this post was submitted on 18 Jul 2023
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ErgoMechKeyboards

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Ergonomic, split and other weird keyboards

Rules

Keep it ergo

Posts must be of/about keyboards that have a clear delineation between the left and right halves of the keyboard, column stagger, or both. This includes one-handed (one half doesn't exist, what clearer delineation is that!?)

i.e. no regular non-split¹ row-stagger and no non-split¹ ortholinear²

¹ split meaning a separation of the halves, whether fixed in place or entirely separate, both are fine.
² ortholinear meaning keys layed out in a grid

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This is the first time I built a keyboard!
A cheapino!
It took a little bit of time to get everything figured out, but I was able to finish that build relatively easily.
However, I am having trouble customizing the layout... I can't load it in the qmk.fm tool and when I upload a json file it gives me something that doesn't match my keyboard.
Also, the encoder currently types 'y' when turned right, I got 2 thumb keys working as spaces and I don't have a modifier key.
As far as I can tell, everything is soldered right, the diodes are in the right direction...
Did I mess up my soldering or is the cheapino firmware buggy?
Any app that can help me flash/customize my keyboard? I'll keep googling.
Thanks!

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[–] [email protected] -3 points 1 year ago (2 children)

This reminds me of those lowered mini trucks. You ever seen those? They are slammed to the ground. They cut up the bed where yiu normally haul stuff, and fit it with airbags to let it drop so low. Even at their higher settings to drive it, they are so low that they sometimes get hung up on a speed bump. So it can't haul stuff anymore. You can barely drive it, and almost all it's functionality is out the window all for a hobby and aesthetics. Yeah, I think these kinds of keyboards are the lowered mini trucks of the computer world.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

And yet here you are participating in a community meant to discuss these keyboards.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 1 year ago

I think there's definitely an element of bling, but there is practical utility as well. I spend 8h+ at the computer, I want it to be as comfortable as possible. Btw, if you think this keyboard has too few keys, check out the steno keyboard, used in courts all over so they can keep up with the speed of speaking: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stenotype