Best self-build keyboard 2014

[The Keyboard Oracle]

The nominees in the category Best self-build keyboard 2014 are:

Kurplop’s ergonomic keyboard • This ergonomic, self-build keyboard by kurplop offers non-staggered keys and an integrated trackball. An epitome of custom, personal keyboard building.

Lowpoly's last MiniGuru prototype • First conceived in 2008, and many times copied since then, this famous 61-key keyboard with trackpoint was in development again this year.

Matt3o's Bianca • A great example of community effort in design and building a custom keyboard, conceived and driven by matt3o, the Bianca is Teensy-driven and has a stabiliser-free layout and a layered case.

Ne0phyte's Tiny Hacking Keyboard • The THKB is a 40% keyboard. After losing earlier designs in a hard disk crash, ne0phyte picked up this great project again. Only amateurs need more than 39 keys.

Wcass' XTant keyboard • A long-running project, the XTANT is an amazing effort by wcass to bring the IBM PC XT into the 21st century. A new PCB and barrel frame allow for a modern layout.

And the Wingnut for Best self-build keyboard 2014, as voted for by the members of deskthority, goes to...

Spoiler:

A long-running project, the XTANT is an amazing effort by wcass to bring the IBM PC XT into the 21st century. A new PCB and barrel frame allow for a modern layout.


A working XTant - ultra-fine capacitive buckling springs with a modern layout!

[Muirium]

Superb! This one's a pioneer. There will be more custom Model Fs to follow in its footsteps!

[andrewjoy]

Next on the cards CUSTOM BEAM-SPRING!

[Muirium]

Definitely doable… with the right parts. Get hoarding!

[andrewjoy]

oh and congrats xtant !

Custom beam-spring would be amazing

ANSI 122 key layout beam-spring but with inverted T

come to me baby !

[lowpoly]

Congrats!!!

[Nuum]

Custom Model Fs will hopefully be a thing soon. Congrats, Wcass!

[CeeSA]

A very good mod, but wrong category.

[Muirium]

We should probably make them a bit clearer, true. Wcass made enough effort with this one to be almost a full self build. (New plate, new PCB, new caps commissioned from Unicomp.) But it's just as much built within the XT footprint. A proper edge-case.

[rindorbrot]

Congrats wcass!

[wcass]

Wow, i was not expecting that.

I'd like to thank the members of Deskthority for their continued support over the years since this project started. I'd also like to thank xwhatsit, dfj, Parak, and HaaTa for designing capacitive controllers - without which this keyboard would not be possible. A big thanks to my wife for putting up with my messy desk, which sometimes spill over onto her desk ... and shelving unit ... and dinner table. The orchestra is playing, so ... Thanks.

[pasph]

Well deserved!

[Hypersphere]

@wcass: Excellent! You have paved the way for the rest of us to be able to joy the goodness of the XT with a much more usable layout!