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equalunique
475
Sep 5, 2018
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Ecca
156
Sep 6, 2018
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equaluniqueI'm glad you're enjoying it!
I definitely tried to lean the design almost entirely toward Plover steno. For general computer use, I felt there were many situations that warranted a traditional keyboard layout, so that layout is more of a bare minimum necessity rather than a secondary focus or something to strike a balance between.
Overall, your summary is spot on with how I feel about the keyboard myself. I'll also back you up on the sketchy plate, since it is actually left completely unfinished. Even the scorch marks from the cutter aren't buffed away. I tried to only cut costs where the functionality was unaffected, which is why there is still a steel plate: bendy plastic would affect the typing feel.
There are a few things I'd like to clarify, though. The RJ45-looking interconnect is actually 10P10C (RJ50), which means it is unfortunately less common than even TRRS cables. The benefit is still in the holding strength of the connector, while the extra wires allow using a single MCU with a single key matrix. As for shortening the standoffs, leaving a cutout for the port tends to let the acrylic crack under pressure far more easily with the way the standoffs are arranged. To arrange the standoffs in a stronger pattern to suit a cutout would require spacing the switches differently, which conflicts with the keycap arrangement. I think the ideal solution here would likely be a solid milled bottom half to screw into (rather than the sandwich design). I have some ideas in mind with wedge-shaped bottom cases that could simultaneously thin the keyboard, make room for the port, and naturally tilt your hands outward a few degrees.
I definitely tried to lean the design almost entirely toward Plover steno. For general computer use, I felt there were many situations that warranted a traditional keyboard layout, so that layout is more of a bare minimum necessity rather than a secondary focus or something to strike a balance between.
Overall, your summary is spot on with how I feel about the keyboard myself. I'll also back you up on the sketchy plate, since it is actually left completely unfinished. Even the scorch marks from the cutter aren't buffed away. I tried to only cut costs where the functionality was unaffected, which is why there is still a steel plate: bendy plastic would affect the typing feel.
There are a few things I'd like to clarify, though. The RJ45-looking interconnect is actually 10P10C (RJ50), which means it is unfortunately less common than even TRRS cables. The benefit is still in the holding strength of the connector, while the extra wires allow using a single MCU with a single key matrix. As for shortening the standoffs, leaving a cutout for the port tends to let the acrylic crack under pressure far more easily with the way the standoffs are arranged. To arrange the standoffs in a stronger pattern to suit a cutout would require spacing the switches differently, which conflicts with the keycap arrangement. I think the ideal solution here would likely be a solid milled bottom half to screw into (rather than the sandwich design). I have some ideas in mind with wedge-shaped bottom cases that could simultaneously thin the keyboard, make room for the port, and naturally tilt your hands outward a few degrees.
equalunique
475
Sep 12, 2018
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EccaEcca,
Thank you for your detailed response! Now I better understand your design decisions and also am clear on the RJ50 connector.
Here is a question for you: What if the inner edges of the PCBs were lengthened so that the RJ50 connector sticks out 4mm or so, then was installed on the top side of the PCB instead of the bottom. This would require a cutout on the steel plate instead of the acrylic one. Doing so would then allow for an even lower case profile whilst keeping the acrylic plate solid for structural integrity. It might be awkward having the RJ50 connector so close to the thumb keys, but it is already somewhat awkward to type on this with keycaps over 1" above the desk, so maybe not a bad trade off.
One more question,: Why RJ50 instead of RJ45? Or TRRS?
(Edited)
Ecca
156
Sep 13, 2018
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equaluniqueI hadn't seen stenographers ever rest their palms on anything, so the connector and case height was not a design priority at the time. If the smaller thickness more than makes up for the width or length increase by putting the connector on the top, that might not be a bad idea for a future iteration.
For connector choice, the 10P10C was chosen because 10 wires is enough to forego a second MCU or multiplexing chip of some kind. I can directly run the key matix wires from one half to the other and only need a single MCU, bringing the final price even lower. 8 wires in RJ45 isn't quite enough for the number of keys I'm using and TRRS is practically impossible without more ICs.
For connector choice, the 10P10C was chosen because 10 wires is enough to forego a second MCU or multiplexing chip of some kind. I can directly run the key matix wires from one half to the other and only need a single MCU, bringing the final price even lower. 8 wires in RJ45 isn't quite enough for the number of keys I'm using and TRRS is practically impossible without more ICs.
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As a steno board, it rocks! It is awkward to use as a keyboard however (IMO) because Shift & Alt are not used as thumb keys, which isn't possible with such a compact layout. For someone looking for a keyboard that also does Plover, perhaps a helidox/crkbd would be better due to the extra keys. With only 40 keys, the Splitography layout is overall a compromise, albeit a reasonable one.
First class support for Matias quiet linear, the slight row stagger for the thumb keys, and the specialized keycaps are all stenography-specific optimizations. If you are looking for something strictly optimized for Plover, maybe to compliment your existing keeb, then this is it.
One of my favorite parts about this board is the RJ45 jacks connecting both halves. Ethernet cables are more common than TRRS cables, easier to customize, and the RJ45 jacks seem to be more robust than TRRS cables. One thing I wish was for the acrylic plate to have cutouts for the RJ45 port, which would then allow for a shortened board height by at least 3mm, maybe more.
Aside from wishing for an RJ45 cutout, there are a couple other enhancements that this sandwich case could benefit from. First, the bottom acrylic plate would do well to have recessed holes etched into it sized for rubber feet - something missing from the board. Second, the finish on the steel plate is lacking in quality, however I am more glad simply that a steel plate was even provided.