Here's a visual representation :)
apfel
joined 2 years ago
I've been using Zilpzalp basically exclusively for over a year, at this point I don't think I'll ever find a more comfortable board :)
tbh it sounds like what you need is better firmware configuration if these things are out of reach. a common approach is to make the spacebar a tap-hold key that outputs space on tap and switches to another layer on hold. on that layer you could bind arrow keys on ijkl, for example, and still have shift, alt, ctrl in easy reach.
I wrote a short Introduction to Small Keyboards a while ago for the guys from keeb.supply when they first stocked kits for my Zilpzalp keyboard.
Maybe it'll help understand some of the appeal of small boards and how to productively use them π
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Miao proto running FAK, powering the Zilpzalp keyboard β a cheap and open-source drop-in replacement for Xiao boards
(lemmy.world)
Last year FAK inspired me to design the Miao as a cheap alternative to the Seeeduino Xiao line of MCU boards.
After some protoyping and redesigning it's now powering my Zilpzalp for the very first time, running a minimal FAK config!
And the best thing is, the more polished production version is available very cheaply at keeb.supply! (Not an affiliate link, I'm just excited :D)
Upgraded to a case with space for a battery, so now i can finally use this wirelessly :)
PCB is an edited version of MangoIV's le_chiff_ble curtosy of dreipunkteinsvier (unpublished as of now).
Case and gap-filling plate are closed-source designs by Bubbleology, who was so kind to let me get them printed π
Firmware: ZMK of course
Keycaps: MT3 2048 Katakana and DES thumbs printed in mjf.
Switches: lichicx lucy
Extra pics:
follow up to https://lemmy.world/post/4860453
As promised in the comments last time, here's the update with the new case :) Hope y'all like it!
Keyboard: BRK OUT by weteor
Caps: Vintage Triumph Adler
Case: Light Ivory 3dp, brushed metal inlay
More pics:
Finally found some fitting caps for my BRK OUT: Vintage Triumph Adler harvested from a Gabriele 9009 typewriter.
The pcb is an edit of MangoIV's le_chiff_ble drop-in replacement courtesy of dreipunkteinsvier (unpublished as of now).
[Edit: It's obviously running ZMK firmware. Edit2: Tried fixing images by reuploading... ]
Case is Bubbleology's fantastic 3dp design (closed source).
Alphas are MT3 (2048 Katakana), thumbs 3dp DES by Pseudoku (mjf print from jlc).
I really enjoy the board, but the thumbs are waaaay too tucky for me π I basically can't reach the 1.25u ones without significant discomfort / moving my entire hand. Good thing it's got a few too many keys for my taste so i can just ignore those thumbs :D
Peek inside:
Have been using the UT22 with the Taipo layout for a while now and am very happy with it. (Nowhere near my usual speeds yet, but very usable for recreational purposes!)
The case is Bubbleology's own closed-source design, which he kindly allowed me to get printed.
The firmware I'm using can be found here. :)
Built 2 versions of the MX/KS hybrid zilpzalp, here's aome height comparison when using bottom plates. It may be possible to use shorter stand-offs, but going 1mm shorter, stuff started touching the bottom plate so i left it like this.
Bonus top view:
Top to bottom, left to right:
- Azra by Yussuf (repo not available yet)
- square-spacing Zilpzalp (aka cfxilpcfxalp)
- KLOR SΓ€gewerk by GEIST
- Hummingbird by PJE66
- OG Zilpzalp (default choc spacing)
- TOTEM by GEIST
- Splaytoraid by Freya
- Sweep Bling MX by David Philip Barr
- KLOTZ by GEIST
Minizilp and Elecom Huge
view more: next βΊ
Not at all, stenography is much more involved. I really only do input by the letter (plus a combo for "sch" which is frequent enough in German that sc being a same-finger bigram in my layout would annoy me.)