Author Topic: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint  (Read 93290 times)

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Offline Vitaly

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #50 on: Thu, 26 June 2014, 14:41:01 »
Name is the tip of my tongue, but check WASD keyboards.
Thanks. Find on wasd. This is "Keycap Stabilizer Insert".

Offline microsoft windows

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #51 on: Thu, 26 June 2014, 14:47:20 »
I like the idea of having the trackpoint in that keyboard. I always felt that trackpoints were the best space-saving pointing devices.
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Offline Quardah

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #52 on: Fri, 27 June 2014, 07:11:29 »
I like the idea of having the trackpoint in that keyboard. I always felt that trackpoints were the best space-saving pointing devices.

Defenetly. Except for gaming and heavily mouse-related apps, trackpoint is a super nice space saving option.

Passing every input by a single cable is optimal and genius imo.
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Offline Vitaly

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #53 on: Tue, 01 July 2014, 03:02:30 »
Defenetly. Except for gaming and heavily mouse-related apps, trackpoint is a super nice space saving option.

Passing every input by a single cable is optimal and genius imo.
Trackpoint very good addition for keyboard. Now I'm using mouse only when work in photo editor or when needed precision movement. But one big disadvantage in this keyboard is lack of horizontal scrolling with trackpoint! It seems keyboard not send signals left/right after pressing middle button, only scrldn/scrlup. Why not add this ability, many apps use X scrolling (browsers, editors, players etc.). Hope developers will hear this!

Offline Quardah

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #54 on: Tue, 01 July 2014, 08:53:20 »
Defenetly. Except for gaming and heavily mouse-related apps, trackpoint is a super nice space saving option.

Passing every input by a single cable is optimal and genius imo.
Trackpoint very good addition for keyboard. Now I'm using mouse only when work in photo editor or when needed precision movement. But one big disadvantage in this keyboard is lack of horizontal scrolling with trackpoint! It seems keyboard not send signals left/right after pressing middle button, only scrldn/scrlup. Why not add this ability, many apps use X scrolling (browsers, editors, players etc.). Hope developers will hear this!

Maybe one day. Every good technology has its flaws. Gotta deal with them flaws.
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Offline reddeth

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #55 on: Wed, 02 July 2014, 08:59:51 »
http://www.tex-design.com.tw/US_order.html
http://www.tex-design.com.tw/EU_order.html

I did order about two days ago.

Even with lack of programmability and scroll it's interesting keyboard. At first I thought to take poker or tex beetle, but trackpoint and full aluminium case tip the scale (poker + alum case ~$200+).

Unfortunately now too few reviews and the price is quite high, but i hope keyboard worth the money.

Are we still able to order these boards from this link? I'm sorry if I'm being dense, but I see an order page and talk of a group buy that ended over a month ago. Just don't want to transfer money into someone's PayPal account because of an old HTML page that was never updated

Offline joneslee85

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #56 on: Wed, 02 July 2014, 10:16:12 »
Hi TEX

Been using YODA for a month now and I love it. I wish that TEX could provide a scroll wheel for the middle mouse button.
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Offline sdiearly

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #57 on: Wed, 02 July 2014, 12:14:08 »
http://www.tex-design.com.tw/US_order.html
http://www.tex-design.com.tw/EU_order.html

I did order about two days ago.

Even with lack of programmability and scroll it's interesting keyboard. At first I thought to take poker or tex beetle, but trackpoint and full aluminium case tip the scale (poker + alum case ~$200+).

Unfortunately now too few reviews and the price is quite high, but i hope keyboard worth the money.

Are we still able to order these boards from this link? I'm sorry if I'm being dense, but I see an order page and talk of a group buy that ended over a month ago. Just don't want to transfer money into someone's PayPal account because of an old HTML page that was never updated

Just mail to Justin, I think they'd like to accept your payment if they have stocks.
My favorite 60%:  TEX-Beetle
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Offline dustinhxc

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #58 on: Fri, 04 July 2014, 11:05:24 »
Wowww this thing looks sick reminds me of an old IBM Thinkpad but 60%!

Offline Aidenknives

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #59 on: Fri, 04 July 2014, 23:27:26 »
Are those macro keys? Also how do you like that kbp v60?

Offline rsantos97

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #60 on: Wed, 09 July 2014, 13:27:16 »
This is listed on Massdrop as a kit.  The price seems decent too.

Offline cooldiscretion

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #61 on: Wed, 09 July 2014, 14:01:50 »
This is listed on Massdrop as a kit.  The price seems decent too.

It's hard not to pull the trigger on that. Such a good deal and you get to assemble + pick your own switches.

Offline sdiearly

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #62 on: Wed, 09 July 2014, 20:46:31 »
This is listed on Massdrop as a kit.  The price seems decent too.

Hahaha, I told Justin don't assemble keyboard hand by hand.
But I can't imagine they sold yoda in this way.
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Offline daerid

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #63 on: Wed, 09 July 2014, 23:59:16 »
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

just committed to the MD buy... I've been lusting after a mech board with trackpoint for easily 12 years or more, no way I can pass this up.

Offline Vitaly

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #64 on: Thu, 10 July 2014, 05:19:56 »
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

just committed to the MD buy... I've been lusting after a mech board with trackpoint for easily 12 years or more, no way I can pass this up.
you won't be disappointed  :)

Offline dorkvader

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #65 on: Thu, 10 July 2014, 09:54:57 »
i notice the right shift you can split.

can someone bridge the pads and tell me if it outputs anything?

Offline daerid

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #66 on: Thu, 10 July 2014, 10:33:00 »
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

just committed to the MD buy... I've been lusting after a mech board with trackpoint for easily 12 years or more, no way I can pass this up.
you won't be disappointed  :)

Oh I know I won't be... the fiance? That's a different story (spending > $200 when we have a wedding to plan for)

Offline dustinhxc

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #67 on: Thu, 10 July 2014, 12:31:17 »
fuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu

just committed to the MD buy... I've been lusting after a mech board with trackpoint for easily 12 years or more, no way I can pass this up.
you won't be disappointed  :)

Oh I know I won't be... the fiance? That's a different story (spending > $200 when we have a wedding to plan for)

Yeah I wouldve bought this if not saving for our anniversary.  :-X

Offline Grendel

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #68 on: Thu, 10 July 2014, 14:08:28 »
i notice the right shift you can split.

can someone bridge the pads and tell me if it outputs anything?

Looks like an alternative switch location to me (plus an extra ESC):

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Offline Vanilla

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #69 on: Thu, 10 July 2014, 15:20:00 »
Can anyone speak for the feel and quality of the trackpointer mechanicals on this? Especially from somebody who uses a thinkpad please.

Offline dorkvader

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #70 on: Thu, 10 July 2014, 15:34:10 »
i notice the right shift you can split.

can someone bridge the pads and tell me if it outputs anything?

Looks like an alternative switch location to me (plus an extra ESC):

Show Image

yeah, it's an extra switch location, I just wanted to know if it's enabled in the firmware and if so: for what key? I'll bring a paperclip to keycon and see what it does.


Can anyone speak for the feel and quality of the trackpointer mechanicals on this? Especially from somebody who uses a thinkpad please.

Everyone I've talked to raves about the sprintek trackpoint module. Most people specifically mention how it's better than the ones IBM / Lenovo have used.

Massdrop says they'll bring it to keycon, so I'm sure lots of people will try it there.
« Last Edit: Thu, 10 July 2014, 15:35:44 by dorkvader »

Offline Vanilla

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #71 on: Thu, 10 July 2014, 15:41:41 »
i notice the right shift you can split.

can someone bridge the pads and tell me if it outputs anything?

Looks like an alternative switch location to me (plus an extra ESC):

Show Image

yeah, it's an extra switch location, I just wanted to know if it's enabled in the firmware and if so: for what key? I'll bring a paperclip to keycon and see what it does.


Can anyone speak for the feel and quality of the trackpointer mechanicals on this? Especially from somebody who uses a thinkpad please.

Everyone I've talked to raves about the sprintek trackpoint module. Most people specifically mention how it's better than the ones IBM / Lenovo have used.

Massdrop says they'll bring it to keycon, so I'm sure lots of people will try it there.

Oh wow, it must be quite something then haha!  :)

Offline Grendel

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #72 on: Fri, 11 July 2014, 02:52:32 »
i notice the right shift you can split.

can someone bridge the pads and tell me if it outputs anything?

Looks like an alternative switch location to me (plus an extra ESC):

Show Image

yeah, it's an extra switch location, I just wanted to know if it's enabled in the firmware and if so: for what key? I'll bring a paperclip to keycon and see what it does.

AFAICT it's just an alternative shift location, both are on the same traces. The one to the left (in the pic, the right-most on that row) is labeled ESC, that one could be a separate switch.

Edit: ah, you did mean the ESC switch. My bad.
« Last Edit: Fri, 11 July 2014, 02:57:30 by Grendel »
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Offline jacobolus

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #73 on: Sun, 13 July 2014, 14:17:08 »
Trying this out at KeyCon.

I like it! It’s a nice size & weight (maybe a bit more than I'd want to carry in my bag all day, but nice and sturdy for a desk), it looks great, and it has a pretty nice trackpoint, about as nice as the ones on recentish thinkpads, I’d say (but take that with a grain of salt: I’m not a heavy trackpoint user). Typing on it now, and it types pretty well, even if MX brown isn’t my favorite switch ever. The trackpad is just the right height to be easy to reach but not in the way of typing. The left and right mouse keys are actually in a great spot to hit with the thumbs.. they’d be very convenient to use for backspace or shift or another modifier key.

Offline dustinhxc

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #74 on: Sun, 13 July 2014, 19:23:56 »
Trying this out at KeyCon.

I like it! It’s a nice size & weight (maybe a bit more than I'd want to carry in my bag all day, but nice and sturdy for a desk), it looks great, and it has a pretty nice trackpoint, about as nice as the ones on recentish thinkpads, I’d say (but take that with a grain of salt: I’m not a heavy trackpoint user). Typing on it now, and it types pretty well, even if MX brown isn’t my favorite switch ever. The trackpad is just the right height to be easy to reach but not in the way of typing. The left and right mouse keys are actually in a great spot to hit with the thumbs.. they’d be very convenient to use for backspace or shift or another modifier key.

Cool! Id love one but built, any options pre built or only kits?

Offline daerid

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #75 on: Sun, 13 July 2014, 20:42:54 »
All I want to know is: can I swap Caps for Control with this thing?

Offline sdiearly

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #76 on: Sun, 13 July 2014, 21:23:09 »
All I want to know is: can I swap Caps for Control with this thing?

Yes, you can. Actually I need to swap these two keys for one hand typing.
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Offline vivalarevolución

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #77 on: Mon, 14 July 2014, 10:45:45 »
Has anyone been able to upload their own custom firmware or replace the controller on this keyboard?  It would be great to give this keyboard programmable capabilities.
Wish I had some gif or quote for this space, but I got nothing

Offline Hazel

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #78 on: Mon, 14 July 2014, 13:47:59 »
Has anyone been able to upload their own custom firmware or replace the controller on this keyboard?  It would be great to give this keyboard programmable capabilities.

Massdrop claims "Firmware Upgrade-able over USB," but has not explained what exactly that means.

Does anyone here know?

Offline gcb

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #79 on: Mon, 14 July 2014, 16:18:48 »
This is listed on Massdrop as a kit.  The price seems decent too.

note that it does not include switches on that price.

it is ~$220 shipped.

plus $33 for switches ($50 for clears)

Offline paicrai

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #80 on: Mon, 14 July 2014, 16:23:40 »
looks pretty cute
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Offline sdiearly

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #81 on: Mon, 14 July 2014, 22:54:07 »
Has anyone been able to upload their own custom firmware or replace the controller on this keyboard?  It would be great to give this keyboard programmable capabilities.

Massdrop claims "Firmware Upgrade-able over USB," but has not explained what exactly that means.

Does anyone here know?

Just like what TEX Beetle/ iKBC Poker2 did.
The ASIC bootloader supports firmware updating via USB.

But source code is not open.
Means we download a package of application, connect keyboard via USB and execute this app in Windows or some else,
then updating is finished.
My favorite 60%:  TEX-Beetle
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                100%: Cherry G80-3494, Zowie Celeritas

Offline Flamingchook

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #82 on: Mon, 14 July 2014, 23:14:23 »
If only it was programmable! I'd be allllll over this!
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Offline vivalarevolución

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #83 on: Tue, 15 July 2014, 07:59:40 »
If only it was programmable! I'd be allllll over this!

Same here.  I think every 60% should be programmable, at least on the function layer.
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Offline sdiearly

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #84 on: Tue, 15 July 2014, 11:17:27 »
Yes, every geeker wants keyboard support programmable feature,
Sadly till now, there is no company show us such ideal 60% keyboard in mass production.
I can only find customize PCB can have this feature.  :(
My favorite 60%:  TEX-Beetle
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Offline daerid

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #85 on: Tue, 15 July 2014, 11:21:51 »
Well maybe swapping out the keyboard PCB (as opposed to the trackpoint or USB PBCs) will be an option.

Offline Lain1911

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #86 on: Tue, 15 July 2014, 11:49:02 »
This is a keyboard I want to try :|

Offline vivalarevolución

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #87 on: Tue, 15 July 2014, 12:34:52 »
Yes, every geeker wants keyboard support programmable feature,
Sadly till now, there is no company show us such ideal 60% keyboard in mass production.
I can only find customize PCB can have this feature.  :(


For a 60%, I think programmability is important because the best way to use all the keys on the function layer varies so much between each user.  In my opinion, the only 60% keyboard to nail the function layer is the HHKB.  And then there are ideas like putting the arrow keys on the right modifiers and question mark key that I saw post on Geekhack somewhere.  Because of its size limitations, a 60% NEEDS flexiblity in the layout.
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Offline gcb

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #88 on: Tue, 15 July 2014, 14:11:02 »
Ok so everyone agrees. this is a flop. not programmable and insane defaults.

is everyone buying the MD kit so they can try to replace the brains? or just going to use the case and throw the rest away? :)

Looking at the 1st page pics we have 4 boards:

  • USB Hub board
  • keyboard with its own brains and a 6-pin connector to hub board
  • nipple mouse board, 8-pin connector to hub board
  • mouse button matrix board, 5-pin connector to hub board

i can't read the main chip labels. and can't imagine what the empy/test pads next to ALT_L are.

Anyway, the only way this is "hackable" is if the chip on the keyboard is just a multiplexer and the actual keyboard brain is on the hub board and the keyboard board is just a dumb matrix. that way we can program it with a intermediate chip on that white cable!

Offline vivalarevolución

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #89 on: Tue, 15 July 2014, 15:18:01 »
Ok so everyone agrees. this is a flop. not programmable and insane defaults.

is everyone buying the MD kit so they can try to replace the brains? or just going to use the case and throw the rest away? :)

Looking at the 1st page pics we have 4 boards:

  • USB Hub board
  • keyboard with its own brains and a 6-pin connector to hub board
  • nipple mouse board, 8-pin connector to hub board
  • mouse button matrix board, 5-pin connector to hub board

i can't read the main chip labels. and can't imagine what the empy/test pads next to ALT_L are.

Anyway, the only way this is "hackable" is if the chip on the keyboard is just a multiplexer and the actual keyboard brain is on the hub board and the keyboard board is just a dumb matrix. that way we can program it with a intermediate chip on that white cable!


I think people are buying the Massdrop kit because they are genuinely interested in the whole product, flaws and all.  It is the only small mechanical keyboard with a trackpoint that we can buy.  Nothing else exists.  It is just the picky people here making their voices heard.  And I doubt most people are as picky about the function layer as I am.  I believe the placement of function layer keys should be well thought out, rather than haphazardly placed around the board, which is what appears on most keyboards.

And I am saving my pennies for the Matias 60%, anyways.
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Offline jacobolus

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #90 on: Tue, 15 July 2014, 15:23:11 »
Ok so everyone agrees. this is a flop. not programmable and insane defaults.
I don’t think people agree with that at all. I think this is a great product, which would be even better if it were programmable. The defaults seem fine to me. If possible, I would really want to use those mouse buttons for something else, since they’re in a super convenient spot. But that’s hardly a killer flaw.

Offline mashby

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #91 on: Tue, 15 July 2014, 15:26:43 »
I agree with Jacobolus. For a 1.0 release, I would hardly call this a flop. For a first edition board, I think they did a great job.

Even knowing it's limitations, I still want one and wish I had the budget to jump in on the MassDrop buy going on right now.

Offline Hazel

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #92 on: Tue, 15 July 2014, 16:57:55 »
I don't think there's anything specifically wrong with this board, it's an amazing concept and I'll certainly be buying one. 

However, I do find it maddening that the controller is upgradeable (read: programmable) via USB - and they tout that as a feature! - but they won't let end-users program it.  The capability is there, we're just not allowed to use it!

Offline Vitaly

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #93 on: Thu, 24 July 2014, 13:48:21 »
Found this post on massdrop:

mrvdb:
I got an answer directly from TeX design (through their web form), 3 statements were made:

Slightly reworded quote:
- firmware is not open source
- a new version of the firmware will be made
- the next version will be open source.


Offline gcb

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #94 on: Thu, 24 July 2014, 14:54:40 »
Found this post on massdrop:

mrvdb:
I got an answer directly from TeX design (through their web form), 3 statements were made:

Slightly reworded quote:
- firmware is not open source
- a new version of the firmware will be made
- the next version will be open source.


i'm reading that again and i think it is very misleading... and i'm a sucker...

what i read initially: the firmware is upgradable, and next update we provide of it, will be open source, hence the community will make it programmable in hours.

what it probably really means: this model will  be upgrade with our useless, never programmable closed source firmware. but next keyboard models will have open source firmware.

Offline Vitaly

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #95 on: Thu, 24 July 2014, 15:39:39 »
Found this post on massdrop:

mrvdb:
I got an answer directly from TeX design (through their web form), 3 statements were made:

Slightly reworded quote:
- firmware is not open source
- a new version of the firmware will be made
- the next version will be open source.


i'm reading that again and i think it is very misleading... and i'm a sucker...

what i read initially: the firmware is upgradable, and next update we provide of it, will be open source, hence the community will make it programmable in hours.

what it probably really means: this model will  be upgrade with our useless, never programmable closed source firmware. but next keyboard models will have open source firmware.
Who knows, this question in massdrop group buy for this keyboard and question in context of current Tex Yoda model. Anyway, if controller not locked and we have access to it why not reprogram it. Yoda quite new product, maybe lately we will see some solutions by DIY community for customising key layout .

Offline microsoft windows

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #96 on: Fri, 25 July 2014, 09:13:53 »
This looks like a neat keyboard. I wonder how the keys that are used as the mouse buttons feel.

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Offline Vitaly

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #97 on: Fri, 25 July 2014, 09:41:08 »
This looks like a neat keyboard. I wonder how the keys that are used as the mouse buttons feel.
They have same switches as main keyboard, in my case it's brown switches, I installed double o-rings on mouse keycaps for better feelings, but install black/red switches for mouse buttons should be even better.

Offline kinghajj

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #98 on: Wed, 30 July 2014, 16:23:24 »
I've been having a strange issue with my Yoda for the past couple days: the keys in the lower-right corner (right shift, control, function, windows) are now registering as arrow keys instead. I haven't changed the DIP switch settings since I first received it, and it seemed to happen suddenly (I was typing, tried to use right shift and found that I was moving up a line!) Anyone have any idea what may be the cause of this?

Offline jacobolus

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Re: TEX Yoda, mini keyboard with trackpoint
« Reply #99 on: Wed, 30 July 2014, 17:04:22 »
I've been having a strange issue with my Yoda for the past couple days: the keys in the lower-right corner (right shift, control, function, windows) are now registering as arrow keys instead. I haven't changed the DIP switch settings since I first received it, and it seemed to happen suddenly (I was typing, tried to use right shift and found that I was moving up a line!) Anyone have any idea what may be the cause of this?
You should try fiddling with the DIP switches, as there’s one which does this. (The Yoda that was brought to KeyCon was configured the same way, and I definitely wasn’t a fan.)