2015 Predictions and Plans

[Puddsy]

So, while this wasn't meant to be a thread, it pretty much is one.

This is not meant to be my personal thread, you're absolutely welcome to post your own P&P in here.

PREDICTIONS

-GMK Unikey program launches after the summer, or at least gets fleshed out by July.
-SP ALPS GB barely succeeds, but there's some unexpected issue with it.
-at least 5 GMK GBs, including, but not limited to, Photekq's secret GB, Hyperfuse, Klaxon, another Ivan GB (likely WoB), and Billnye's mini kits.
-KUL teases another board, likely a fullsize ES-87. If not, then they tease something that seems good in theory but is actually dumb.
-HHKB3 teased, but nobody notices until 6 months later
-First in-the-flesh versions of the Unicomp M83 are shown, possibly released to the market
-Large MX switch shortages lead to a big influx of quality MX clones

BOLD PREDICTON: Filco MJ3, or at the very least special edition MJ2.

PLANS

BUY:
Non-Corsair RGB board
Logitech Romer-G board
GON? Finally?

SELL:
-DS3
-Terminal M
-Cyrillic set?
-AT&T keytronic?

-Run a GB, probably through PMK
-Upgrade PC
-Get really good at Overwatch, hopefully turn pro
-Attend Keycon East
-Don't fail College
-Keep being awesome

It's been a ****ty year, especially in the news. We can only go up from here, really. At least, I hope so.

What do you think will happen this year? What are your plans?

I'd love to see your bold predictions, those are always fun.

[tp4tissue]

Plans...

Keep using the Ergodox until the Day I DIE...

[Findecanor]

How little things change ...

Egdx4Lyf

Show Image

[jacobolus]

-SP ALPS GB barely succeeds, but there's some unexpected issue with it.

I’m skeptical. The proposed color scheme is a bit of a niche preference, and I think the stabilizer issues need solving. SP really doesn’t want to do Alps anything, but especially not Alps DCS or Alps dyesubs. Maybe they can eventually be convinced to do Alps DSA dyesubs. Their pricing for Alps anything is substantially more expensive than the MX equivalents.

-First in-the-flesh versions of the Unicomp M83 are shown, possibly released to the market

Good luck with that. I’d put the odds here at about 10:1 against.

-Large MX switch shortages lead to a big influx of quality MX clones

Plausible. I’m curious whether we’ll see Gateron or Gaote switches in any keyboards available in the west. I’m looking forward to Matias switches gaining some popularity, especially with the new linear variants. Seems like they’d be an attractive option for “gamer” boards, with the ability to shine RGB LEDs through them.

[jacobolus]

Plans:
- Build some little props to use in little videos to demonstrate various keycap profiles, and my criteria for keycap profile design
- Do some 3d-modeling of a better keycap profile, and try to order some 3d prints or possibly make some via CNC milling (wood? plastic?) and then figure out if anyone can practically make tooling for better shaped keycaps.
- Play around with dyeing PBT keycaps
- Build an Alps-mount-switch switch tester with one of every Alps mount switch I can find. (Still need to collect another ~10 types of switches before I’m satisfied at covering all of the important ones.)
- Measure force curves for every Alps mount switch, and assorted MX switches, and maybe some other stuff. Might involve some effort helping HaaTa get a CNC-based force gauge set up.
- Make a website which properly describes the feel/sound of various switches, ideally with some little interactive charts; try to come up with some useful metrics for various aspects of switch feel
- Make several more prototype ergonomic keyboard layouts, and get some people trying them out, so we can iterate a few times before trying to produce bigger numbers
- Restore a 107-key 4704 Model F. (powder coat the case, figure out the right layout, possibly make replacement foam mat, get an xwhatsit controller hooked up)
- Figure out how to design a Model F PCB, and make a split column-stagger “ergonomic” Model F.
- Figure out how to CNC hardwood to make full case/plate in arbitrary shapes, for use with hand wired switch matrixes
- Obtain some trackpoints, thumbsticks, and similar analog input devices, and play around with incorporating them into keyboards
- Make a prototype trackball using ball transfer units for bearings

[tp4tissue]

How little things change ...

Egdx4Lyf

Show Image

Tp4 knows love..

Tp4's love is eternal..

[Findecanor]

Plans:
- If the Red Scarf II project doesn't get going in a month, I'll finally build my compact keyboard with direct wiring as I had planned to do originally. I'm so effing tired of waiting ...
- I never released my firmware in 2014. I overcomplicated it (like I usually do...), and wanted to start over but never did. I might work on reducing power consumption, to make it more suitable for use with Windows tablets.
- Get back on the Westron (Western answer to µTron) keyboard project.
- Sell lots of keyboard I don't need. They are starting to take up too much room.
- Build a gaming PC.

Predictions:
- NovaTouch will be a flop. Mainly because of price and because the general populace is dumb.
- Hipsters among gamers will choose dirty white "melty" keyboards from the late '90s over mechanicals.
- Cherry won't react to the switch shortage. More manufacturers will go over to Kailh instead of using transparent Cherry switches.
- A growing number of people will denounce multicolour rainbow backlighting as being "gay".
- Swedish, Finnish, Danish and Norwegian users will still have to settle with "Nordic" layout ...

[vivalarevolución]

- Figure out how to design a Model F PCB, and make a split column-stagger “ergonomic” Model F.

Please do.  I'll help test the beta version.

[iri]

Predictions:
- Rouble will fall into the abyss

Plans:
- Move away from here

- A growing number of people will denounce multicolour rainbow backlighting as being "gay".

my keyboard with rainbow keycaps was called "tolerant"

[hwood34]

Predictions
-SP ALPS GB barely succeeds, but there's some unexpected issue with it.

It's more of a pleasant surprise when there aren't any

[billnye]

I predict my first full set GMK group buy will also happen this year

[Lastpilot]

Lost my Ducati in 2011. Saving to get a new bike by next November. <3

[Photekq]

I predict my first full set GMK group buy will also happen this year

I predict your avatar will be changed at least 50 more times within the next year :^)

Predictions :

I won't find HASRO/SAV/SEARB or SAT for the 2nd year in a row.

[billnye]

I predict my first full set GMK group buy will also happen this year

I predict your avatar will be changed at least 50 more times within the next year :^)

Predictions :

I won't find HASRO/SAV/SEARB or SAT for the 2nd year in a row.

I predict I will find 356cl at retail and Photekq will kill 2 more social workers with spice jars.

EDIT: Also Uniqey will be either pad printed or way more expensive than anyone wants to pay.

[pichu23]

Waiting for the full clear case switch for my upcoming builds but not sure when will it happen D:


DENIED - no full clear case switches for me as 7Bit says Cherry won't be offering them. So if I want I'll need to get a corsair to get the switches. argh 

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

I predict that I will get hired full-time at my job and I will finally purchase a Topre board.

I then predict I will sell it due to lack of clickyness, and I'll buy a Model F instead.

[Joey Quinn]

Plans:
Refinish Lightsaver Case
55g HHKB
Kishsaver (Hopefully)
Something Alps
Finish MA42

[dorkvader]

-First in-the-flesh versions of the Unicomp M83 are shown, possibly released to the market

lol!

We said the same thing 5 years ago.

Prediciton: I'll finally be able to complete my Sprit 110%. I have the case, I have the M3 tap, I have the switches, keycaps. just need springs and PCB.

plans:
Complete hall effect controller project
Start converting people's hall effect KBs left and right
Get those unsaver KBs working
finally start using my 4704-400
Get a SS plate fro my skeldon and switch to some better switches (you hear me right tacticalstache! )
Get dolch upgraded with a better CPU if possible and running as a server.

Buy
Novatouch with SA caps <- depending on funds

Sell
all my "boring" cherry keyboards
some boring IBM stuff
some more interesting IBM stuff

[Dubsgalore]

I predict my first full set GMK group buy will also happen this year

I predict your avatar will be changed at least 50 more times within the next year :^)

Predictions :

I won't find HASRO/SAV/SEARB or SAT for the 2nd year in a row.

I predict I will find 356cl at retail and Photekq will kill 2 more social workers with spice jars.

EDIT: Also Uniqey will be either pad printed or way more expensive than anyone wants to pay.

Prediction: HASRO will arrive

[katushkin]

Predict:

Ducky will bring out their own version of the RGB board that wont suck (announced mid spring, release early fall)
Cherry will get their act together in Q2/3 and start producing more switches.
I will be taken on full time in my job (same as CLIB)


Plan:
I will probably buy a horribly expensive board (korean customs) to celebrate being taken on full time.
My girlfriend and I will have a massive argument about it
I will probably buy two or three more boards across the span of those 12 months to take my total to 12. (May venture into the land of topre :O )
I will move out of my parent's house.
I also plan to get out of my horrible debt crisis with a lifeline from a trust fund I'm owed on my 25th birthday

A lot will happen (Y)

[dante]

Prediction(s):
1. KBParadise V80 tenkeyless w/ Matias Alps will be released (It is being seriously considered.)
2. Introduction of a RGB Alps keyboard from Forward Electronics.
3. Matias 60% GB will go down in flames ~ mostly because MassDrop is probably the most appropriate venue for this.

Plan(s):
1. TaoHao ABS Doubleshots for Alps official GB announcement hopefully no later than end of Jan 2015.  It will be compatible with both KBP V60MTS and Matias Quiet Pro (PC Version.)
2. Taking Electronics courses at local community College in the spring.
3. Soldering my first keyboard (Massdrop Infinity.)
4. May run a MX POM keycap group buy if Ivan ever gets his keycaps. 

[jacobolus]

Cherry will get their act together in Q2/3 and start producing more switches.

Good luck with that.

I will probably buy a horribly expensive board (korean customs) to celebrate being taken on full time.
My girlfriend and I will have a massive argument about it

Perhaps she could splurge on one of her hobbies too, so it’s fair.

I will move out of my parent's house.

I imagine this might help with the GF.

I also plan to get out of my horrible debt crisis with a lifeline from a trust fund I'm owed on my 25th birthday

How big is this trust fund? I think you should share with the rest of us. But seriously, paying down debt is great. I’m super thankful that my college had generous financial aid and I don’t have much of any debt coming out of school. Many of my friends piled up huge loans to pay for school and now have to work crazy hard on jobs they hate to dig themselves out of the debt ****pile. Structuring society so that many 20-year-olds are in debt to the tune of multiple years of salary is just insane.

[billnye]

I predict my first full set GMK group buy will also happen this year

I predict your avatar will be changed at least 50 more times within the next year :^)

Predictions :

I won't find HASRO/SAV/SEARB or SAT for the 2nd year in a row.

I predict I will find 356cl at retail and Photekq will kill 2 more social workers with spice jars.

EDIT: Also Uniqey will be either pad printed or way more expensive than anyone wants to pay.

Prediction: HASRO will arrive

Prediction: Dubs will be making a trip to Canada very soon in an angry manner

[katushkin]

Good luck with that.

Even Cherry know that it's bad business not to keep supply up with demand. With all the complaints they've had over the past year it's only a matter of time before they start ramping up production.

How big is this trust fund? I think you should share with the rest of us. But seriously, paying down debt is great. I’m super thankful that my college had generous financial aid and I don’t have much of any debt coming out of school. Many of my friends piled up huge loans to pay for school and now have to work crazy hard on jobs they hate to dig themselves out of the debt ****pile. Structuring society so that many 20-year-olds are in debt to the tune of multiple years of salary is just insane.

It's about £20k. I have always been bad with money, and I've used other savings to pay it off before, but I can't keep going on like this. I never went to university, so the debt is purely my own fault. Not helped by all the keyboards I've been buying... I only need about £5k to pay off everything, then the rest will go on/be used towards saving up for a deposit on the house.

[jacobolus]

With all the complaints [Cherry has] had over the past year it's only a matter of time before they start ramping up production [of MX switches].

Once again, good luck with that.

I never went to university, so the debt is purely my own fault. Not helped by all the keyboards I've been buying.

I’m all for taking responsibility for things, but don’t beat yourself too much. Jobs, debt, financial security, etc. are hard for almost everybody.

.. I only need about £5k to pay off everything, then the rest will go on/be used towards saving up for a deposit on the house.

Congrats. Striking out on your own and supporting your own household is a big milestone. All the best luck with it!

[azhdar]

Plans :
- Finish school
- with diplom in hand , get a full time job at my current place
- use the new money to buy myself a house
- finish motorcycle license
- get a motorbike
- get a GON
- try out Topre


Predictions :
- Ducky RGB boards will be a sucess
- uniqkey will disappoing us .