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
- I've owned MX Blues, Reds & Browns, and Browns are my fave. Clicky but not noisy. Open to alternatives!
- I've owned full size and "90%" boards (numpad instead of arrows & control section), and am no longer interested in a numpad. Really like the small size of my current Quickfire TK, so I figure TKL is the way to go.
- Must have some lighting, white or RGB. Preferably RGB. Never used non-chinethrough keys, are the characters legible in low light? I just need to see what I'm doing without lots of lights on elsewhere.
- I'd prefer black or dark grey like the Massdrop CTRL. Really like the muted, modern look. Not really looking for vivid colors, bulky designs or "gamer style" on my keyboard.
- Not concerned about mobility as it'll stay home, not really too worried about specific connectivity options (should I be?), and open to brands other than what I've explored in the past (Razer, then Logitech, then Corsair, and now Coolermaster)
And finally, my budget: Something around the Massdrop CTRL is my absolute top-end limit, and I'm really not too keen on spending THAT much. I'm Canadian and will be thoroughly thrashed with currency conversion & border tariffs. The CTRL for example will cost updwards of $280 CAD after conversion & shipping, easily over $300 if the border decides to charge me. Which they love to do. Especially from Massdrop orders. So, help me save a buck or two if you can by staying as far from $200 USD as you can! If you need any other deets from me, please don't hesitate to ask!