What's the point of programmable controllers/phantom?

[xSpartanCx]

So, getting into the whole keyboard world, there are many group buys for phantoms and other filco controllers. So what's the point? I understand that if you buy a phantom board, you can put any switches you want in any layout. but what't he point otherwise? What's the point of "programming" your keys with things like this, and what exactly is it?

[Findecanor]

1. It is fun just to tinker.

2. You already said it: Any layout features you want:
- You can get Dvorak layout without having to edit the settings in your OS, which is useful if you move your keyboard around a lot. Swap between Dvorak and QWERTY on the keyboard itself.
- Media key shortcuts
- Embedded number pad
- Gaming mode
...

3. Break the limit of 6-key + 8 mods rollover.

[Poom]

I have a slightly unusual typing style for example I dont use the right shift key, so I can program it to bring up "layer 2", which I set up the WASD key to be the arrow keys, so I can just hit right shift and left hand to navigate using the arrows in Excel sheets without lifting the right hand to the arrow keys on the bottom right. another example is that I dont use the caps lock, and because I live in Europa I need to use some of those üöä èéà letters from French and German I then program the caps lock to be layer 3....

These are just a few examples, you can simply make the keyboard to be anything you like, based to the language you type, or typing style.

[xSpartanCx]

Ah, that helps a lot. I think I might have to try and get my hands on one of those phantoms and build my own keyboard sooner or later

[Binge]

I have a programmable keyboard... here are the layers that I chose.

L1 is base layer, L2 is FN, and L3 is FN-lock (beyond-FN)

https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13574727/L1.PNG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13574727/L2.PNG
https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/13574727/L3.PNG

The keyboard,

[SeriouSSpotS]

1. It is fun just to tinker.

2. You already said it: Any layout features you want:
- You can get Dvorak layout without having to edit the settings in your OS, which is useful if you move your keyboard around a lot. Swap between Dvorak and QWERTY on the keyboard itself.
- Media key shortcuts
- Embedded number pad
- Gaming mode
...

3. Break the limit of 6-key + 8 mods rollover.

That is cool, have wondered what they are for, now I know

[Jack Karneval]

I haven't really wondered too much about the programmable aspects of the GH60, Phantom, etc because I know that there's millions of different use-cases for those types of devices. That being said, it is interesting to hear what's possible and what people like to do with these designs. I would never really use features like that, but there are some things such as programming CTRL+W onto a key in order to close tabs in Firefox, which is incredibly useful.

I'll never forget the one time I finally figured out a use for making a programmable macro on my Blackwidow. I was re-playing Final Fantasy 7, and in Gold Saucer there's a basketball game that is quite literally IMPOSSIBLE to consistently score in. In order to actually make a shot, I figured out you need to press and hold the key for like 6/10ths of a second or something. So I programmed a macro for that button press with a delay of 6/10ths and wa-la, score everytime 

[domoaligato]

I thought I would mention that led control is also part of custom firmware.
some of the new upcoming custom fully backlit keyboards may soon have reactive led's like the duckys.

[lucifurburch]

I know this is probably a stupid question but do these only work on usb keyboards and lose functionality when using a ps2 converter or are they fully ps2 compatible?

[oTurtlez]

I know this is probably a stupid question but do these only work on usb keyboards and lose functionality when using a ps2 converter or are they fully ps2 compatible?

Programming is done via USB. It changes the firmware of the keyboard so it's all hardware based. All changes with the board's firmware will stay with the board regardless of computer or interface once it's programmed.

[alaricljs]

Also, there is no PS/2 compatible replacement controller.  PS/2 would require an active USB->PS/2 converter.

[domoaligato]

http://sourceforge.net/projects/ps2avr/

a.87 comes in ps2 and usb models.

[alaricljs]

And no one has built a replacement controller out of that.

[Leslieann]

You also do not need a complete custom keyboard to get that functionality.
You can get HID Liberation Devices relatively cheap, much cheaper than a complete Phantom that's for sure, but you don't need a Phantom to build a custom keyboard, some of our boards have little in common with how they left the factory. The only thing really Filco in my Filco is the pcb itself. Everything else has been replaced.

[domoaligato]

And no one has built a replacement controller out of that.

I was only adding the resource to show that programmable ps2 keyboards do exist.
Your right no replacement controllers have been created for them.

[davkol]

POS keyboards are usually PS/2.

[TheQsanity]

Custom layouts. I would have my phantom already if someone wasn't holding up a whole group buy...