Introducing the KS Mini

[hazeluff]

Some people are more comfortable with through hole soldering. Is there any way to move the SMD stuff to a sub-board (or better yet, have the SMD stuff done at the factory, and the through-hole by DIYers and small-enterprisers on the forum?

Either way, I'd be in for one, depending on the price. I've always wanted a smaller 'board, and this looks excellent!

im interested an agree with this you should have the smd done by the factory if possible and id be willing to build kits for people that want the board but dont want to solder.

Also this layout looks very close to one that i designed for WASD and also posted in the GH60 keyboard thread.

I flipped one of the 1.25x onto the other side to make the bottom row look a bit more balanced on both sides.

[Matt3o]

Also this layout looks very close to one that i designed for WASD and also posted in the GH60 keyboard thread.

your layout, TheProfosist, if probably my ideal keyboard layout I'd probably put FN instead of Menu, though

[AKIMbO]

I'm in for one but only if the smd soldering is pre-done.  Through hole is easy sauce that I can do no problem.  Smd...not so much.

[metalliqaz]

Hard to find a R1 'end' key, though.

[TheProfosist]

Some people are more comfortable with through hole soldering. Is there any way to move the SMD stuff to a sub-board (or better yet, have the SMD stuff done at the factory, and the through-hole by DIYers and small-enterprisers on the forum?

Either way, I'd be in for one, depending on the price. I've always wanted a smaller 'board, and this looks excellent!

im interested an agree with this you should have the smd done by the factory if possible and id be willing to build kits for people that want the board but dont want to solder.

Also this layout looks very close to one that i designed for WASD and also posted in the GH60 keyboard thread.

I flipped one of the 1.25x onto the other side to make the bottom row look a bit more balanced on both sides.

Would you be able to design the PCB so that my layout is supported? If not its not much different so no big deal. The spacebar is still standard right?

Also this layout looks very close to one that i designed for WASD and also posted in the GH60 keyboard thread.

your layout, TheProfosist, if probably my ideal keyboard layout I'd probably put FN instead of Menu, though

the only key its missing is pause/break and the reason why there is no Fn layer is because i had originally designed it for WASD and he was trying to stay away from that.

[Broadmonkey]

Do you have a rough idea of what it would cost for PCB (with LED, diodes and SMD), plate and controller? eg. everything except case, switches and keycaps.

[TheProfosist]

Do you have a rough idea of what it would cost for PCB (with LED, diodes and SMD), plate and controller? eg. everything except case, switches and keycaps.

Asked the same thing a bit ago, it isnt known because everything has been order singularly up until now. But price is assumed to be some where around the Phantom.

[TheProfosist]

How is the progress coming on this?

[sherryton]

We're still coming up with a key set that is only for this keyboard.  We thought it would not be fair to put the CCnB on it since we are going to do it anyway.  We'll put something more limited as a key set for this keyboard.

[TheProfosist]

Could you  possibly post a blank winkey layout of the keyboard so that I can work on my own layout?

[TheProfosist]

Thanks Hazeluff send me a blank layout.

Here it is for anyone who wants to fool around with coming up with their on layout or layers:

[Matt3o]

are there any softwares to design this kind of layouts (with color and legend)? If not, why don't we make one

[TheProfosist]

are there any softwares to design this kind of layouts (with color and legend)? If not, why don't we make one

no i dont think there is specific software or atleast i dont know of any i have just been using photoshop to add legends. It gets the job done for just demonstrating a layout.

[OrangeJewce]

are there any softwares to design this kind of layouts (with color and legend)? If not, why don't we make one

no i dont think there is specific software or atleast i dont know of any i have just been using photoshop to add legends. It gets the job done for just demonstrating a layout.

GIMP is also quite good for this kind of thing, if you're for tux!

Cheers,

[Matt3o]

yeah, photoshop or gimp or even inkscape might all work. I was thinking about something more automated everyone could enjoy. I might invest some time in a software like that (maybe even browser based), but maybe it's something too technical to have a decent audience.

[OrangeJewce]

yeah, photoshop or gimp or even inkscape might all work. I was thinking about something more automated everyone could enjoy. I might invest some time in a software like that (maybe even browser based), but maybe it's something too technical to have a decent audience.

I think it'd be challenging but also would be really cool. I say go for it!

Cheers,

[hazeluff]

yeah, photoshop or gimp or even inkscape might all work. I was thinking about something more automated everyone could enjoy. I might invest some time in a software like that (maybe even browser based), but maybe it's something too technical to have a decent audience.

Could always write a program to produce SVG. Since the file is technically are just a text files.

Actually you can do it as actual images too.

[hazeluff]

Anyway here are some images. I got the screws to hold the whole thing together. Looks slick.

[Matt3o]

neat!

wouldn't be nice to do it with inset screws?

[1stGenRex]

still nobody wants to make a project like this but with wireless keyboard 

IMHO: Wireless = batteries = a pain in the ass.

UNLESS someone was to design a wireless keyboard with an internal, rechargeable battery that can be plugged into and charged via USB.  Does such a keyboard even exist?

Sanyo Eneloops work well in keyboards. I ran them in my MX5500. Rechargeable batteries are less of a PITA if they last for months of daily use, and you don't have to keep buying them.

[hazeluff]

still nobody wants to make a project like this but with wireless keyboard 

IMHO: Wireless = batteries = a pain in the ass.

UNLESS someone was to design a wireless keyboard with an internal, rechargeable battery that can be plugged into and charged via USB.  Does such a keyboard even exist?

Sanyo Eneloops work well in keyboards. I ran them in my MX5500. Rechargeable batteries are less of a PITA if they last for months of daily use, and you don't have to keep buying them.

The problem is partially replacing batteries, but also the fact that at any moment in a game the battery could run out. The number of times its happened to me playing WoW back in the day is uncountable.

[TheProfosist]

still nobody wants to make a project like this but with wireless keyboard 

IMHO: Wireless = batteries = a pain in the ass.

UNLESS someone was to design a wireless keyboard with an internal, rechargeable battery that can be plugged into and charged via USB.  Does such a keyboard even exist?

Sanyo Eneloops work well in keyboards. I ran them in my MX5500. Rechargeable batteries are less of a PITA if they last for months of daily use, and you don't have to keep buying them.

The problem is partially replacing batteries, but also the fact that at any moment in a game the battery could run out. The number of times its happened to me playing WoW back in the day is uncountable.

when the device tells you the battey is low, change it or charge it. Theres really no reason to have it die on you

[dorkvader]

Have a circuit that tells you when the system (battery) voltage drops below a certain level. Having an LED turn on when this occurs is simple, and only requires a few extra parts. You could even have a buzzer inside chirp at you to make sure you notice.

If this were wireless, I'm pretty sure I'd not use that feature, though I'm sure it'd be nice to have for some. The best way to make sure your batteries don't run out is to use wired power during any critical task (like WoW raids, etc.) or to have such superhuge batteries that it's no issue. I really want to measure my model F-122 internals to see if D batteries will fit in there. Having a portable, wireless, behemoth is so awesome, it must be made.

[sordna]

I think it's considered a 75% board if it has the function row and cursor arrow/navigation keys, e.g. Race, Choc Mini. The 60% boards lack those dedicated keys, e.g. Poker, Pure, HHKB.

So this should be considered a 75%

I wish we start seeing 65% keyboards (68-70 keys) ie with dedicated arrow keys but WITHOUT a dedicated function key row. Any hope in that direction?

[Appeac]

I'm very interested in this depending on price, and as long as SMT is handled already.

[TheProfosist]

I think it's considered a 75% board if it has the function row and cursor arrow/navigation keys, e.g. Race, Choc Mini. The 60% boards lack those dedicated keys, e.g. Poker, Pure, HHKB.

So this should be considered a 75%

I wish we start seeing 65% keyboards (68-70 keys) ie with dedicated arrow keys but WITHOUT a dedicated function key row. Any hope in that direction?

I would probably say no to that because the few extra keys you get on the function row allow you to fit a TKL layout into a smaller form factor and still have all of the keys. Example my layout I made for WASD that I plan to use on my KS Mini until layers are supported.

[TDub]

Definitly interessted!

[hazeluff]

I think it's considered a 75% board if it has the function row and cursor arrow/navigation keys, e.g. Race, Choc Mini. The 60% boards lack those dedicated keys, e.g. Poker, Pure, HHKB.

So this should be considered a 75%

I wish we start seeing 65% keyboards (68-70 keys) ie with dedicated arrow keys but WITHOUT a dedicated function key row. Any hope in that direction?

I would probably say no to that because the few extra keys you get on the function row allow you to fit a TKL layout into a smaller form factor and still have all of the keys. Example my layout I made for WASD that I plan to use on my KS Mini until layers are supported.
<Image removed>

I've Tested layers on my firmware. Not sure if it's the best implementation, but it does work.

[TheProfosist]

I think it's considered a 75% board if it has the function row and cursor arrow/navigation keys, e.g. Race, Choc Mini. The 60% boards lack those dedicated keys, e.g. Poker, Pure, HHKB.

So this should be considered a 75%

I wish we start seeing 65% keyboards (68-70 keys) ie with dedicated arrow keys but WITHOUT a dedicated function key row. Any hope in that direction?

I would probably say no to that because the few extra keys you get on the function row allow you to fit a TKL layout into a smaller form factor and still have all of the keys. Example my layout I made for WASD that I plan to use on my KS Mini until layers are supported.
<Image removed>

I've Tested layers on my firmware. Not sure if it's the best implementation, but it does work.

i might re think my layout to be more like my phantom then idk because i did make a rather nice standard layout though.

[OrangeJewce]

I think it's considered a 75% board if it has the function row and cursor arrow/navigation keys, e.g. Race, Choc Mini. The 60% boards lack those dedicated keys, e.g. Poker, Pure, HHKB.

So this should be considered a 75%

I wish we start seeing 65% keyboards (68-70 keys) ie with dedicated arrow keys but WITHOUT a dedicated function key row. Any hope in that direction?

I think the closes we've gotten is ErgoDox-ish (76 keys). So it definitely can be done, however it does require layers on the firmware level.

Cheers,

[TheProfosist]

Hows is this project coming along any update is better than nothing.

[hazeluff]

Hows is this project coming along any update is better than nothing.

Just settled into new home and I'm starting to settle into my new job. I am currently looking to finish off the case and things should get rolling again after that.

[TheProfosist]

Hows is this project coming along any update is better than nothing.

Just settled into new home and I'm starting to settle into my new job. I am currently looking to finish off the case and things should get rolling again after that.

sounds great!

[theultrazord]

I'm so excited about this that I'm refusing to buy any new KBs until this comes out. Any idea about time frame? Also since you have prototypes already you might want to try kickstarter.com where people love to spend money on DIY type products.

[WhiteFireDragon]

Interested in this. Does this also use the teensy controller for easy reprogramming? If not, what controller is it using?

[phetto]

Would it fit in the LZ mini case?

[hazeluff]

I'm so excited about this that I'm refusing to buy any new KBs until this comes out. Any idea about time frame? Also since you have prototypes already you might want to try kickstarter.com where people love to spend money on DIY type products.

Thank you for your support. The time frame would be months. I've got a couple design changes in mind and I can't push to get it down as fast as I would like.

Money isn't the real problem, so we won't be using kickstarter.

Interested in this. Does this also use the teensy controller for easy reprogramming? If not, what controller is it using?

It uses the same micro-controller as the teensy and at the moment is using a ported version of the Phantom firmware. The only difference will be how you load it onto the keyboard. I'll see if I can write some simple package to load the firmware instead of going through the commands/tools of programming the atmel chip.

The chip is: atmega32u4

Would it fit in the LZ mini case?

Probably not.

[TheProfosist]

Was told to post here by sherriton wether im for winkey or winkeyless:

I want my winkey as its very helpful in win 7 and will be even more so in 8.

[hazeluff]

Was told to post here by sherriton wether im for winkey or winkeyless:

I want my winkey as its very helpful in win 7 and will be even more so in 8.

Indeed. People should start using their window key, specially those with 7.

-Resize windows
-Launch apps
-Show desktop
-Its awesome

[alaricljs]

Great for people at work that leave their desk:  Win-L (Lock screen)

And I map the Win-key to other combos in Windows:  minimize active window, media/volume control,

And in Linux I map it to window management stuff:  win-mouse drag is move window, win-# or arrows is virt desktop switching, ctrl-win-# or arrow is move window to a virt desktop,

and the list goes on!

All that said, awesome keyboard, now a form factor I'm interested in so don't take this as a vote... good luck!

[Matt3o]

I'm definitely pro winkey (1 on the left), or better let's call it "super" On linux it's pretty handy.

[bpiphany]

Yes, I'm getting pretty accustomed to this Unity thing by now. Super+W, Super+Number, and so on..

[WhiteFireDragon]

It uses the same micro-controller as the teensy and at the moment is using a ported version of the Phantom firmware. The only difference will be how you load it onto the keyboard. I'll see if I can write some simple package to load the firmware instead of going through the commands/tools of programming the atmel chip.

The chip is: atmega32u4

So meaning it uses the atmega32u4 chip (same as phantom), but will be soldered directly on the keyboard's PCB instead of having a separate daughterboard like in phantom or Filco? If this is the case, does that mean that all other SMD components (including the mini-USB port) will be soldered directly on the PCB from the factory? I'm very interested to see how the end product turns out.

[hazeluff]

It uses the same micro-controller as the teensy and at the moment is using a ported version of the Phantom firmware. The only difference will be how you load it onto the keyboard. I'll see if I can write some simple package to load the firmware instead of going through the commands/tools of programming the atmel chip.

The chip is: atmega32u4

So meaning it uses the atmega32u4 chip (same as phantom), but will be soldered directly on the keyboard's PCB instead of having a separate daughterboard like in phantom or Filco? If this is the case, does that mean that all other SMD components (including the mini-USB port) will be soldered directly on the PCB from the factory? I'm very interested to see how the end product turns out.

I'll have it arranged that you have the choice of doing the SMD or not.

And yes, the MCU is soldered right onto the PCB instead of having a teensy attached or having a daughterboard.

[dorkvader]

I'm definitely pro winkey (1 on the left), or better let's call it "super" On linux it's pretty handy.

I agree. I use super more in linux than windows. It's also pretty easy to make up more with openbox.

[Broadmonkey]

As much as I would love to use 1.5 mods, I simply can't live without a left sided winkey. So my vote goes toward a winkey setup.

[metalliqaz]

You can use 1.5 mods and still have a winkey.  (eg. The Cheat)

[Broadmonkey]

But The Cheat is a TKL, and this is a 75% (IIRC) So it wouldn't be possible to have both winkey and 1.5 mods.
I guess you could just map a winkey to one of the keys furthest to the right, but I like it on the left (easier to use with win+E etc.)

[TheProfosist]

But The Cheat is a TKL, and this is a 75% (IIRC) So it wouldn't be possible to have both winkey and 1.5 mods.
I guess you could just map a winkey to one of the keys furthest to the right, but I like it on the left (easier to use with win+E etc.)

that reminds me as i hadnt heard of that shorcut before is there a list of all those win+ shorcuts somwhere? i mean there were a bunch of just shortcuts in general that were added in win7 that were never really publicized and should have been

[tjcaustin]

I want one, but I'm impatient.