.com/junk/kj/sk8835lj.htm ): the true dealbreaker was the ISO enter key.

The carveout from the spacebar were actually pretty handy, to map with AutoHotKey extra keys staying right by my thumbs :)

> They are, for instance, the only country outside of the United States to have built and operate a nuclear aircraft carrier.

I love that a lot of countries do a lot of things: we need more alternatives to avoid duopolies (MIPS to avoid AMD64 vs ARM64, Firefox OS to avoid Android vs iOS)

And it's even better when the 3rd alternative offers unique advantages!

But using a different keyboard layout for no reason at all... sorry, I don't get that. It makes life harder for everyone, with 0 practical benefit.

It's like if some country mandated a square USB-C connector: breaking a standard, just for the pleasure of breaking it, to make things more expansive, create more e-waste, etc.