Post by: driftingbunnies on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:19:27
永 (yong~3) - Forever, eternal, permanent, always, everlasting
UPDATE - GB on Saturday (1/9) at 10AM CT. Drift Mechanics (https://www.driftmechanics.com)
I've also posted an update to my website with the details of the GB. https://www.driftmechanics.com/post/forever-gb (https://www.driftmechanics.com/post/forever-gb)
Theme
More
The theme forever was picked for my own personal reasons but it can truly mean anything. Forever is a concept that we know but can't truly grasp due to our limited time here on earth. For me, it's a reminder of a place very dear to my heart that will never be the same again after what's transpired over the past 5 years. I also imagined this to be the board that I would be happy to use forever. I wanted to have something that would have some flair when viewed on the sides but still classy enough to rock at work. The midpiece peaks out on the side and accents the rear and bottom logo. The Chinese character was picked due to it's beauty and meaning.
Having the same origins as its homonym 泳 (yǒng) which means “to swim,” the earliest manifestation of 永 was actually defined as “to swim with the current.”
To give a little background, the character for “water” or 水 (shuǐ) that makes up the bulk of 永, shares the same pictographic derivative as the word 川 (chuān) or “stream.”
Thus, the modern interpretation of the 永 paints a picture of a stream or river flowing endlessly, a stunning visual for the Chinese word for “forever.”
Having the same origins as its homonym 泳 (yǒng) which means “to swim,” the earliest manifestation of 永 was actually defined as “to swim with the current.”
To give a little background, the character for “water” or 水 (shuǐ) that makes up the bulk of 永, shares the same pictographic derivative as the word 川 (chuān) or “stream.”
Thus, the modern interpretation of the 永 paints a picture of a stream or river flowing endlessly, a stunning visual for the Chinese word for “forever.”
IC Form (https://forms.gle/h3NdoCzaAqucginc9)
(https://imgur.com/AgVvLaM.jpg)
Specs:
- Case Angle: 7.5°
- Mounting Method: Gasket
- Plate Materials: Carbon fiber or POM
- Case Materials: Anodized Aluminum
- Mid piece Material: Polished Stainless Steel
- PCB: PCB with Centered USB-C daughterboard (QMK compatible)
- Blocker Material: Stainless Steel
- Layouts: 7u or 6.25u bottom row
- 18mm front height
- Price: TBD
Supported Layouts:
(https://imgur.com/lEnkxOX.jpg)
Prototype:
(https://imgur.com/c0TIFOf.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/pUlXRTL.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/rFFw8B5.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/USuX4WN.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/g4b0BE4.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/6rFWghs.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/oDlMnol.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/3lDFlKn.jpg)
Renders:
More
(https://imgur.com/6kCmUKl.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/bQuZF1R.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/FbzJFyF.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/KeDMC2V.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/VIwZ8ID.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/ObnIEdO.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/HV2Jc6N.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/WcvOhXJ.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/iveIcYQ.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/bQuZF1R.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/FbzJFyF.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/KeDMC2V.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/VIwZ8ID.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/ObnIEdO.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/HV2Jc6N.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/WcvOhXJ.jpg)
(https://imgur.com/iveIcYQ.jpg)
FAQ:
- Will you include ISO?
Sorry, no plans to include ISO - How many color options will there be?
Most likely two to three depending on the number of units. - How much will this cost?
This isn't a budget board so don't expect budget pricing. - Can you make a non-blocker version?
It is something I considered but I'm hoping to keep the number of SKUs down. Maybe if there's enough interest, I'll do a blockerless version next round. The blocker is also to distinguish the board from other 65%. Without it, it looks like a kbd67 from the top down. - Can we have a different logo?
The logo is the word forever. We debated on whether we should keep it or try something more generic but since it carries some meaning for me, I decided to stick with it. I think it'll grow on you and it's definitely distinctive when you look at it from the top down. - Can we have different mid piece materials?
Maybe next round. This round will only be Stainless Steel. - Can you run an unlimited GB?
I have no intention to run an unlimited or high volume GB. I am only one person and I can only handle so many by myself. - Can you include a brass/aluminum/ss plate?
Based on various reasons, I've decided to opt out of metal plates. One of the main reasons is due to sound profile. Metal plates tend to be ping-y and a gasket mount doesn't help with the sound. The idea is to have a cleaner sound with CF and foam in between the plate and PCB to get that thocky sound. - Can you change the blocker to be a badge or have replaceable logos?
The blocker section is actually milled out and there will be a metal piece underneath. There's no way to easily change the logo without having multiple top pieces.
Special Thanks
- Starr for case design and PCB
- Bruce and Skewed for feedback
Come join our Discord! (https://discord.gg/u7dzmKx) for the most up to date information!
Post by: driftingbunnies on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:19:50
Post by: CrazyAssMonkey on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:20:40
Post by: Vhawk on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:25:13
Post by: Nevermore012 on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:25:45
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: Kinesiologist on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:28:09
please remember to add ESD protection for the PCBs, thanks.
Post by: VipermanGT2 on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:42:52
Post by: Ustinj on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:43:17
Post by: super_tu on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:44:13
Post by: VipermanGT2 on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:45:24
looking forward to this,
please remember to add ESD protection for the PCBs, thanks.
I think ESD protection is probably the least of the concerns with this board.
Post by: driftingbunnies on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:49:04
looking forward to this,
please remember to add ESD protection for the PCBs, thanks.
Thanks, we definitely know there have been issues with other PCBs that have fried due to lack of ESD protection. We'll include it in our PCB.
Post by: hineybush on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:52:22
Post by: OtherAndrew on Mon, 28 September 2020, 21:52:57
Soooo....... Backspace, Backspace, Backspace? Will my backspace work if the legends don't fit on the cap? Will the keyboard even work? LMAO. How much effort are you actually putting into this, if you can't take 5 mins to fix a simple layout image?
looking forward to this,
please remember to add ESD protection for the PCBs, thanks.
I think ESD protection is probably the least of the concerns with this board.
can't find anything remarkable to complain about?
Post by: dRnRcRr on Mon, 28 September 2020, 22:03:11
Post by: kabocha on Mon, 28 September 2020, 22:06:56
Post by: Gondolindrim on Mon, 28 September 2020, 22:08:14
starr, like pheonixstarr?
Yes, PheonixStarr. She designed Austin too. I designed the Austin PCB, she designed the case. In this keyboard she designed the whole thing!
Post by: Blastoise on Mon, 28 September 2020, 22:08:54
Post by: Avijit on Mon, 28 September 2020, 22:14:10
The man loves his top right blockers
Post by: Baka Bot on Mon, 28 September 2020, 22:19:15
Post by: Midori on Mon, 28 September 2020, 22:32:18
starr, like pheonixstarr?
Designer of the BruhMoment84 WKL?
Post by: Vaiur on Mon, 28 September 2020, 22:34:21
Post by: Capsy on Mon, 28 September 2020, 22:40:44
Post by: yonghf on Mon, 28 September 2020, 23:34:30
Post by: digitvoid on Mon, 28 September 2020, 23:35:37
Post by: jimboytacos on Mon, 28 September 2020, 23:40:27
Post by: Blastoise on Mon, 28 September 2020, 23:57:27
Post by: cadrev on Tue, 29 September 2020, 00:18:46
Post by: Kokaloo on Tue, 29 September 2020, 00:36:56
Post by: Sissy on Tue, 29 September 2020, 00:55:32
Post by: coffeeshopcoder on Tue, 29 September 2020, 02:04:05
That’s a good thing IMO , and I like the accents.
Any thoughts on price ?
Post by: SoraNoTenshi on Tue, 29 September 2020, 02:58:45
I will investigate further, and already put some money away, so kinda count me in. Lol
Post by: elmo on Tue, 29 September 2020, 03:17:01
Post by: Lenux on Tue, 29 September 2020, 04:01:26
Post by: illusixn on Tue, 29 September 2020, 06:18:12
Soooo....... Backspace, Backspace, Backspace? Will my backspace work if the legends don't fit on the cap? Will the keyboard even work? LMAO. How much effort are you actually putting into this, if you can't take 5 mins to fix a simple layout image?
(https://cdn.discordapp.com/attachments/517902372148740096/729890496742162462/unknown.png)
Post by: driftingbunnies on Tue, 29 September 2020, 07:13:20
Will you consider the additional option of a top case without a blocker but put in an actual, functional key there?
I have considered it but I didn't want to have too many skus. I might consider it for the future but the blocker kind of sets it apart from all the other 65% boards out there.
I like it except for the chinese symbol on the case. How about this, but with the triangle cutout for indicator LEDs like on the Austin instead of the chinese symbol in the top right corner?
Thanks for the suggestion. We actually did think about that option but I didn't think it would work in that corner. Plus, I wasn't looking to expand on the Austin series and I wanted this to be different.
Post by: Clay333 on Tue, 29 September 2020, 08:36:03
Also is the mounting method just a fairly stand Keycult/Iron 165 style system or are there any notable differences? I would hope to see pictures of the mounting system on a prototype or renders at minimum before this goes into group buy.
Post by: driftingbunnies on Tue, 29 September 2020, 08:47:13
I also really like the design and normally like top right blockers. But something about it just doesn't look as good to me on this board to me. Maybe it's just the fact that it's a Chinese character and I personally don't like having anything on my board that I don't understand. Either way it's an excellent looking board, but just like stated above I would love to see an option with no blocker.
Also is the mounting method just a fairly stand Keycult/Iron 165 style system or are there any notable differences? I would hope to see pictures of the mounting system on a prototype or renders at minimum before this goes into group buy.
Thanks for the feedback. Does it help if the character means forever in Japanese as well?
Prototypes have been ordered so I'll show them before GB starts. The mounting method is similar to keycult/iron.
Post by: Clay333 on Tue, 29 September 2020, 10:36:51
I also really like the design and normally like top right blockers. But something about it just doesn't look as good to me on this board to me. Maybe it's just the fact that it's a Chinese character and I personally don't like having anything on my board that I don't understand. Either way it's an excellent looking board, but just like stated above I would love to see an option with no blocker.
Also is the mounting method just a fairly stand Keycult/Iron 165 style system or are there any notable differences? I would hope to see pictures of the mounting system on a prototype or renders at minimum before this goes into group buy.
Thanks for the feedback. Does it help if the character means forever in Japanese as well?
Prototypes have been ordered so I'll show them before GB starts. The mounting method is similar to keycult/iron.
For me personally I can't get behind characters on my boards that aren't in my native language, no matter what it means. That is just a personal preference and is in no way meant to take away from your design. There are plenty of people who don't feel that way. You should make this board what you want it to be. There will be no trouble selling it in the current market. I think it comes down to if you want to make your dream board or if you want to make a board for the people whether you add the option or not. Either way it looks like you have an amazing design and I can't wait to see how it turns out.
Post by: dededecline on Tue, 29 September 2020, 11:19:46
looking forward to this,
please remember to add ESD protection for the PCBs, thanks.
I think ESD protection is probably the least of the concerns with this board.
And yet the thing you decided to gripe about was the legends on the KLE.
Post by: JoltFX on Tue, 29 September 2020, 13:03:36
Post by: carax on Tue, 29 September 2020, 13:04:26
Post by: CastleKeyboards on Tue, 29 September 2020, 14:13:04
Post by: kurple on Tue, 29 September 2020, 14:22:51
I can't remember if I mentioned this in the IC form:
I'm hoping for a burgundy color option or that the possible red color option is dark. :thumb:
Post by: jjoejimmy on Tue, 29 September 2020, 15:16:26
Post by: bruceywane on Tue, 29 September 2020, 16:07:03
Post by: RaiKami on Tue, 29 September 2020, 17:13:38
Post by: 3yatt on Tue, 29 September 2020, 18:58:44
Post by: Solotov on Tue, 29 September 2020, 19:08:17
Do you have any other words/design on the blocker in mind?
Post by: bthezebra on Tue, 29 September 2020, 19:16:45
Post by: driftingbunnies on Tue, 29 September 2020, 19:25:04
:thumb:
Post by: Nevermore012 on Tue, 29 September 2020, 19:27:26
Thanks everyone for their feedback so far! I appreciate all the interest! I've updated the FAQ in the OP to try to answer some of the questions asked on the IC form or on the thread. Let me know if I've missed anything. Feel free to also ask your questions in the discord.
:thumb:
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Post by: driftingbunnies on Tue, 29 September 2020, 19:29:36
Thanks everyone for their feedback so far! I appreciate all the interest! I've updated the FAQ in the OP to try to answer some of the questions asked on the IC form or on the thread. Let me know if I've missed anything. Feel free to also ask your questions in the discord.you should mention the word on the blocker is not chinese, lol, it’s japanese and i like it
:thumb:
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
The word is Chinese. It just happens to be the same in Japanese.
Post by: beresford on Wed, 30 September 2020, 05:59:16
Thanks everyone for their feedback so far! I appreciate all the interest! I've updated the FAQ in the OP to try to answer some of the questions asked on the IC form or on the thread. Let me know if I've missed anything. Feel free to also ask your questions in the discord.you should mention the word on the blocker is not chinese, lol, it’s japanese and i like it
:thumb:
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Lol it's actually Chinese. So do you hate it now? ;D
Post by: beresford on Wed, 30 September 2020, 06:04:32
Post by: SherlockBunny on Wed, 30 September 2020, 07:57:34
Any plans for optional hot-swap PCB?
Post by: driftingbunnies on Wed, 30 September 2020, 07:59:08
Beautiful board. Would definitely consider.
Any plans for optional hot-swap PCB?
Sorry, no plans for hot-swap. Since this does use the unified daughterboard, you might be able to find a compatible hotswap PCB to use.
Post by: Voidec on Sat, 03 October 2020, 00:48:54
Post by: J_Noes on Sat, 03 October 2020, 03:55:43
Will you consider the additional option of a top case without a blocker but put in an actual, functional key there?
I have considered it but I didn't want to have too many skus. I might consider it for the future but the blocker kind of sets it apart from all the other 65% boards out there.I like it except for the chinese symbol on the case. How about this, but with the triangle cutout for indicator LEDs like on the Austin instead of the chinese symbol in the top right corner?
Thanks for the suggestion. We actually did think about that option but I didn't think it would work in that corner. Plus, I wasn't looking to expand on the Austin series and I wanted this to be different.
bit of a pity because a top right blocker like this isn't exactly unique too. giving it a function would be truly unique compared to a blocker without a function which seems to be the usual.
Post by: driftingbunnies on Sat, 03 October 2020, 08:02:24
Will you consider the additional option of a top case without a blocker but put in an actual, functional key there?
I have considered it but I didn't want to have too many skus. I might consider it for the future but the blocker kind of sets it apart from all the other 65% boards out there.I like it except for the chinese symbol on the case. How about this, but with the triangle cutout for indicator LEDs like on the Austin instead of the chinese symbol in the top right corner?
Thanks for the suggestion. We actually did think about that option but I didn't think it would work in that corner. Plus, I wasn't looking to expand on the Austin series and I wanted this to be different.
bit of a pity because a top right blocker like this isn't exactly unique too. giving it a function would be truly unique compared to a blocker without a function which seems to be the usual.
Appreciate the feedback! The beauty of this hobby is that there is something for everyone! If you go down the list of IC's with 65% as of this moment, this is what I see on the first two pages.
Melody65 - Key in top right
Monarch - Knob in top right
Serenity - knob in top right
Constellation - key in top right
Alpine - blocker in top right
Vega - key in top right
Fuji - Badge in top right
Vanquish - key in top right
Polygon - knob in top right
Brick - key in top right
As you can see, there are only two with a blocker or badge in the top right. While I understand that the most popular and memorable 65% boards have a blocker, I don't think it's currently the usual.
Post by: dantambok on Sat, 03 October 2020, 09:46:23
Post by: Sandy on Sat, 03 October 2020, 17:59:52
Post by: ivu on Wed, 07 October 2020, 15:50:08
Otherwise, boards looks really nice :thumb:
Post by: patzorz on Wed, 07 October 2020, 22:02:05
Post by: Nonnegaard on Thu, 08 October 2020, 04:15:40
wow, this is cool .. reminds me of a certain 65, but with a much more interesting side proYou mean the Kyuu, right?
Post by: soloplayer on Fri, 23 October 2020, 03:23:58
definitely have to snag 1
Post by: zoo on Fri, 23 October 2020, 03:40:29
Post by: dotor on Fri, 13 November 2020, 13:01:36
Post by: driftingbunnies on Fri, 13 November 2020, 13:19:08
It's entertaining when people have no intentions of buying the board make suggestions as to what to change to better suit their taste.
While Geekhack is a great place to gather interest and advertise, I think there will be more and more boards that will start selling as discord only or just off vendor's websites. Almost 1/4 of the posts on this thread have been troll posts and it's not very helpful for those who are actually interested in the board. If people want more up to date information, feel free to join my Discord.
Post by: cannon-cat on Fri, 13 November 2020, 13:42:10
Post by: mustardgreens on Fri, 13 November 2020, 13:43:50
Post by: thanatic on Wed, 02 December 2020, 01:41:12
Post by: driftingbunnies on Fri, 18 December 2020, 08:07:02
https://www.twitch.tv/driftingbunnies (https://www.twitch.tv/driftingbunnies)
Post by: KneeDeep on Fri, 18 December 2020, 08:35:35
Post by: Slash Emperor on Fri, 18 December 2020, 08:38:43
Post by: driftingbunnies on Tue, 29 December 2020, 21:15:52
https://www.driftmechanics.com/post/forever-gb (https://www.driftmechanics.com/post/forever-gb)
Post by: driftingbunnies on Mon, 04 January 2021, 21:41:00
Countdown (https://www.timeanddate.com/countdown/generic?iso=20210109T10&p0=875&msg=Forever+GB&font=cursive)
Post by: firewrath9 on Wed, 06 January 2021, 14:18:54
Post by: GMK83 on Wed, 06 January 2021, 14:24:37
keycult pricing... but it is keycult quality?
Austin QC was top notch. I don't think you have anything to worry about in terms of QC.
Post by: driftingbunnies on Wed, 06 January 2021, 14:29:48
keycult pricing... but it is keycult quality?
Hi firewrath9! If you're concerned about the quality, feel free to ask any of the Austin owners in my discord. Additionally, almost half of the total units I will be ordering will be extras to account for any units that don't meet QC. I appreciate the comparison with KC because they definitely run a tight ship and produce great boards!
Post by: verity on Wed, 06 January 2021, 15:21:27
UPDATE - GB on Saturday (1/9) at 10AM CT. Drift Mechanics (https://www.driftmechanics)
This link isn't working
Post by: driftingbunnies on Wed, 06 January 2021, 15:32:52
UPDATE - GB on Saturday (1/9) at 10AM CT. Drift Mechanics (https://www.driftmechanics)
This link isn't working
Fixed! thanks!