r覊ustic cy蜖be谈rpu痰nk馃馃May 21, 2017

I've been trying to put together a note-taking compact system similar to a Poqet PC. If it was used for writing notes (and *only* writing notes) I've been experimenting with the bare minimum keyboard layout I would be comfortable with. And maybe be able to type with one hand (strapped to my arm, maybe)

A conventional OS isn't going to work since it would require too many resources and keys. And instead of shift for symbols, I thought of using a layer. That reduced the key count considerably

Show threadr覊ustic cy蜖be谈rpu痰nk馃馃May 21, 2017

First idea. Layers for symbols. Shift is only used for uppercase letters. Because the total width of the keyboard is less than the length of my stretched hand from thumb to little finger, I can type with one hand, if needed

Because I'm writing the OS, I thought of just using a single key for program related functions. No more Ctrl, Alt, Win/OS keys

https://mastodon.social/media/o9ZEgLN_7xSEI6hZwkY

Show threadr覊ustic cy蜖be谈rpu痰nk馃馃May 21, 2017

Revision with arrow keys and navigation

https://mastodon.social/media/Nu4-_V2_I5Ov8OqXJ6E

Show threadr覊ustic cy蜖be谈rpu痰nk馃馃

I have no idea what this kind of keyboard layout could be used for, but it could be useful for an ultra-minimal system of some sort

43 Keys total:
36 - 1x1
02 - 1.25x1
03 - 1.5x1
01 - 2x1
01 - 3x1 https://mastodon.social/media/9kHoN8FNIw6RHZQUl7Y

May 21, 2017 at 4:03amWeb
Show threadr覊ustic cy蜖be谈rpu痰nk馃馃May 21, 2017

This is one of the more sillier sketches, but I was trying to see which keys I could absolutely live without. If I turn the Tab key to a layer selector, I can get the others back as options

This one is just 36 keys and I could probably use this on a wearable

https://mastodon.social/media/WK1ZFMDox8rd3u43m3E

Show threadr覊ustic cy蜖be谈rpu痰nk馃馃May 23, 2017

I took a long look at how I actually use my keyboard. My work is much less code now and a lot more conventional writing in English

That means, standard punctuation gets used a lot more than brackets of any sort, few parenthesis, and even fewer mathematical operators. Because of that, I think I can pare down a keyboard of a portable system even more (If I go with mechanical switches, this is a big deal) https://mastodon.social/media/GIdWgSbK3FBtxN6o1ss

Show threadScott MooreMay 21, 2017
@cypnk this kinda looks like the Ultratec, phone to text keyboard layout. I picked one up at a thrift store last week. I will post a pic of it tomorrow.
Show threadr覊ustic cy蜖be谈rpu痰nk馃馃May 21, 2017
@awedjob Ooh, I hadn't come across one of those before
Show threadScott MooreMay 21, 2017
@cypnk I got it for the segment 16 led display. I want to repurpose it for a diagnostic readout. It's very cool and made in Wisconsin.
Show threadr覊ustic cy蜖be谈rpu痰nk馃馃May 21, 2017
@awedjob That's a great way to reuse old tech. I wish we had proper electronics recyclers who extract components to keep these old devices from going to a landfill
Show threadScott MooreMay 25, 2017
@cypnk here are the guts of it. It is such a satisfying keyboard to type on. https://kitty.town/media/920GI32cghFItVU8dcc
Show threadr覊ustic cy蜖be谈rpu痰nk馃馃May 28, 2017
@awedjob I'm so incredibly jealous right now!
Show threadEric OesterleMay 21, 2017
@cypnk What are you using to design these?
Show threadr覊ustic cy蜖be谈rpu痰nk馃馃May 21, 2017

@erico Here you go : http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com

It's a really great tool. I've used it quite a lot just to experiment

Sometimes, I come across a very old keyboard layout I like and try to duplicate it and extend the keys from there. Some of the designs have also affected how I'm planning the system so it's like a sketch pad too