Keyboard "Hacking Tour" [Sign-ups LIVE]

[DrHubblePhD]

I was thinking about the wide veriaty of makers and modders we have on GeekHack and I think a great community project would be a "hacking tour." The premise is as follows:

• Starter board chosen such as a QFR, filco, ect. (EDIT: QFR CHOOSEN Maybe ))
• Board gets sent to first person
• Board gets modded or added to in some way e.g. paint job, cable swap, switch mods, add random caps that you have made or don't want
• User posts photos of their modifications
• Passes it on to next person
• Final board is photographed then is raffled off in a givaway exclusive to those who had a part in the tour

not my photo, and please dont make our board purple )

Rules:

Must have more than 100 posts OR proof of a successful mod or artistic project.

You must post a photo of the board when you receive it and explain what you did to it.

DO NOT try anything risky or new to you, try to do things that you are comfortable with so that we have a working board in the end.

All participants will be notified of who they are shipping to anonymously and privately.

The base board will be a Coolermaster Quickfire Rapid. Maybe  ($80)

You must pay for shipping to the next person.

If you are international and would like to participate you will be responsible for shipping to and from your destination.

If you severely damage the board you will be responsible for paying the cost of the board.

In order to pay for the board in this tour, each participant, with a minimum of 15 participants, will have to be willing to pay up to $5 (unless someone decides to donate a board) . Remember that the final board will be given away so consider this your raffle ticket.

The deadline for sign-ups is February 28. The form is live here: https://docs.google.com/forms/d/1pUGEoNZFnrmMXvq6z2p7AJcec0NI6j5MDZwFklx969A/viewform?usp=send_form

[SpAmRaY]

Sounds interesting but there are only so many mods that can be done on one board.

[DrHubblePhD]

Sounds interesting but there are only so many mods that can be done on one board.

Yeah but I know alot of people have caps laying around that are useless to them and I think the board would look really cool in the end if everyone even just contributed a single keycap. I also figure that people can just paint different designs on it at their will, the paint job doesn't necessarily have to cover the whole keyboard. 

[sethk_]

Yeah this would be cool, especially if one of the boards is supported for custom replacement controllers

[DrHubblePhD]

Should I move this to an interest check thread? Or is there no interest to begin with?

[dorkvader]

Sounds interesting but there are only so many mods that can be done on one board.

You gotta start thinking "out of the box" with respect to new mods.

once all the normal switch and case mods are done you can get really exciting with a hardware controlled (I program in solder) LED lightshow! Add some analog knobs to change the frequency of two timer chips (added together) and run through a transistor to get some disco lighting on the LEDs.

The sky is the limit.

[SpAmRaY]

Sounds interesting but there are only so many mods that can be done on one board.

You gotta start thinking "out of the box" with respect to new mods.

once all the normal switch and case mods are done you can get really exciting with a hardware controlled (I program in solder) LED lightshow! Add some analog knobs to change the frequency of two timer chips (added together) and run through a transistor to get some disco lighting on the LEDs.

The sky is the limit.

Besides you who else on here would even know where to even begin with that? 

[DrHubblePhD]

Sounds interesting but there are only so many mods that can be done on one board.

You gotta start thinking "out of the box" with respect to new mods.

once all the normal switch and case mods are done you can get really exciting with a hardware controlled (I program in solder) LED lightshow! Add some analog knobs to change the frequency of two timer chips (added together) and run through a transistor to get some disco lighting on the LEDs.

The sky is the limit.

Besides you who else on here would even know where to even begin with that? 

I think that there are probably more than you think!

 I can only imagine, someone adding a sound effect any time a certain keypress is registered, adding a speaker to the case ect.

[SpAmRaY]

I think all the real mad scientist don't post much.

[DrHubblePhD]

I think all the real mad scientist don't post much.

I guess that could be trouble for a tour, perhaps if you have below a certain post count but you have proof of previous work you can still join?

[SpAmRaY]

I meant more like maybe they haven't seem the thread yet.

[FrostyToast]

So when this thing gets broken, do we send it to Dorkvader or Samwisekoi?  )

[DrHubblePhD]

I meant more like maybe they haven't seem the thread yet.

I see what your saying, perhaps because they dont look at this part of the forum, its certainly not the most active section.

[Joey Quinn]

I'm in if this happens, I've got a ton of soldering experience so I can do some mods. I don't know what Dorkvader was talking about but I can install the parts if other people don't want to solder.

[DrHubblePhD]

Ill take this thread as a sort of interest check I guess... If at least 10-15 people are interested/willing I will make an official sign up thread with more info.

[CPTBadAss]

I'd be interested in this.

[engicoder]

I'm predicting we end up with some sort of keyboard Dekotora



So, of course I'd be in!!

[DrHubblePhD]

Im going to bump this up. Lets get some more registered interest so this can happen!

[DrHubblePhD]

Bump! I want to get this going in the next month!

[Evo_Spec]

This is a very cool idea but i'm in Japan so shipping costs would probably be slightly unreasonable for this purpose.

[DrHubblePhD]

Bump this thread 

[DrHubblePhD]

Sign ups are live! Everyone sign up if you want to be a part of this!

[CPTBadAss]

Ugh really? A QFR? I really had a terrible time modding the last one I worked on .

[hwood34]

It might be a little better if we could just pick up a cheap g80 off ebay. The QFR's can be kind of a pain to deal with mod-wise.

And you know what I'm doin to this

[DrHubblePhD]

It might be a little better if we could just pick up a cheap g80 off ebay. The QFR's can be kind of a pain to deal with mod-wise.

And you know what I'm doin to this

Okay I'm open to suggestions, as long as it isn't over $100

This will be a decision left up to the group but the QFR is a blank canvas and has a replaceable controller.

[CPTBadAss]

Ideally? A Ducky or a Poker 2. I dunno how feasible it is to fine a board like that but the QFR's PCB is really thin and flimsy. With lead-free solder. It's pretty bad to mod in my opinion.

[sethk_]

Ideally? A Ducky or a Poker 2. I dunno how feasible it is to fine a board like that but the QFR's PCB is really thin and flimsy. With lead-free solder. It's pretty bad to mod in my opinion.

You can't do too much to a Poker 2.

[aicrono]

I have a caseless QFR with MX Browns that I wouldn't mind donating to the cause.

However, it is missing some stabilizers (except spacebar) and the wiring harness connecting the main pcb to the detachable mini usb pcb is cut in half and only has the piece that connects to the main pcb. I can include a usb cable and replace the stabs if needed.

[DrHubblePhD]

Ideally? A Ducky or a Poker 2. I dunno how feasible it is to fine a board like that but the QFR's PCB is really thin and flimsy. With lead-free solder. It's pretty bad to mod in my opinion.

 

I'll add a question of what board you would like to see in the form. Maybe we can come to a consensus that way. Don't want to do 60% though because then here isn't much space.

[CPTBadAss]

You can't do too much to a Poker 2.

What can't you do to a Poker 2 that you can do to a larger board?

[sethk_]

You can't do too much to a Poker 2.

What can't you do to a Poker 2 that you can do to a larger board?

True, it just seems like you can't because of the size. I mean, LEDs, switches, case mod, and custom firmware and caps. And it is pretty expensive.

[DrHubblePhD]

I think it will likely be to expensive. I would also like to maximize the blank surface area so those who can paint or draw have a canvas of sorts.

[demik]

send it my way, i'll turn it into a hhkb.

****ing magic.

[sethk_]

send it my way, i'll turn it into a hhkb.

****ing magic.

[derezzed]

Sounds interesting but there are only so many mods that can be done on one board.

You gotta start thinking "out of the box" with respect to new mods.

once all the normal switch and case mods are done you can get really exciting with a hardware controlled (I program in solder) LED lightshow! Add some analog knobs to change the frequency of two timer chips (added together) and run through a transistor to get some disco lighting on the LEDs.

The sky is the limit.

Replace the switches so that no two adjacent switches (orthogonally or diagonally) have the same switch.  Another suggestion: make some risers to place between the switches and PCB (or plate) so that every key has a different height.  Need more ideas?  Pull the ICs off some children's toys and wire them, along with some speakers, into the keyboard's PCB so the keyboard is circuit bending while you type.

[Oobly]

send it my way, i'll turn it into a hhkb.

****ing magic.

That's mighty generous of you, receiving and keeping a QFR with MX switches and sending out an HHKB...

Does this mean you secretly want to own an MX board?   

[hwood34]

send it my way, i'll turn it into a hhkb.

****ing magic.

and I'll turn it into an overpriced board with junk switches














oh wait

[RavenII]

I've got a Das PCB and Controller board to donate...no switches though...it's just the PCB and Controller.

[demik]

send it my way, i'll turn it into a hhkb.

****ing magic.

and I'll turn it into an overpriced board with junk switches














oh wait

so old cherry?

[DrHubblePhD]

BTW it amazes me that CPTBadass is the only one to get my super secret question right  )

[DrHubblePhD]

Bump bros

You dont need to know how to solder in order to participate! If you can paint, draw, ect. sign up!

[DrHubblePhD]

Time is running out to sign up for the hacking tour! 

[noisyturtle]

Board gets to someone

They add Clack

Send board to next person

Removes Clack

Modification complete

[HoffmanMyster]

Finally filled the form out. Interesting project and I'm excited to see it (hopefully) come together.

[DrHubblePhD]

You have a week to sign up!

[Jixr]

I'll play!

( and i'll solder in some kahil switches to upset everyone )

[litster]

I will mod it by taking all the springs out!  Perfect smoothness

[katushkin]

Wish I could take part in this That ****ing pond...