New here, might as well get the formalities out of the way. So, I've been researching mechanical keyboards for the passed month. All started when I decided to build a "sim-pit" for Kerbal Space Program. I have some nice hardware for the project, but wanted a compact keyboard that could still sit in front of me, and not take up so much space as to interfere with the joysticks.
I have an Apple //c keyboard that uses Alps SKCM Amber switches. I LOVE the feel of that keyboard, and always wanted to put it to use, so I considered mounting it into my control panel, between the two joysticks. Unfortunately, I realized having a keyboard front and center takes a LOT of space that I want for things like toggles and big red buttons that say [ABORT]... And second, I like fully featured keyboards. That's when I discovered the 75% layout.
I decided that I need to focus on a PRIMARY mechanical keyboard. I'll add a battery and a bluetooth module to my Apple //c keyboard, and make it into a portable clicky mechanical keyboard.
For my primary keyboard, I'll be using the awesome looking "Danger Zone" keycap set (on Massdrop), cause I love the aviation theme, and feel it'll compliment my Kerbal Space Program controller well. I've also put together a modified version of the 75% layout. I wasn't satisfied with just 4 extra keys. I wanted ALL my navigation keys, and more! By adding an extra column, I can gat a total of 88 keys, while only increasing my width by 1u! I can even use standard TKL key caps for it! No odd sizes needed!
As for what I'm typing on now... I have a first gen iMac membrane keyboard with the 78 ui jk and m, columns shorting together, and multiple keys that jam up if not hit perfectly straight downward, due to wear... You can't imagine the editing this post required to not look like garbage! There may still be a few errors... :O
NEED MECHANICAL KEYBOARD SOON!!!
Here's my "75% + 1" layout:
... Posts still 0... So the forum topic that asks people to make their first post in... doesn't actually count... Ugh...