TR Forums

This thread came up on a keyboard forum that I'm on, and there's talk about producing this thing...



http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=1138

61 keys, with function, arrow, and editing keys hidden under an Fn layer, ala Happy Hacking Keyboard, but differently. The keyboard controller that he's using can be reprogrammed quite easily, so you can remap the thing however you want, and even create some macros, as I understand. Ideally, the production version would have an IBM TrackPoint III or IV style pointing stick, but it will most likely have an Alps StickPointer (what Dells and HPs with pointing sticks have.)

Keyswitches would most likely either be Cherry MX or Alps-style. (And possibly both versions would be produced, with your choice of switches - black (linear,) brown (tactile but quiet,) or blue (tactile with noise) Cherry MX, or white (tactile with LOTS of noise) or black (tactile but quiet) Alps.)

That's a nice space-saving design, perhaps useful as a full-size portable keyboard or something to use on a kitchen counter or other place where space is limited. It's missing a bunch of important keys... where did they go?

When he did that design, the idea was that he could set it on top of his laptop.

The great thing is, that layout allows for every key on a 104-key layout except for the numpad, and two non-numpad keys (but thanks to the remapping functions, you get to choose which two keys those are.)

(My ideal layout would replace the switch under Caps Lock with an "alternate action" switch, and make it a left Fn, to allow the editing block to be available, and would have a second Fn key in place of the right Windows key. On my ideal layout, the keys hidden under the Fn layer would be the `/~ key (under Esc,) F1-F12 (using the remaining keys in the top row except backspace,) arrow keys (under WASD,) and editing keys (under UIOJKL.))

It looks nice but a minimalist I'm not (although I adore clicky keyboards). I already have a Das Professional and a Northgate Omnikey Ultra T2 (two full sets of function keys) that I'm having reconditioned.

I'll admit that I normally don't like extreme spacesavers, but this seems to be one done right, and it makes the HHKB look... not hacker friendly.

(DIP switches or the ability to remap every key on the keyboard, including two layers of Fn nesting? I'll take the remapping.)

No bezel at all sure makes it look naked. Should make it easier to clean, though.

I don't think I could live without dedicated arrow, pg, and del keys. Something like the raven (which appears to no longer be available) is about as minimal as I'm willing to go for a desktop keyboard (though it certainly could have a smaller bezel).

The 'alt' is in the wrong place. Both of them actually. Are they trying to look like a Mac?

Usacomp2k3 wrote:

The 'alt' is in the wrong place. Both of them actually. Are they trying to look like a Mac?

I'm staring at a Dell keyboard right now and it's got both 'alt' keys next to the spacebar, which I think is typical...

Anyway, no way I could use a keyboard without arrow keys, but if I were a hardcore vim/emacs user that'd be awesome.

Realize that the left "Windows" key (remapped to Fn) is there because you use Fn a lot on this type of board. (However, the mapping I'd use would move it up to Caps Lock, and have an actual Windows key there.)

The board's bottom row will ship in this layout, most likely:

Ctrl Win Alt Space RightAlt RightFn Menu RightCtrl

Also, realize that this thing is extremely remappable. If you don't like where a key is, you can move it, and that bottom row, the keycaps are interchangeable.

SNM wrote:

Usacomp2k3 wrote:

The 'alt' is in the wrong place. Both of them actually. Are they trying to look like a Mac?

I'm staring at a Dell keyboard right now and it's got both 'alt' keys next to the spacebar, which I think is typical...

The one in the picture has them 2nd from the spacebar...

Right, do realize that that can (and most likely will) be changed, and even if it isn't, you'll be able to remap it yourself.

bhtooefr wrote:

Right, do realize that that can (and most likely will) be changed, and even if it isn't, you'll be able to remap it yourself.

Yeah, but just with most things computers, most settings stay at default. I'm just saying. I understand your point, and were I to get one that looked like such, I'd change the setting.

That said, is the setting in the keyboard hardware, or software? For dual-booting, it'd be a pain to have to re-map it multiple times.

It's in the keyboard's firmware. Reprogrammable controller.

Trackpoint hubba hubba HOOT HOOT yipppeeeee!

I think I'd make an oak bezzel, hand finish it with a red mahogany stain and polyurethane overcoat, then mount this inside of it.

ludi wrote:

Trackpoint hubba hubba HOOT HOOT yipppeeeee!

I think I'd make an oak bezzel, hand finish it with a red mahogany stain and polyurethane overcoat, then mount this inside of it.

I'd go with natural cherry or maple, but this is a cool idea.

BTW, in that thread, there was discussion of seeding various hardware review sites with examples of that board, and I did suggest that TR get one, so there may end up being a TR review of it.

(I'll actually need to check to see if TR reviewed any keyboards, though...)

bhtooefr wrote:

BTW, in that thread, there was discussion of seeding various hardware review sites with examples of that board, and I did suggest that TR get one, so there may end up being a TR review of it.

(I'll actually need to check to see if TR reviewed any keyboards, though...)

All gerbils with 6000+ posts should receive a review copy. We just type too much so we should be able to tell.

I would like a bezel too. The thing seems a bit hard to carry around without it.

Well, the original post mentions the front pocket of a Happy Hacking Keyboard case for carrying it around. But, I'll mention that on the thread.

Oh, and it looks like it'll have Cherry switches to begin with. So, what color do you guys prefer? Black is linear (and many gaming keyboards use it,) brown is tactile without click (IIRC, the Kinesis contoured board uses them, as well as one Compaq board (IIRC, it's the MX 11800,)) and blue is tactile with click (and is what the Das Keyboard III uses.)

I forget the weight of the brown ones, but the black and blue are both 2.1 oz actuation force. (About 60 grams - compare to a Model M at 70+ grams.)

Flying Fox wrote:

bhtooefr wrote:

BTW, in that thread, there was discussion of seeding various hardware review sites with examples of that board, and I did suggest that TR get one, so there may end up being a TR review of it.

(I'll actually need to check to see if TR reviewed any keyboards, though...)

All gerbils with 6000+ posts should receive a review copy. We just type too much so we should be able to tell.

I would like a bezel too. The thing seems a bit hard to carry around without it.

I need to start making more posts. Be warned, my post quality may suffer.

The designer of that keyboard suggested that I post these pics to show the case better:

Is that a power supply port? I hope it is for the USB hub only.

I still want a bezel, right now the thing looks unfinished somewhat.

It is just for the hub - he used an off-the-shelf hub, and it had that, so he left it in.

Anyway, the bezel-less design was done on purpose... and, also, that mouse button concept only works properly with a bezel-less design.

You could have a bezel and then do something similar to that M13 keyboard where the buttons are on the bezel? I thin one would do. On laptop keyboards my thumb usually moves down to push those buttons. Have it like that require me to push in, which is too different.

Right, but think where your thumbs are resting. Right in front of the spacebar.

I think what he did with the pushing in was quite smart, and as it's a different motion, may actually reduce RSI.

Also...

lowpoly wrote:

It actually feels better to grab than the HHKB but I might be biased. That's because the bezel on the HHKB is quite low and you don't have the additional support of the keycaps. So it feels your thumb could easily slide off.

Still, no bezel makes it bare naked looking and this just looks a bit weird to me.

On my second look to this thread, I'm liking this keyboard more and more. Assuming the missing keys can be accessed easily with some function key or another, I think this might be an excellent solution to a space-saving, portable keyboard. I'd like to try it. It's full-size, right?

Yes, it is full-size, and every key except for the numpad is available under an Fn key (what used to be the Windows keys on this board - mine would be mapped to still have one Windows key, though.)