This topic has been talked about in the context of ANSI and ISO layouts, but I haven’t heard much news about the potential of other orthogonal keyboard layouts.
I saw the existing thread regarding this for the framework 16, but I thought that making the issue more generalized would be useful.
I haven’t seen much news on actual consumer options since the teaser of an ortholinear split keyboard on the Framework X page almost a year and a half ago. I am sure that the ortholinear keyboard cultists (including myself) would be willing to pay a premium for an ortholinear keyboard option, and I think that offering this kind of unique customizability on a laptop would be a reason a certain type of person may choose Framework.
Given the space, I’m sure that something even like miryoku (as a new user I can only use 2 links, google miryoku layout) is certainly possible, but the generic ortholinear layout would already be an incredible addition to framework. For me, the ability to customize the laptop keyboard experience is one of the amazing advantages of Framework laptops as opposed to other laptops. The prospect of giving a Framework laptop an even XPS (as a new user I can only use 2 links, google Dell XPS 2024 keyboard or something) with a ortholinear layout is a fascinating thought, and many people would love a greater number of keyboard offerings from Framework.
tl;dr will there be a (premium?) ortholinear keyboard layout offered from Framework anytime soon?
I would like to pay $5000 for the development of an ortholinear columnar staggered keyboard standard module for the FW16.
The layout should be similar to one of the options below:
keyboardio atreus
beekeb chocofi
the keyboard should be programmable and support qmk or zmk. (I am using the manna-harbour/miryoku layout, so I want to make sure I can configure that)
Once the keyboard is developed, all plans etc must be made open source and shared with the community.
I don’t want any mention or rights etc. You are free to produce more if there is demand, and I don’t want any royalty either.
What I do want is 2 actual, working keyboards produced and delivered. These keyboards should just work if I pop them in to my FW16. For those two keyboards I will pay $250 each, plus shipping.
So the 5k is purely for developing, and the $500 is for producing two units.
I am new here, so I apologize if I broke any rules with this post.
Creators & Developers
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If you have an idea for a project but aren’t a developer, share it in the Feature Requests Megathread under the appropriate subcategory to inspire others.
If the intent of making the plans open source is to enable others to easily make their own, I’m afraid that probably won’t work out. At least for a purely drop-in keyboard like you’re requesting.
There are no off-the-shelf keyswitch modules that will fit within the height limitation for the FWL16 input modules. To fit, without modifying the laptop itself, one would need to use custom-made keyswitch modules or, more likely, cut apart a laptop keyboard to separate the keys. So, such a keyboard would require a lot of work and decent skill for others to replicate.
The alternative is modifying the laptop to create enough height for off-the-shelf keyswitch modules. Shimming the hinges is something that has been discussed, and if it works out well, it could potentially be done fairly easy.
If you haven’t seen it, Nrp (Framework’s founder) has posted that Framework is trying to bring us custom individual keyswitch modules to enable easy custom layouts. And he’s posted a picture of a prototype.
I imagine it’s possible. I’m saying that if the intent of the open source portion of your request is to enable others to easily make their own, that likely won’t work out. As currently, a purely drop-in keyboard would be hard to build and take quite a bit of skill. Significantly harder I think than other custom keyboards that anyone has made before. The height limitation for a FWL16 keyboard is really severe.
The open source bit is there to make sure that my intention is not to create a business out of it or something, and if this commission succeeds, I want to make sure that others can use it in their experiments/work/research/development/business.
I just want to contribute to the open hardware community, and since I don’t have the skills, I am offering my money.
I have read on the past comments more, and I think I understand the situation better now.
I am interested in any solution, including a custom case that is taller (I have an MNT reform too, and I love its dimensions…).
I am prepared to pay to get this done, if there are any takers for the job
