So I found out I needed a small, portable keyboard which supports both USB and Bluetooth.
This combination doesn't really seem to exist, so I looked into building one myself and eagerly got myself a Teensy3 and a RN42 Bluetooth module (which doesn't support the BT_HID protocol, as I found out yesterday -_-)
If I got this right, a keyboard might need the following components:
A controllerI picked a Teensy3 because I've read the Teensys were widely used as keyboard controllers. I didn't really consider the different CPUs, so I've probably locked myself out of using the
tmk_keyboard firmware. I did spend my saturday programming a controller software with the PJRC libraries, though, so I have got a working controller and a reinvented wheel.
A physical layoutI've recently converted to the
Neo layout, which has both numpad and navigation block conveniently reachable on a 60% layout. I'll need a
SysRq key and an extra Fn layer for F1-F10.
This seemed like a good idea:
A case and plateThis one looked pretty cool, I'm currently trying to adapt the plate to my layout. I haven't found a free, working CAD software for Linux that's able to read and edit dwg files, though o_O"
There are some companies offering laser cutting and at least one hacker space with a laser cutter in Berlin so at least that's not a problem.
Switches and stabilizersI've tried keyboards with Cherry MX Brown switches at work and they felt a bit too light, so I wanted to get MX Clear switches (plate mounted because I don't have a pcb). Maybe I'm looking in all the wrong places but I don't seem to find a distributor based in Germany or even Europe who sells products from a big German company to German customers -_-
A matrix and diodesWhich I'll handwire.
A working BT moduleWell, the most recent RN42 firmware supports both SPP and HID but I can't find modules loaded with it, so I'll probably get an older one with the HID-only firmware. Not that I need the SPP capabilities but I kinda like to be on the most recent firmware :D
KeycapsUm, I haven't really thought or read about keycaps, yet... Black, unlabeled? Any shops in Europe stocking acceptable keycaps that fit Cherry switches?
Did I forget anything? Any advice? Any readily available 60% ISO keyboards I've overlooked?