I am SO BAD at following
upcoming stuff. I tend to operate more in the "If I sees it, and I likes it, I buys it" kinda mode. That said, I'm usually very conservative in what I buy. In the past year, I got my Danger Zone key caps, the plate and parts for that build, and... actually the only other thing I grabbed was a Chicony E8HKB-5981 keyboard that I recently found. It's full of Aristotle switches, but I haven't even touched the keyboard, and now I'm not sure what to do with it or if I'll even use it.
I'm in in the home stretch of my Danger Zone 75% + 1 build. Build wise, the main keyboard has been 100% complete for about 2 months, but I'm still trying to figure out the firmware. I'm going with TMK for now. I posted on my build thread where I'm at with it, and what has me stumped. Anyone familiar with TMK is more than welcome to drop me some advice. I'm working on the matrix definition, at this point.
I still need to get in on a custom plate group buy that offers blue anodized aluminum. I feel STOOPID™ for not getting the number pad plate at the same time as my keyboard plate, but it was my first keyboard build purchase, and I was trying to "keep my costs down"... Hold on, I need a moment...
) Okay, I got that laugh out of my system. So yeah. Need to get in on another custom plate group buy so I can actually GET that part to finish my number pad.
So next keyboard... Well, the Danger Zone 75% + 1 is meant to replace my primary keyboard at my desk. My primary keyboard is an aging Logitech bluetooth keyboard, and after the Danger Zone is complete, I will definitely be looking to replace that portability with a portable mechanical. I already have the keyboard selected. It's the 60%-ish layout of an Apple //c... Specifically, the extended memory revision with Alps Amber switches. Alps Amber, is hands down, my favorite switch of all time. It has a more defined click than ANYTHING I have ever typed on. No Cherry or Gateron blues, not Gateron greens, not Aristotles... Not... err... okay, those are the only clicky switches I know with any familiarity, but Alps Amber are totally the best of all of those!
So yeah, basically, I wanna do a portable build using that keyboard. Sadly, It appears the case to the Apple //c is LONG gone, and that makes me very sad. I could try to snag something off eBay, but I hate dealing with the over inflated prices there, and the uncertainty of every shady seller that does their honest best to hide faults in the item...
No offense to the good sellers, of course. Why can't they all be that way!
There's also less a keyboard project, and more a game controller project that I'm working on that is creating an Apollo inspired, desk mounted, Kerbal Space Program controller, with functional instruments. I have many of the instruments, but need to get off my behind and shop around local metal shops to have the enclosures cut and bent.
For this year, I'd honestly be happy to just get the firmware in my Danger Zone 75% + 1 finished, and get started on the //c Bluetooth keyboard. I'm calling it "//cB"...
I know... That's horrible!
)