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28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

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Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#101

Post by PyroL »

SuperPaintMan wrote: post #87
PyroL wrote: post #83

Hi all! I'm the one who designed Alpha. Not sure if I need to do anything to verify my identity, but in the meanwhile feel free to ask me anything about this project! :)

I just realized I still have your Alpha! I should pop that in the post. What's next on your list of weird designs?

Send me pictures of your build, I love seeing them! I also like to post build photos that come my way on my instagram @pyro.keys (with your permission and credit of course!)

As soon as Alpha wrapped up, I hit about 18 months of really hard work at school so I haven't been able to push anything out with the same polish or at the same scale as Alpha, but I have been messing around here and there.

For one, I've been meaning to make a more premium version of Alpha with SMD components (onboard USB, MCU rather than a through-hole daughterboard).

I worked on a REALLY prototypey split board called Meson: https://imgur.com/a/sfgTTGo supports MX/Alps too.

I just finished a whatever-form-factor-you-want ortho called Legerdemain https://imgur.com/a/yzhf8Am yes, those are breakaway tabs so you can decide the shape of your board before building it.

Hopefully I'll bring most of these to fruition soonish!

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#102

Post by PyroL »

molteanu wrote: post #93
PyroL wrote: post #83

Hi all! I'm the one who designed Alpha. Not sure if I need to do anything to verify my identity, but in the meanwhile feel free to ask me anything about this project! :)

I'm not sure if you contribute directly to the development of qmk firmware also, but I must say it has been a tremendous pleasure to use. I do assume though that your project contributes to the increased visibility of the firmware and of these types of keyboards in general. I have an Ergodox. I literally dropped a tear when I've received it and realized what a piece of junk[1] this classic keyboard that I've used ove…

I don't contribute directly to QMK development, although firmware I've written for my boards obviously gets merged into the codebase. It is indeed a gift to the community, and it makes me happy to think that my project brought someone new to the light! And believe me when I say that I had so much fun making it and bringing it to the community (despite what my memes making fun of Alpha might say)

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#103

Post by petepete »

unixhero wrote: post #24

Which full sized or battleship sized (even bigger) keyboard which is readily available, do you recommend?

In my opinion, for full sized keyboards the RealForce 104UW is as good as it gets. I use the 88 key variant and it's a joy to type on, is extremely well built and very heavy.

https://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-topre-realforce-104u...

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#104

Post by PyroL »

1MachineElf wrote: post #70

The layout and default keymap[0] show this is really a very QWERTY-specific design. I love small keyboards and am a Dvorak[1] fan, so tolerating such a layout will require some creative thinking. I've purchased a PCB from SpaceCat Designs[2] and am keen on creating a Dvorak-centric keymap that chords the top two rows like the gBoards[3] Georgi[4], with the bottom rows dedicated as modifiers. Probably will give it a s…

Dvorak is one meme, Alpha is another.

To use both, you must embrace the meme: https://imgur.com/a/JElSvkS

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#105

Post by clarry »

molteanu wrote: post #50
clarry wrote: post #37

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think lowering makes these unintended presses more likely; raising makes them less likely, but then I'm less likely to get a modifier when I want (because I type the combo too quick). I initially lowered it from the default of 200 to 150, and I've been slowly raising it back. I think it's 185 now but I might go back to 200. Only that will just make it miss more quick combos. As for index: I don't think it's so much…

You could try and use one key for changing layers and have all the movement keys, or your most used keys, on that layer. You could even try to palm-press one of they keys since it seems doable on a Plank. Then you would not have a need to use the Ctrl key that often. I've tried this with the Ergo and one of the cluster keys. It works nicely. I'm not used to the modal, Vim-like editing though.

Palm presses don't really work for me. If I need to type fast and comfortable, I need to float my wrists well above the keyboard, kinda like a pianist. It's impossible to palm press from that position.

Actually lowering my wrists to the level of the desk in front of the keyboard is painful, and I have a wrist rest in place to prevent that. So I can't really palm-press even when I'm not floating my hands as such.

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#106

Post by unixhero »

petepete wrote: post #103
unixhero wrote: post #24

Which full sized or battleship sized (even bigger) keyboard which is readily available, do you recommend?

In my opinion, for full sized keyboards the RealForce 104UW is as good as it gets. I use the 88 key variant and it's a joy to type on, is extremely well built and very heavy. https://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/usa-topre-realforce-104u...

Looks amazing. Thanks for that. I think. I will order it.

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#107

Post by Kwantuum »

mello151 wrote: post #79
somehnguy wrote: post #77

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm a fan of 60% or tenkeyless (TKL) keyboards personally. I get this weird feeling of my desk being cramped that I really don't like sometimes. A TKL keyboard solved that for me. And don't miss the numpad because I don't enter long strings of numbers much anyway.

I'm right there with you. It feels much better to me to be able to have the mouse more in-front of me than off to the side, especially when gaming. I tried to go 60%(?) with a Pok3r but I like having the arrow keys available without having to use a modifier key.

65% might be the sweet spot, I have the tada68[1] because I wanted a smaller keyboard but really didn't want to lose my arrow keys and I'm very happy with it!

[1] https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0267/1905/products/tada68-...

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#108

Post by clarry »

mkl wrote: post #97
SuperPaintMan wrote: post #88

Earlier quoted context omitted.

JK for :, UI or WE for escape. Escape never seemed so painful!

That would mean you can't type words like "quick" or "we", right? Or are you somehow detecting the keys simultaneously down and typing in staccato?

You just need a short enough timeout. Short enough that it's requiring essentially simultaneous keypress, and trying to type a word so fast would result in ew instead of we half the time.

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#109

Post by reportgunner »

ardy42 wrote: post #2

I don't get the obsession with custom keyboard with ever fewer keys. If I designed one, if anything it would have at least a few more modifier keys that a standard keyboard.

It's not really an obsession. I grew up with using a laptop majority of the time so I simply don't expect a numpad to be there anymore.

Also it's more comfortable to use the arrow keys and PgUp, PgDown without the numpad. (I'm on TKL)

Re: 28-Key Mechanical Keyboard

#110

Post by artsyca »

1MachineElf wrote: post #70

The layout and default keymap[0] show this is really a very QWERTY-specific design. I love small keyboards and am a Dvorak[1] fan, so tolerating such a layout will require some creative thinking. I've purchased a PCB from SpaceCat Designs[2] and am keen on creating a Dvorak-centric keymap that chords the top two rows like the gBoards[3] Georgi[4], with the bottom rows dedicated as modifiers. Probably will give it a s…

Dvorak in da house! Been down since 2003 after stumbling onto this article https://ma.tt/2003/08/on-the-dvorak-keyboard-layout/

Discovered WordPress that day too and the rest is aoeuidhistory

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