Ultimate Hacking Keyboard – Why you need to buy one, Ultimate configurability

https://www.crowdsupply.com/ugl/ultimate-hacking-keyboard/updates/1911

by richardboegli • 11 years ago

8 17 11 years ago

crowdsupply.com

richardboegli3• 11 years ago

I'm not a shill.

I really just want to see this succeed, so that I can get mine :)

nocsaer16• 11 years ago

I don't get it. This problem can be solved in software, no special hardware required.

Ergonomic aspect is also misguided since touch typing correctly on a standard qwerty keyboard will not bend wrists, so no need to split the keyboard in half. Your hands need to be at an angle to type (look at the keys, columns are offset to create an angle), if they are perpendicular you need to learn touch typing correctly.

mondalaci6• 11 years ago

Even though you can use Autohotkey and similar software to remap your layout but it's limited in various aspects so as it turns out hardware-level remapping has no substitute. It's also nice to create keymaps, save it to the onboard EEPROM and be able to move your UHK across different computers without ever dealing with (OS-specific) remapping again.

The staggered columns are indeed offset to create an angle but it's more comfortable to be able to adjust the angle and the distance between the keyboard halves.

nocsaer16• 11 years ago

It is still almost always worse. Storing the mapping on a large device doesn't make sense, when you can store a script online or in a small storage device if internet access is a problem somehow, and it works with every computer that has a standard keyboard. Just like the drivers, script has to be written only once, but has the benefit of sharing with any other user for free without requiring special hardware.

The benefit seems to be low level systems where it is hard to script the key mappings (assuming drivers work). But do you really write your code, i.e. spend a significant percentage of time in them, or in moderns OSs?

As for comfort, buy a ergonomic keyboard that is cheaper and static and will force you to adapt the correct posture. Especially if the problem is the small additional angle required to touch type, those keyboard solve it.

richardboegli3• 11 years ago

I'm using Autohotkey now, but I cannot have same shortcuts when I am using a Android or Apple device. This would negate the need.

nocsaer16• 11 years ago

Of course you can. Powerful remapping tools exist on both OS X and Android.

You can also access the system's api directly, instead of buying hardware to do that for you under the illusion that you hacked something.

nocsaer16• 11 years ago

Update:

The keyboard boasts itself as a the ultimate hacking keyboard, yet the only "hackable" thing that can be done with it is configuring keys and macros, which can already be done for free on any OS and with any standard keyboard. The keyboard doesn't deserve its name in my opinion. It also costs 220$ (200$ as an early bird) .

Rhetorical question: Who will benefit the most from this project?

mondalaci6• 11 years ago

The UHK is hackable from a number of standpoints. You will not only be able to configure it with our cross-platform, open source configurator application, but

* modify the firmware at the source level

* repair it more easily than regular keyboards given its repair friendly design: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/blog/2015/06/17/ifixit-g...

* mount it onto external objects like an armchair: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/blog/2015/04/20/introduc...

* We'll open source the electornics, making not only the firmware and host side configurator application hackable but the electronics design, too

* We have yet another one-of-a-kind stretch goal to be announced that will massively add to the above points

howardbeware• 11 years ago

I played with one of the prototypes. It's quite nice.

rmurri• 11 years ago

Also take a look at the ergo dox. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/ergodox-ez-an-incredible-...

Ultimate Hacking Keyboard – Why you need to buy one, Ultimate configurability

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