Not open source or open hardware, which they are pretty clear about.
> This project is source-available. Personal and educational use is allowed, and commercial use is allowed for compatible accessories. You may not copy and sell Keychron keyboards or mice [...].
Why do you like rhe 96% layout? I prefer the full space, recently upgraded to a Q6 Ultra, I’m really happy I can get a wireless version of most of their models these days.
It's just keys, nothing else. I don't use any tactile or visual guides when I type and go off pure muscle memory, so all the spacing in traditional layouts is useless for me.
I've used a K4 for 6 years now and love it. The only thing is that I had to swap out the arrow keys for textured ones, which allows me to reach for them blindly and keeps me from losing my location when using them.
I recently bought a Keychron, but I'm not wildly enthusiastic yet. It's very thick; much thicker than the 2002 Dell keyboard it's replacing. And the key press feels very spongy. I suspect I might prefer clacky keyboards after all.
I'm not saying I'm for those over open source licenses in general, but Prusa brought up some fair questions when discussing the OCL. Essentially: define "personal use." Have I violated a non-commercial license if I print this keyboard and then use it to build someone a website? Does CC-NC mean a Prusacaster -- or any guitar knob with such a license for that matter -- is strictly barred from being taken on tour? Or used to record albums that are then sold? (And I say "guitar" knob, but I'm choosing an example a little consciously that could exist in any variety of controls, instrument and otherwise.)
Where are the lines of that when it's physical things? How far downstream does that go if it isn't CC-NC-SA in particular?
I'm not really sure that Creative Commons had the idea of physical production in mind, given that it dates back to a time when we were more broadly talking about digital piracy, and I honestly haven't kept up with its evolution much in more recent years. But maybe it just doesn't make the same sense for designs of physical things, for comparable reasons to why it wouldn't make sense for code -- and, conversely, open source projects that opt to use CC licenses for assets.
(None of this would stop me from attempting to build/mod one for fun, mind you. It just raises what a more averse person might call risks, and what I will at least call curiosities.)
I think CC originally did have producing physical items in mind. For example, one use case for the NC licenses for photos was that you can pay someone to make a print and frame it for you. This went sideways when Flickr offered to streamline the process because for many creators, NC means that no one (else) should be able make a profit using the work.
- It's way, way too heavy. Heavier than my Northgate Omnikey Ultra. Like it's more adept as an improvised weapon as much as any keyboard ever was.
- Didn't come with all black enter and escape caps (they were red orange), requiring purchasing an expensive complete replacement set.
Minor areas for improvement:
~ Battery life could be better.
~ Charging takes a long time and I'm unsure if there's a charge finished indicator.
~ Would be nice to have an offline flash update & macro programmer to not depend on cloud-based software that will eventually evaporate like everything else.
I do like:
+ Replaceability of switches as I've tried a bunch, settling on Kailh Box White V2.
+ RGB effects can be turned off completely or show a solid color at low brightness.
+ Native USB proprietary wireless dongle, BT with 3 profiles, or wired.
I have an IBM Model M, but after prolonged sessions of coding, my finger joints are aching. Are these Keychron keyboard have better switches or what are the experience using these mechanical ones?
A model M requires so much force a cockatiel can walk on it and not press a key. Most tactile keyboards use a little less force.
I find linear switches make my hands hurt because they don't have a clear activation point and I end up pressing too hard. Cherry MX Brown switches and equivalent are a sweet spot for me. I also liked the lost-to-history white ALPS switches on the Apple Extended Keyboard II
I have their Q60, which is a retro-themed HHKB layout 60% board. Paired with a set of beige-Mac-themed MT3 Extended 2048 keycaps, out of my collection it's one of my favorites and sees some of the most use. It goes head to head with pricier one-off hobbyist boards.
I wonder how suitable these CAD files would be for either CNCing or resin-printing a translucent fruit-colored plastic case for a different flavor of retro. That'd be really cool.
"Production-grade hardware design files... Study real CAD... Learn from how real products are built... STEP"
I'm sorry, I hate to be that guy, but while STEP files are often used as the final export to the contract manufacturer to cut the molds, or for some level of fit checking, they're not used for anything else. The real engineering that you can actually learn from is in the SolidWorks (or equivalent) part files, and you'll note that they're not offering those.
I still use my K2, which I bought in 2019 from Kickstarter, non-stop. What a piece of hardware! I have no plans to switch and will use it until it dissolves, which doesn’t seem to be happening in the next decade or so
Very cool. I have the V7. I'm a fan. Just did this golang project: https://github.com/mbarlow/saengsation Can control the LEDs from commandline. Includes claude skill and hooks. I'm using it to now see claude state. Rainbow animation while claude is working, glows amber when need to switch back to give permission to command, etc. Configurable. Works well.
I have the k10 he special edition! I am so happy with my purchase, I love the magnetic switches (they feel much nicer to me than mechanical), it's nice to look at, the build quality is great, and the software is really solid. Very impressed overall :)
Sort of tangent - but I've always thought there would be physical stores in big cities (like NYC, where I am) where I could try a number of different keyboards and keys since it's such a tactile experience.
But there seems to be no stores like this? So... is everyone ordering keys and keyboards, returning them, trying others, etc.? I know there are key switch samplers... is that it?
Probably Microcenter in Brooklyn is your best bet, but still limited selection. It really feels like there should be a hole-in-the-wall gaming PC shop in LES - maybe we should just open one?
In Seattle we have a sizeable mechanical keyboard community that does a monthly meetup. It's a great way to try out different switches/keycaps/layouts/etc. It's worth seeing if there's anything similar near you.
Source available, meaning we just want to use open source as a marketing gimmick and don't do anything too interesting with it that could affect our bottom line.
These projects get shared on HN sometimes and it doesn't fit with the hacker ethos overall. Everyone wants to yell the cool part aloud, but mutter the asterisks and license language that takes power away from a would be tinkerer underneath their breath.
It could actually be marketed in a decent way, like saying if our company ever goes under you'll have these designs and the license to do anything you want with them. Even a conditional license like that would have more value.
As it stands this is a neat thing that some people can use and disregard the license that wants to hamstring you into doing free research and development for a company that produces a product that they tell you not to make.
I never understood why the K6 had aluminum on the sides, but not the back. For the last few years, I had two K6's with different switches I swapped between. When one keyboard's battery went low, I would swap and keep working while charging.
Then, on my newer K6 the battery turned into what reddit affectionately calls a "spicy pillow." The keys warped convex around the bulged battery and equivalently bulged out the back plastic. That's why you can't put metal back there. I quickly brought it to my nearest battery recycling center. I could've just removed the battery, but I also enjoy having my face in one piece
I have a Keychron that I love. I have a jar full of replacement switches, so I suspect that I won’t need to get a new keyboard, anytime soon.
I have an Apple Touch ID keyboard, that I use only for Touch ID. I don’t like it, otherwise. I’ve always wondered why Apple doesn’t ship (or license) a simple standalone Touch ID pad. They could probably get a decent premium for it.
That said, like a lot of open-source libraries, I appreciate the gesture, but will likely always use the built product. It’s just that hardware has a habit of “aging out,” so this is a way to ensure that a legacy product can remain viable, even after discontinuation.
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[ 0.26 ms ] story [ 76.4 ms ] threadI’m a happy user of their keyboards.
> This project is source-available. Personal and educational use is allowed, and commercial use is allowed for compatible accessories. You may not copy and sell Keychron keyboards or mice [...].
It's insanely compact for a 96% board.
I have stuck with the System76 Launch keyboard but I basically always consider Keychron first when looking.
I'm not saying I'm for those over open source licenses in general, but Prusa brought up some fair questions when discussing the OCL. Essentially: define "personal use." Have I violated a non-commercial license if I print this keyboard and then use it to build someone a website? Does CC-NC mean a Prusacaster -- or any guitar knob with such a license for that matter -- is strictly barred from being taken on tour? Or used to record albums that are then sold? (And I say "guitar" knob, but I'm choosing an example a little consciously that could exist in any variety of controls, instrument and otherwise.)
Where are the lines of that when it's physical things? How far downstream does that go if it isn't CC-NC-SA in particular?
I'm not really sure that Creative Commons had the idea of physical production in mind, given that it dates back to a time when we were more broadly talking about digital piracy, and I honestly haven't kept up with its evolution much in more recent years. But maybe it just doesn't make the same sense for designs of physical things, for comparable reasons to why it wouldn't make sense for code -- and, conversely, open source projects that opt to use CC licenses for assets.
(None of this would stop me from attempting to build/mod one for fun, mind you. It just raises what a more averse person might call risks, and what I will at least call curiosities.)
- It's way, way too heavy. Heavier than my Northgate Omnikey Ultra. Like it's more adept as an improvised weapon as much as any keyboard ever was.
- Didn't come with all black enter and escape caps (they were red orange), requiring purchasing an expensive complete replacement set.
Minor areas for improvement:
~ Battery life could be better.
~ Charging takes a long time and I'm unsure if there's a charge finished indicator.
~ Would be nice to have an offline flash update & macro programmer to not depend on cloud-based software that will eventually evaporate like everything else.
I do like:
+ Replaceability of switches as I've tried a bunch, settling on Kailh Box White V2.
+ RGB effects can be turned off completely or show a solid color at low brightness.
+ Native USB proprietary wireless dongle, BT with 3 profiles, or wired.
+ Wired or wireless connection while charging.
+ PC vs. Mac layout as a physical switch.
I find linear switches make my hands hurt because they don't have a clear activation point and I end up pressing too hard. Cherry MX Brown switches and equivalent are a sweet spot for me. I also liked the lost-to-history white ALPS switches on the Apple Extended Keyboard II
I wonder how suitable these CAD files would be for either CNCing or resin-printing a translucent fruit-colored plastic case for a different flavor of retro. That'd be really cool.
I'm sorry, I hate to be that guy, but while STEP files are often used as the final export to the contract manufacturer to cut the molds, or for some level of fit checking, they're not used for anything else. The real engineering that you can actually learn from is in the SolidWorks (or equivalent) part files, and you'll note that they're not offering those.
But there seems to be no stores like this? So... is everyone ordering keys and keyboards, returning them, trying others, etc.? I know there are key switch samplers... is that it?
Thanks
I’ve got 2 ortholinears (home and work), and a compact for another machine.
Is any or them dies, instabuying another Keychron!
PS: IF you’re listening, PLEASE release a split wireless ortholinear
These projects get shared on HN sometimes and it doesn't fit with the hacker ethos overall. Everyone wants to yell the cool part aloud, but mutter the asterisks and license language that takes power away from a would be tinkerer underneath their breath.
It could actually be marketed in a decent way, like saying if our company ever goes under you'll have these designs and the license to do anything you want with them. Even a conditional license like that would have more value.
As it stands this is a neat thing that some people can use and disregard the license that wants to hamstring you into doing free research and development for a company that produces a product that they tell you not to make.
Then, on my newer K6 the battery turned into what reddit affectionately calls a "spicy pillow." The keys warped convex around the bulged battery and equivalently bulged out the back plastic. That's why you can't put metal back there. I quickly brought it to my nearest battery recycling center. I could've just removed the battery, but I also enjoy having my face in one piece
I have a Keychron that I love. I have a jar full of replacement switches, so I suspect that I won’t need to get a new keyboard, anytime soon.
I have an Apple Touch ID keyboard, that I use only for Touch ID. I don’t like it, otherwise. I’ve always wondered why Apple doesn’t ship (or license) a simple standalone Touch ID pad. They could probably get a decent premium for it.
That said, like a lot of open-source libraries, I appreciate the gesture, but will likely always use the built product. It’s just that hardware has a habit of “aging out,” so this is a way to ensure that a legacy product can remain viable, even after discontinuation.