Continuing the discussion from [Looking for a config, falling into the rabbit hole]: I am developing an all same-column config, vowels in middle, that may be a good base for diacritics
The common single consonants are in one or two keys on the right column; uncommon on three or four or on the left column; and all vowels and "r" in the middle column. Common digrams are just combinations of expected single letters; "ing" is I + G, and all the common punctuation and control is in single columns. Less "trumpet playing" for regular English.
It is only in the works but isolating vowels in the middle column seems to be giving me flexibility.