Well, you can count me among those who registered an account to comment on this amazing project. :]
AcidFire, first of all, your commitment to open source and to accommodating those with disabilities is commendable and inspiring. Not to mention how inspirational this project as a whole is: reading through the thread made me want to get out and make things!
I found a link to this thread on a blog post regarding the ErgoDox, and referencing the original ErgoGP design. Since learning about the ErgoDox a few months ago, I've been excited about potential modding capability, but I think the Axios's modular design will be even better, allowing the creation of custom modules (and releasing them open source for anyone who wants, of course :] ). Now I'm watching this thread, subscribed to the crowd supply, following on Twitter, and among those eagerly awaiting each update!
Awesome, glad to have you aboard! If you have it, would you mind sharing the blog post where you found the link?
As for your questions...
So one row of 1u keys has been moved from the thumb cluster to the top of the keyboard, and replaced by indicator LEDs? It seems like the keys would also be difficult to reach at the top of the keyboard. Isn't it better to have the extra keys on the thumb cluster, even if they're secondary to the other two rows? Perhaps moving the LEDs to the top of the keyboard instead? I was under the impression that having more thumb cluster keys is optimal, because it allows you to have more keys for changing layers while keeping the rest of your fingers on the home keys. I'm interested to hear some opinions regarding that from people who have ergonomic keyboards (I don't).
Anyway, I'm sure we'll see the all-key thumb cluster module down the road, if not as a stretch goal for the crowd funding campaign, then soon thereafter. I for one wouldn't mind having one all-key thumb cluster and one indicator LED one (the opinion has already been expressed that 5 LEDs is more than enough for many people). That's the best part about this system!
I probably should have been more clear about the strain I mentioned regarding removing the top row of thumb keys. While they're not completely terrible when the board lays flat, when tented and dropped they introduce a fairly severe
ulnar deviation and given that the core of this project is ergonomics above all else it goes directly against the device's goals. Even as a key you'd occasionally strike by lifting your hands, you're now introducing
Pronation strain as you rotate your wrist around to hit it. With the keys in their new home, it's a shoulder-elbow-wrist movement similar to lifting and striking the F row, or a mouse movement with a substantial reduction on strain.
For those who absolutely must have three rows of keys, the 9x9 hot key cluster can be used in the thumb cluster as well, with the trade off being a reduced hit box for each of the keys. As for a module down the road adding them back, I honestly don't see that as something we'll release since a change in the case design to strengthen the cap that surrounds the keys on the top (and prevents light leaks) has shortened the 45° angled side, requiring a reduction in the length of the thumb module. I could leave it at the original length, however that adds to the cost of the device since every part of the thumb cluster is designed to be used for both halves of the board. While adding another cavity to a mold isn't a huge expense, there's also the requirement to now stock both and unlike the main case which are very clear in their difference, the thumb bottoms are less so and I would hate to accidentally ship the wrong part. By pure serendipity, the vertical side where the main clusters can connect was lengthened to nearly match the 45° side, negating the need for an extra set of molds for the hot keys.
Regarding the indicator LEDs, you may notice that I've reduced them to three per side. When I had my little epiphany (or realization that I was being stubborn) and figured out that I don't need LED control electronics in the thumb clusters, I also discovered that with the 2x3 1.5 layout that meant that I would have three RGB LEDs free. So, cost savings (component count reduction) + easier programming = win. As part of the development with the backlight, I've decided that you'll be able to assign three different behaviors to each key's backlight individually.
- Open - Answers to both backlighting/animations & indicator calls, with indicators taking priority by default (possible to make it user selectable to prioritize backlight as well)
- Backlight - Answers only to backlighting calls.
- Indicator - Answers only to indicator calls. These will be user assignable as well, with certain functions built into the keyboard and the desktop software augmenting it (for things like tweets or email notifications).
I am curious to see how the new hotkeys cluster looks like when tented. Good job on improving your design for manufacturing, most people don't realize how important this is, so kudos on that. I always liked this total approach of you and I am very anxious to get hold on one of these, but I am also willing to wait because I think you could produce something very nice.
I am as well, I'm still learning the assembly side of Onshape so modeling the tented outcome has not been happening for me. That being said, I will admit that I'm not the biggest fan of the way it all looks flat, with the exception of the two sides connected. Hopefully I should have all my parts printed by the end of the weekend and we'll see it in the flesh.
And I very much appreciate the support and patience while I dial these things in, while I'm also very anxious to get it into everyone's hands I also don't want that to happen until I know for sure that the end product is feasible. I've watched far too many crowd funded (kickstarters especially) drag on for months or years because they didn't take this time to do it right, and I am adamant that won't happen with Axios.
AcidFire, I may have thought one second about cursing you for making me adapt again my layout, but...
But it's just great, as usual. Can't wait, really.
Using the available space on top to put back the buttons from the thumb cluster is nice (it's maybe even better for me, in fact). I'm curious to see how the "f-keys" add-on can be secured in place when folded strongly enough, but I'm sure it'll be nice.
Thanks for all your hard work, and I hope that the accident is just a bad memory for your family now.
Ha I wouldn't blame you, I've mentally smacked myself a couple of times each time I change it because it means I also have to update the PCBs as well. I've learned to wait and handwire until I'm satisfied with the end result.
I'm not concerned about the strength of the mount for the hot keys cluster as the new thumbscrews make it very easy to tighten down, and short of HULK SMASH style typing they won't move (though it is designed to give with enough force to prevent the mounts from being damaged).
Isn't it better to have the extra keys on the thumb cluster, even if they're secondary to the other two rows? Perhaps moving the LEDs to the top of the keyboard instead? I was under the impression that having more thumb cluster keys is optimal, because it allows you to have more keys for changing layers while keeping the rest of your fingers on the home keys.
The third row on the thumb clusters was quite difficult to reach, anyway. You probably can't use them during "normal" typing. I think "out of reach" keys still have their use (for a pause key, a behavior-tweaking key, etc.), so that's great we don't lose those, I think.
As far as layers are concerned, if you combine both sides, you could already have 49 (7*7) layers directly available without even pressing two keys with a thumb (which is definitively possible for adjacent keys). And that also don't take into account that a single key can be used at the same time as a layer switch and a dead key, so you can have several hundreds layers available easily. Probably more than you can remember...
[/quote]
Pretty much this. I think your title going forward Koren will have to be "Keeper Of Layouts"