M60 – Open-Source USB&BLE, Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard Powered by Python • Hacker News Board

Re: M60 – Open-Source USB&BLE, Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard Powered by Python

#21

Post by Bedon292 » Mon, Jul 06, 2020, 3:52 PM UTC

ashtonkem wrote: post #10

agrippanux wrote: post #2

This could be amazing. I worked 4 years at Massdrop (now Drop) and used probably close to 30 keyboards. I always wanted one that I could script instead of do a Windows -based rigmarole to flash the layers. If this comes in at or below a $300 price point I will definitely order one.

To my eye, the only thing that's unique here software wise is that it uses Python rather than a more typical embedded language like C. A lot of keyboards (including my Ergodox EZ) use QMK, which doesn't require a Windows-based rigamarole to flash; there are at least 2 open source apps that'll do it on OSX.

It is probably because the vast majority of my time is spent in python already, but its very appealing. I am typing this on a keyboard running QMK, and just don't enjoy dealing with the software side. I don't make changes often enough to remember all the steps I have to do to make things work. So I have to re-learn every time. I certainly should take better notes, but I would much prefer this keyboard ran python and I could just change the mapping on the fly without compiling and flashing and all that.

Re: M60 – Open-Source USB&BLE, Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard Powered by Python

#22

Post by onetom » Mon, Jul 06, 2020, 3:53 PM UTC

A split space-bar version could make it a lot more versatile, without a lot of drawbacks, imho. You could use the 2 halves as layer keys when held or one as space, the other as backspace, or if one half is pressed, then the other half could mean backspace or enter.

There is also the SpaceFn layout, which works with just one space, I know: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51069.0

but it feels like it could be a lot better with split spaces.

Re: M60 – Open-Source USB&BLE, Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard Powered by Python

#23

Post by scoutt » Mon, Jul 06, 2020, 3:55 PM UTC

I wonder how all these maker sellers get along with Bluetooth SiG certification.

Edit: I mean, the product is presented very well. There was a clear investment in time and money. And because of that, this question was the first thing that came to my mind.

Re: M60 – Open-Source USB&BLE, Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard Powered by Python

#24

Post by CarVac » Mon, Jul 06, 2020, 3:57 PM UTC

onetom wrote: post #22

A split space-bar version could make it a lot more versatile, without a lot of drawbacks, imho. You could use the 2 halves as layer keys when held or one as space, the other as backspace, or if one half is pressed, then the other half could mean backspace or enter. There is also the SpaceFn layout, which works with just one space, I know: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51069.0 but it feels like it could be a lo…

In my opinion the best use for a second thumb key is Shift, to take load off of the pinky fingers.

Re: M60 – Open-Source USB&BLE, Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard Powered by Python

#25

Post by kevinbowman » Mon, Jul 06, 2020, 4:30 PM UTC

scoutt wrote: post #23

I wonder how all these maker sellers get along with Bluetooth SiG certification. Edit: I mean, the product is presented very well. There was a clear investment in time and money. And because of that, this question was the first thing that came to my mind.

They likely use off-the-shelf bluetooth modules which are already certified, and just talk some kind of higher-level protocol over it which sits above the SiG certification.

Re: M60 – Open-Source USB&BLE, Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard Powered by Python

#26

Post by kfihihc » Mon, Jul 06, 2020, 4:31 PM UTC

1MachineElf wrote: post #20

One of the things the Planck Rev 6 PCB made me realize is how important hotswap is for me personally. First, I have _dozens_ of interesting mechanical keyboard kits which are un-built because I simply don't have the convenient time & place to set up my soldering equipment. Second, some of the kits I've managed to build have bricked on me due to unexplained microcontroller problems, and while I have an expensive desol…

You got the point :)

Hoping you will enjoy M60.

Re: M60 – Open-Source USB&BLE, Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard Powered by Python

#27

Post by kfihihc » Mon, Jul 06, 2020, 4:40 PM UTC

aosaigh wrote: post #12

I've been looking for an "out of the box" MacOS-friendly mechanical keyboard for a while now. So far, the recent Keychron keyboards seems to be the only real contender, and unfortunately from all reports they are just to tall and cause wrist pain. This seems like it would be a great alternative where you could have a Mac configuration - with media keys - mapped pretty easily with a custom keycap set (unless I'm misun…

M60 is compatible with MacOS, even media keys.

Re: M60 – Open-Source USB&BLE, Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard Powered by Python

#28

Post by hackmiester » Mon, Jul 06, 2020, 4:52 PM UTC

Was the use of the M.2 slot compliant with usual M.2 pinouts? Seems like an interesting choice. I dug a little, but didn't find much.

Re: M60 – Open-Source USB&BLE, Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard Powered by Python

#29

Post by manuelabeledo » Mon, Jul 06, 2020, 4:54 PM UTC

I would be interested to know what are the real advantages of using Python, instead of the well-established QMK, and what is the purpose of having a M.2 bay (unless that's where the Bluetooth module plugs in).

The PCB looks cool though, and BLE 5.0 is relatively uncommon nowadays (most keyboards rely on older, thus cheaper, Bluetooth enabled SoCs), but apart from that, I see little appeal for someone already invested in building mechanical keyboards.

Re: M60 – Open-Source USB&BLE, Hot-Swappable Mechanical Keyboard Powered by Python

#30

Post by 1MachineElf » Mon, Jul 06, 2020, 4:55 PM UTC

ashtonkem wrote: post #10

agrippanux wrote: post #2

This could be amazing. I worked 4 years at Massdrop (now Drop) and used probably close to 30 keyboards. I always wanted one that I could script instead of do a Windows -based rigmarole to flash the layers. If this comes in at or below a $300 price point I will definitely order one.

To my eye, the only thing that's unique here software wise is that it uses Python rather than a more typical embedded language like C. A lot of keyboards (including my Ergodox EZ) use QMK, which doesn't require a Windows-based rigamarole to flash; there are at least 2 open source apps that'll do it on OSX.

It's true that hundreds of programmable keyboards we use today are supported by QMK, but based on the parent comment's 4 years at Massdrop, it seems likely that a lot of the programmable keyboards they are referring to are ones that didn't support QMK or even TMK out-of-the-box.