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Ziggurat
130
Apr 16, 2015
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Iaeen
277
Apr 16, 2015
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ZigguratIf you are open to the idea, I would start by dumping QWERTY. I'm not familiar with layouts optimized for Norwegian (or whatever other languages you type regularly), but a bit of poking around should turn up something.
In my opinion, the 1.5 thumb keys are prime real estate. Look at the keys you use most often and put them there. Moving Enter was a good move. I would also put Shift and Backspace on the thumbs. After that consider moving things like Tab and Esc to the center of the board (for example, in place of Page Up/Down). Your index fingers are stronger than the little fingers, so they should do more work. This all depends on what you do. For example, I live in BASH, so I end up hitting Tab hundreds of times a day. If you don't use Tab as much as I do, you might want to leave it there.
For reference, here is the one I am cooking up. It is based on Dvorak, and modified with BASH/vim in mind. I also haven't tried it out yet (this will be my first Dox), so I will probably end up making changes when it is all said and done (I could, for example, do a lot more with layers). https://www.massdrop.com/ext/ergodox/?referer=GYNDV5&hash=18231a00c28c6b2124c555fd00489f28
In my opinion, the 1.5 thumb keys are prime real estate. Look at the keys you use most often and put them there. Moving Enter was a good move. I would also put Shift and Backspace on the thumbs. After that consider moving things like Tab and Esc to the center of the board (for example, in place of Page Up/Down). Your index fingers are stronger than the little fingers, so they should do more work. This all depends on what you do. For example, I live in BASH, so I end up hitting Tab hundreds of times a day. If you don't use Tab as much as I do, you might want to leave it there.
For reference, here is the one I am cooking up. It is based on Dvorak, and modified with BASH/vim in mind. I also haven't tried it out yet (this will be my first Dox), so I will probably end up making changes when it is all said and done (I could, for example, do a lot more with layers). https://www.massdrop.com/ext/ergodox/?referer=GYNDV5&hash=18231a00c28c6b2124c555fd00489f28
johlrogge
8
Apr 16, 2015
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ZigguratOn my kinesis (which has a very similar layout to the ErgoDox) I have shift on the right thumb (innermost large button, next to your enter). Delete where the left shift used to be and enter where the right shift used to be.
I have space where your enter is and backspace where your space is (makes sense to me, right -> forward, left -> backward).
Ctrl is on your blank key on the left thumb and alt is above that one.
Basically I have collected all ctrl, alt, shift, alt-gr etc where my thumbs are. It simplifies keycombinations a lot and also frees up some buttons since you don't need two shifts and ctrls for instance. Just having one shift saves a lot of right hand/left hand coordination when typing capitals and the same goes for shortcuts with ctrl, alt, alt-gr and the windows-key (that I use as the command key in i3 on my linux).
I could post a picture of the entire layout tomorrow if you'd like. It is a swedish colemak layout adapted for the kinesis keyboard.
Basically I have collected all ctrl, alt, shift, alt-gr etc where my thumbs are. It simplifies keycombinations a lot and also frees up some buttons since you don't need two shifts and ctrls for instance. Just having one shift saves a lot of right hand/left hand coordination when typing capitals and the same goes for shortcuts with ctrl, alt, alt-gr and the windows-key (that I use as the command key in i3 on my linux).
I could post a picture of the entire layout tomorrow if you'd like. It is a swedish colemak layout adapted for the kinesis keyboard.
Ziggurat
130
Apr 16, 2015
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IaeenThank you very much for the suggestions. I have been toying a bit with the Dvorak layout a bit, but I don't know if I would want to transit while using blank keycaps, but I will at least make a layout and might try it out with wrongly sized keys.
The idea to use the keys near the index finger and thumbs for more used keys like Tab intrigues me. I will find some time to try to implement some of your ideas.
Oh and yes, Bash user here as well, going to have a Tux instead of the Windows key, though the picture is used for demonstration purpose, and because lack of context that tux on the Super key could lead to some unnecessary explanations.
The idea to use the keys near the index finger and thumbs for more used keys like Tab intrigues me. I will find some time to try to implement some of your ideas.
Oh and yes, Bash user here as well, going to have a Tux instead of the Windows key, though the picture is used for demonstration purpose, and because lack of context that tux on the Super key could lead to some unnecessary explanations.
Ziggurat
130
Apr 16, 2015
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johlroggeThank you I will take into considerations when I move the keys. Now I am very interested in having the modifiers on the thumbs, and move the less used non alphanumerical keys to the pinky and more used non alphanumeric keys to near the index fingers.
Qudeid
63
Apr 17, 2015
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ZigguratWhen I get my Dox, I want to switch to Colemak (German user, so pretty similar to Norwegian). My idea was, if I switch to such a keyboard, ergonomically, then I can, in one go, switch the layout as well, as I will probably have to learn typing on it anyhow. I think there is also a norwegian optimisation to Colemak. I'm currently typing on QWERTZ.
Oppholdsnes
15
Apr 17, 2015
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ZigguratHello fellow Norwegian.
I have the old ergodox and have been using something similar to the layout you are showing.
Recommendations;
-move or remove win-switch, as it is easy to press it by accident where you have it now,
-use the spare double-switches you have on each thumb for backspace, very practical and you WILL be mistyping a lot in the beginning.
Here is my old one before I finished it.
Here is my old one before I finished it.
Ziggurat
130
Apr 17, 2015
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OppholdsnesI will post my new layout design idea later today, I have it in the Configurator now (I know its incompatible but it helps me visualize), Will change the mockup in photoshop when I get home because the configurator does not have localized punctuations. I have implemented some ideas from several suggestions, and moved all of the modifiers to the thumbs.
Vehagn
10
Apr 17, 2015
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OppholdsnesNorwegians unite!
Where did you get that top-plate made? I'm planning on having a custom top plate made for my Infinity ErgoDox once the schematics are available, but I'm not sure where to start looking for people that make them in Norway.
Qudeid
63
Apr 17, 2015
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ArnoNymI've had a look at it myself. I didn't really like the how the layout looked. Also, I'm a programmer, I kind of want to have the best of two worlds. :) With Colemak, programming (especially braces and brackets and parentheses) is much more comfortable without switching layers much, plus it's much closer to qwerty so that I don't have to relearn too much.
Ziggurat
130
Apr 17, 2015
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Vehagn@Vehagn , @Oppholdsnes top plate looks very much like carbon fiber vinyl sticker. You can get them and cut them quite easily. And then just apply it to the top plate that is shipped. http://www.ebay.com/bhp/3m-carbon-fiber-vinyl-roll
Ziggurat
130
Apr 17, 2015
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VehagnAs far as I know the cad file will be posted on github after all the components are done.
asdflord
74
Apr 17, 2015
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Vehagnyou can buy real carbon fiber online... it's sort of expensive but it would be cool. I may give it a try if no better plate options come available before the end of the drop. I'm not a fan of clear plastic; it makes me think of the clear electronics that were so popular in the 90's
redsevn
124
Apr 17, 2015
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asdflordI don't see why you wouldn't be able to vinyl wrap this case. Plenty of tutorials available online and a nice variety of patterns, like wood, carbon fiber, or brushed aluminum.
asdflord
74
Apr 17, 2015
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redsevnYou certainly could, but vinyl seems sorta cheap for something as expensive and custom as this. Maybe it's just me, but I'd insist on "real" materials.
Oppholdsnes
15
May 16, 2015
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ZigguratThe top plate is 1,5mm real carbon fiber, no vinyl sticker stuff here :P
I designed them in sketchup and made them on my CNC router :)
Picture taken during cutting ;)
Oppholdsnes
15
May 16, 2015
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VehagnI made it myself out of 1,5mm carbon fiber, using my CNC router :)
Also made the feet out of 6mm aluminum.
I like how the whole board is just 1,5mm of carbon with the naked PCB on the underside.
1,5mm Carbon is stiff enough for this, no annoying flex in the board.
Ziggurat
130
May 16, 2015
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OppholdsnesDo you know of services that do routing around Oslo, and if they would supply the materials? Its been a while since I used a CAD program now xD
Oppholdsnes
15
May 16, 2015
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ZigguratNo, but there are more than likely some nerd like me that has a CNC router in his basement..
I live in Ålesund, so that is not around Oslo :P
Ziggurat
130
May 17, 2015
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OppholdsnesIf I only had a basement!! I'd have room for a CNC router, and a 3D printer...
Understandable, when I lived in Ålesund of course I had room, living is cheap there.
asdflord
74
May 18, 2015
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OppholdsnesI assume the board on the right is a mouse? are you just using the keyboard switches for buttons? I'd like to know how you have that all set up; did you post the whole thing on a thread somewhere?
ChrisEvans
0
May 18, 2015
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OppholdsnesYou willing to share the design file so I may print my own? :o
ecloud
2
May 19, 2015
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ZigguratYou could try bitraf.no, they have a ShopBot. You could get a membership and learn how to do such things.
I live near Bekkestua and have a CNC Sherline mill, but haven't done anything very serious with it. Besides, I live in an apartment now, unfortunately. But maybe could manage to make a couple of top plates or a wrist rest if I find the need, and get around to it. Or maybe the acrylic will be good enough.
I live near Bekkestua and have a CNC Sherline mill, but haven't done anything very serious with it. Besides, I live in an apartment now, unfortunately. But maybe could manage to make a couple of top plates or a wrist rest if I find the need, and get around to it. Or maybe the acrylic will be good enough.
Oppholdsnes
15
May 21, 2015
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ChrisEvansNo problem, but it is basically the switch-plate from the layered case found on ergodox.com..
just have to find some way to share sketshup files..
Oppholdsnes
15
May 21, 2015
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asdflordI have not posted the process anywhere, and the mouse/trackball is not finished.. :P
I use my CST trackball instead..
Oppholdsnes
15
May 21, 2015
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ecloudNo problem, but it is basically the switch-plate from the layered case found on ergodox.com..
just have to find some way to share sketchup files.
G-code is not possible to share, as it is coded for my specific machine, setup and tools..
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I am sure the default layout will work just fine with my Norwegian settings, but I would much prefer to have my native letters in the same relative positions to the alphanumerical keys, so I guess a full redesign is needed. Empty buttons are not decided, I'd need one or two for layer manipulation :P