As somebody who wants Arrow keys in a 60% layout, I present the Alt Pure Pro Layout.
[attachimg=3]
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/d916484ba0ec37d4befbde2d1d8fefdd
First, the problems with the stock pure pro are plenty. Fn Pn programming is flat out weird, really odd placing of keys, and the dreaded bottom row.
This design solves for many of the problems but there are still one or two that cannot be avoided.
The board will be fully programmable so as long as key positioning is good, there shouldn't be anything to complain about.
It should fit in a standard 60% case now, and I will go for a PCB mounted design.
For keycaps, I am thinking of going with DSA blanks, so the 2x shift and 1x shift won't have to be custom made.
OLD DESIGN--Scrapped because of screw positioning
More
As a arrow key and navigation cluster junkie, I wanted a 60% with those keys.
Thus I present:
The Alt 60 Project.
60% footprint, but more keys.
Benefits:
Arrow keys and more on the right side
60% footprint so you can use existing 60% cases (tex, FMJ, Hammer, etc)
100% programbility(to be added later on)
Layout will most likely be:
[attachimg=2]
It will be PCB mounted style at first, as getting a plate cut is harder than making a PCB. Cases are the easiest to source for this project. If plates are really popular, I will try to get some made later.
To do list:
Design PCB
Original OP:
I was thinking of an alternative 60% layout:
[attachimg=1]
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/193b06a2ef7b17857b2a07e4ee3c11fc
It fits in a regular 60% case.
Each row in a traditional 60% layout is cut off by 1 unit in total by removing .5 from each end. The exceptions are the top row, R shift, and bottom row, where 1x is removed from Backspace and 1.5 is removed from R shift, and the bottom row is different from spacebar to the right.
In addition, a navigation cluster is added. Arrow keys and Home/Up/Down/End. There is a Fn and Pn button on the bottom row. This can be changed whether or not you use certain keys more or less.
Regular keys for modifier keys can't be used anymore, but the alphas (minus |\) are the same, as with 6.25x spacebar and 1.25x bottom row mods. The sizes for keys are still pretty standard, and any flat profile blank keys can be used without problems.
The bonuses of this layout is arrow keys and navigation keys in a 60% layout that still fits in a regular 60% case.
Thoughts?
In terms of keycaps for people who want legends, without getting a specific pack for this layout, an TKL+ISO kit+Tsang kit will take care of everything except for the caps, enter, \|, and backspace keys.
If somebody could make a PCB for this with compatibility for various bottom row setups, that would be awesome.
Serious advice: if you can, use two 3x (or similar) spacebars, and make one of them backspace. Just that one tiny change makes a huge difference, even if you don’t ever go as far as a “real” ergonomic keyboard.
Like this? If so I agree completely.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/sxScoy8.png)
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/2c656b384460d47375ddae28524e39a6
Hm that looks good but It'll need some time to get used to
Another layout with a Home and End combined with Page Up and Down, and a bigger Backspace. Space bar was made to 6.25 the standard WASD Keyboards space bar.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/MG68Vfr.png)
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/a44696b3984fa81f53b536c94ff91896
Threw some keycaps together since I was bored.
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/PF2TZFa.jpg)
I rather like that layout. Its better than my design, I forgot about my Fn layer so home on page up and end on page down is genius.
Going off of the split space idea,
[attachimg=1]
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/dcb62d327992f2ee1f51e3bd911673bb
As of right now, the 3 bar setup is unappealing due to lack of spacebars (spacebars are convex, regular keys are concave)
R2 is the most appealing to me and I will be trying to get a PCB designed for it.
(Attachment Link)
If this were to become popular, all that needs to be added onto a TKL set is a 1.25x shift (which can be sourced from ISO kit), 1.75x shift (sourced from tsang) 1.75x enter (just change up the caps lock legends) and 1.25x caps lock (don't exactly know how that will work out), and 1x tab, \| keys, and Fn and Pn. For those I'm fine with blanks, but legends would be best.
Will SP do a group buy with unusual key sizes like these?
SP can get those keys no problem. They have molds for those. Its easiest with DSA blanks, but in other profiles we can still get the set made, no size is unstandard.
Have you thought about using Caps lock as backspace? Caps lock is rarely used by most.
I use caps lock as control, while keeping regular control still control. I prefer to have backspace in its original position.
It shouldn't be an issue as the firmware will be 100% programmable so whatever layout you want you get.
you are aware of this, aren't you? :)
Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/iEx1cSE.jpg)
anyway you can find 2 stems 2u keycaps, so you can actually support both 2u backspace AND 1u+1u layouts
I am very aware. :))
I'd rather not use those rose systems SP keys. If its possible to design a PCB with 2x and 2 1x caps, that would be most ideal. If not, then oh well. I'd rather stick to a 2x backspace because Fn layers will take care of whatever setups you need with the 3 keys on the right in the 2-4 rows.
More experimenting, now a layout with 7x spacebar, so we can utilize a Tsang kit with this board and use as many parts as possible.
http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/014d3912ad49a8c769f9ebd34bfb7d5c