Comment by lmilcin | Hacker News Reader

Comment by lmilcin | Hacker News Reader

I am currently building an ultimate programmable keyboard. It will have 40% ortholinear layout but also an overpowered MCU (STM32L4 with lots of flash and memory) that will be able to run a complicated controller.

The reason is I want steno at work where I can't have any custom software running. I want to be able to lug around small high quality mechanical keyboard that will have my entire input method programmed in with no need for external software. Also I am fed up solving problems even if I have access to OS. Not all software wants to play nice, etc.

It will have sd card slot for additional storage for mappings, steno library, etc.

Currently it is functional basic keyboard (ie. works as a normal USB HID keyboard, no extra features) on a prototype board. My next step is to design PCB, backplate and enclosure and have them manufactured. I do assembly myself.

Once I have functional keyboard I will work on V2 that will have all the features I wanted.

Possible extra features:

- trackpoint (if I can find the part that will make it possible). I was thinking one in place where you normally have J so you don't have to move your hands at all to use your mouse. Mouse buttons would probably be programmed some way on left hand.

- small OLED display for statuses, maybe for editing steno dictionary, etc.

- RGB LED under each key to be used from the controller for whatever reason (not just for nice patterns but for actual useful stuff).

I need the J-trackpoint, or something similar, so bad. I have an Ergodox and I can basically dial in for keyboard comfort, but I can't find an articulated key tray where I can mouse without pain.

I would love to have an overkill-processor-driven all-in-one HID. Like pretty much a SoC just to drive my human-computer interface. I'd be hacking something out but too damn busy at the moment.

Cousin-comment mentioned Plover, this looks really tempting to try out: https://keyholesoftware.com/2017/08/14/stenography/

It's too bad that Plover [1] on a USB adapter does not seem to be a thing. It would be really convenient if you could just have a USB to USB adapter (kind of like a Hasu TMK controller [2]) and use that as a fully-featured steno layer between the keyboard and the computer.

[1] https://www.openstenoproject.org/plover/

[2] https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/controllers/usb-to-usb-con...

This is the best idea I have read in ages, "the computer is an extension of my keyboard". If the keyboard had an onboard macro editor, it would be perfect.

Macro editor is a simple feature. Unless you mean uLisp running on the keyboard... (http://www.ulisp.com/show?29ST)

An embedded forth system sounds better as the user's knowledge base would have to be encoded in such as way it would be extensible and memorable. A computer keyboards job in this case wouldn't be the end usage but a slave process to entering data in the host process for freeing up cognitive space for the user to delve in to their problem set. Some sort of mucking together of prolog and forth is what I'd imagine, a simple enough programmable stack builder constrained to the user's expressive capabilities while focusing on making new rules to constrain the host computer's usage. The role of the keyboard is to prevent the main computer from deviating from the user's focus in the problem solving session of input and retrieval (I/O).

Hello, this was called a terminal back in the day :) I noticed that the Gergo keyboard from the original post has a small screen, like a real terminal would.

I think rather than a dumb terminal, the idea was to create an I/O unit which would house user shortcuts and memory to handle the mental clutter of clipboard history, snippets, and browser bookmarks without depending on the host computer system which could be difficult to use due to locked down policies by the IT department. Such an idea as "unclose window" and "restore last browser tab" if unfeasible on a terminal. Also, a cloud connected keyboard would store information retrievable across host machines using a biometric ID to secure the data such as using fingerprints which, again, is difficult for an even a power user to manipulate with given the standard security practices in IT departments these days. Of course the I/O device would have to be as potable as needed, while the host machines could be locked to a desk.

The QMK firmware offers a (very) simple onboard macro editor, JFYI

For the trackpoint, just look for a replacement thinkpad keyboard with one - that is the cheapest way to get the part, usually for about $15. I have a bunch of keyboards running TMK with trackpoints.

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