My DIY keyboard collection ( or how I became a KB-geek...)

[suka]

The arrival of my new Retro DSA keys prompted me to reiterate over my previous designs once more and this is the current state:

While the BlueCube has been a great daily driver for me, there are a few minor things that could be improved:

• Outer pinky column unnecessary
• 1mm more separation between columns would be nice
• The tenting is great, but since I used a flat plate I need wristrests of about 5cm height to comfortably type.
• Colours. That's what happens if you order dyes and are anxious to try them out, and all you have is a prototype board.
• The whole case is large and blocky with lots of sharp edges. No issue, but not very portable without protection.
• Trackpoint housing makes the case even larger, and the ML mouse buttons are not needed

BlueCube reloaded

BlueCube-reloaded_1.jpg (635.13 KiB) Viewed 78753 times

So with the next round of boards, I will go for black spraypaint on the base and design a separate (interchangable) case, or use aluminum profiles for the HyperNano. The outer pinky columns might still be dropped as I do not really need the extra keys there. The thumb key symbols are mostly incorrect and just for show, but at least I'm able to finally put my layout on the board thanks to the symmetrical nature of the caps. Not that I'd need it anymore, but it answers the most curious questions about the board best I guess

Now I only need to decide which one I want to build: Only the simple tilted one or the full bowl shape one? I currently can not say for sure which one feels better, I guess until I figure that out I might build one of each and put the teensy into a little separate box to be able to connect any half I want.
Then again, I also do not know yet what switches to use: Blacks on the BlueCube are ok, the clears on the HyperNano feel good, too, but wanting to go lighter I might return to browns. Or reds? Questions over questions

kind of DSA, 22mm total height

DSA-22mm_height.jpg (477.99 KiB) Viewed 78753 times

On the HyperNano side of things, I prepared a minimalistic case with added column separation and the absolute minimal height possible: Using custom keycaps inspired by the DSA profile, the entire height comes down to 22mm! Without bending the pins on the switches, less does hardly seem possible.

[jeff]

Hi Suka

For the keycaps, have you considered using new SP G20 profile ? http://keycapsdirect.com/esports.php

[suka]

Never saw these before, but I had experimented with similar flat surfaced caps before and missed the positional feedback of the bent tops. But I like the blocky look, maybe I'll have a try at them.
Thanks for the info.

[Muirium]

Those custom caps look quite something! The smooth white one on the right, especially. How did you get a hold of them?

[suka]

They were laser-sintered (and not post-processed, as you can see on the stepped circles in the center). They feel pretty good already even with the rough surface, and will maybe be used in an upcoming design study I have planned

[philpirj]

These two are pretty awesome and evolutional over original BlueCube. DSA's look way better on that type of keyboard.
Have you dropped trackpoint completely or are going to add it somewhere on the case later? Or tmk's mouse pointer thing does its job well?
Both variants look like you don't need tenting and wristrest anymore, that's a huge advantage.
BTW I've found nice feet http://ru.farnell.com/metcase/a9257205/ ... /dp/775460 (4 feet for 10eur)

[suka]

And another custom prototype - dubbed RedTilt for now - is done

I used purely red MX on my flat-column/tented-rows design to feature the great retro caps I recently acquired, and must say I am quite impressed:

__RT_both_.jpg (174.64 KiB) Viewed 78684 times

_RT_left.jpg (627.12 KiB) Viewed 78684 times

Compared to my relatively steep BlueCube setup with about 35° of tenting of the otherwise flat board it is curved rather conservatively, with 10° steps between the innermost 5 of the 6 columns. A major change was decreasing the overall height so | would not need such a huge wristrest anymore: Something like 26mm on the outmost columns is already near the minimum achievable without modding the switch bottoms themselves, but seeing how easy that is I might just try it on the next revision.

Also, the simplified column stagger does feel natural already (Yes, I am currently typing on this beast) : It seems to me that the difference in wrist rotation makes up for a lot of the changes, and compared to a single board like the HyperNano above the split setup allows further adjustments in distance and rotation.

Within just 10 minutes, I have been up to 90% of my previous typing speed with the same accuracy, something I was never able to do without at least a day of adjusting to a completely new board design, so that seems like a good indicator for the ergonomics (my personal ergonomics, that is) of this variant. Of course, it could also be the red switches - I haven't come to any conclusions yet, but together with o-rings the effortless typing is really interesting.

Next up is the trackpoint installation and some way to protect the bottom for transport, but that's not a real #1 priority on a prototype

All in all, I must say I am really satisfied with the result and think I'm on the right track to finally find my personal dream keyboard.

Some ideas for future revisions:
- absolute minimal height by filing down switch pins
- Case / Bottom protection / carrying
- Detachable cable, or better yet employ the neat connection mechanism from the ErgoDox
- lower the thumb keys to the base height

Considered, but probably not needed
- Adjustable stand / snap-together option ?
- drop outmost columns altogether

Really, really optional:
- Design a good-looking case/frame

[suka]

Have you dropped trackpoint completely or are going to add it somewhere on the case later?

Just added it successfully right in the PCDT-cluster under the right index finger and boy, how great does that work! Never was able to include it in the layout directly because my plates were flat, but now with the tilt it easily fits under the center. And using it with a flexible plastic extension actually seems to improve its characteristics: Of course, I had to adjust sensitivity and speed in the firmware, but the added leverage makes actuation much more direct and controllable.

_RT_TP_1.jpg (200.68 KiB) Viewed 78647 times

_RT_TP_2.jpg (149.7 KiB) Viewed 78647 times

Next up: Either dremeling down some of the precioussss retro caps (Ouch! Matt3o forgive me ), but I guess first I'll try to split the stick and re-join it via a needle at the closest gap and see if that works.

[Input Nirvana]

Any pics/details of the trackpoint modifications?

[suka]

Can't take pictures of the keyboard now, but here is my initial try for illustration purposes: It replaces the white stick in the pictures above and fits nicely right between the keys - the lateral movement of the needle is hardly noticable. I haven't added a proper "cap" of any sort, mainly because it works great as it is and the tiny surface keeps me from exerting too much pressure automatically.

Trackpoint adaptor

tp_adaptor_sm.jpg (106.15 KiB) Viewed 78551 times

[djonmayer]

Hi suka.

Can you share your custom layout from BlueCube please?

King regards
Djon

[suka]

The character layout is documented somewhere back in this (and also several other threads), as is the physical layout with 0/0/0.5/0.25/-0.75/-0.75 vertical stagger relative to the index finger.

[djonmayer]

Thank you for your answer. I will try some another mapping for thumb row.

Djon

[galway888]

Hello,

Does anyone know to get in touch with Suka? I'd really like to inquire about his custom ergonomic keyboards designs.

Thanks very much,
Laura

[Muirium]

Send him a PM (use the Messages tab near the top of the page), or just post in the open. He's been a great help to many of us around here. Treat him well!

[suka]

Thanks for the kind words

PM sent, but feel free to ask here if it is of general interest.

[Ariel_Thomann]

I have tried to explain computer workstation ergonomics to people for over 20 years. I usually explain that the standard-model human being has arms/elbows that don’t come out of belly-buttons, but rather from way off to the sides. Add the principle of keeping wrists straight to prevent carpal tunnel syndrome. Plus, most people’s fingers aren’t of equal length. Soon one concludes that positions of forearms-wrists-hands-fingertips should be as close as possible to the “neutral posture” as studied by NASA: see
http://www.workwhilewalking.com/wp-cont ... ulders.jpg

I am glad to see you are just about there with your keyboards. Carry on!

Additionally, I'll mention that in 1990 (+/-) my octogenarian Dad lost vision in one eye, suddenly – and his other eye had problems. I got him a telephone with features that allowed him to call for help even if he should lose his other eye. He pointed out that the whole thing was a pale beige color, and the symbols on the keys were a slightly darker gray – cute, but it was almost useless to him. That reminded me of the importance of visual contrast discrimination. At his request, I made stick-on white keycaps with big, bold black numbers. Please keep this in mind, and perhaps move away from pretty colors on keycap faces.

Finally, I’m enough of an aging Luddite that I will just stick with a QWERTY arrangement; would love to know when these become commercially available.

[TheSoulhunter]

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_side_v1.JPG

Awesome!

[boofhead]

Hey suka, that new TrackPoint does not look like it comes from a ThinkPad. Where did you get it? I also had a look at your layout and have a few questions. Where are the mouse buttons? and with the mod1,mod2, and mod3 buttons, do they need to be held down like Shift of are they a toggle like CapsLock?

[suka]

Hey suka, that new TrackPoint does not look like it comes from a ThinkPad. Where did you get it?

It is indeed from an old IBM laptop. It seems impossible to source them or any other trackpoint module separately. Haven't tested the Easypoint module yet which looked promising on paper, but someone on GH mentioned it was discontinued IIRC.

Where are the mouse buttons? and with the mod1,mod2, and mod3 buttons, do they need to be held down like Shift of are they a toggle like CapsLock?

All mouse buttons including the scroll wheel switch are mapped to the left hand homerow and activated automatically for a short time on trackpoint usage. I also have them on some additional layer with mouse key functionality but don't happen to use that at all anymore.
I don't use locking toggles, but rather have most modifiers set-up with additional secondary usage keycodes - keeping them depressed with a thumb does not inhibit normal typing much so I do not see the need to lock them. But I'm sure it could be easily implemented.

[CeeSA]

I should kidnap you and force you to make me a keyboard after the next. I would argue, of course, that I would have made​​.

In other words, still a great fan of your work!

[kbdfr]

I should kidnap you and force you to make me a keyboard after the next.
[…]
In other words, still a great fan of your work!

@CeeSA
I wouldn't want to miss that opportunity to stress how satisfied I am with the modding work you made for me

[fifted]

I should kidnap you and force you to make me a keyboard after the next.

Plot of the next summer blockbuster movie? "A keyboard maker... forced against his will... to use Alps!"

[suka]

Plot of the next summer blockbuster movie? "A keyboard maker... forced against his will... to use Alps!"

I already have plenty of new projects up my sleeve - but yes, that could be one of the options. Or rather BS? Caps? RPi? Who knows...

[ماء]

I prefer dubbed RedTilt,really nice like maltron/kinesis but with split
suka,what plates you use? like thick rubber elastic

suka,how to feel typing in bowl maltron than flat usual?

[teclat]

Awesome and very inspiring thread, thxs suka and all the contributors!

[pietergen]

Suka, do you send keyboard and mouse events over one USB cable? Does one Teensy (?) process the mouse (trackpoint) as well as the keyboard? If so, how did you code it?

[suka]

One teensy is enough to process the ps/2 trackpoint protocol and any keyboard related tasks, and through only one cable multiple HID devices appear on the host. This is achieved in software by creating multiple usb descriptors that are then activated in turn to send their current state - have a look at any of LUFAs examples for references. My own code is at github.com/frobiac/adnw, now even with on-the-fly macro recording

[pietergen]

Great, thank you Suka !

[Muirium]

Indeed, good to know it's not only possible but well tested. No issues with different host OS or rollover?