Split ergonomic keyboard project

[dox]

.

[webwit]

Looks very interesting. I'm in for one if it comes to a group buy.

[Jim66]

Looks very interesting. I'm in for one if it comes to a group buy.

Same here.

[sordna]

AWESOME. The Kinesis Advantage has 34 real keys (I'm not considering the rubber F keys to be real keys) per hand. Having 38 is super, not to mention how great a truly split, matrix layout design is. Definitely in for 1 or 2 boards

[Kurk]

Gorgeous! I'm already on the list of interested people over at GH.
What keycaps are you planning to use? The 1.5 units vertical caps are rather uncommon. It seems that they aren't available in the current round 4 group buy; I'll have to ask 7bit.
Anyway, my favourite caps would be non-sculpted, sphericals like SignaturePlastic's DSA family: http://www.solutionsinplastic.com/pdfs/DSAFamily.pdf

[sordna]

So are we officially calling it ErgoDox ?

[dox]

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[Jim66]

So are you still thinking about making a prototype, before opening up/helping others to organise a group buy?

[Icarium]

I'm thinking about tinkering with controllers myself. Can you point me to any ressource to get started?

[Salash]

I am very interested in this product, you should make it a kickstarter project once you get a prototype out! I also think that adding a trackpoint would be a very good idea. I contacted dorkvader on GH to be put on the interest/preorder list and am very excited to see how your project progresses.

[dox]

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[dirge]

Stunning work mate. For the final run are you going for a coloured circuit board? I like the phantom boards, but red would look nice too

[richie]

A huge step forward, looking sweet!

[off]

Awwww yeah!
Have fun resoldering those

[__red__]

Update! The first prototype is done but the diodes are backwards .

Been there, done that.

However, since I wrote the firmware I was able to cheat and reverse the rows and columns.

Nice work though... Seriously.

[dox]

.

[dsjbirch]

That's looking great. What's the total cost?

[Jim66]

Ooooooh that looks great. Good work Dox.

[Input Nirvana]

Nice.
Looks like I've missed out on some neat stuff going on lately.
Interesting added key layout (Kinesis Advantage as a reference)

[Findecanor]

I still think that the outermost rows should have been 1 unit wide, only because it would have been easier to get key caps for them.

[sordna]

This is so great Dox!
One think I'm noticing is the gap between the main cluster and the thumb cluster.
If possible, you should either increase the gap a pit and squeeze an extra key or two between them, OR reduce the gap so that the thumb keys are easier to reach (noticed you made that observation on GH already).
Gaps need to be either taken advantage of, or eliminated

This is just a minor nit, not a dealbreaker by any stretch. Wonderful work !!!

[off]

One think I'm noticing is the gap between the main cluster and the thumb cluster. ...
reduce the gap so that the thumb keys are easier to reach (noticed you made that observation on GH already).

Just from a quick test (reaching to and beyond 'M'; resulting in feeling F1/F2/blank/minus would be pretty awkward) I'd say push them more inward so enter almost touches right arrow, perhaps down a bit to clear the screwhole between tab5 and F1.

Wonderful work !!!

[dox]

.

[off]

Thanks guys! Yes, the thumb keys are a bit too far.

And ofcourse you'd already reached that conclusion two days before Oh the virtues of the GH/DT(/otd) split.

I think that the thumb keys are a bit too far out. The 3 furthest keys are hard to reach and my thumb is a bit too stretched in the standard (thumb on space) position.

I will put them closer for the case prototype. I will cut the thumb from the PCB and hand wire it to test it. [/quote]
So seeing how I can't see over half the GH image attachments, was the placement you just posted above your verdict based on 'cut' placement shuffling? Asking since my quick testing+intuition tell me that the spots two rows down from 'J' and 'F' are very natural for my thumbs (and even those two down from 'K' and 'D' are easy to reach), hence that it might be better to tilt the thumbpad further so that the enter touches the key below 'M' while holding the same point of contact between Tab and 'N'.
So perhaps even a further redesign might be more comfortable, although that's speculation; but with the scope, ambition and runtime of this project, a little extra feedback is probably welcome.

Also how are you finding the vertical Tabs on the inside?

OH: thanks for the inspiration you've unknowingly lent me through the times, and good luck with this beauty!

[dox]

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[Jim66]

Well, I for one can't wait.

Any updates on proposed group buy (assuming it reaches GB) case material? Are you still thinking of 3D printing?

Did the price for a machined Alu OTD class case come back astronomical?

[suka]

Just read this on the LUFA mailing-list, should be a good idea for a project of this scope:

This is a little off-topic but probably relevant to some of you. Openmoko
is "opening up the use of its Vendor ID for use by the Free and Open Source
software and hardware communities". This means if you have a USB device you
would like to sell/distribute that is open-source or open-hardware then you
can register a PID with them.

More details here: http://wiki.openmoko.org/wiki/USB_Product_IDs

[dorkvader]

Updated with list:

Interest collected via Geekhack:

Code: Select all

01. Dox...................2. (The creator himself!)
02. DorkVader.............1. (Very likely)
03. iWuzHere..............1p (under $150-200)
04. demik.................1? (Looks Awesome, worried about soldering)
05. Litster...............1. (Definitely interested)
06. Sordna................1-2(Looks GREAT!) (will save 200 without case)
07. RColinTaylor..........1p (if under $300)
08. Mazora................1? (dependent on layout)
09. Input Nirvana.........1? (Possible Interest)
10. TheSoulHunter.........1p ($300 range)
11. Christoffer.Braathen..1. (ALL IN!!!)
12. Bretrex...............1. (Pcb only)
13. Karacho...............1. (I want one)
14. Quarzac...............1p (Interested, but worried about cost)
15. REVENGE...............1. (Fantastic Project)(definitely want one now)
16. Sleuth................1p (will see about cash)
17. 
18. Ascaii................1. (very interested; Heavy Metal only)
19. Laffindude............1p (under $300) (still in this)
20. Chef..................2. 
21. eagleeye..............1P (under $300, depending on design)
22. cyclonechuah..........1P (I'm interested if it's under $300.)
23. Gilgam................1
24. 
25. Gfresh404.............1P (maybe around $200)
26. inaneframe............3+. (Currently looking to sell his car) ("Dox, you're beautiful")
27. funkymeeba............1P (under $350 or so)
28. Hoggy.................1. (This is exactly what he needs!)
29. mharrison.............1. (One if by trackpoint)
30. wrtcedar..............1P (If under ~$300+)
31. 
32. fim...................1. (Does not want to solder)
33. obra..................1. (interested in soldering service)
34. bonega................1. (Soldered & ship to sweden, under 300)
35. richie................1. (under $400& assembled)
36. parak.................1? (Possible)
37. Ironman31.............1. (If the keys come with it)
38. mioytan...............1P (under 300)
39. boli..................1-2($400)
40. Icarium...............1P ($400)
41. moogatronic...........1P (under $400)
42. dzd...................1. (Wants one too!)
43. itlnstln..............1. (would be in for one)
44. heuristicist..........2P ($500 for all parts. $600 tops.)
45. REVENGE...............1+ (Definately interested)
46. Zanth.................1. (I would be in for one)
47. Tafryn................1P (around $300)
48. Thirdkind.............2. (definitely be in for 2)
49. Sicyo.................1. (Would certainly be interested)
50. pjpettis..............1? (I'm about 95% in for one.)
51. ksweber...............1. (I am also interested in getting one)
52. jedcred...............1. (Interested up to the shoulder with this design)
53. gilgam................1. ("i want one of this" Who doesn't?)
54. Salash................1. (Standard message of interest)
55. minnus................1. (Please add me to the interest list as well)
56. ekw808................1p (under 200)
57. ic07..................4P*(2-4 pcb and 0-2 cases, depending on price)
58. Laggy-gaga............1p (around 200)
59. dirge.................2. (One put down [on] the list)
60. ped...................1p (Not much over 400 :D )
61. Kisakuku..............1. 
62. seferphier............1p (200-250)
63. Mycroftxxx............1p (depends on material)
64. speedkills............1p (500, assembeld)
65. molto.................1p (50, PCB only)
66. Jesuswasazombie.......1p (Awesome if under 200)
67. Inf3rn0_44............1p (Interested under 300)
68. geekabit..............1p (Interested under 200)
69. Necroleachate.........1p (Dreams will be fulfilled if under 200)
70. jblack801.............1p (Definately in for $250)
71. tradet................1p (Maybe under 200 tempts him)
72. beguiledfoil..........1p (under 400 and blank)
73. itunesacc.............1p (around 200)
74. rburrows..............1p (around 400 soldered)
75. tjweir................1p (interest at 300)
76. OrangeJewce...........1-2(400 for all, assembled)
77. Spharx................1p (miraculously 200)
78. Sherryton.............1. (Dork put him down)
79. bjarven...............1. (Interest Looks Great!)
80. Whiterice.............1p (I'm in. 400.)
81. Autolyze..............1. (totally interested)
82. didjamatic............1-3(Depends on final price)
83. merijn................1p (Starving Student Budget)
84. mSSM..................1-2(well interested)
85. effh..................2. (PCB for amazing firmware/hacking ability)
86. Salisen...............1p (interested in "300")
87. Zifle.................1. (Timeline and Interest Check.)
88. forcefollow...........2-3(hopes it will be produced soon)
89. Surger................1-2(Most definately interested, what about f# keys?)
90. Djuzuh................1p (might be interested, depending on price)
91. ashleydev.............1. (Can I put in an order?)
92. bisl..................3. (kinesis/ergoDOX club)
93. braaaiiins............1P (Pcb only if under 100)
94. SubGothius............1P ($500 budget.)
95. Hashbaz...............1. (Added to list.)
96. localredhead..........1. (Count me in!)
97. jochu.................1-2(Consider me interested)

Removed interest:
31. Architect.............1-3. (one for sure. two more possible)

From DT:

Code: Select all

01. Webwit................1. (I'm in for one if it comes to a group buy.)
02. jakobcreutzfeldt......1. (Too "mad" to be marked yet)
03. xbb...................1. (Thanks added to list)
04. jcrouse...............1. ("I want one list")
05. pingbat...............1. (utron dreams)
06. forcefollow...........1. (one to replace his drool-damaged HHKB
07. wiredPANDA............1. (Watches it develop)
08. domoaligato...........1-2(from following this thread)
09. PrinsValium...........3. (See #12 on GH. Needs a couple for "Reference")
10. HzFaq.................1. (Really startnig to look awesome)
11. bjarven...............1. (Waiting on this or kinesis
12. yobfish...............1. (Joined the forum to be added!)
13. nathanak21............1P (Without breaknig the bank)
14. mintberryminuscrunch..1. (PCB Only)
15. Findecanor............1. (all but case)
16. DanGWanG..............1. (In for one!)
17. AKIMbO................1. (Looks Amazing)
18. ondast................1. (Interested in full version)
19. justcallmecrash.......1-2(Again, depending on the costs. If it really is $30 ->2)
20. regak.................1-2(Got his name down.)
21. Possum................1. (Who wouldn't want one?)
22. Damorgue..............1. 
23. yobfish...............1
24. maxrunner.............1p (200-250)
25. nodnerb...............1  (In for one pair)
26. Jim66.................1. (Moved From GH)(will be in for one)
27. Kurrk.................1P (under the magic $300)
28. WarlockD..............1. (Exactly what He's been looking for)
29. maxrunner.............1. (he's interested in any way!)
30. Aleksander............1. (He's on the list now, that's an excuse to get one)
31. Fossala...............1. (on the list now)
32. plaset36..............1. (interested in one)
33. gilsoriano............1. (One whole)
34. stevedreams...........1. (Has been counted)
35. off...................1? (really starting tolook great)
36. bill..................1. (case and PCB's)
37. TheProfosist..........1. (somewhat interested)
38. SubGothius............2. (two PCB's and more case ideas)
39. mikelanding...........1. (Put me 1 in)
40. Ian S.................1? (Subscribed)
41. judascleric...........1? (ErgoDOX is an awesome project)
42. sc3...................1. (In for 1 set of PCB's and maybe a case)
43. lowkey144.............1. (added to this list)

I like to have a little thing about what the poster had to say about it, so I can better gauge interest and prices, feel free to tell me if you want it removed, or updated.

Here is a list of people interested in receiving an assembled keyboard.

Code: Select all

wiredPANDA
Hoggy
Fim
Obra
Demik?
bonega
Richie
Boli (1-2)
Icarium
itlnstln (assembled up to the keycaps in cherry brown)
Mazora ?
Zanth (assembled up to the keycaps reds or browns)
Thirdkind (natural Al, assembled, 'Otaku', Reds)
Sicyo (natural Al assembled)
speedkills
rburrows (would probably be okay with a kit)
OrangeJewce (1-2)
Surger
Quarzac
yobfish
domoaligato
gilsoriano
mikelanding
jochu

I am considering a soldering service: if someone else wants to do this, I'll add their info, but if no-one else wants to, I might do it. Anything to help the project!

List of people offering some sort of soldering/assembly service

Code: Select all

The Profosist (USA)
Dork Vader (USA)
Geekabit (EU)
Dirge (UK)
localredhead (?)

(I am sure there will be others when the time comes)

If you're interested, PM me or post in this topic.
Please also tell me if I missed you, or have any mistakes.

[dirge]

Nice one, this is something I'm following with a lot of anticipation.

[jakobcreutzfeldt]

Wow, that's really cool looking. Depending on the final price I think I could be interested too. I wouldn't mark me down just yet though. I want to see how things develop...