From 54ec67881945b28865ff127f07a58b763acb4f76 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: Don Armstrong Date: Sat, 2 Aug 2014 10:46:28 -0700 Subject: [PATCH] add ergodox keyboard --- posts/ergodox_keyboard.mdwn | 41 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 41 insertions(+) create mode 100644 posts/ergodox_keyboard.mdwn diff --git a/posts/ergodox_keyboard.mdwn b/posts/ergodox_keyboard.mdwn new file mode 100644 index 0000000..a0be857 --- /dev/null +++ b/posts/ergodox_keyboard.mdwn @@ -0,0 +1,41 @@ +[[!meta title="ErgoDox keyboard assembly"]] + +I routinely use a Kinesis Advantage Pro keyboard, which is a split, +ergonomic keyboard with thumb clusters that uses brown cherryMX +switches. Over the thirteen years that I've been using it, I've become +a huge fan of this style of keyboard. However, I have two major +annoyances with the Kinesis. First, while the firmware is good, +remapping the keys is complicated and producing more complicated +keyboard layouts with layers and keycodes that are not present in the +original layout is not possible. Secondly, the interconnect between +the main key wells and the controller board in the middle occasionally +fails, and requires disassembly and occasional re-tinning of the +circuit board interconnect connector. + +[[!agimg don_lab/017_even_more_lab_desk_10232003.jpg]] + +About a year ago, I became aware of the [ErgoDox](http://ergodox.org/) +keyboard, which is a keyboard design which mimics the kinesis to some +degree, but with completely separated key halves (useful, because I'm +substantially bigger than the average human), programmable firmware +(so I can finally have the layers and missing keys) and with slightly +more elegant interconnects (TRRS cables). Unfortunately, at the time I +first heard about it (and other custom keyboards), making it required +sourcing circuit boards, parts, and finding someone to cut a case for +the keyboard. Then, a few months ago, I learned about +[MassDrop](http://www.massdrop.org), a company who puts together +groups of people to do buys of products at near-wholesale level +prices, and their offer of all of the parts to +[build an ErgoDox](https://www.massdrop.com/buy/ergodox). After +waiting for a group buy of the keyboard to become available, I put in +an order, and received the parts two months later. + +Over a few hours yesterday, I learned how to do surface mount +soldering of the 78 diodes (one for each key), and finished assembling +and flashing the firmware. This morning, I fixed up the few key +bindings that I needed to be productive, and viola, my laptop at home +now has a brand new ergonomic keyboard. + +[[!agimg 2014/08_August/20140801_ergodox/IMG_20140801_232557.jpg]] + +[[!tag tech debian r debbugs]] -- 2.39.2