Support for Alternative Layouts
This is a summary of how alternative layouts have been supported by kits such as Colevrak and Homing. It is not a discussion of alt layout performance and development, but if that interests you I highly recommend starting with Pascal Getreuer’s A guide to alt keyboard layouts (why, how, which one?). It’s a concise and comprehensive overview with links to some great sites that go deeper. He also has a separate Links about keyboards page. The Keyboard layouts doc he recommends explains layout goals and metrics in detail, summarizing the alt layouts discussed here as well as more than one hundred others. Sculpted-profile The majority of custom keycap sets are sculpted-profile (Cherry, SA, MT3, KAT, etc. - more on profiles generally here) so let’s start there. Because each row has a unique keycap shape, alt layouts require a unique keycap for each legend that moves off its QWERTY row. At first there were two The Dvorak layout was patented in 1936 by August Dvorak & William L....
Apr 23, 2024
Another thing sorely lacking in the keyboard community are keyboards with PCB mounted switches. I don't know if anyone has ever tried one (Poker 1, KBT Race, Neo Zelia 87, PLUM 96, almost all Cherry brand boards minus the new MX 3.0.) This gives a very interesting and light feeling to the finger tips that is very comfortable. In some cases it is even more silent than plate mount. The issue with these is you need to make sure the PCB is mounted well or else you will get buckling. The other advantage to PCB mount is you can very easily replace stems/springs without soldering.
Yes, I know everyone loves heavy metal; I never could quite understand why everyone wants their keyboard to weigh 10 lbs. I'm usually in favor of the opposite end of the spectrum with lightweight construction and lack of even a steel plate.
That being said, I currently have a CNC Aluminum case on my Poker now and I love that, too. :)