Author Topic: Columns Staggered Vertically  (Read 7193 times)

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Offline ak66666

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Columns Staggered Vertically
« on: Wed, 14 April 2021, 18:56:33 »
I've made a keyboard with columns raised to different level.
The same idea to bring the keys closer to the fingers in their natural/neutral postion as in Dactyl, Dactyl-Manuform, Kinesis, and others.
The biggest difference are the keys placed as in the regular keyboards, so the switches/keys move in the vertical direction only.

I used DMs for quite some time now, most of them were tented quite high.
While good for my hands/wrists that was affecting my index fingers. The sideways pressure became painful to think about the alternatives.

https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4828205
266524-0
266526-1
266528-2



Offline nevin

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Re: Columns Staggered Vertically
« Reply #1 on: Thu, 15 April 2021, 07:45:24 »
Very interesting and definitely a new idea.

What do you think about it in use?
Keeb.io Viterbi, Apple m0110, Apple m0120, Apple m0110a, Apple 658-4081, Apple M1242, Apple AEK II, MK96, GH60/Pure, Cherry g84-4100, Adesso AKP-220B, Magicforce 68

Offline ak66666

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Re: Columns Staggered Vertically
« Reply #2 on: Thu, 15 April 2021, 08:20:18 »
So far so good, quite like it.
Physical layout is very close to the the Dactyl-Manuform I've been using for the last year or two.
Key mapping is 100% the same, so the only change is the direction of the key press.

Offline nevin

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Re: Columns Staggered Vertically
« Reply #3 on: Thu, 15 April 2021, 09:27:34 »
i see the ploopy mini trackball too. do you like it? i have their mouse. so glad someone finally got it all put together (open source, programmable, input devices)
Keeb.io Viterbi, Apple m0110, Apple m0120, Apple m0110a, Apple 658-4081, Apple M1242, Apple AEK II, MK96, GH60/Pure, Cherry g84-4100, Adesso AKP-220B, Magicforce 68

Offline ak66666

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Re: Columns Staggered Vertically
« Reply #4 on: Thu, 15 April 2021, 10:06:05 »
I have mixed feelings about Ploopy.

It is compact and can be placed close to the keyboard, so I can reach it without taking the fingers from the home row.
It reacts to the tiny movements much better than my Elecom trackball, no such "sticky" spots.

From other hand I really miss the buttons.
I have to use the keyboard for them, maybe I just need some time to adjust.

Also the metal rollers make it very loud on the long moves. 

So I am using it as a secondary, even tertiary mouse control  tool (after the cursor/mouse controlling keyboard layers and the Elecom trackball) for quick and imprecise mouse movements.



Offline nevin

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Re: Columns Staggered Vertically
« Reply #5 on: Thu, 15 April 2021, 10:27:39 »
ploopy...
- think not including two big simple buttons or option for switches was a miss. maybe on a 2nd revision? or maybe you could add two to it? haven't really looked at the hardware of that one yet.
- metal bearings, i've heard that from others as well. you could lube the bearings. a light oil would work, would quiet them down and slightly slow the motion if you "flick" (fast scroll). and if you don't like the feel after oiled, some electrical contact cleaner spray (aerosol can) will clean out any unwanted oil or dirt.

i've been looking at the dactyls & manuforms for a while but haven't built one yet. i like a little larger split board than what most configurations are. i have a decently tented viterbi (split 5x7s) and i've tried thumb keys on a ergodash, but i'm not sold on them yet.
Keeb.io Viterbi, Apple m0110, Apple m0120, Apple m0110a, Apple 658-4081, Apple M1242, Apple AEK II, MK96, GH60/Pure, Cherry g84-4100, Adesso AKP-220B, Magicforce 68

Offline ak66666

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Re: Columns Staggered Vertically
« Reply #6 on: Thu, 15 April 2021, 12:31:37 »
Buttons: by looking at the electric schema it seems possible. There are multiple controller lines left unused, so the buttons can be added and the firmware can be modified to read them. Is it worth it? Probably not.

Metal bearings: thanks, I will try lubricating them.

Dactyl-Manuform: I love that design, that's the best keyboard design (well, before this fish ladder thing, but amongst all other non-flat designs DM is the best option.)
I've been using them for a few years, this is the latest version that I've been using the last year and a half:
https://www.thingiverse.com/thing:4220567
I don't see a need in anything bigger, 4x6 covers all my needs, typing, cursor and mouse control.

Offline nevin

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Re: Columns Staggered Vertically
« Reply #7 on: Thu, 15 April 2021, 12:47:34 »
nice. i wish i could get away with something that small. i do more shortcuts & key combinations than actual tying during the day. so 3 & 4-key combos would get even harder if more were buried on other layers.

manuform... nice. love the orange filament, looks like you used the matias light linears. do you like them? i'm a big fan of light and dampened as well.
Keeb.io Viterbi, Apple m0110, Apple m0120, Apple m0110a, Apple 658-4081, Apple M1242, Apple AEK II, MK96, GH60/Pure, Cherry g84-4100, Adesso AKP-220B, Magicforce 68

Offline ak66666

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Re: Columns Staggered Vertically
« Reply #8 on: Thu, 15 April 2021, 12:52:49 »
>>looks like you used the matias light linears. do you like them?

Yes, I use them almost for my own builds, replace the springs with lighter ones.