geekhack
geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: PlayKeyboardTW on Fri, 26 March 2021, 03:01:29
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Hi guys. Play Keyboard here.
We start this new IC for our new projects - Commodore 65.
Commodore 65 is a custom keyboard kit inspired by classic Commodore 64.
[attachimg=1]
At the moment, name and model are both still to be determinated.
Since this is our first time making ergo keyboard, we would like to go through two stages (layout IC phase > model IC phase) to make sure most people can accept the layout and model.
When layout IC phase is completed, we will move on to model IC phase and release the model.
Layout IC phase:
Here's our possible layout for Commodore 65↓
[attachimg=2]
Please leave comments about how you feel about this layout.
We hope you can give us some suggestions if you find any place is awkward or not comfy to use. :thumb:
Last, we just started our discord channel.
Please join via: https://discord.gg/DrddaR7S (https://discord.gg/DrddaR7S)
Or you can get into Commodore 65 IC channel directly via: https://discord.gg/rpmhRyDP (https://discord.gg/rpmhRyDP)
Thanks community! :D
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Interesting, looking forward seeing how this turns out.
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IC seems a bit undercooked
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Oh boy, you plan to propose the Holy Grail with such niche layout, may god forgive you!
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- inspired by classic keyboard
--- use Alice layout
hmm.... ? :-\
I guess the classic keyboard inspired your case design? :rolleyes:
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- inspired by classic keyboard
--- use Alice layout
hmm.... ? :-\
I guess the classic keyboard inspired your case design? :rolleyes:
Does seem like a bit of an awkward mash up....
Bring the renders!
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
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I'm sorry but you can't call it "Commodore 65".
First of all, someone owns the brand name "Commodore", which is why modern clones of the Commodore 64 have had to use other names such as "TheC64" and "My64" or their makers would have got sued.
Next, there is a computer called the Commodore 65 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_65). It never went to market, but at least several hundred, maybe up to 2000 units could have been manufactured. Many of these are owned by collectors, and have been showcased at conventions, exhibitions, Youtube videos etc. It is well-known.
A modern deluxe recreation of the Commodore 65 does exist: the Mega65 (https://mega65.org/), and this has a Commodore 65-layout keyboard with Cherry MX switches.
This is what a "Commodore 65 mechanical keyboard" already means.
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I'm sorry but you can't call it "Commodore 65".
First of all, someone owns the brand name "Commodore", which is why modern clones of the Commodore 64 have had to use other names such as "TheC64" and "My64" or their makers would have got sued.
Next, there was an actual computer called the Commodore 65 (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Commodore_65). It never went to market, but at least several hundred, maybe up to 2000 units could have been manufactured. Many of these are owned by collectors, and have been showcased at conventions, exhibitions, Youtube videos etc.
A modern deluxe recreation of the Commodore 65 does exist: the Mega65 (https://mega65.org/), and this has a Commodore 65-layout keyboard with Cherry MX switches.
This is what a "Commodore 65 mechanical keyboard" already means.
Really appreciate for this info. Glad that we held this name before setting up. :thumb:
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To clarify for some comments, let us put first version of model first.
The bottom edge won't be as other Alice/Arisu keyboards, but a horizontal shape as most keyboards.
[attachimg=1]
[attachimg=2]
[attachimg=3]
Arrow keys weren't added when first model was out. So it's not the layout we posted in top topic.
Sorry that I wasn't able to describe thoroughly due to my poor English. :(
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Yo I just bought the G60BLE rev2, stop trying to take my money :))
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I love the design.
My only comment is on the 3 keys on the left - are they really necessary?
I'm forever hitting those keys by mistake on the Alice layout.
LZ Physix did it better IMO.
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I’d lose the commodore64 comparison. It’s not doing anything for this IC and the result is so barely inspired by it.
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Me:
"Commadore"- Sweet, I'm bummed i missed the one that was on drop a few months back...
"65"- huh...cute code name, i would of gone "modern" or something.
"Ergo" - NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!
Bummer.
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I'm all for taking inspiration from retro keyboards, but using the revered C64 and then turning it into an Alice layout? That feels... wrong.
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split and Commodore.. that's just wrong.
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I mean I'd be ok with ergo if it wasn't just a modified alice layout. Just tired of alice layouts. Make it full slanted sides like idb ergo/flex virgo or something. So many alice clones at this point. It's like why bother.
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I mean I'd be ok with ergo if it wasn't just a modified alice layout. Just tired of alice layouts. Make it full slanted sides like idb ergo/flex virgo or something. So many alice clones at this point. It's like why bother.
I find Alice to be, functionality aside, one of the ugliest layouts. I have never seen an Alice I like.
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I think people would be much more interested if it was just the normal layout with a retro case. C64 is a classic not sure the Alice layout works as a C64 inspired board. Props for trying to be creative with it though
Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
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It should have an F-Row cluster on the right. Otherwise looks interesting.
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Thanks for all feedbacks guys! :thumb:
Actually we would like to make an injected mould for this project.
We love the classic look of C64, but don't know how you guys feel about it combined with a modern layout.
We might want to keep this design and change to a general layout. :)
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I don't think the alice layout is too bad! I guess it is a polarizing design though. Will keep an eye out for this one :D
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no ergo pls
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We love the classic look of C64, but don't know how you guys feel about it combined with a modern layout.
I believe the answer to this has been reiterated several times in the last posts :D
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Definitely interested by this. Ergo is bold as others have stated but props for taking a shot and being creative! After all, as Findecanor said, there are already so many modern reproductions of the C64, you could just go pick one of those up, so why not do something different like this? If people want a modern commodore keyboard they can just build a mech board 64.
I hope you have a keyset to go with it, hopefully in SA or MT3 profile (would require a collaboration with Matteo) Also, F row should be on the right as with the original design.
Will you make a Vic 20 version?
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I'd rather you forego the alice layout and stay true to the Commodore just like how you did the CA66 staying true to the inspiration of the ibmpc jr.
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I'd rather you forego the alice layout and stay true to the Commodore just like how you did the CA66 staying true to the inspiration of the ibmpc jr.
+1 that would be really cool... with RETRO SA
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Grateful for all comments. Everyone has been really helpful. :)
We will come back with modified layout and model soon. :thumb:
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I appreciate the hustle and desire to capitalize on zeitgeist while you can.
That being said, early ICs are simply not the way to go about publishing a set concept. A bad early IC is way worse than a late, fleshed out IC. ICs are all about impressions and the impression this IC leaves upon me is very poor. You're looking for positive reception as confirmation for renders? You're not going to find it with this low quality of an IC.
It's clear that you're fairly new to the community. You made a GH account to post this thread. This is a 104 key base kit. That's something you majorly flesh out before you even have colors in a lot of cases. Your colors are web colors, meaning you're oblivious to the IC process and GMK production as a whole, things you can easily find out more about by visitng the trove of old GB and IC threads, or even uniqey's website. This comes off as a cash grab from an inexperienced community member, which, to be honest, I'm not ragging on, but I'm definitely not about it. Take some time in the hobby to be part of the community. Be a little more active. Find out what works, what's good, why it works, why it's good, and talk with more types of folks to engage in that exchange. That's what it's really about. While the "i see guy make thing, i can make thing too!" mentality certainly has driven a lot of cool stuff, this is not one of those cases.
Renders went from being a nice to have in ICs to nearly a need to have. It shows you have some level of personal commitment to the set that you would even pay for mockups our of your own pocket before anything is official. To not have renders and to just show off a set of KLEs, is definitely not a good look, and the KLEs do a very poor job of showing the colors that you want to show, or maybe they do a really good job, but to me they look like blanks. I'm not trying to bog you down or take shots at an easy target, rarely anything ever deserves that. If you're truly invested in making this set happen beyond a text-post and a barely visible KLE render, you need to make a very good impression, so that vendors who see your IC will want to work with ya.
Many people will not buy into the concept if the IC is not good from the get-go. You can sell any concept to anyone as long as the beginning impressions are good enough.
If you're intent on making this happen (and this would have to be very soon, before more eyes can see this and get their first impressions, which, in their current state would result in the set being written off extremely quickly) then you can:
1. Flesh out those layouts.
2. Get some renders.
3. Pick colors that aren't web colors, it's 2020. We have resources to help design GMK sets. GMK has resources to help design GMK sets. Use google, guy.
4. Goals, MOQs, prior contact to GMK show vendors that you're willing to do work beyond "hur dur look at color now shoulder it all for me," which, even if a vendor wouldn't take you up on, they would like to see.
5. Give more of a ****. Going into a project half-assed (you could be fully on board, but this post does certainly not show that) only makes me believe in the project less. If you don't believe in your project enough to give a detailed, commited sales pitch, why should any vendor, or even why should the community believe in it? Dipping your toes into the pool is simply not an option when everyone else who's making successful sets is hopping in headfirst.
cmon guy.
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I appreciate the hustle and desire to capitalize on zeitgeist while you can.
That being said, early ICs are simply not the way to go about publishing a set concept. A bad early IC is way worse than a late, fleshed out IC. ICs are all about impressions and the impression this IC leaves upon me is very poor. You're looking for positive reception as confirmation for renders? You're not going to find it with this low quality of an IC.
It's clear that you're fairly new to the community. You made a GH account to post this thread. This is a 104 key base kit. That's something you majorly flesh out before you even have colors in a lot of cases. Your colors are web colors, meaning you're oblivious to the IC process and GMK production as a whole, things you can easily find out more about by visitng the trove of old GB and IC threads, or even uniqey's website. This comes off as a cash grab from an inexperienced community member, which, to be honest, I'm not ragging on, but I'm definitely not about it. Take some time in the hobby to be part of the community. Be a little more active. Find out what works, what's good, why it works, why it's good, and talk with more types of folks to engage in that exchange. That's what it's really about. While the "i see guy make thing, i can make thing too!" mentality certainly has driven a lot of cool stuff, this is not one of those cases.
Renders went from being a nice to have in ICs to nearly a need to have. It shows you have some level of personal commitment to the set that you would even pay for mockups our of your own pocket before anything is official. To not have renders and to just show off a set of KLEs, is definitely not a good look, and the KLEs do a very poor job of showing the colors that you want to show, or maybe they do a really good job, but to me they look like blanks. I'm not trying to bog you down or take shots at an easy target, rarely anything ever deserves that. If you're truly invested in making this set happen beyond a text-post and a barely visible KLE render, you need to make a very good impression, so that vendors who see your IC will want to work with ya.
Many people will not buy into the concept if the IC is not good from the get-go. You can sell any concept to anyone as long as the beginning impressions are good enough.
If you're intent on making this happen (and this would have to be very soon, before more eyes can see this and get their first impressions, which, in their current state would result in the set being written off extremely quickly) then you can:
1. Flesh out those layouts.
2. Get some renders.
3. Pick colors that aren't web colors, it's 2020. We have resources to help design GMK sets. GMK has resources to help design GMK sets. Use google, guy.
4. Goals, MOQs, prior contact to GMK show vendors that you're willing to do work beyond "hur dur look at color now shoulder it all for me," which, even if a vendor wouldn't take you up on, they would like to see.
5. Give more of a ****. Going into a project half-assed (you could be fully on board, but this post does certainly not show that) only makes me believe in the project less. If you don't believe in your project enough to give a detailed, commited sales pitch, why should any vendor, or even why should the community believe in it? Dipping your toes into the pool is simply not an option when everyone else who's making successful sets is hopping in headfirst.
cmon guy.
It's not 2020.
Sent from my SM-G975U using Tapatalk
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I clicked on the title vey fast due to Commodore and 65 since I love C64 and the 65% layout.
But ergo does not fit at all, it breaks the whole look, I don't think it will ever "work out" as a concept, I'm sorry :/
I'd still like to see a good 65% Commodore render though ;D
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I'd rather you forego the alice layout and stay true to the Commodore just like how you did the CA66 staying true to the inspiration of the ibmpc jr.
+1 that would be really cool... with RETRO SA
And do another round of CA66! ///(pretty please!)
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I appreciate the hustle and desire to capitalize on zeitgeist while you can.
That being said, early ICs are simply not the way to go about publishing a set concept. A bad early IC is way worse than a late, fleshed out IC. ICs are all about impressions and the impression this IC leaves upon me is very poor. You're looking for positive reception as confirmation for renders? You're not going to find it with this low quality of an IC.
It's clear that you're fairly new to the community. You made a GH account to post this thread. This is a 104 key base kit. That's something you majorly flesh out before you even have colors in a lot of cases. Your colors are web colors, meaning you're oblivious to the IC process and GMK production as a whole, things you can easily find out more about by visitng the trove of old GB and IC threads, or even uniqey's website. This comes off as a cash grab from an inexperienced community member, which, to be honest, I'm not ragging on, but I'm definitely not about it. Take some time in the hobby to be part of the community. Be a little more active. Find out what works, what's good, why it works, why it's good, and talk with more types of folks to engage in that exchange. That's what it's really about. While the "i see guy make thing, i can make thing too!" mentality certainly has driven a lot of cool stuff, this is not one of those cases.
Renders went from being a nice to have in ICs to nearly a need to have. It shows you have some level of personal commitment to the set that you would even pay for mockups our of your own pocket before anything is official. To not have renders and to just show off a set of KLEs, is definitely not a good look, and the KLEs do a very poor job of showing the colors that you want to show, or maybe they do a really good job, but to me they look like blanks. I'm not trying to bog you down or take shots at an easy target, rarely anything ever deserves that. If you're truly invested in making this set happen beyond a text-post and a barely visible KLE render, you need to make a very good impression, so that vendors who see your IC will want to work with ya.
Many people will not buy into the concept if the IC is not good from the get-go. You can sell any concept to anyone as long as the beginning impressions are good enough.
If you're intent on making this happen (and this would have to be very soon, before more eyes can see this and get their first impressions, which, in their current state would result in the set being written off extremely quickly) then you can:
1. Flesh out those layouts.
2. Get some renders.
3. Pick colors that aren't web colors, it's 2020. We have resources to help design GMK sets. GMK has resources to help design GMK sets. Use google, guy.
4. Goals, MOQs, prior contact to GMK show vendors that you're willing to do work beyond "hur dur look at color now shoulder it all for me," which, even if a vendor wouldn't take you up on, they would like to see.
5. Give more of a ****. Going into a project half-assed (you could be fully on board, but this post does certainly not show that) only makes me believe in the project less. If you don't believe in your project enough to give a detailed, commited sales pitch, why should any vendor, or even why should the community believe in it? Dipping your toes into the pool is simply not an option when everyone else who's making successful sets is hopping in headfirst.
cmon guy.
That is some lame, BORING pasta. There has go to be better material available.
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While there have been multiple recreations of the C64, those have been in plastic. I had expected this one to be in metal, with something like a beige Ceracote finish. I have seen metal keyboards inspired by G80-3000 and M0110 that are quite amazing.
IMHO, there have been too many keyboards marketed as "ergo" that are suboptimal in the ergonomics department, and the Alice is one of them. I don't want to disparage those who like it, but liking is just preference, and those who would like the layout probably already has one of the several variations that have been made. To be more ergonomic and thus serve a higher purpose, it should also be tented and preferably also split.
BTW, if you still go ahead with a Commodore 64-theme + Alice layout, then I'd like to suggest the alternative named "Vicky". It would reference the VIC-II graphics chip in the C64, and it is also a five-letter girl's name like "Alice".
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I'd rather you forego the alice layout and stay true to the Commodore just like how you did the CA66 staying true to the inspiration of the ibmpc jr.
+1 that would be really cool... with RETRO SA
A 65% with a macro row on a metal box would indeed be dope.
And do another round of CA66! (pretty please!)
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I appreciate the hustle and desire to capitalize on zeitgeist while you can.
That being said, early ICs are simply not the way to go about publishing a set concept. A bad early IC is way worse than a late, fleshed out IC. ICs are all about impressions and the impression this IC leaves upon me is very poor. You're looking for positive reception as confirmation for renders? You're not going to find it with this low quality of an IC.
It's clear that you're fairly new to the community. You made a GH account to post this thread. This is a 104 key base kit. That's something you majorly flesh out before you even have colors in a lot of cases. Your colors are web colors, meaning you're oblivious to the IC process and GMK production as a whole, things you can easily find out more about by visitng the trove of old GB and IC threads, or even uniqey's website. This comes off as a cash grab from an inexperienced community member, which, to be honest, I'm not ragging on, but I'm definitely not about it. Take some time in the hobby to be part of the community. Be a little more active. Find out what works, what's good, why it works, why it's good, and talk with more types of folks to engage in that exchange. That's what it's really about. While the "i see guy make thing, i can make thing too!" mentality certainly has driven a lot of cool stuff, this is not one of those cases.
Renders went from being a nice to have in ICs to nearly a need to have. It shows you have some level of personal commitment to the set that you would even pay for mockups our of your own pocket before anything is official. To not have renders and to just show off a set of KLEs, is definitely not a good look, and the KLEs do a very poor job of showing the colors that you want to show, or maybe they do a really good job, but to me they look like blanks. I'm not trying to bog you down or take shots at an easy target, rarely anything ever deserves that. If you're truly invested in making this set happen beyond a text-post and a barely visible KLE render, you need to make a very good impression, so that vendors who see your IC will want to work with ya.
Many people will not buy into the concept if the IC is not good from the get-go. You can sell any concept to anyone as long as the beginning impressions are good enough.
If you're intent on making this happen (and this would have to be very soon, before more eyes can see this and get their first impressions, which, in their current state would result in the set being written off extremely quickly) then you can:
1. Flesh out those layouts.
2. Get some renders.
3. Pick colors that aren't web colors, it's 2020. We have resources to help design GMK sets. GMK has resources to help design GMK sets. Use google, guy.
4. Goals, MOQs, prior contact to GMK show vendors that you're willing to do work beyond "hur dur look at color now shoulder it all for me," which, even if a vendor wouldn't take you up on, they would like to see.
5. Give more of a ****. Going into a project half-assed (you could be fully on board, but this post does certainly not show that) only makes me believe in the project less. If you don't believe in your project enough to give a detailed, commited sales pitch, why should any vendor, or even why should the community believe in it? Dipping your toes into the pool is simply not an option when everyone else who's making successful sets is hopping in headfirst.
cmon guy.
Uh ok. There might be some misunderstanding here, but thanks for the effort.
I clicked on the title vey fast due to Commodore and 65 since I love C64 and the 65% layout.
But ergo does not fit at all, it breaks the whole look, I don't think it will ever "work out" as a concept, I'm sorry :/
I'd still like to see a good 65% Commodore render though ;D
While there have been multiple recreations of the C64, those have been in plastic. I had expected this one to be in metal, with something like a beige Ceracote finish. I have seen metal keyboards inspired by G80-3000 and M0110 that are quite amazing.
IMHO, there have been too many keyboards marketed as "ergo" that are suboptimal in the ergonomics department, and the Alice is one of them. I don't want to disparage those who like it, but liking is just preference, and those who would like the layout probably already has one of the several variations that have been made. To be more ergonomic and thus serve a higher purpose, it should also be tented and preferably also split.
BTW, if you still go ahead with a Commodore 64-theme + Alice layout, then I'd like to suggest the alternative named "Vicky". It would reference the VIC-II graphics chip in the C64, and it is also a five-letter girl's name like "Alice".
We are working on it with a new layout right now. :)
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Appreciate the update. Can’t wait to see what form this takes.
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ngl i don't hate this one either
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The right shift should be there beneath the Enter key.