Re: mykeyboard.co.uk

Wow, that's an impressive-looking apparatus. I've never seen that 
keyboard layout before. Is that something you developed yourself? How 
many words per minute can you type on that thing?
-Peter

--- In [email protected], "Tim Tyler" <tt2333@...> wrote:
>
> I've constructed a 122-key keyboard using
> Saia Burgess low force microswitches.
> 
> Details and photographs may be found beneath:
> 
>      --> http://mykeyboard.co.uk/ <--
> 
> This is the fourth keyboard I have constructed
> using these switches.  It is the largest and
> most ambitious one I have made to date.
> 
> The main point of interest is the low-force
> microswitches.  There is a page devoted to
> these - at:
> 
> http://mykeyboard.co.uk/microswitches/
> 
> These are "snap action" switches - and operate
> on a principle reminiscent of the IBM bucking
> spring key switches - providing high quality tactile
> feedback on activation.  The switches have a 15cN
> activating force when they leave the factory -
> but this can easily be adjusted.  My keyboard
> uses 10cN activation forces - around one fifth
> of the force needed to activate keys on the
> Kinesis or Maltron keyboards.
> 
> Low-force keyboards are not entirely new - the
> DataHand keyboard has around 20cN activation
> forces and the WinMini and Touchstream keyboards
> also had very low activation forces, though not
> necessarily much tactile feedback.
> 
> The main motivation behind constructing low-force
> keyboards is to reduce the level of mechanical
> damage which keyboard operation typically inflicts
> on users forearms and wrists.
> 
> This keyboard is not available as a commercial
> product.  However the switches it uses /are/
> widely available - allowing other interested
> parties to experiment with this technology.
> 
> The site's URL again:
> 
>      --> http://mykeyboard.co.uk/ <--
> 
> Enjoy,
>