I'm writing a book...

matt3o · 15 Dec 2016, 10:41

Well it's more of a manual... the work-in-progress title is "How to build a computer keyboard", so you get an idea of what it will be about.

I'm covering all aspects of keyboard building. From what tools you need, to where to buy the components, from how to design the plate to where to have it laser cut, from what controller to use to how to code the firmware. And finally we start building a couple of keyboards from scratch.

It will be a huge project, it will take a lot of time, but I have no deadlines and I'll publish it in a sort of rolling-updates fashion, so you can come back and check the chapters as soon as they are ready.

So. Now. The reason why I'm writing to you about it is to have some feedback and possibly some help.

As I said it will be project based. The first keyboard I want to build is actually a "mod" and not a complete new keyboard, I believe that would be the best way to start. Possibly the easiest keyboard to mod is an Apple M0110, they are relatively easy to find but they are usually a bit expensive. Do you have any other suggestion?

The second project will be a 100% custom keyboard.

The third project will be a 100% custom keyboard with backlight.

The book could end there, but if there's enough interest we can go further and add wireless, and design the PCB and so on.

Ideas? Suggestions? Requests? I also hope someone would chime in to help maybe with high quality pictures, videos and whatnot.

PS: of course it will be open source, but I do hope to get some support because I'm going to spend a lot of money to build the keyboards... not to mention the time to write and shoot the videos...

andrewjoy · 15 Dec 2016, 10:44

I am in the process of restoring and modding a M0110 at the moment, i just need switches , would be more than happy to help you with any info you need .

My idea is a shameless rip off of workshop-f7/the-apple-m0110-today-t1067.html

matt3o · 15 Dec 2016, 10:48

yay! that was a fast reply

thanks! Definitely if you can work on at least high def images would be great. But also proof reading will be helpful.

I worked on an Apple M0110 too few years ago, it was a super fun project, only issue is sourcing those keyboards at a reasonable price. Maybe it would be better to find something easier/cheaper as a first project, but I wouldn't know what.

andrewjoy · 15 Dec 2016, 10:51

The Dell AT101 is cheap and infinitely hackable.

You can SSK'ify it . Make the alps black linear ( they are awesome when you do that), switch it to new matias reds you name it .

LeandreN · 15 Dec 2016, 11:13

This sounds great matt3o! Let me know if you need anything.

seebart · 15 Dec 2016, 11:36

Great idea, I believe you have the necessary insight for your book /manual. Good luck!

ohaimark · 15 Dec 2016, 13:16

I'll proofread if you remind me when chapters are released.

Techno Trousers · 15 Dec 2016, 17:22

I'll be following this one for sure. It sounds like a great project.

Menuhin · 15 Dec 2016, 20:35

Will be a keen reader and student of your book.

Ideas:
- A brief chapter on a few common keyboard protocols and their specs, e.g. USB, the messy PS/2, AT, XT, those of some terminal computers.
- Definitely a chapter on PCB design.

Spoiler:

XMIT · 15 Dec 2016, 20:53

Read "Hacking the Xbox" by Bunnie Huang to get an idea of what a book like this can look like.

http://bunniefoo.com/nostarch/HackingTheXbox_Free.pdf

A light intro to soldering, parts procuring, and circuit design in KiCad would be good if you really want this to be hands-on.

Ray · 15 Dec 2016, 21:30

If it goes into pcb design, you first have to cover
- typical key matrix
- ghosting

really interesting, how much of it do you want with more theory, and how much on a more physical maker's side?

Menuhin · 15 Dec 2016, 21:43

This book will not only be useful but also be very meaningful to the community.
Looking forward to read it no matter how long I have to wait.

matt3o · 15 Dec 2016, 23:23

thanks guys for your suggestions. (very interesting book @xmit)

I would like to make it a "maker's manual" meaning more practical than theoretical. I believe that up to the third project (I. modded keyboard, II. keyboard from scratch, III. backlit keyboard) I will be concentrating more on doing stuff. As soon as we go deeper into PCB design we will need to add more theory probably.

That being said, there will be an extensive introduction about "keyboard anatomy", that should help you understand why things are designed the way they are.

This is not a wiki on everything that you need to know (I don't have the know how to do that and it would take too long), it's a "practical guide to building a computer keyboard from scratch" (and I guess we found our subtitle

)

matt3o · 19 Dec 2016, 16:18

So it begins... https://github.com/cubiq/how-to-build-a-custom-keyboard

A preview can be found here http://matt3o.com/book/

but please bear in mind that I'm just vomiting words right now. I'm not very much after good form, I'm just drafting the first shape. If you have suggestions just post it here or in the issue tracker.

paecific.jr · 29 Dec 2016, 20:59

I love this idea! I am looking into building my own keyboard for a fun project and finding information requires a lot of searching. I think if you, or the community, wants to push the project further we could attempt something crazy like per key rgb backlighting.

matt3o · 30 Dec 2016, 09:50

paecific.jr wrote: ↑I think if you, or the community, wants to push the project further we could attempt something crazy like per key rgb backlighting.

that would be a very advanced topic. I'm concentrating on the basics right now. It could be fun to add a small screen (which is easier than RGB backlight) or trackpad. So far I'm thinking the 3 basic topics to cover are: modding a keyboard, building a numpad (possibly 3d printed case), building a full keyboard (layered case, possibly acrylics). The next step would be to design a PCB. There's a lot to cover and since I have to physically build all the projects it is going to be pretty expensive too

lot_lizard · 30 Dec 2016, 13:40

matt3o wrote: ↑building a full keyboard (layered case, possibly acrylics).
...
There's a lot to cover and since I have to physically build all the projects it is going to be pretty expensive too

I would volunteer the laser cutter to help save some money on this bit when the time comes. I'm no help with metal cutting, but the acrylic would be cake (up to 18mm).

matt3o · 30 Dec 2016, 13:53

thanks lot_lizard, that would definitely help!

Matt_ · 06 Jan 2017, 12:30

Great initiative. There's a lot of info around about every topic but it's quite scattered, so condensing it in a book will probably be interesting for a lot of aspiring builders.

You mention that the second project would be a 100% custom keyboard, but that PCB design would be addressed later; does that mean that the project would be based on an existing PCB?

matt3o · 07 Jan 2017, 10:49

Matt_ wrote: ↑You mention that the second project would be a 100% custom keyboard, but that PCB design would be addressed later; does that mean that the project would be based on an existing PCB?

no, the first keyboard will be hand-wired

Virtureal · 07 Jan 2017, 13:00

You have quite a lot already. I'm looking forward to reading it.

Matt_ · 07 Jan 2017, 14:56

matt3o wrote: ↑
Matt_ wrote: ↑You mention that the second project would be a 100% custom keyboard, but that PCB design would be addressed later; does that mean that the project would be based on an existing PCB?
no, the first keyboard will be hand-wired

That makes sense. The preview looks promising.

steinberg2010 · 07 Jan 2017, 15:41

I like this idea - I pre-ordered a minivan and it will be my first build. It can be a little confusing gathering all the information together into one place to get a sense of what's involved. Particularly when looking at people's lasercut plates and custom cases (I would have no idea how to start).

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