[IC] Compact board with standard keys, arrow cluster, 6 leds, lots of flexibilty

[badcircle]

I'm interested in making this board a reality -- it' garnered a bit of interest over at Reddit so I wanted to check in here and get some feedback. Also looking to recruit any help I can in creating the PCB, etc... Opinions?

[FoC_Tow]

Not usually a big fan of 65% because proportions end up looking too stretched, but the blockers really help to even things out. =)

Imo 2.75u shift looks strange shifted sideways like this tho, so split shift might be nice.

Personally, I would go split shift and ditch the entire right column, symmetry is way overrated anyway xD

[Korseir]

i actually don't mind the large right shift key and where it is positioned because the overall layout is quite symmetrical and it wont be difficult to find keycaps for it (i think, coming from a fc660c with 2 same sized shift keys). i am quite interested in how this pans out. i also like the utility using the blank areas in the lower corners for LED indications but am not sure what all of them represent.

[badcircle]

I just updated the graphic to better show my thinking.

The three LED on the left are Num Lock, Caps Lock, Scroll Lock and the three on the right are Arrow Disable Lock, Function Lock, and Function Active.

So Function + ? disables the arrows and you get Super Friggin Shift mode which puts its right back where your pinky expects it. And then you get extra modifiers.

[FrostyToast]

Giving the board a split shift and deleting the right-most column entirely would allow this board to fit on regular 60% aftermarket cases.
i think it would be the best option and I personally have no use for the extra column.

[ideus]

There is another project that is close to this that it is currently in the works and close to be a GB. It does not have leds though, but the layout is similar but it fits a sixty case. I do prefer sixty for case compatibility.

[badcircle]

slight variation on idea since so many people highlighted the 60% case issue:

[pixelpusher]

It looks nice, but I couldn't use it because I use the right shift, and I don't wand to try to learn to reach over the arrow key to press it

[badcircle]

Right on -- but what if you could easily turn the arrows off, which turned the up arrow back in to Shift? (via Fn+?) @reececonrad

[pixelpusher]

That is a great idea, and I actually have a board with this functionality that I built.  It's standard 60% with split right shift opposite of your split, so shift on left 1.75u and fn on right 1u.  Clicking function toggles the arrow cluster (shift=Up, window=left, menu=down, ctrl=right).  I use it every now and then but what you REALLY need if you have this is a led indicator to let you know if it's on or off.  I can't stress this enough.  I'm almost to the point of abandoning the toggle and just reassigning the Fn key because I get frustrated when I forget it's is turned on. 

So, your original image with led indicators is a good solution in that case.  The other option would be to put an on board led behind the toggle key and but a 1u windowed key there.  Or, like the V60 does with this same idea, just make it bright and let it shine under the keys.

[FoC_Tow]

slight variation on idea since so many people highlighted the 60% case issue:

Show Image

Love it!
This end up happening definitely count me in for two.

[iFreilicht]

slight variation on idea since so many people highlighted the 60% case issue:

Show Image

Hm, this already exists with many more options. https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=85959.0

Personally, I'd say go for the 65% option because that is much more unique and gives the huge advantage of not requiring any special-size keycaps. I also like the idea of having six indicator LEDs where you positioned them. With those in mind, this whole board would probably end up needing a special case anyway, so not having support for 60% cases doesn't really matter too much.

Any ideas what you want to do in terms of firmware/customisability? What alternative layouts do you (want) to support, would the keyboard include the keycaps with all the legends for secondary functions?