Just discovered this fantastic project here and at GH, whilst seeking alternatives to replace the NLA Datadesk SmartBoards I've been using that are finally starting to malfunction. After scanning over the ErgoDox threads on both fora, and bearing in mind what has already been finalzed by now, some modest suggestions that occurred to me.
For one thing, I wonder if the group-buys for PCBs and cases could each be done as separate deals; there seems to be a presumption that both PCBs and cases would only be offered together as an all-or-nothing package deal, but is there an economic rationale for this, since they'd each be produced separately anyway? If the PCBs are ready for release before case production details are ironed out, people could get their PCBs and start soldering those right away, and possibly even finish that job by the time casings are ready for purchase. Moreover, those who want to devise custom case/mounting solutions could see what they actually have to work with and decide whether or not their custom approach will work by the time the standard casings become available.
Speaking of which, a minimalist and (possibly) more affordable case/mounting solution also occurred to me. I've been using my SmartBoards with their top casing covers off for years now (after a couple rebuild/frankenstein operations made it seem a moot point), and have contemplated just taking the keying boards off the remaining base entirely and mounting them directly to a custom base, allowing for a fully custom/adjustable split angle and tenting, etc. This led me to wonder if, rather than necessarily having a full enclosure, we could have a single sheetmetal keyswitch-mounting plate simply extended out enough to fold over and down at the edges, thereby forming integral feet/risers, and/or just bolt generic hardware directly into that extended plate as feet/legs/risers of whatever height is desired? I'd probably also add at least a sheet of plastic or felt under the PCBs to protect the exposed traces and solder points there -- sure, it would make for a pretty raw look with the partially exposed circuitry and all, but I kinda dig that idea as seeming a bit cyberpunk, reminds me of the caseless CPU builds I've seen with all the components exposed and splayed out mounted on a wall or under a glass desktop. Builders who wanted to take this approach could just get a pair of extended keyswitch plates (with precut switch-mounting holes) to cut down, fold and manipulate however they wish, as a cheaper/more flexible option to the full-enclosure casing.
BTW, in case it wasn't obvious, I'd be in for (2) x pair of PCBs.
. OrangeJewce is making a UI for modifying the layers more easily, but the keyboard itself will work with the OS's default USB keyboard drivers. Depending on how distribution occurs, you may have to download -> install -> use the Teensy loader application from PJRC to load the firmware initially... but I'm sure we'll write a nice howto about that if it's necessary (and it's really simple).
