There are all kinds of avenues into the mechanical keyboarding hobby, and one of the more well-traveled ones runs between coworkers. [crsayen] aka [DrJamesOIncandenza] has one such relationship, and was turned on to the CRKBD a while back by an office mate. For the uninitiated, that’s short for Corne keyboard, which is a column-staggered 3×6 split keyboard with three thumb keys per hand.
While [JOI] liked the Corne well enough, especially with chocs, he got the occasional craving to slap (that’s what we’re calling typing on linears from now on — slapping vs. clacking) on some silent MX switches and so built this Corne-derivative monoblock split called Keyboard One. Aside from the more obvious differences,
We think this looks rather spanking for a first keyboard, sort of like a slightly smaller Alice or something. But you don’t have to go to great lengths to obtain [JOI]’s knowledge, for everything is on GitHub. [JOI] says they sort of regret going 3×6, but are already planning another build with more keys. See, that’s the spirit.
Via KBD #101
There is no spacebar….
You use either of the vertical 1.25u keys in the middle. It feels very natural.
The legends on the keys (I’m guessing particularly the black ones) don’t reflect their actual function – they were just keys OP had handy. He says that, if he had his preference, they’d all be blank.
That’s typical with custom/ergo keyboard layouts. Keycaps for keys that are different sizes than what you’d find on a standard keyboard are relatively rare.
The default Corne layout has the space bar being the vertical FN, that is, the leftmost key of the right three thumb keys.
I like it. Been looking for something that can be a portable replacement for my dactyl manuforms when I’m away from home. Hoping they do a slightly larger maybe 4×6 so I can match the dactyl better.
So its not called the BTRNG? batarang?
BlueTooth Random Number Generator?
B^)
So cool, but $152 is what I would spend for a complete computer…
Looks like something got left out of the article:
> Aside from the more obvious differences,
Was there more to that sentence?
“Was there more to that sentence?”
Isn’t it obvious?
B^)
More keys? I’d rather want less.
I’m nut much of a keyboard guy but if it doesn’t have numbers or an arrow key it’s a no go for me sometimes I wonder what people with these crazy keyboards are doing with their computers because I need all the keys. I guess someone has to make these crazy things though.
I use a 36-key layout called Miryoku. With it I can do anything a full size keyboard can. Most of the keys besides letters are on six layers accessed by holding the thumb keys. Shift, Ctrl, Alt , and Super are accessed by holding down the index, middle, ring, and pinky keys respectively on the home row on either hand.
Oh good! That still leaves holding down the Spacebar for Rapid Fire!
B^)
Well no, but actually yes. Space is one of the six keys that are held to access layers. There is no space **bar**. However, space is also on one of the layers accessed with the opposite thumb, which allows you to hold it to repeat it. Same goes for tab, backspace, enter, and delete.
The firmware let’s you add additional Shift/Capslock like layers to the keyboard. On mine, when I hold down one of the thumb cluster keys, my left hand keys become a numpad. Just tapping that key inputs an enter key. Holding down a different thumb cluster key and the keys under my right home row become arrow keys. I also have some extra keys that function as a capslock for those layers so I can type in numbers with one hand while i need to use the mouse. The firmware is called QMK and let’s you do a lot more beyond that.
I had a layer with number keys laid out across the home row for a while, but with the kinds of workflows I deal with dual wielding a numpad and mouse was essential.