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geekhack Marketplace => Interest Checks => Topic started by: Tom_Kazansky on Thu, 06 October 2016, 09:07:19
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Hello, everyone!
sorry for the long title
Before we begin, I will ask you these questions:
- do you like HHKB layout?
actually, HHKB-like, Ctrl at home row instead of Capslock
- do you want a more detailed bottom row?
- do you use your left thumb to smash on spacebar?
if your answer is "Yes" then I think this PCB is for you.
(actually, the 3rd one is optional).
After exploring the mechanical keyboard world, keyboards come with all kind of switches, layouts,... finally I found the layout that would be the "best" for me.
But I cannot have my PCB made alone (some say it's too costly), so I decided to make this IC thread.
I have 3 layouts:
- Layout A:
[attachimg=1]
- Layout B:
[attachimg=2]
- Layout AB:
[attachimg=3]
I think these layouts will use their own PCB so we can't do all at once.
Please tell me what you think about them.
you may ask:
+ why HHKB?
some of you may know about the Ctrl at Capslock position (at home row), I tried this and I can't go back.
I also found out that if Capslock at position of Ctrl, sometimes I will accidentally press it while pressing Ctrl + Shift (with the pinky finger)
though I'm not in favor of the Backspace right on top of Enter, sometimes I press Enter instead of Backspace, maybe I'm not that used to it (I don't have a HHKB) :p
+ why Home, End, Page Up,... everything is on the left side, are you a lefty?
I'm not, though I'm trying to use two hands equally.
Also when you're playing game, your right hand will operate the mouse, yeah?
+ there are two arrow clusters?
Yes, another thing related to gaming: the cluster on the left is to move/pan the camera, you don't want to move your left hand to the arrows on the right, right? your right hand is with the mouse.
+ if there are enough interests, you're planning to open a group buy... with 15 posts account?
well, no, of course not, I will find a... vendor (should I use this word?) to open a group buy instead.
even if people were to decide to trust me, I'm not confident I can organize a group buy.
+ your right shift... :eek:
yes, I feel that the current right shift is not that useful, you will have to move your hand away from the home keys.
I do have a prototype board with shift at that position, though it's not as effective as I thought, my right thumb is useless :rolleyes:
+ there are numpad keys?
yes, I figured that someone would want to use them, for input numbers or use "key strokes" (ex. in Window: Alt + Num 0174 = ®)
though I put the numpad 5 at the same position as "J" key, but it's not as effective as I thought, maybe these numpad keys need to be printed :(
+ what is "flip" key?
It should "flip" layer of ESC key:
- off: ESC, ` ~ (I think you will want dedicated ESC when gaming)
- on: ` ~, ESC (for typing, you will want dedicated ` ~, right?)
and Fn + Flip: flip layer of "numpad keys" (this should be Fn + Shift + / on layout B & AB)
- off: r t y u i, - + 7 8 9
- on: - + 7 8 9, r t y u i
Suggestion & question
If you have any suggestions or questions, please don't hesitate to ask.
Also, I need a name for this PCB, maybe something with "Hack" in it? ;D
Thank you for reading,
Tom.
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I would team up with this thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=84891.0) instead of starting another IC ;)
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I would team up with this thread (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=84891.0) instead of starting another IC ;)
I don't think his PCB are compatible with my layouts, though if there are enough interests in my layout, I will ask him to let me join. :D
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I like AB, although I use the spacebar primarily with my right hand, so I would need to either get used to it, or swap those 2 at the bottom.
Same boat though - can't go back to capslock. I use software to switch my other keyboards caps to ctrl right now.
I prefer HHKB backspace above enter.
I've been on an HHKB for years now and when I'm looking at new keyboards to try out I immediately check for a longer backspace/delete above enter.
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I like AB
thank you! :thumb:
although I use the spacebar primarily with my right hand, so I would need to either get used to it, or swap those 2 at the bottom.
I think they can be easily swapped with programming.
EDIT: I added another item in the "you may ask" section regarding the right shift.
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Updated "you may ask" section for "numpad keys" and "flip" key.
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Hi Tom! :)
I'm looking for PCB for this layout
[attach=1]
My plan is to use this case
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Arrival-Free-shipping-HHKB-Case-Plate-Switches-Led-Stabilizers-Keycaps-DIY-Kit-For-HHKB-60/32684284153.html
and this spacebar
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Black-PBT-blank-mechanical-keyboard-filco-minila-air-thick-PBT-white-side-print-keycap-cherry-mx/32714664659.html
If you PCB will suite my layout I'll only need make two more holes in case top plate.
What do you think?
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And my name suggestion is Small Hacker Keyboard :) or SMHK :) model 1
SMHK M1
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Hi Tom! :)
I'm looking for PCB for this layout
(Attachment Link)
My plan is to use this case
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Arrival-Free-shipping-HHKB-Case-Plate-Switches-Led-Stabilizers-Keycaps-DIY-Kit-For-HHKB-60/32684284153.html
and this spacebar
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Black-PBT-blank-mechanical-keyboard-filco-minila-air-thick-PBT-white-side-print-keycap-cherry-mx/32714664659.html
If you PCB will suite my layout I'll only need make two more holes in case top plate.
What do you think?
your layout has a 3u spacebar, I don't think my PCB will suite yours,
though I will wait for more replies, my layouts are not finalized yet. :)
And my name suggestion is Small Haker Keyboard :) or SMHK :) model 1
SMHK M1
I will keep your suggestion in mind :thumb:
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I want layout A!
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Hi Tom! :)
I'm looking for PCB for this layout
(Attachment Link)
My plan is to use this case
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/New-Arrival-Free-shipping-HHKB-Case-Plate-Switches-Led-Stabilizers-Keycaps-DIY-Kit-For-HHKB-60/32684284153.html
and this spacebar
https://www.aliexpress.com/item/Black-PBT-blank-mechanical-keyboard-filco-minila-air-thick-PBT-white-side-print-keycap-cherry-mx/32714664659.html
If you PCB will suite my layout I'll only need make two more holes in case top plate.
What do you think?
your layout has a 3u spacebar, I don't think my PCB will suite yours,
though I will wait for more replies, my layouts are not finalized yet. :)
...
If you get Layout A and replace spacebar by spacebar of layout B, you'll get very close to my layout AFAICS.
3,5 U spacebar splited by 2,25+1,25 is ok for me though not very aesthetically good.
At this moment I'm using Minila keyboard with replaced controller and blank keycaps. I'm touch typist.
I like my Manila except there are too many keys for my test. Not a zen way :)
So I'd like to see keyboard without useless keys. And this is what my layout (see above) is.