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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: dustinhxc on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:34:39

Title: JD40 Custom Keyboard Giveaway! Winner!
Post by: dustinhxc on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:34:39: **GIVEAWAY**

JD40, MX Blues with 62g Korean Gold springs, Clear Switch Tops, Costar Stabs in Spacebar, Dolch DSA keyset, Black Screws.
Board built by JDCarpe.

(http://i60.tinypic.com/j9vsyh.jpg)

KBK Not Included.
(http://i61.tinypic.com/wufrzq.jpg)

BB Not Included.
(http://i57.tinypic.com/2rw48s6.jpg)

I can include the Grab bag keys if interested. :cool:

Skcheng was kind enough to give this board away to me some time ago. I have enjoyed using it and exploring the layers.
Now I have decided to let someone else enjoy this amazingly built board! Keep the good Geekhack vibe going around! :cool:

I'll keep this open till Friday January 30th, One week from today. Noon Central. (12:00)

I am happy this inspires people to join and or come out of hiding, though to enter you must be a member before the contest created date. 01-23-15

Please write at least a paragraph or so, not just a simple line of text. Explain why you would like this board and what you would use it for.
Would you do anything to it? Is there a different keyset you'd put on it? Why do you deserve the board next? That's all, just enjoy the contest and keep the positive vibe going! :thumb:

I know its not nice of me to ask, though I require you to pay for the Shipping cost. 2 Day Priority, Insured. If International, then we can do First Class if requested.

Thank You,

Congratulations BadWrench! Enjoy the 62g Blues! Enjoy showing the board off! :cool: Hopefully you will make a cool USB Cable to go with it!

SeeThruHead, JDcarpe has mentioned that he will send you a kit on him! :thumb: Congratulations!

Thank You everyone for your participation, I wish I had more to give out! :-*
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: jdcarpe on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:38:21: Looking at the photos, I suspected that had to be the one I built for skcheng. :)

Good job, Dustin! :thumb:

And good luck, everyone!

(http://i.imgur.com/5RfJVFs.jpg)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Defect on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:39:16: Nice board! Good luck to whoever wins.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: dustinhxc on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:39:19: Quote from: jdcarpe on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:38:21
Looking at the photos, I suspected that had to be the one I built for skcheng. :)

Good job, Dustin! :thumb:

And good luck, everyone!

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/eBR05a0.jpg)

HEY! That is an awesome behind the scenes photo JD. :) Its a lovely board! :thumb:
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: R1N3 on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:39:59: Whoever wins this... just wow.

I've got my own on the way thanks especially to Bunny <3 otherwise I'd have the thesaurus open searching for the perfect synonym to tug on your heartstrings!
2015 has got serious karma en route to some very generous individuals!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: SpAmRaY on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:42:13: Good guy dustin! :thumb:
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: nubbinator on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:43:46: I'll definitely be doing a write up when I get home. These seem interesting, but I have a hard time with the cost. It's a very generous giveaway.

Quote
I know its not nice of me to ask, though I require you to pay for the Shipping cost. 2 Day Priority, Insured. If International, then we can do First Class if requested.

There is nothing unreasonable about that at all.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: exitfire401 on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:44:01: The reason I would like this board is very simple. I want to try 40% and see if a jd40 is right for me. I love compact boards, and my hhkb has all but taken residency on my desk at work. If I do get this board, I would probably do what you did with it Dustin. Try it out and type on it for a couple of months, and then send it on to the next user. If I like it, I buy a jd40, and if not, there's no problem, and either way, somebody else gets to try and enjoy this board after me. Thanks for running another giveaway dude!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: FrostyToast on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:45:46: I would use this board for testing out switches with different stems and springs. Switch samplers just don't cut it and the samplers give you such a terrible sense of what the switches will actually feel like when typing. The fact that you can remove all of the switch tops without soldering is amazing for testing switches. It also helps a whack ton that this keyboard has very few keys on it which makes it easy to swap out everything while still being completely functional. This board would be perfect for typing as well, not just a simple novelty as a switch tester. It would be great to take along with me to school as I could use it to take notes on my phone. It's both portable, and it has all of the keys that I would need to type with. It would be somewhat difficult to use some of the symbols, however that could be fixed with some programming. Although I do plan on buying a JD45 for this very purpose, it would be even better to have two of these kinds of boards so that I can compare two switches side by side which is really the only way I imagine myself testing switches anyway. It is a shame however that this comes with clear tops since I hear that they are much more brittle and can break from opening them too many times. However I hope to remedy this by getting some actual cherry switch tops from switches I will use to swap in and out. Overall I don't see this being my main driver ever since there is simply too little functionality, but I would love to have it for testing out switches as it is perfect for that purpose.

Also, I hope that this thing has switch cutouts or else that paragraph I just wrote would be pointless... :p
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: R1N3 on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:46:12: Quote from: exitfire401 on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:44:01
The reason I would like this board is very simple. I want to try 40% and see if a jd40 is right for me. I love compact boards, and my hhkb has all but taken residency on my desk at work. If I do get this board, I would probably do what you did with it Dustin. Try it out and type on it for a couple of months, and then send it on to the next user. If I like it, I buy a jd40, and if not, there's no problem, and either way, somebody else gets to try and enjoy this board after me. Thanks for running another giveaway dude!
The bar is high, folks..
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Badwrench on Fri, 23 January 2015, 14:51:40: Sooooo, I am going to jump right in. First off, awesome of you dustinhxc to be doing this giveaway and congrats to anyone that is lucky enough to win this board.

As for myself, just the fact that the board is built with 62g blues already makes it something that I would love to own. I have wanted to get one of these boards since they were first in the design phase, but just could never get past the truth of it not being the main board I would use at home. Since then, I have thought about it some more and decided that if the funding ever came up, I would get one to build out almost exactly how this one is and build a little traveling case to take it back and forth to work with me in my lunch box. This would be a perfect little stealth board to sneak into work and use instead of the nasty Dell oem chicklet boards that they supply - I feel dirty just using them. Not only that, but this to me is exactly the board that you show your friends and family when you are trying to explain to them what a mechanical keyboard is and why it can be such a great hobby.

Example:
Friend: How can you have a hobby of keyboards?
Me: Keyboards vary so much from one to the other and are truly the only way you interact with your computer which you spend so much time at. Why not enjoy that time even more?
Friend: I understand that, but what about when you are at work or on your tablet or something?
Me: (reaches into back pocket) That is why you always carry one of these.
Friend: :eek:
Me: (hands jd40 to friend so that he can understand the truth)
Friend: :eek: :thumb: Instantly converted to the truth of mechanical keyboards - makes account on GH so that he can get upset about artisan sales. Buys jd40 so that he can convert others. Everyone lives happily ever after. ;D
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: hwood34 on Fri, 23 January 2015, 15:07:26: I'd really love to get this board for two main reasons. Firstly, most of my computer usage consists of typing papers, browsing, and gaming. Lately, I've mostly been playing FPSs and sports games, so I don't really need anything except the alphas and mods for a good percentage of the time. I'd also love to be able to test switches on it, since switch testers can't really give an accurate feel of the switches, and a small layout board would be absolutely perfect. And having a nice switch tester would be awesome to try out some new switches like Gaterons since I'm thinking of doing a GB for them. I'd also love to get a board to bring to school to use with my table (and maybe show off a little :p). I might have to change the switches so I'd keep all or most of my friends :)). Not sure that I could though, blues are the perfect switch.

Would I put on a different keyset? Unless DSA magically becomes good somehow, I'd probably have to do a giveaway for the dolch set and put some cherry on there ;)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: asdfjkl36 on Fri, 23 January 2015, 15:15:05: Glad to see the long chain of giveaways.

Incredibly nice of you to give this JD40 away! Great board.

Good luck to all that enter :)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Kira on Fri, 23 January 2015, 15:20:00: I love the form factor of the board, its nice and small, plus I've never tried a 40% keyboard!! I would mod this into my x220, and yes it is a lot of work but hey, I'm on vacation so I got all the time in the world ;) I would probably put something girly for the keyset. xD I think I deserve the board because I would do something different with it, not like most people who would just use it and toss in storage afterwards. I'd love to integrate it cleanly into my x220. :cool:
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: derb2k2 on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:07:07: Having recently joined GH, I've found a somewhat niche community that has exposed me to an art and hobby I hope to enjoy for my remainder. Exposure to the different form factors and other modifications has opened my eyes (and wallet ;)) to something that has made me very happy. At work, I'm known as the 'keyboard guy' and now routinely bring in my boards for others to test switches and sizes. I'm actively preaching the beauty and benefits of mechanical keyboards and tend to get overzealous at times but I make sure to stress all the important aspects of mechanicals before I fully annoy them and they leave. So far, I've brought 4 boards with different switches and form factors. Recently, I did a tour of my recently received (4 days) HHKB and explained the Topre switch to several guys who I had previously exposed to MX switches. I urged them to type on it and experience the fluidity of the keypresses and the great layout. This jd40 keyboard looks beautiful and would love to show these guys the 40% form (which I haven't experienced) and feel of 62g springs. Of course, I would love to try this board myself but probably wouldn't modify it in any way since I'm not adept and haven't collected many keycap sets yet. I would take many pictures and type on it for a few days and analyze the nooks and crannies (bad scientist habit) before sending it off to another Geekhacker.

Cheers to all keyboard enthusiasts!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: sethk_ on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:10:25: GL to who ever wins, I wanted one originally, but now I realized I don't like having more than like a half layer of FN keys.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Xonar on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:24:07: Still can't believe how great all the folks here are that giveaways like this are actually possible. Makes me really glad to be part of this awesome community. Thanks for the giveaway, Dustin. Good luck to everyone!

I would absolutely love to have this board. I have nothing but large keyboards in my collection, and I'm on the go a lot, so it would be perfect to have a small, portable keyboard to accompany me, and to spread the influence of Geekhackers wherever I am. ;D Not to mention a 40% would nicely balance my collection filled with heavy, huge, and ancient IBM boards. ;)

I've always looked at the JD40 and admired it from afar, but I've never thought I'll ever own one. I've only tried one type of MX switch on a board, and that is MX Browns, on which I am typing this message. I don't mind them as much as most others, but I'm definitely ready to try a better MX switch. The 62g Blues in this one sound absolutely perfect, and it would really be a joy to get to try them out. Another thing I've been wanting to try out is DSA caps! I love the look of DSA caps, but I've never had a chance to see how I like typing on them. I especially love DSA caps in Dolch, so they'd be staying on if I won and ended up liking DSA.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: sethk_ on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:25:29: Quote from: Xonar on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:24:07
Still can't believe how great all the folks here are that giveaways like this are actually possible. Makes me really glad to be part of this awesome community. Thanks for the giveaway, Dustin. Good luck to everyone!

I would absolutely love to have this board. I have nothing but large keyboards in my collection, and I'm on the go a lot, so it would be perfect to have a small, portable keyboard to accompany me, and to spread the influence of Geekhackers wherever I am. ;D Not to mention a 40% would nicely balance my collection filled with heavy, huge, and ancient IBM boards. ;)

I've always looked at the JD40 and admired it from afar, but I've never thought I'll ever own one. I've only tried one type of MX switch on a board, and that is MX Browns, on which I am typing this message. I don't mind them as much as most others, but I'm definitely ready to try a better MX switch. The 62g Blues in this one sound absolutely perfect, and it would really be a joy to get to try them out. Another thing I've been wanting to try out is DSA caps! I love the look of DSA caps, but I've never had a chance to see how I like typing on them. I especially love DSA caps in Dolch, so they'd be staying on if I won and ended up liking DSA.
Blues are really nice, loud and clicky.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: limitz on Fri, 23 January 2015, 16:50:56: I'm interested in the JD40 because the I liked the original cause it was going to. Though I realize jdcarpe designed the keyboard, I first knew of it from the "smallfry" buy, where all profits from the board would have been donated. Although I joined GH after smallfry's time, I always admired the fact that the community kept his memory alive. We all want to make a mark on this world, and the fact that the original buy for the JD40 was meant to keep the memory of smallfry alive, meant a lot even for a person who was totally new to GH.

As far as what I would use the keyboard for, it would be included in my weekly travel kit. I work as a consultant, and I'm typically on the road for 80% of the year. For example, I'm traveling Monday-Thursday every week in the month of February (3 weeks in Topeka, KS... one week in Portland, ME). This weekly travel will likely keep up until mid-May (project is over), and I'll have a few weeks of respite, before the travel resumes again. You learn very quickly to pack light as a consultant, and NEVER to check a bag (saves time). I like the JD40 design because it very easily fits into my carry-on, but still provides the feedback/sturdiness I've come to expect from mechanicals. Moreover, due to it's small size, I can easily work on the airplane, and hopefully will act like a conversation starter as well. I'm sure most people have never seen anything like this, and if even one person adopts a mechanical keyboard due to the uniqueness of this design, then I think that will be worthy.

As far as keycaps go, I'll probably leave the DSA Dolch on there. I have the DSA Dolch kit on my fullsize CODE, but that keyboard is in my office. Due to my intense travel, I hardly ever go back to the office, and thus, rarely enjoy that set. The CODE just sits at my empty desk (I still have to mark my territory somehow). It'll be nice to finally enjoy DSA Dolch on a more regular basis.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: sidel on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:00:17: How incredibly generous of you. Good luck to everyone entering.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Jokrik on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:08:12: Good luck everyone!
and that's so nice of you Dustin, kuddos!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: GL1TCH3D on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:28:03: To be honest I'd probably bring it around to convert people to the glorious Mechanical Keyboard Master Race (the keychains I have just don't do it)

I don't have anything clicky in my life to show to people and without the click it just doesn't click for people.

As for the keysets I'd use the red and green taihao mix of keys that my secret santa gave me <3

Why do I deserve it? I don't really deserve it at all. So good luck to the other contestants!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Novus on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:32:23: I would like this board because the photos you post are so amazing. From a photography standpoint, I just want to see what this board really looks like.
I'm also curious about custom keyboard craftsmanship. I'd probably put a set of blank keycaps on it and bring it around everywhere. Will also be great for use in the morning while sipping coffee on the porch :thumb:
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: GenKaan on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:32:58: Im thinking about picking up a HHKB and need to practice on a small keyboard with non ISO layout, this would be perfect for me to kick it off the ground. Also looking to get a small keyboard to use as a "HitBox" arcade stick, so it will fill two purposes :)

Seen a few pop up and the JD40 looks absolutely amazing! Good luck to everyone
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: swill on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:35:33: I will not be joining this one as the 40% has proven to be smaller than I can manage. Thanks for the generosity with this. :)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: GL1TCH3D on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:37:13: Quote from: swill on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:35:33
I will not be joining this one as the 40% has proven to be smaller than I can manage. Thanks for the generosity with this. :)

Wait til the 20%s come out!

The trend is inevitable.

Sooner or later we'll even have 0% keyboards! *gasp*
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Kira on Fri, 23 January 2015, 18:52:48: Quote from: GL1TCH3D on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:37:13
Quote from: swill on Fri, 23 January 2015, 17:35:33
I will not be joining this one as the 40% has proven to be smaller than I can manage. Thanks for the generosity with this. :)

Wait til the 20%s come out!

The trend is inevitable.

Sooner or later we'll even have 0% keyboards! *gasp*

lol you know it's not just keyboards that are getting smaller. Cases are getting smaller these days. People are moving down from ATX motherboards to mATX and ITX motherboards. So I guess we are seeing this trend in the PC industry. I'm glad I bought my custom lian li matx case back in 2011 hehe, powdercoated white inside and out ;) No wasted space at all. We are seeing this with keyboards especially! Most people now use TKL keyboards instead of full sized keyboards and I think here at GH most of us have at least one 60% keyboard :))
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Evo_Spec on Fri, 23 January 2015, 19:30:00: Wow, this community is truly amazing, Thanks for doing this Dustin.

To be honest this is gonna start off weird cause i'm gonna start off saying that i don't think i'm the most deserving of this but i would like to give it a shot.
The reason i'm entering is because a 40% interests me a lot but it's not a board that i ever see myself actually buying so this would be a great opportunity to try one out which is something i'd really like to do but would be an extremely difficult purchase to justify.
Another large reason i would like this board is because the 40% layout trims a lot of the "Fat" off the board and i would imagine that would help me teach my daughter typing because she currently gets distracted by the extra numbers and F-keys (doesn't help that i have artisan caps there....)
Some things i would do to is add stickers to the switches since it already has the clear stops to give a little more color and then later add some lighting inside frame to shine out because i'm a huge sucker for lighting. i'd probably also take the plate off and paint it to add some color since i like bright peripherals XD
I have not tried DSA yet so i'd give that a long try but i do have a set of Ducky PBT's i'd probably throw on there.

In the end after all that if i didn't end up liking it i'd just hold another giveaway to pass it off to someone who would enjoy it.

P.S. it's absolutely alright to ask people to cover shipping anytime IMO, especially with a whole board!

Thanks again Dustin, good luck everyone.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Geroximo on Sat, 24 January 2015, 12:06:59: Wow, that's a great giveaway. You have my respect for doing this.
I don't want to participate, though.
I just came here to read the comments.
I almost had to throw up.
Grown men begging like little kids would beg for sweets. Disgusting.
"I would love this board because it is so awesome, it's the best keyboard on the planet. The JD40 would be the perfect board for my purpose."
Well ... why haven't you order it already then? Or order now. I'll even post you the link:
https://ctrlalt.io/store/items/jd40
Or "I need the JD40 for teaching my daughter how to type" ... are you serious?
Of course you cannot just teach her on your Poker, or your QFR, or your KUL, or your Leopold, or on any other board ...
This is just cheap ass begging.

Thank you for this awesome giveaway. I'm really impressed of so much generosity. :thumb:
I hope you'll find a worthy owner for this board.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: kaotikb on Sat, 24 January 2015, 12:13:50: What a great giveaway. The geekhack community is great.

I am not entering since I plan to build a keyboard when I have the time. Good luck everyone!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: hwood34 on Sat, 24 January 2015, 12:14:06: Quote from: Geroximo on Sat, 24 January 2015, 12:06:59
Wow, that's a great giveaway. You have my respect for doing this.
I don't want to participate, though.
I just came here to read the comments.
I almost had to throw up.
Grown men begging like little kids would beg for sweets. Disgusting.
"I would love this board because it is so awesome, it's the best keyboard on the planet. The JD40 would be the perfect board for my purpose."
Well ... why haven't you order it already then? Or order now. I'll even post you the link:
https://ctrlalt.io/store/items/jd40
Or "I need the JD40 for teaching my daughter how to type" ... are you serious?
Of course you cannot just teach her on your Poker, or your QFR, or your KUL, or your Leopold, or on any other board ...
This is just cheap ass begging.

Thank you for this awesome giveaway. I'm really impressed of so much generosity. :thumb:
I hope you'll find a worthy owner for this board.
Well, it seems like most people in the thread are simply listing the reasons they would like the board in order to enter the giveaway, not begging for a board. And most of those reasons are legitimate like portability or a lack of need for the many keys a larger keyboard offers. And maybe they'd rather have one for free, even if it's to try it out first before buying one. How would you go about entering without sounding like a "Grown man begging like little kids would beg for sweets"?
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: HendyZone on Sat, 24 January 2015, 12:27:11: awesome giveaway from awesome people

Dustin you are the man <3 <3

Good luck all
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: frosty on Sat, 24 January 2015, 12:59:34: Well, I start off with a word of thanks to Dustin for this giveaway, really nice to see people coming up with awesome giveaways now and then.

Why would I like the board? I fell in love with 60% and knew that smaller size boards are for me. I want to try the 40% layout and see if I can go any smaller than 60%. Also, I would like to explore a whole new keyset, given I have only experienced Ducky blank pbts and stock Poker caps. I would also like to have my first custom built board so... yeap :)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: 3Love on Sat, 24 January 2015, 13:14:41: Sweet Dustin! Nice board!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Nai_Calus on Sat, 24 January 2015, 17:41:37: This is an awesome thing to do, Dustin. :D

I'd like to have this because I've got an interest in 40% keyboards and think they're the coolest, most adorable little tiny things ever, but my budget just doesn't allow for trying them out when I've got a pingy derpy Monoprice board to save up to upgrade to something nicer that doesn't ping, and an older keyboad to save up to send off to someone for switch replacement on some dead switches. :'( Especially since I have no depth perception and probably couldn't solder one up even if I knew how, so I'd have to get assembled ones.

I'd use this for travel and distraction-free typing when I'm writing, the tiny size and minimal layout would be good for carting around and keeping myself focused. OK, I'd also probably spend some time squeeing at it and holding and going on to anyone willing to listen about how tiny and cute and adorable it is. Not even gonna lie there. :-[

Due to living in the sticks I haven't gotten to try any modded keys or alternate keycap styles because there aren't any other people around me with mechanical keyboards, so I'd leave it as-is 'cause I want to try DSA since so many cap group buys are in it.

As for why I deserve it, well, I don't think I really deserve anything, but if I got it it'd be an awesome opportunity to have something I'd not be able to get otherwise, and if I ended up not being able to work with the layout in practice, I'd give it away to someone else in need of it. :thumb:

And asking for shipping cost is totally reasonable.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: MGH on Sat, 24 January 2015, 17:54:39: I've always looked at 40% keyboards as a great portable board. They look small enough to put in your pocket and bring around everywhere. I would bring it around and use it to convert people to mechanical keyboards. I'm sure that people will go wow when they see it, and more people will join this awesome community :p

I would probably put on some DSA keycaps with some artisan caps in various spots. Its tiny, but also very versatile, so I will try to program it to do something cool. I'd love to get a nice little JD40 to just mess around with, and make this little keyboard have a big punch. ;D
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: dustinhxc on Sat, 24 January 2015, 18:30:18: Thanks everyone so far! :)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Lain1911 on Sat, 24 January 2015, 19:08:15: One of the main reasons why I should be chosen is because I respect the GH community as well as mechanical keyboards. This would be a prized collection piece and I would be willing to give it away again if necessary and never consider reselling. I came to the community about a year ago with all the noob questions that new people bring and I have learned some of the ways of the wise. Even though I’m still rough around the edges I managed to pick up a QFR and a Poker II with the advice of the people here. I use my QFR for gaming and my Poker II for heavy typing and since my Poker II are blues this JD40 would be a nice break in as I am again starting to write stories and such again. To be able to say I typed on a 40% is something most of my friends wouldn’t understand but I can feel in my heart. When I first started typing on mechanical keyboards I knew I would never go back to membrane and I believe the JD40 could be the next step up for me. I would love to type on this baby and get the feel and chills of the JD40 as it was meant to be appreciated. :thumb:
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: pr0ximity on Sat, 24 January 2015, 20:22:34: Cool giveaway, and what a great board! I'd very much be interested in owning it for a multitude of reasons, the least one being I've never had a board with Blues!

But additionally, I'm really interested in getting more into custom boards. Until now all of mine have been pre-built, and I've never done any modifications to switches. I think a smaller model like this which has already been customized would be great to learn on. The form factor is great for being able to see the internals, from the way the plate is mounted to the clear switch covers. I'm hoping to build my own Korean custom in the coming year, and I think being able to learn from how this board was put together by a knowledgeable builder would be a great asset in that journey.

On another note, I would love a more portable board to be able to bring with me to work. A 40% is idea for this, especially given that I've been getting more into customizing my layouts to better match my workflow. I think a small board like this would further enable me to think about my form and develop a more ergonomic typing style. Having all of the keys on the board within such short reach is interesting, and I'd love to see how it would work out for me. My workplace is full of loud typists (10 feet from me sits someone who types on an SSK, a guy 15 feet from him uses a board with Blues) so the Blues wouldn't be a problem :))

I also wouldn't mind having another board to put caps on, as I've been looking for my next GB to join. I think a 40% would look pretty awesome with Honeywell Sphericals on it :p

Thanks for considering me!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: SeeThruHead on Sun, 25 January 2015, 00:43:58: Quote
Please write at least a paragraph or so, not just a simple line of text. Explain why you would like this board and what you would use it for.
Would you do anything to it? Is there a different keyset you'd put on it? Why do you deserve the board next? That's all, just enjoy the contest and keep the positive vibe going! :thumb:

Want want want so bad. I basically want anything that JDCarpe has built/designed. Having something built by him would be amazing.

I would probably try and use the board as my daily driver with spacefn. I'm always taking my macbook around with me whether it's to work or to meetups/workshops, so having a 40% board would be great.

As for why I deserve it I'm not sure I deserve it more than anyone else posting in this thread. I love showing off my keyboard at work, meetups, workshops, my coding school, the coffee shop, the bus, on dates, at the gym....

I mentor for a program called ladies learning code in Toronto and soon I will be doing something with Kids Learning Code in the same space. I'm always a huge advocate for mechanical keyboards during my time there. Having something as nice as a JD40 would be a huge selling point to get people into the hobby.

When it comes to modifying I have a number of interesting things I would like to see if I can program into the firmware.
I'd like to create a website or tutorial to get web programmers like myself an easy introduction to firmware programming. (If you've got any input or suggestions on this i'm always on the geekhack IRC, i would love to hear them.) Unfortunately I currently don't have a teensy or a keyboard to connect one to so this JD40 would be a great piece of hardware to learn on.
As for keysets I currently have an uncontrollable urge to buy all the keysets so it would get a good variety put on it, though the dolch is probably nicer than anything that I have currently, so that's a huge plus.

dustinhxc so generous! (this is the best online community) you da bomb

gl everyone
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Evo_Spec on Sun, 25 January 2015, 03:07:52: *edit* Sorry, ignore this. It was in poor taste.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: TheSven on Sun, 25 January 2015, 08:35:12: I've been wanting to try a smaller keyboard recently and I was going to settle for an Atomic, but then I saw this and thought why not. Some real MX switches wouldn't go amisss either, using some clicky SMKs I got on a board for £2 right now. Getting my Model M soon as well :D
I hope I win!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: awhitedev on Sun, 25 January 2015, 08:54:23: Looks like a fun giveaway! Thank you for putting this together. I'd like to put my name in for it. I've never owned a 40% keyboard and I always thought this one just looks amazing. I've been looking for a keyboard for my new HTPC build and I think this (due to its small footprint) would fit the bill perfectly!

First off, I would put my granite DSA set on it that I just recently got from Massdrop; I think the gray on gray would just look really cool. Then, I'd try to find a way to attach a bluetooth adapter. (the one here for instance: http://handheldsci.com/kb) I have never seen this keyboard in person but I'd try to find a way to attach the BT PCB to the inside of the housing so that you wouldn't see the extra box and cable. This tiny, and completely wireless, keyboard would then be used in my living room as the HTPC keyboard. Sounds like a fun project anyways!

Thank you for your consideration! :p
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: iamtootallforthis on Sun, 25 January 2015, 12:11:49: Thanks for doing this Dustin!

I have been looking for a more compact keyboard and the JD40 is just that. I would also like to pair this board with the JD45 I will be building in the near future. The keyset I would be using for this board will most likely be my Round 2 Granite set but I want to test out my GMK Dolch set on it first. I have heard great things about this board and would like a board that I could more easily travel with. I have also been looking to try out blue switches as my current board has browns.

Thanks again Dustin for doing this for the community! I know you will send this to a deserving member.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Oatburner on Sun, 25 January 2015, 14:15:18: I need this board because BunnyLake is taking too ****ing long to ship my JD40 I ordered 6 months ago.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: nubbinator on Sun, 25 January 2015, 14:17:22: Quote from: Oatburner on Sun, 25 January 2015, 14:15:18
I need this board because BunnyLake is taking too ****ing long to ship my JD40 I ordered 6 months ago.

(http://i.imgur.com//IstsZnF.gif)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: ullr on Sun, 25 January 2015, 14:21:10: I would love this board! I have long known that I wanted a JD40, and I almost bought one. I am a student, and unemployed, so I have very limited funds for keyboards. I'll be receiving a Poker with Clears as my first mech in March, so this would be my second. In fact, I've considered a JD40 as one of only two or three keyboards that I'd like to own when all is said and done. I've never tried blues before, and as I imagine this keyboard doesn't go well with gaming (of which I do very little anyway), I think it might be the perfect switch for the form factor. I would use it absolutely the way it is, excepting software layout changes, and it would probably be my daily driver (or at least very frequently used) until I get my end game keyboard of a custom 60%. I'm not exactly a prominent member of GH ( Or DT or /r/MK for that matter ), so I don't have much to say as far as my deservedness.

Good luck to everyone else, if I don't get this one I'm sure a JD40 will make its way to me one day.

This is the layout I've designed for a JD40 when I get one. http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/8e475c42b16ca97cbebd95b1909f4810
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: hwood34 on Sun, 25 January 2015, 15:06:28: Quote from: Oatburner on Sun, 25 January 2015, 14:15:18
I need this board because BunnyLake is taking too ****ing long to ship my JD40 I ordered 6 months ago.
(http://media.tumblr.com/94c1386641c00a4bf4e4faf190ef0589/tumblr_mnhnupgX7w1qic837o2_250.gif)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: berserkfan on Sun, 25 January 2015, 20:49:08: This is an awfully nice thing you’re doing, Dustin! Two thumbs and two big toes up!

OK, since you are offering a great staggered board that can be used on one hand, I can see an interesting opportunity worth exploring. Here’s my contribution and I’ll let you judge if it is suitable.

Originally I had no interest in the JD40 board. It doesn’t offer enough keys to be functional for me as a daily driver. Also I have another favourite layout already, split modified Colemak.

Recently I had a change of routine and found I needed to use a keyboard much more often while on the move. A split layout is not good for that, but a single big/ fullsize keyboard is also not good since I often need to hold something in the other hand because I will be on my feet. And I also find that my split layout keyboard is terrible on desks whenever I only have one free hand – I am unable to work while answering telephone calls for instance. So I have gotten interested in creating a one-handed ergonomic layout.

I was looking at the Matias one-handed keyboard, but was very disappointed by the exorbitant price. I think it is simply exploiting the disabled/ handicapped who have no choice to buy Matias’ keyboard. [Those familiar with my anti-cost rants know that I really am opposed to inflated prices and am a fan of making things affordable for everyone.]

I wouldn’t dare claim that I ‘deserve’ the keyboard. There are tons of ghers who contribute more to this community than me. (The creator of the JD40 being a notable example!) However, I might be able to use the board in a way that the Maker never envisioned, so it is worth exploring as my efforts might help the community.

I want to try the JD40 out as a versatile layout board:

1)   I have no intention of using it as a daily driver on a desk. I have bigger/ more functional boards, and it also does not contribute to geekhack knowledge or to any disabled people. (I have some involvement with disabled people so am somewhat more sympathetic to their struggles because things that are easy and straightforward for ‘normals’ could be very difficult for people with special needs.)

2)   JD40 is compact and portable. I want to develop it as a one handed board with extensive functions and many keys, and in the meantime take advantage to explore staggered layouts rather than the matrix layouts that I have been using for the past few months.

3)   I normally find a full size spacebar a waste of space, but in this case a very accessible key is needed to trigger the function layer for one handed typing. So the spacebar is perfect. I will almost certainly change the Rwin to space and RAlt to return. I will use the RFV and right columns for all the alphanumerics, and EDC/ everything to its left for numpad and navigation/ tenkey depending on the layer being triggered. The goal being to achieve maximum functionality with a minimum number of keypresses while using this JD40 on my left hand.

4) In the meantime the JD40 will remain usable as a normal keyboard for two handed typing, of course. I will probably find some key combo that toggles between 1 and 2 handed use.

I don’t keep things that I have no use for. If in 6 months I have no satisfactory layout with this JD40 board, I will sell it for as much money as I can, and funnel the proceeds to a cause of my liking. Am pleased to say that Dorkvader’s Hall Effect Project has already been fully funded by yours truly from the proceeds over several months of intensive selling. And you Dustin, being one of the many people who paid by gift to Dorkvader's account when you bought the MegaMillions keycap from me, were part of that!

My next pet project is the Ergodex and I will be talking about that in a couple months in hopes of finding some geekhackers interested in taking that further. So anything I get free from anyone, if I wind up selling it, can go to fund this.

[NOTE: Ergodex is not Ergodox. It is a free-layout keyboard design that offers much versatility, and it seems to use some kind of buckling sleeve magnetic capacitive technology that at present I don’t understand. Ergodex will give us the freedom to create our own custom layouts without needing any PCB!]

If I like the JD40 board I will keep it of course. For me liking is closely related to functionality, so the real ‘like’ is more about whether I can have a layout that suits my needs. The aesthetics of the board will not influence whether I keep it.

I will probably start out using a relegendable keyset on it. Relegendables are poor for travelling with since the lids can be lost, so once I have attained some traction with the layout I will get blanks and label them with labels from my Brother p-touch printer.

Thanks again for doing this giveaway! I hope my innovative proposal will inspire more people to come forward with responses that are helpful to all geeks!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: ullr on Sun, 25 January 2015, 21:13:21: Quote from: berserkfan on Sun, 25 January 2015, 20:49:08
This is an awfully nice thing you’re doing, Dustin! Two thumbs and two big toes up!

- snip -

Thanks again for doing this giveaway! I hope my innovative proposal will inspire more people to come forward with responses that are helpful to all geeks!

pshaw, the Matias Half Keyboard is hardly one-handed for a guy like Guts! I'd expect a Tipro with a few extra modules is about "one-handed" for him. I suppose you could very ironically dub the JD40 the Dragonslayer if you win.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: munch on Mon, 26 January 2015, 00:02:29: damn. I'm not sure I would do it justice... I have a BT scissor switch KB for my tablet, and I like that it is quiet so I can actually use it in public.

but, yeah. damn.
this is an amazing giveaway.

on the other hand, I would use it at home for my laptop and tablet, and it would look great with my newly purchased OG Dolch keyboard... :p

but nah. I'd feel bad.
really nice board and extremely generous giveaway. megaplusplus cheers to you dustin
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Evrycard on Mon, 26 January 2015, 01:05:30: It will be my first modded mechanical board.
I would like to put different types of switches on it.
I deserve it because I am a newbie to mechanical keyboard modding and where best to start but with a free one.
Thx...
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: drewba on Mon, 26 January 2015, 11:46:18: I don't think I'm worthy, just wanted to say this is an awfully nice thing to do.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: dustinhxc on Mon, 26 January 2015, 12:23:50: Anyone is worthy! :) You just have to type something up! Thanks guys! :thumb:
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: yomammary on Mon, 26 January 2015, 12:37:23: Honestly I've never built a keyboard from almost scratch. My soldering skills aren't that good but I've been thinking about starting a project like this.
So I guess I'd take a poke around how you've done it so it can help me when I start my project.
I've also never used blue switches, I'm not a fan of loud keyboards but I've always wondered what they sounded like in real life (I've heard them in youtube videos).
I have no idea if they work with iPad but I'd be looking into that too.
The keyboard is just too beautiful for me not to spend 10 minutes to write this.

Also, I'm a big hardcore fan.
http://hate5six.com/player.php?album=3224629
Enjoy.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: flaming_june on Mon, 26 January 2015, 12:48:33: I would just give it away again. I wouldn't deserve to use this board.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Zombii on Mon, 26 January 2015, 14:39:06: I'm interested in being chosen for this giveaway because as a younger keyboard enthusiast (beginning undergraduate) I don't have much money to spend on niche-but-useful boards like a JD40 or other 40%s. I love small factor keyboards, with my daily driver being a Poker II that I managed to get through gift funds over a couple months. Unfortunately, it's predecessor was murdered when I tried LED soldering, but it's all part of the learning process. Mechanical keyboards are such an interesting hobby and such great devices, yet they're so diverse. Of course, most of all, they brutally, unflinchingly murder our wallets. If I was chosen to receive this board, I would use it for a number of purposes. Saving space on my main desk in my dorm so I don't have to remove my keyboard from the desk every time I need to work on something with paper on a flat surface, using it with my laptop for a completely easy and tiny keyboard to carry around with me so I don't have to bang my head on my 3 year old laptop's barely function scissor switch keyboard. I don't necessarily feel deserving of the board, but I've been interested in 40%s for a long time, so I thought I would just post my two cents.

Good luck to everyone and thanks for starting such a good giveaway!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: dustinhxc on Mon, 26 January 2015, 18:50:15: Quote from: yomammary on Mon, 26 January 2015, 12:37:23
Honestly I've never built a keyboard from almost scratch. My soldering skills aren't that good but I've been thinking about starting a project like this.
So I guess I'd take a poke around how you've done it so it can help me when I start my project.
I've also never used blue switches, I'm not a fan of loud keyboards but I've always wondered what they sounded like in real life (I've heard them in youtube videos).
I have no idea if they work with iPad but I'd be looking into that too.
The keyboard is just too beautiful for me not to spend 10 minutes to write this.

Also, I'm a big hardcore fan.
http://hate5six.com/player.php?album=3224629
Enjoy.

That video is badass dude. :cool:
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Ramuq on Tue, 27 January 2015, 00:25:55: I love everything about these 40% boards sadly I don't have the time or the skill to make one. I would use this board at work mostly since we're stuck with rubber domes and we type all day. It's pretty dreadful, like typing on a sponge constantly. The size would make it perfect to take between home and work. I would go with the look in the second photo if not grab some grey/silver caps to go with that metal case. The JD40 would be a perfect board for my job, I design fiber and coax for TWC and Comcast there is a lot of typing and paperwork associated with my job and a mech I could bring in would make a hell of a difference. Thanks for your consideration!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: isaske on Tue, 27 January 2015, 03:05:50: Wow. Just wow. I never owned a custom keyboard, i would love to see the difference. That being said, i wanted to try a switch swap before, but i was too scared so i sent the keyboard to margo from CTRLAlt to do it for me. I think that even a small thing like that adds some flavour. And yours sounds like it has many small modifications! Needless to say, i love the minimalistic look of it. I've owned a 60% keyboard but this looks even nicer :) Props for doing that, man, you're gonna make someone really really happy! :thumb:
Also, DSA keyset. Ofc also a huge bonus. Always wanted to try it - in theory, i think it goes best with MX blues of all MX switches. All i have are DCS profile keycaps, best set being the blank blue PBT caps from imsto.
Edit: If i were lucky enough to get it, I would use it for typing large paragraphs and translating on it. Blue switches are just the best for typing. For gaming, i would still use my FC700R /w MX reds.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: yomammary on Tue, 27 January 2015, 07:12:53: Quote from: dustinhxc on Mon, 26 January 2015, 18:50:15
Quote from: yomammary on Mon, 26 January 2015, 12:37:23
Honestly I've never built a keyboard from almost scratch. My soldering skills aren't that good but I've been thinking about starting a project like this.
So I guess I'd take a poke around how you've done it so it can help me when I start my project.
I've also never used blue switches, I'm not a fan of loud keyboards but I've always wondered what they sounded like in real life (I've heard them in youtube videos).
I have no idea if they work with iPad but I'd be looking into that too.
The keyboard is just too beautiful for me not to spend 10 minutes to write this.

Also, I'm a big hardcore fan.
http://hate5six.com/player.php?album=3224629
Enjoy.

That video is badass dude. :cool:
+1 for me ;)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: derezzed on Tue, 27 January 2015, 09:09:51: My hat's off to you sir. I hope one day I am in a position to do something like this. I would like to spend a couple weeks (maybe just a few hours) using a 40% board but I don't have any desire to own one. It's such a nice looking board that I would hate to modify it. I hope the person who gets it truly appreciates it and your act of generosity.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: TheZech on Tue, 27 January 2015, 14:20:14: I would like to try the JD because I have always wanted a smaller keyboard and this seems like the smallest practical possible layout.
I'm also kind of interested in how awesome it is to be able to carry a small keyboard around.
I'm not that much into keycaps, so I'm not sure how exactly I would bring it up.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 28 January 2015, 03:27:22: Quote from: TheZech on Tue, 27 January 2015, 14:20:14
I would like to try the JD because I have always wanted a smaller keyboard and this seems like the smallest practical possible layout.
I'm also kind of interested in how awesome it is to be able to carry a small keyboard around.
I'm not that much into keycaps, so I'm not sure how exactly I would bring it up.

Welcome to Geekhack!

Not much into keycaps? :)) You will be ... you will be ;)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Kira on Wed, 28 January 2015, 03:38:23: Quote from: rowdy on Wed, 28 January 2015, 03:27:22
Quote from: TheZech on Tue, 27 January 2015, 14:20:14
I would like to try the JD because I have always wanted a smaller keyboard and this seems like the smallest practical possible layout.
I'm also kind of interested in how awesome it is to be able to carry a small keyboard around.
I'm not that much into keycaps, so I'm not sure how exactly I would bring it up.

Welcome to Geekhack!

Not much into keycaps? :)) You will be ... you will be ;)

Agreed! WARNING: DO NOT ENTER THE GROUP BUY SECTION OF GEEKHACK IF YOU CARE ABOUT YOUR WALLET!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Giorgio on Wed, 28 January 2015, 07:13:24: If I had this essential and wonderful keyboard, I would use it to write hermetic poetry. And to look at it.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: JackMills on Wed, 28 January 2015, 07:47:45: I would like to try this one out, the JD40's size intrigues me, last year I switched from full-sized to a 60% format (Leopold FC660M), maybe 2015 will be the year that I switch to 40%.
I would not change the keycaps, but maybe if I don't like the blues I could see me switching them for something else (probably clears, maybe I should try blacks or even put greys in). This seems to be the ideal board for someone to take a look under the hood, if you are not that knowledgeable or handy in opening keyboards (or to scared to force a case open, like me).
I would definitely try to look into changing the layout, as it is small it should be the most convenient layout possible for your personal needs.
And like some others I pledge to give this keyboard to someone else if I have no need for it, if it would become a daily driver than I have to come up with something else to give back.

Good luck with choosing someone suitable for this keyboard.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: 000000 on Wed, 28 January 2015, 08:09:24: I would like this board to use at my university library for writing reports etc. I'm a civil engineering student so I have lots of reports to write. I face a catch-22 because I can write more efficiently at home on my blues, but I can focus better in the library. However I don't want to be "that guy" using a really loud mech disturbing everyone else. At the moment I use a cheap wireless bluetooth board with my windows 8 tablet.

This board would be perfect due to it's small size (easily fit into my bag), however I would have to change the switch stems to clears (or browns if I can't get clears) so that it's quieter and I'd probably fit o-rings too. That way I can have a small quiet board for taking to uni, and a larger louder board at home. I'd keep the same springs and the clear switch tops though because they look really cool! I like the keycaps as they are, dolch always looks amazing. So I probably wouldn't change them. Ultimately I would love to modify it to be bluetooth, but that's quite ambitious for me I think.

Really appreciate you doing this, OP. Good luck everyone!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: vmod on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:13:12: Good luck to everyone. I wish I could say I deserve to win this, but frankly I have no idea how amazing piece of hardware this keyboard is. ^{(Noob here .I'm saw-ry)} But I this keyboard just looks so amazing, I can't stop looking at it. So I feel I should atleast try. So here it goes,

I have no idea how amazing this keyboard is but one thing I am certain ( from my very basic knowledge about them) mechanical keyboards are the best you can get from keyboards. Having such an abstract and beautiful keyboard as my first mechanical keyboard would be the best thing that could happen to me. I recently got in love with mechanical keyboard and as I learned more about them I feel in love. A purchase is yet to happen as I narrow down to knowing which one is best to begin with. If I win this giveaway, this would be my daily driver keyboard ( so to speak ). My day starts on the keyboard and ends on it, I write, code and like everyone here end up having some obnoxious arguments on the intrawebs. At least for few months I am not going to modify this bad boy but as time passes this sure would be modified to a degree to modification it deserves. Maybe a year later I would consider giving away like you are to anyone who might be worthy to continue using it with the modifications I did ( or however he feels he is cool with )

Thank you for reading along and stop laughing at me. This is the best reason I can come up with with the knowledge and love I have about mechanical keyboards.

Once again, Good Luck everyone and keep Click-Clacking! :thumb:
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Geroximo on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:45:58: People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: FrostyToast on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:52:31: Quote from: Geroximo on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:45:58
People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.

Oh yeah. That is really freaking awful.
I'm surprised that there wasn't a requirement to have joined by a certain date.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: berserkfan on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:59:29: Quote from: 000000 on Wed, 28 January 2015, 08:09:24
I would like this board to use at my university library for writing reports etc. I'm a civil engineering student so I have lots of reports to write. I face a catch-22 because I can write more efficiently at home on my blues, but I can focus better in the library. However I don't want to be "that guy" using a really loud mech disturbing everyone else. At the moment I use a cheap wireless bluetooth board with my windows 8 tablet.

This board would be perfect due to it's small size (easily fit into my bag), however I would have to change the switch stems to clears (or browns if I can't get clears) so that it's quieter and I'd probably fit o-rings too. That way I can have a small quiet board for taking to uni, and a larger louder board at home. I'd keep the same springs and the clear switch tops though because they look really cool! I like the keycaps as they are, dolch always looks amazing. So I probably wouldn't change them. Ultimately I would love to modify it to be bluetooth, but that's quite ambitious for me I think.

Really appreciate you doing this, OP. Good luck everyone!

If you're CONUS you can buy dental bands cheaply. Put them in blue stems, and you have the quietest ever mod!

[Sorry dustin, could not resist, at least it should be helpful to people looking for something quiet!]
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: jdcarpe on Wed, 28 January 2015, 10:01:06: Quote from: FrostyToast on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:52:31
Quote from: Geroximo on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:45:58
People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.

Oh yeah. That is really freaking awful.
I'm surprised that there wasn't a requirement to have joined by a certain date.

Dustin should probably retroactively state that you must have joined before the start date of the giveaway to be eligible...
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: berserkfan on Wed, 28 January 2015, 10:04:18: Quote from: Geroximo on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:45:58
People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.

Quote from: FrostyToast on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:52:31
Quote from: Geroximo on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:45:58
People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.

Oh yeah. That is really freaking awful.
I'm surprised that there wasn't a requirement to have joined by a certain date.

This is a direction that I didn't want geekhack to go either, but as we get more prominent (on the search and reviews threads) we're drawing more people of all kinds. It always irks me that there are people who have been lurking around for a very long time (sometimes years) and they don't post or contribute any thing constructive, but suddenly pop out when there is a giveaway. Then I look at the date of registration, and man, some registered before I did but have like two posts.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: vmod on Wed, 28 January 2015, 10:07:53: Quote from: Geroximo on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:45:58
People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.
I feel this is being addressed to me ( as I am a newly registered member ). tbh, I did not know about GH until last week. Few weeks ago I stumbled upon mechanical keyboards and since then I been lurking around /r/mech and just recently got to know about GH. I joined the community to be part of it more than anything.
I did not register for the giveaway, I registered to be part of this niche community.
As I mentioned in my last post, I do not feel to I should be the one to win this but I don't want to regret not trying to get it.

Quote from: FrostyToast on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:52:31
Quote from: Geroximo on Wed, 28 January 2015, 09:45:58
People registering just to get a free keyboard ... this is getting more and more pathetic.

Oh yeah. That is really freaking awful.
I'm surprised that there wasn't a requirement to have joined by a certain date.

I did not see it this way ( new registrations just for give-away) but now that I see that point, I agree me and others newly registered shouldn't be allowed. And just the joining date shouldn't be a mandate but also some xx number of posts. This way only active members and not dormat/hacked/bought accounts win it.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: inanis on Wed, 28 January 2015, 10:24:48: Quote from: berserkfan on Wed, 28 January 2015, 10:04:18
This is a direction that I didn't want geekhack to go either, but as we get more prominent (on the search and reviews threads) we're drawing more people of all kinds. It always irks me that there are people who have been lurking around for a very long time (sometimes years) and they don't post or contribute any thing constructive, but suddenly pop out when there is a giveaway. Then I look at the date of registration, and man, some registered before I did but have like two posts.

I think sometimes it can be very difficult for people to come out of their shell and actually participate. I know it is for me. It took a lot of convincing myself to actually start participating here. I'm on this site A LOT, by my post count does not really reflect that. Now, I'm not saying that people should join up just to try to get something for free, but maybe someone who is a lurker by nature, and registered sometime ago might be persuaded to put an entry in for a giveaway, even if they have a low post count. That isn't a bad thing, it may make the person engage more in the community and find that there is value in joining in the discussion. While I do try to approach things with a glass half full attitude, I dislike the idea of someone trying to take advantage of anothers generosity, and I hope that is not what is happening here.

On topic of the JD40 - I recently purchased one from the classifieds and it is really fun to type with. I think perhaps some people are underestimating the learning curve of typing with proper punctuation on a 40%. You have to be willing to invest time to get used to the layout, time to create the layout and time to tweak things to make it just right. I, myself, think it is a wonderful board to learn and experiment with. I wish all deserving candidates luck in this giveaway. It is certainly a fun board to play around with. :)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: jdcarpe on Wed, 28 January 2015, 10:25:57: Quote from: inanis on Wed, 28 January 2015, 10:24:48
I think perhaps some people are underestimating the learning curve of typing with proper punctuation on a 40%. You have to be willing to invest time to get used to the layout, time to create the layout and time to tweak things to make it just right. I, myself, think it is a wonderful board to learn and experiment with. I wish all deserving candidates luck in this giveaway. It is certainly a fun board to play around with. :)

Quoted for truth.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Snowdog993 on Wed, 28 January 2015, 10:38:42: I can't see myself personally using a keyboard that small. I've been using full-sized keyboards since time out of mind. However, I do like the alpha keys very much. I wish I could have something like that on my model M keyboards to be honest. Maybe having that keyboard for a tablet or something might be a good idea. I really couldn't see using it outside of that.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: dustinhxc on Wed, 28 January 2015, 13:02:17: Quote from: jdcarpe on Wed, 28 January 2015, 10:25:57
Quote from: inanis on Wed, 28 January 2015, 10:24:48
I think perhaps some people are underestimating the learning curve of typing with proper punctuation on a 40%. You have to be willing to invest time to get used to the layout, time to create the layout and time to tweak things to make it just right. I, myself, think it is a wonderful board to learn and experiment with. I wish all deserving candidates luck in this giveaway. It is certainly a fun board to play around with. :)

Quoted for truth.

^^ Great post!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: berserkfan on Wed, 28 January 2015, 13:47:19: Quote from: jdcarpe on Wed, 28 January 2015, 10:25:57
Quote from: inanis on Wed, 28 January 2015, 10:24:48
I think perhaps some people are underestimating the learning curve of typing with proper punctuation on a 40%. You have to be willing to invest time to get used to the layout, time to create the layout and time to tweak things to make it just right. I, myself, think it is a wonderful board to learn and experiment with. I wish all deserving candidates luck in this giveaway. It is certainly a fun board to play around with. :)

Quoted for truth.

The bizarre thing is, now even I want a 40%, but not in the way JD intended it to be used. As a one handed keyboard, I don't want to be moving my hand around too much. So I actually want to use the spacebar as a function/ layer key and to do all the alpha typing within six columns.

If I were to use the navigation/ arrow keys or the numpad, I would move my hand left.

This is still very much a start. There's a long way to go before I can figure out a good layout. I tested my jailhouse mod for 6 months before releasing it, and I took the same time before I would let anyone see my modified Colemak layout.

Whatever the case, I will never offer half-done or untested mods to my fellow GHers. I don't want to waste other people's time on marginal quality stuff.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Rit on Wed, 28 January 2015, 13:53:16: I want this keyboard so I can turn around and sell it and then buy a full razer set up. :thumb:
Oh, and I also signed up just for this keyboard because of how bad @ss it is...
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Tyrosh22 on Wed, 28 January 2015, 16:28:15: I've just recently gotten into mechanical keyboards. Being used to full-sized keyboards I had my mind set on getting a full-sized mechanical keyboard as well. No sooner said than done: A Corsair Vengeance K70 with cherry MX-Blue switches has become my first mechanical keyboard. However, it took not long for me to realize that the numpad is practically useless. Some day, I'll get a TKL keyboard!
As soon as I've started typing on a mechanical keyboard I became addicted to it. For travelling purposes, I would have bought a Poker II - had I not seen this giveaway. This is why I'd be happy to get the keyboard - travelling and seeing how small a keyboard can actually be.

(PS: I did not register for the giveaway, I just decided to join this community and saw this thread by accident!)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: jdcarpe on Wed, 28 January 2015, 16:31:23: Quote from: Rit on Wed, 28 January 2015, 13:53:16
I want this keyboard so I can turn around and sell it and then buy a full razer set up. :thumb:
Oh, and I also signed up just for this keyboard because of how bad @ss it is...

Haha, nice try at troll.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: jdcarpe on Wed, 28 January 2015, 16:44:29: Quote from: berserkfan on Wed, 28 January 2015, 13:47:19
The bizarre thing is, now even I want a 40%, but not in the way JD intended it to be used. As a one handed keyboard, I don't want to be moving my hand around too much. So I actually want to use the spacebar as a function/ layer key and to do all the alpha typing within six columns.

Actually, that is one reason I intended. I never really thought such a small board would be very useful for typing, though some have adjusted to it. A one-hand keyboard can be useful, though.

Another intended use is for gaming, by mapping keys and macros so you can use it with one hand and mouse with the other.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Lazerxzz on Wed, 28 January 2015, 20:03:30: I would like to win it because I'm very poor with a negative balance bank account and my current keyboard is dying and I can't afford a new one : (
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: berserkfan on Wed, 28 January 2015, 20:43:23: Quote from: jdcarpe on Wed, 28 January 2015, 16:44:29
Quote from: berserkfan on Wed, 28 January 2015, 13:47:19
The bizarre thing is, now even I want a 40%, but not in the way JD intended it to be used. As a one handed keyboard, I don't want to be moving my hand around too much. So I actually want to use the spacebar as a function/ layer key and to do all the alpha typing within six columns.

Actually, that is one reason I intended. I never really thought such a small board would be very useful for typing, though some have adjusted to it. A one-hand keyboard can be useful, though.

Another intended use is for gaming, by mapping keys and macros so you can use it with one hand and mouse with the other.

Quote from: Lazerxzz on Wed, 28 January 2015, 20:03:30
I would like to win it because I'm very poor with a negative balance bank account and my current keyboard is dying and I can't afford a new one : (

Awesome, JD, but you could have designed it with the option of breaking up the space bar into many space and function keys! (I know the teensy will still take up 3 keys or so? Could you have put it between 2 2.75x or 2.25x keys?) Keep that feedback in mind for your next 40% would you?

As for Lazerxzz, if you have a negative bank balance and can't afford things, maybe you can't afford to pay for the shipping? :p Better to spend the same amount of money on food?
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: jdcarpe on Wed, 28 January 2015, 21:10:25: Not to derail the thread (sorry Dustin!), but berserkfan, I think the JD45 is what you want. It has split spacebar and extra key options. You can build it 100% without stabilizers, since in that configuration, no key is longer than 1.75 units wide. The thread about it is in the Artisan Services forum. :)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: DrHubblePhD on Wed, 28 January 2015, 21:55:03: To begin I should say that I apreciate the giveaway and the tremendous generosity of people on GeekHack.

I think that the JD40 would be the essential board I need to continue experimenting with different mods. I have thought about trying to mold custom plates using silicon molds, casts and custom colorways, this would be the perfect board to try it on seeing that it is not only simple in terms of layout, but in terms of geometry. I also have a great deal of lighting, switch, and case mods that I am interested in experimenting in.

Im not going to lie, my collection of keyboards is rather small compared to many others here on GeekHack. If I got this board, therefore, there is no doubt that it would be put to use, not stashed away somewhere. I am always looking for a great board to carry around, whether it is to improve my typing experience on the go or teach other people about mechanical keyboards. Once again, the simplicity of the JD40 would greatly enable me in both regards.

Thanks again for the giveaway and good luck to everyone that enters.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: hwood34 on Wed, 28 January 2015, 21:56:51: What better board is there to test out new magnificent Gaterons? For the people!
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: Lazerxzz on Thu, 29 January 2015, 19:39:45: Quote from: berserkfan on Wed, 28 January 2015, 20:43:23
Quote from: jdcarpe on Wed, 28 January 2015, 16:44:29
Quote from: berserkfan on Wed, 28 January 2015, 13:47:19
The bizarre thing is, now even I want a 40%, but not in the way JD intended it to be used. As a one handed keyboard, I don't want to be moving my hand around too much. So I actually want to use the spacebar as a function/ layer key and to do all the alpha typing within six columns.

Actually, that is one reason I intended. I never really thought such a small board would be very useful for typing, though some have adjusted to it. A one-hand keyboard can be useful, though.

Another intended use is for gaming, by mapping keys and macros so you can use it with one hand and mouse with the other.

Quote from: Lazerxzz on Wed, 28 January 2015, 20:03:30
I would like to win it because I'm very poor with a negative balance bank account and my current keyboard is dying and I can't afford a new one : (

Awesome, JD, but you could have designed it with the option of breaking up the space bar into many space and function keys! (I know the teensy will still take up 3 keys or so? Could you have put it between 2 2.75x or 2.25x keys?) Keep that feedback in mind for your next 40% would you?

As for Lazerxzz, if you have a negative bank balance and can't afford things, maybe you can't afford to pay for the shipping? :p Better to spend the same amount of money on food?

I live a rather boring food life of ramen and white rice and water with lots of seasonings :D a 20 pound bag of rice cost $10 at most and last me over a month! Also....... shipping would be worth the cost to pay for.
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: dustinhxc on Fri, 30 January 2015, 01:41:15: Last night everyone! ;D
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 30 January 2015, 02:07:56: Quote from: dustinhxc on Fri, 30 January 2015, 01:41:15
Last night everyone! ;D

What happened last night?
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: vmod on Fri, 30 January 2015, 03:35:28: Quote from: rowdy on Fri, 30 January 2015, 02:07:56
Quote from: dustinhxc on Fri, 30 January 2015, 01:41:15
Last night everyone! ;D

What happened last night?

I think he meant. Last night of submission :)

Quote
I'll keep this open till Friday January 30th, One week from today. Noon Central. (12:00)
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 30 January 2015, 03:57:15: Quote from: vmod on Fri, 30 January 2015, 03:35:28
Quote from: rowdy on Fri, 30 January 2015, 02:07:56
Quote from: dustinhxc on Fri, 30 January 2015, 01:41:15
Last night everyone! ;D

What happened last night?

I think he meant. Last night of submission :)

I think he knows ;) :p
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: dustinhxc on Fri, 30 January 2015, 13:27:30: I worked last night! That's about it. :P

Closed, I will pick a winner today. Thank you everyone for their submissions and participation! I appreciate the time that everyone took with this! :thumb:

:cool:
Title: Re: **GIVEAWAY** JD40 Custom Keyboard
Post by: dustinhxc on Fri, 30 January 2015, 14:38:33: Congratulations BadWrench! Enjoy the 62g Blues! Enjoy showing the board off! :cool: Hopefully you will make a cool USB Cable to go with it!

SeeThruHead, JDcarpe has mentioned that he will send you a kit on him! :thumb: Congratulations!

Thank You everyone for your participation, I wish I had more to give out! :-*