Group Build prototyping phase

[mzero]

we will never find a standard that makes everybody happy

That's for sure, so why don't make a consensus? Full keyboard, 80, 75, 65, 60, 40.

I'm interested between 75 and 60 format. I do have the Noppoo Choc 84, and I'd like to get rid of the Fn Keys on the top. I do like the Matt3o's "Simon", I mean put some keys on the left side, I don't know if FN will be good for me.

If we decide the format to prototype, I do recommend to open a new thread and begin to enhance or custom the format to fit most of our needs.

Simon

[Acanthophis]

How about this version of Jayne?

[olive]

Not a big fan of the 1u super key in most designs, I would prefer the more standard 1.25. I would go with Wash otherwise.

Side note, can you post the required Round 5 kits required for each design please? This would help me spend more money with 7bit

[matt3o]

How about this version of Jayne?

the gap in the arrow cluster is pretty important actually

[Muirium]

Not a big fan of the 1u super key in most designs, I would prefer the more standard 1.25. I would go with Wash otherwise.

The bottom row is always the hardest to get right. Half the work of any design goes in there!

Side note, can you post the required Round 5 kits required for each design please? This would help me spend more money with 7bit

The answer is almost always this one:

A ton of mods, in 1, 1.25, and 1.5 pairs. That's a builder's kit, all right.

[matt3o]

just remember to grab 1.75 return, 1u shift (additional 2.25u shift if you want) and all the spacebars you can afford.

[rindorbrot]

The bottom row is always the hardest to get right. Half the work of any design goes in there!

At least PCB-wise multiple layouts could be supported (like on the Phantom and GH60) and since the plates don't have to be all the same design I think we should have some flexibility here.
Similar as the ISO/ANSI debate.

Or am I thinking wrong here?

[matt3o]

I'm trying to understand if we can find 3-4 master layouts the majority would buy. This would make the final cost lower AND would help my sanity a lot. If we can't agree on the default layouts no problem, 1 design per person is good for me, but bare in mind that I can't design the plate/firmware/PCB for everyone of you.

[Muirium]

For the 1.25 cursor lovers: a little bottom row trick I played on my 60% last year:

µ60%.png (103.41 KiB) Viewed 4641 times

It's possible to use those mods as an arrow cluster. I put them on the function layer. And now that I have an MXLOCK (on CAPS LOCK) to put them in this mode, they're proving really useful for lengthy navigation. They feel extra roomy, especially on a tight little 60%.

Never be without MXLOCK…

[matt3o]

Never be without MXLOCK…

FN layer toggle will be available in all firmwares, mxlock is not strictly necessary

[Muirium]

True. It does feel good, though. Chu-chunk.

[Madhias]

I'm trying to understand if we can find 3-4 master layouts the majority would buy.

I would go with almost anything here, as long as it is ISO - whether with or no F-row (but of course F-row prefered).

For real personal customization there's also the option for me to handwire something, and probably make a case at a local lab here in Vienna (they have CNC, laser cutter, 3D printer, etc. to use for 5€ in month 24h 7 days http://www.happylab.at/ausstattung/). I definitely want to do this.

[matt3o]

For real personal customization there's also the option for me to handwire something, and probably make a case at a local lab here in Vienna (they have CNC, laser cutter, 3D printer, etc. to use for 5€ in month 24h 7 days http://www.happylab.at/ausstattung/). I definitely want to do this.

€5 month and you can laser cut as much as you want?

[Madhias]

Yes, if there's noone other using the machine. Correction: €19 in month for 24h access, €9 for one day per week access.

http://wiki.happylab.at/w/CNC_Fr%C3%A4se

http://wiki.happylab.at/w/Laser_Cutter

[matt3o]

Yes, if there's noone other using the machine.

http://wiki.happylab.at/w/CNC_Fr%C3%A4se

http://wiki.happylab.at/w/Laser_Cutter

they also sell the metal sheets?

[Madhias]

They have a shop: http://www.fabstore.at/ but no metal

For me it's a 10 minute walk from home

[BimboBB]

Nice. There are even lots of such FabLabs in Germany. Didnt know that.

[Muirium]

The professor's getting new ideas…

Meanwhile, the ISO 60% I could live with:

µ60% ISO.png (115.31 KiB) Viewed 4612 times

Note the colours. Symmetry demands!

[matt3o]

I could do this with the mods



but I don't like the 0.50 gap on the arrow cluster

[Vierax]

New prototypes, no one is "standard". +1 to the first who spots the reference.

Inara
River
Wash
Jayne
Simon

What about Zoe, Mal, Kaylee, Yolanda/Saffron (Yummy Christina) and of course Vera

[matt3o]

New prototypes, no one is "standard". +1 to the first who spots the reference.

Inara
River
Wash
Jayne
Simon

What about Zoe, Mal, Kaylee, Yolanda/Saffron (Yummy Christina) and of course Vera

finally someone I can relate with

[Muirium]

It takes me several seasons to remember any characters names. Just like in real life…

[Vierax]

“Joss's the boss”

Well Muirium, me too But when a fantastic show is cancelled during the first season, you watch the episode again and again…

[damorgue]

I am a keyboard on a desk...

..watch how I click.

On a more relevant note, I will campaign a bit for the larger keypad/extended numpad.

[Vierax]

nice one damorgue

Sorry, I don't have expectations on the topic since a sym staggered keyboard is not an option (it's too specific to reuse keysets)

[jdcarpe]

matt3o,

To avoid duplication of efforts, I wanted to let you know that the SmallFry 40% is probably going to get a variant with an additional column, like your matt-1 design. Unless you just want to make another one for kicks.

Shiny!

[Muirium]

Something like this you mean? Matt's current evolution: "Inara".



I like that Round 5 has a FORTY kit for SmallFry. Have you got a diagram for the other variants, so I can figure out if I can make them with my caps?

[Vierax]

It's a too well fitted name for this variation since the character of Inara should have disappeared if the show has continued (information revealed in the Firefly 10 years birthday documentary) :/

[jdcarpe]

Right. It's not even in the design phase now, but I'm hoping to add a variant like this: (pay no attention to the legends, keys would be 100% programmable)

[matt3o]

unless you are vetoing it (which I would understand and respect) I'm still in for a tiny kb.