4 ms·

Thanks for mentioning QMK [0], it's not something I've heard of before, and it seems like a huge step up from standard keyboard firmware. As far as I can tell o

by Ianvdl 6y ago

Thanks for mentioning QMK [0], it's not something I've heard of before, and it seems like a huge step up from standard keyboard firmware. As far as I can tell only a small number of manufacturers officially support it, but at least one person seems to have made some progress getting a standard cooler master keyboard to run it [1]. [0] https://qmk.fm/ https://qmk.fm/ [1] https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/tree/master/keyboards/bpiphany/unloved_bastard https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/tree/master/keyboards/bp...

secure 6y ago
It’s reasonably simple to port QMK (at least partially) to a new microcontroller. I have worked on Teensy 3.6 support for QMK, and plan to work on Teensy 4.x support as well.
- Ianvdl 6y ago
  Is any special hardware needed, or is it all software work?
  - rfoo 6y ago
    It's more like full-hardware-no-software work. Basically if you want to use this on your "standard" keyboards bought off the shelf, you have to either: 1. Open your keyboard, replace the keyboard controller with something that you can program via soldering etc. or 2. Pray your keyboard doesn't use a mask ROM to store its firmware, and it has a powerful enough MCU as keyboard controller, then figure out how to reflash it and port QMK to it blindly.
- Coolsies 6y ago
  I'm sorry to barge in,but I am in dire need of what you are working on. Could you share your progress or material, Sir?
least 6y ago
Hasu usb-usb converter will let you use nearly any keyboard with qmk. https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/controllers/usb-to-usb-converter/ https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/controllers/usb-to-usb-con... https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69169.0 https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69169.0
- Ianvdl 6y ago
  That's quite helpful, thank you. The Arduino option also seems to be a useful alternative.
samatman 6y ago
Drop (née Massdrop) makes a number of fairly 'normal' QMK keyboards. From smallest to largest, the Alt, Ctrl, and Shift. Then there's Ergodox EZ, a company which makes the eponymous ortholinear split key (my daily driver), as well as a 40% keyboard called the Planck, and a new next-gen ergo keyboard called the Moonlander. These are designed from the get go to use layers, where each layer assigns its own meaning to keys, and that's where QMK gets really powerful. There's a whole ecosystem of kits and group buys if you're looking to make a hobby out of it, but if you just want a keyboard you can program, these have you covered.
- dlkmp 6y ago
  For people based in Europe who might be interested in an Ergodox or similar, I can recommend a visit to falba.tech. I've ordered two Redox from them by now (for work & home) and am very satisfied with the product so far.

by Ianvdl 6y ago

secure 6y ago

It’s reasonably simple to port QMK (at least partially) to a new microcontroller. I have worked on Teensy 3.6 support for QMK, and plan to work on Teensy 4.x support as well.

Ianvdl 6y ago
Is any special hardware needed, or is it all software work?
- rfoo 6y ago
  It's more like full-hardware-no-software work. Basically if you want to use this on your "standard" keyboards bought off the shelf, you have to either: 1. Open your keyboard, replace the keyboard controller with something that you can program via soldering etc. or 2. Pray your keyboard doesn't use a mask ROM to store its firmware, and it has a powerful enough MCU as keyboard controller, then figure out how to reflash it and port QMK to it blindly.
Coolsies 6y ago
I'm sorry to barge in,but I am in dire need of what you are working on. Could you share your progress or material, Sir?

least 6y ago

Hasu usb-usb converter will let you use nearly any keyboard with qmk. https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/controllers/usb-to-usb-converter/ https://www.1upkeyboards.com/shop/controllers/usb-to-usb-con... https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69169.0 https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=69169.0

Ianvdl 6y ago
That's quite helpful, thank you. The Arduino option also seems to be a useful alternative.

samatman 6y ago

Drop (née Massdrop) makes a number of fairly 'normal' QMK keyboards. From smallest to largest, the Alt, Ctrl, and Shift. Then there's Ergodox EZ, a company which makes the eponymous ortholinear split key (my daily driver), as well as a 40% keyboard called the Planck, and a new next-gen ergo keyboard called the Moonlander. These are designed from the get go to use layers, where each layer assigns its own meaning to keys, and that's where QMK gets really powerful. There's a whole ecosystem of kits and group buys if you're looking to make a hobby out of it, but if you just want a keyboard you can program, these have you covered.

dlkmp 6y ago
For people based in Europe who might be interested in an Ergodox or similar, I can recommend a visit to falba.tech. I've ordered two Redox from them by now (for work & home) and am very satisfied with the product so far.