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Could not agree more. Especially for programmers I would argue that the alphabetical character layout matters so much less than where one reaches special characters and the modifiers.

Having used a DIY columnar staggered keyboard for about a year a laptop keyboard feels like using a device that is not designed for humans.

100% agree, most of qwerty keyboard with flat staggered layout as in typewriter is faulty and ancient design yet it's widely adapted for some reason.

If I can ask, what sort of custom keyboard? A completely bespoke 3D printed sort of thing, or a combination of different parts?

I bought the PCB(Signum 3) and soldered on 42 keys and the controller board. It's got no case but with rubber pads on the bottom it's pretty quiet and thin.

I'm planning to build a custom 3d printed one with a comparable layout but fewer keys. Mostly to try some ideas and features.