The people who use our boards.

Who are you, and what do you do? What do you like to do outside of work?

I’m Karen Sprenger, and my official title is Managing Partner, Technology at LMG Security, a cybersecurity consulting firm. Our company focuses on proactive security. Basically, companies hire us to hack into their networks, then write a report about how we got in and how they can improve their security. We also help them build strong programs and ensure they are in compliance with regulations and so on and provide technical training. We used to also offer incident response, and that brought about my most unusual role. I was the “Chief Ransomware Negotiator.” Talking to criminals was definitely not a career possibility that was mentioned on those aptitude tests in high school.

Although I have a music performance degree, I’ve worked in technology for over thirty years, working as a repair technician, network engineer, and then director of IT, before specializing in digital forensics and information security for the past twelve years. I’m the co-author of Ransomware and Cyber Extortion: Response and Prevention, written on my very first ErgoDox EZ keyboard, and am an educator and speaker. My favorite thing about a career in technology and cybersecurity is that I never stop learning.

When I’m not working, I love to read (primarily mystery, fantasy, and science fiction), ride my Peloton, and explore the beauty that is Montana. In the winter, I also do jigsaw puzzles and build Lego models. And I love music, of course! Most of all, I love spending time with my three poodles: Sadie, Josie, and Mellow. My ideal weekend would be a tiny cabin in the mountains with no cell or internet service, my dogs, a supply of Diet Coke, and a tall stack of books.

What hardware do you use?

My personal setup is a MacBook Air with an OWC Thunderbolt Dock, a 48” curved Samsung display, an Apple Magic Mouse, and my Moonlander Mark I with The Platform and Kailh Box Red keyswitches.

For five years, I used an ErgoDox EZ with Kailh Box White. I loved it, but I have rheumatoid arthritis and as my thumbs started to bother me more, I thought I would benefit from the adjustable thumb keys on the Moonlander. I made the move earlier this year, and it has been everything I hoped it would!

Interestingly enough, I used ChatGPT to help me choose not only the best keyboard for me, but the best keyswitches. Even allowing for other vendor choices, ChatGPT picked ZSA. (I was glad—your customer service and support are second to none.) Since ergonomics are important, I also have a curved Uplift standing desk and a Steelcase chair. My tip for outfitting a home office? Take advantage of open-box and refurbished equipment sales. You can save hundreds and walk away with a like-new piece of equipment.

And what software?

My software use is fairly standard—browsers, office suites, emails, chat apps, and so on. I do spend a lot of my day in a terminal, so that makes access to keyboard shortcuts and comfortable typing imperative.

What’s your keyboard setup like? Do you use a custom layout or custom keycaps?

My layout is pretty simple—one of the reasons that I call it Ki$$. I was using an ergonomic keyboard from another vendor when I got my ErgoDox EZ, and so my layout in part was driven by where I was already accustomed to keys being located and then later, I modified that to fit my Moonlander.

I primarily use Layer 0, except when I need to change the lights on my keyboard. (The lights make me way happier than they probably should.) Now that I’m using Terminal and Linux more and more, I want to spend some time building combos.

What would be your dream setup?

We’re just heading into winter here in the mountains of Montana, so this time of year I dream of a bigger office with a fireplace to keep me cozy, beautiful built-in wood bookshelves, and a cozy couch with plenty of blankets and hot chocolate, and a McDonald’s Diet Coke machine in the corner that magically fills itself.

In all seriousness, I’ve worked over the past almost six years to put together my dream setup a bit at a time and I’m pretty close. I am still looking for an ergonomic mouse, trackball, or trackpad that works for me. The Apple Magic Mouse is close, but I think I need an angled mouse pad. Although I did just read that the Navigator will now work with my Moonlander, so I may need to give that a try.