Who vs hhkb

[elbowglue]

how many people are intrested in it?

There is no real information about it, I.E. price, how it functions, how it would be available.  So everyone is interested it in at it's current state of mis-information.

[ironman31]

I'm more interested in the mini guru

[kishy]

I'd be interested if the total cost to my door is under $40 CAD. Miniguru is a kick ass keyboard but it can't meet that price goal and likely will NEVER sell for that price used, so...

I'm interested anyway, but I wouldn't be a customer if the cost surpassed that. Unrealistic? Yeah...but in the unlikely case that's a feasible target, I'd be a potential buyer.

Also I'd need some assurance of quality, like another member getting one and doing a thorough review first, because when I get adventurous with less-documented products I always end up disappointed.

[didjamatic]

I'm interested in more details, I like what I see so far for the most part.  I like the plentiful corner keys, that's where the HHKB went wrong and I've been waiting for one that had the extra modifiers.

[ta497636]

ligo,
I think the "Mini-B plug" is not a very good type. Replace it into "B-type plug"

[ch_123]

Show Image

You don't do much programming in C, do you? :P

(in reference to the placement of the [{}] keys)

Also, why the need for the separate <> key?

[DryDry]

I'd be interested if the total cost to my door is under $40 CAD. Miniguru is a kick ass keyboard but it can't meet that price goal and likely will NEVER sell for that price used, so...

I'm interested anyway, but I wouldn't be a customer if the cost surpassed that. Unrealistic? Yeah...but in the unlikely case that's a feasible target, I'd be a potential buyer.

Also I'd need some assurance of quality, like another member getting one and doing a thorough review first, because when I get adventurous with less-documented products I always end up disappointed.

it is no doubt over 40 cad. i guess the price between $80 to $90

[DryDry]

You don't do much programming in C, do you?

(in reference to the placement of the [{}] keys)

Also, why the need for the separate <> key?

may be the esc&pause change the place to < > will be better

[DryDry]

wow...
it is no metal plate in ?

[DryDry]

ligo,
I think the "Mini-B plug" is not a very good type. Replace it into "B-type plug"

nice to see you guy~

[itlnstln]

I would be more interested if there were more info and if it had Cherry browns.  The lack of Cherry browns in the HHKB is what keeps it from being the perfect keyboard for me.

[ligo]

[Brodie337]

Ligo, i there any chance you could drop us some hints as to the pricing and availability, you've got out undivided attention!

[hoggy]

Dibs on blue!  Nice.

Are you able to throw in a few diodes as well?  It's fairly easy for us to swap the springs ourselves, adding diodes is another matter...

Ligo, this is looking smart - really keen to buy one.  Keep it up.

[itlnstln]

Looks good.  Throw some browns on it, and I'm in.

[didjamatic]

HA!  Told you it looked like it could take ALPS.  Variety and options are always a good thing.  WELL DONE!!

You'd need PCB mount Cherries or ALPS though, plate mounted switches won't have the necessary big post on the bottom.

What is pricing?

[ligo]

diodes

[Brodie337]

OK.... This is officially annoying.... What is it?

[Hamburglar]

This keyboard will turn out to be just like cake. And we all know what the cake is...

[itlnstln]

I like the legends on the back of the PCB.  Makes it easy to mod.

[phoenix]

ligo,
I think the "Mini-B plug" is not a very good type. Replace it into "B-type plug"

I second that. ta497636 is more polite than I can be. "Mini-B" is bad. There seems to be enough room for a B plug. But I guess that would require a new mold for the case, which is unlikely at such a late stage.

Some more nitpicking:

The menu key is not as useful as a second windows key on the right. Even the latest two keyboards from Microsoft don't have the menu key. A menu key is also not immediately useful under Mac OS X. Perhaps you can make Fn+Right Windows the menu key. That way it is still easy to get to.

The PCB layout also rules out the possibility of a full hhkb layout clone, which doesn't sacrifice the ~` key. If you are going to stick to a strictly ANSI layout, you can make the board even smaller by cutting 1/2 key width on the right, so backspace will be 1.5 key width and \ will be a normal 1 key width. (The Apple keyboard does this.)

Since I'm used to the ANSI layout and the HHKB layout, I prefer to not have to use Fn or a layer key to access ~`. Even though it doesn't get used everyday, it is a very useful key for people typing LaTeX or SQL. (I can't have it all, I know.)

Keep the info coming, Ligo. This keyboard looks very promising.

[itlnstln]

Since I'm used to the ANSI layout and the HHKB layout, I prefer to not have to use Fn or a layer key to access ~`. Even though it doesn't get used everyday, it is a very useful key for people typing LaTeX or SQL. (I can't have it all, I know.)

Keep the info coming, Ligo. This keyboard looks very promising.

What do you use that key for in SQL?  I don't think I have ever used it, and I have been writing it for the past 6 years at work (it's pretty much all I do).  There might be a learning experience here.

[washuai]

I like to use ~ to mean approximately (≈) and do so with far too much frequency. Really, I need a double ~, which there's an ALT + 1015 code for.  
I'm guessing the SQL buff has ` versus ' issues.  I think I've only used ' in my SQL.

Brown, black, blues, alps, nice - where's the red cherries! :mmph:

[phoenix]

What do you use that key for in SQL?  I don't think I have ever used it, and I have been writing it for the past 6 years at work (it's pretty much all I do).  There might be a learning experience here.

I don't actually do any SQL work. I just remembered using ` from a course when I was an undergrad. I have no idea if it's good or bad.

http://stackoverflow.com/questions/261455/using-backticks-around-field-names

[quadibloc]

Also, why the need for the separate <> key?

That's really a second |\ key when used with the standard U.S. keyboard setting. I have it labelled in the way it would be on a 122-key terminal keyboard.

Its purpose is to allow the keyboard to be used with non-U.S. layouts that require the extra key found on an ISO layout - it is that extra key, as found between Z and the left-hand shift key on that layout.

[JBert]

OK.... This is officially annoying.... What is it?

A keyboard, of course.

Shouldn't we report the OP? It's obvious that he's a spam bot.

[noctua]

That's really a second |\ key when used with the standard U.S. keyboard setting. I have it labelled in the way it would be on a 122-key terminal keyboard.

Its purpose is to allow the keyboard to be used with non-U.S. layouts that require the extra key found on an ISO layout - it is that extra key, as found between Z and the left-hand shift key on that layout.

the german layout uses exactly this additional key, here are the characters
<> and | located.. (USB usage code 0x64, for all that write their own firmware)

[ta497636]

I'm more interested in the mini guru

I second it,

[ta497636]

nice to see you guy~

Hi, so please help me in here, I can not speak in English. Sad~~~~

[pang0011]

Hi, so please help me in here, I can not speak in English. Sad~~~~

Don't worry, Your English is better than mine at least ; )

The Geekhackers have been so kind and making a number of suggestions so far, will ligo give some feedback in response?  He chose to post the pictures here for preview, will he also consider sending an engineering sample to Geekhack for review?

From what I understand, marketing is also an art of image building : )

[kishy]

It would be interesting to have an engineering sample take a tour around a group of interested geekhackers, where each recipient pays the shipping from the previous person to themselves and has the keyboard for say 30 days before shipping to the next member.

[ta497636]

kishy, This is very good for US , the Keyboard fans, to precheck that any new keyboard's detail.
For me, I am making a plane like this in Taiwan soon.
Thank you!

BTW, can I type my word in Chinese here, and someone help me into English?

[DryDry]

this pic come from master ligo too~

[DryDry]

Uh..... NO Arrow Keys even with FCN?

Show Image

yes,fn or abandon

[kishy]

Dual embedded numpads in different forms is interesting, probably not terribly useful though.

The keyboard obviously has a 'second layer' thanks to the Fn key so it can't be terribly difficult to add cursor keys somewhere (Fn+ HJKL vi-style would be acceptable I think?)

[DryDry]

kishy, This is very good for US , the Keyboard fans, to precheck that any new keyboard's detail.
For me, I am making a plane like this in Taiwan soon.
Thank you!

BTW, can I type my word in Chinese here, and someone help may me into English?

ta497636
your written English is better than us~
geekhackers must  understand what you  said

[kishy]

I understand everything, but I'm Canadian. Don't expect so much from Americans...

(it goes both ways ripster!)

[ricercar]

I'm Canadian. Don't expect so much from Americans.

Huh? What?

[Nonmouse]

Huh? What?

Eh?

[clickclack]

it is no doubt over 40 cad. i guess the price between $80 to $90

I am thinking north or $100 USD for sure.

wow...
it is no metal plate in ?

That's not necessarily a bad thing. Casing design plays a big part too.

how many people are intrested in it?

I am, but I am more interested in more information.

HA!  Told you it looked like it could take ALPS.  Variety and options are always a good thing.  WELL DONE!!

I don't get it? Just because he put ALPS switches on its deck? Looking on the pcb there seems to be too few holes for ALPS switches on some of the board. Maybe there are two different PCBs
And althoug it would be cool, why would a new product be introduced that can use (essentially) discontinued switches? I like the idea of a roll your own (like rippy said) but it doesn't really seem like one. I mean that is really catering to a small crowd doncha think? WAIT nevermind, like I am one to talk =P

[itlnstln]

That Fn layer could be a lot better.  Having part of the "numpad" accessible via Fn and the other part not would be a problem, too.  No arrow keys, even on the Fn layer, is a show-stopper as well.

[quadibloc]

this pic come from master ligo too~

The right hand numeric keypad is in what many would consider to be the wrong place, 456 being under 890 instead of being under 789.

As Ripster noted, this layout does not seem to be quite right, because the cursor keys are essential, and yet not only are they not on the keys ordinarily, they are nowhere to be found among the Fn shifts.

This could just be because only typed characters, not hand-drawn ones, are used in the diagram.

[didjamatic]

Ripster, here's your dipswitch access... recessed hole on back of keyboard.
Could be good, can make it STANDARD LAYOUT (best for majority) or HHKB layout (best for some) or Customizable layout programmable via flash (Best for everyone) all with the flip of a switch.

[clickclack]

So I know you guys already mentioned the similarities between lowpoly's beveled casing but when I saw that photo that DryDry just posted I couldn't help but be reminded of lowpoly's miniguru rendering.
I don't want to start any problems especially when I don't know what I mean by this but what do you guys make of it? I am a curious bird =P

[clickclack]

The top view rendering is clearly lowpoly's. Or at least lowpoly had used it, but I thought he had rendered it. Sorry that the images are low res (my internet is particuarly fussy today) but the two images are identical even down to the compression artifact origins (even though the new one has been messed with a tad and further modified).

[didjamatic]

It's clearly inspired by Lowpoly's Miniguru.  The bottom 2 graphics that show the layout are actually the exact same image that has been modified.  That's pretty bold.

This is what happens when you release prototype photos early enough to allow a competitor to copy it before yours is released.  I thought it might happen, though it's missing the pointing device.  Sometimes prototypes are intentionally off to mislead the competition too.  The Miniguru final design may differ from the concepts shown to the public.

[Rajagra]

Yes. I don't mind a similar product being released. In fact that's great. But I don't want to see Lowpoly's one sabotaged before it can be made. E.g. if he still needs funding, but potential backers say "Hey look, there's a keyboard that looks just like yours at half the price." It may not be programmable or have the pointing device, but that will be no consolation if the Miniguru never gets made as a result.

[didjamatic]

Well, it's only doing half the job, the Miniguru will keep you on home row for everything, this won't.  It looks like a fantastic keyboard and I would like to try to get some of them, but they are still very different.

Ferrari F355 GTS:


Pontiac Fiero:

[clickclack]

in green...

It's clearly inspired by Lowpoly's Miniguru.
Indeed!
The bottom 2 graphics that show the layout are actually the exact same image that has been modified.
The entire thing is his, they just covered and semi cloned over parts of it.  That's pretty bold.
That's what I was thinking

This is what happens when you release prototype photos early enough to allow a competitor to copy it before yours is released.
yup and it's getting more and more common too
 I thought it might happen, though it's missing the pointing device.
But he was going to have the option of not having it iirc.
  Sometimes prototypes are intentionally off to mislead the competition too.  The Miniguru final design may differ from the concepts shown to the public.

I would expect it to, I am however curious as to what gets switched, changed, and/or incorporated. Should be interesting =)

I had this interesting thought earlier about the bottom bevel... Edit: I think I will have to give my thought more thought! XD

[didjamatic]

I LOVE the fact that it's PCB mounted and that you can use ALPS or Cherry is fantastic.