This is the first time I built a keyboard!
A cheapino!
It took a little bit of time to get everything figured out, but I was able to finish that build relatively easily.
However, I am having trouble customizing the layout… I can’t load it in the qmk.fm tool and when I upload a json file it gives me something that doesn’t match my keyboard.
Also, the encoder currently types ‘y’ when turned right, I got 2 thumb keys working as spaces and I don’t have a modifier key.
As far as I can tell, everything is soldered right, the diodes are in the right direction…
Did I mess up my soldering or is the cheapino firmware buggy?
Any app that can help me flash/customize my keyboard? I’ll keep googling.
Thanks!

  • Corr@lemm.ee
    link
    fedilink
    arrow-up
    4
    ·
    1 year ago

    As createkarma said, it’s about not having to move your hands to reach keys you like to use. I’m on a 34 key layout, and I’ve found using my keyboard feels much nicer without have to move my hands around.

    Any symbols that I find are important but don’t fit on a dedicated key are a combo (e.x. Q+W gives esc or comma+dot gives slash). It definitely takes a bit of getting used to but now that I’ve become accustomed to it I really don’t know if I could go back to using a board with a more traditional key layout.

    I always saw QAZ style keyboard didn’t understand how you could ever use something like that but now I not only get it but I would honestly recommend people try it out because ive come to really appreciate how it all works

    • Hazdaz@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      arrow-up
      2
      arrow-down
      2
      ·
      1 year ago

      How do you type numbers? Or use the arrow keys? Or get into the BIOS if yiu have having computer issues? Just because a key is there, doesn’t mean you have to use it all the time, but I’m not using unicode to type “38294729 + 64828 / 52.73” because I’ll be 83 years old by the time I finish. The aesthetic of the keyboard seems cool, but when you go to such extremes that you eliminate some of the most basics of functionality of a device, it kind of turns into a joke, in my opinion. A row of numbers at the top there wouldn’t kill the aesthetic one bit and increase usability infinitely.

      • Corr@lemm.ee
        link
        fedilink
        arrow-up
        3
        ·
        edit-2
        1 year ago

        Numbers are on a row under my home row. Arrows are under ijkl on a different layers. I can access all f-keys and delete quite easily.

        It’s ever so slightly less efficient in key presses for the sake of not moving my fingers more than 1 key on any direction (exception being to the far pinky keys).

        This is a visualization of my current layout if you’re curious

        ETA: I funnily enough have a keyboard with a number row that I opted out of using because they felt a bit far to reach. Here is my current keyboard. I don’t use the number row, the outer most Column, or the outer most thumb keys