Keyboard Builders' Digest
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Issue 48 / Week 41 / 2021

This is a hand-picked selection of last week's content from a keyboard builder's perspective. Posts that may teach you something, make you think and contribute to the common knowledge of the DIY builder community.

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Contents

Editorial

Behind the Scenes of Issue 48

Giveaway masterclass: how I won a heap of stuff recently. Related: Giveaways banned on r/mk as of today. Vendor database update, two new discount codes, Issue 47 follow-up.

OK, let's start with the giveaway part.

Giveaway Masterclass :D

Let me explain my ultimate recipe for winning giveaway prizes.

Right now, I'm staring at a heap of stuff I won during the last two months: PCBs, switches, acrylic cases, cables, other accessories.

So no, this is not clickbait, in this write-up I will reveal my proven tips, my train of thought and elaborated theory :), an exact step-by-step description of how I won stuff worth of hundreds of dollars. To make sure every giveaway was legit, I wanted every parcel to arrive, before I write about this. Now, everything on my desk, the time has come to reveal the secret – and ruining my own future chances. :D

(Because of the nature of this set of tips, the full editorial is available only for members this time.)

Of course there are no shady methods involved. On the contrary: I argue against e.g. using multiple accounts and point out the counter-productivity of this technique.

TLDR; This is a game of chance. Look at your odds and try not to spoil them. Target high effort giveaways with fewer entries instead of ones with thousands competing for a single prize.

Good and bad giveaways

First of all, let's cover how NOT to participate in giveaways. Or what giveaways should you avoid:

Most giveaways on Reddit, especially on r/mk suck. Period. They are gimmicks. They are not for you, they are an advertisement method and serve only the manufacturer/vendor.

(Last Friday r/mk mod dryver announced that giveaway posts will be banned on r/MechanicalKeyboards "as of Monday October 19th" - which is probably today (or tomorrow).

"Effective October 19, 2021, r/MechanicalKeyboards will be banning all new giveaway posts."

Not a big loss as you'll see in a minute. This ban does not affect the logic of this write-up, just replace r/mk with r/mm or any other sub.

Back to the main point:

At the very second of joining a giveaway you actually start to actively lower your chances. This may sound strange but I'll cover this immediately.

Also, I heard of people using multiple profiles to participate. As logical as this may sound, it is very likely that this technique will end them up with lower chances.

What the hell am I talking about? Shouldn't two identities double your chances?! Not at all. Here comes my train of thought.

Low effort giveaways aka "Comment anything you want."

So when participating in a giveaway requires minimal effort, joining seems to be a no-brainer. What can you lose? Nothing. (Unfortunately, you can't really win either so you will lose your precious time.)

Think of the last time you joined a giveaway. Was it a cool deskmat? A kick-ass keyboard? Or something you didn't like or want at all - but you joined anyway because it's free and takes some clicks only.

Did you read the original post at all? If you're like me you didn't. You just scanned the wall of text for the instructions:

"Comment anything you like." "Comment your favorite color." "Which one would you choose?"

Fine. That's easy. You type "anything" or "red" and you are done. Giveaway joined, you can forget about it.

Joining this giveaway took 5 seconds. Cool, they didn't waste your time. The problem is: joining this giveaway took 5 secs for everyone else too.

The result?

Competing with 4.600 other people

The result of this 5-sec threshold is how 4.600 Redditors get involved in a giveaway which practically leaves you with no chance to win. OK, there's a chance of 0.02%, or in other words, statistically, you have to participate in 4600 giveaways to make sure you win something – in about 10-15 years (given you find a giveaway each day and the increase in the number of members stops today).

As a side-note, if every future participation takes only 5 secs of your time, that's 6 hours altogether.

In case you have to actively look for the rules which costs you a tremendous 20 secs, that's one day of your life.

I'm more empirical than this and tried it while measuring the time: with opening the giveaway post, finding and reading the rules, commenting (and looking at 2-3 other comments) I spent about 40 secs.

So to statistically win a prize, with these variables and with people joining in this order of magnitude, I'd have to dedicate two days of my life for this project. To win an artisan which I'd never use. Or a desk mat which I don't use either.

I'm not sure about your hourly wage but with software engineers and IT people overrepresented in this hobby I'm pretty sure you could buy much more artisans and desk mats if you, instead of commenting on giveaway posts, would do some extra work for the same amount of time.

Increasing your chances

Alright, alright. You work enough for your boss, and sometimes you just want the thrill of gambling. Let's increase your chances.

People try to achieve this e.g. by using multiple identities.

That's not just a waste of time but also counter-productive. There is a chance you end up with even worse odds - at least on Reddit. How come?

With every additional entry (comment) and optional upvote the giveaway post becomes more popular on Reddit, it soon skyrockets to the top of the Hot list and resides there for hours - just to attract flocks of new users, diminishing your chances to win.

Using more identities would work only if you join at the latest stage of the giveaway post's Reddit life-cycle, when you no longer affect its popularity.

Nonetheless, let's think about what happens if you use two identities anyway. You now have a 0.04% chance. Congratulations. Only 2299 other GAs to go for a certain win. (But managing more users costs you more time as well so…)

In addition, some organizers disclose they refuse to choose winners whose zombie accounts are used only to participate in GAs.

The point is: by using multiple accounts you may end up with much worse odds. It may be a winning strategy elsewhere but on Reddit it's a plain stupid idea.

(In theory, you could do the opposite too. Trying to lower the post's popularity and exposure by downvoting it but it's quite unlikely this would work in a sub with almost 1 million members.)

What's the solution then? How did I end up with awesome keyboard stuff in my mailbox?

I simply prefer high effort giveaways.

Low effort vs High effort participation

We've seen what a low effort GA is but what the heck is a high effort one?

Well, when the time threshold of entry is considerably higher than the few secs in the previous examples. A high effort entry may decimate the number of participants, your competitors, and leave you with much higher odds.

To join a higher effort giveaway you can't simply scan through the instructions in a second but have to put some real effort into it.

How does this sound?

5 sec effort for a 0.02% chance vs. 10-30 min work for a 10-100% chance.

(100%?! Exactly. I actually participated in a GA with three entries "competing" for three prizes. :D We all new right at the start of the raffle that we will win something, the only question was which exact prize.)

On the other hand, I've just lost on a giveaway with 2 prizes and 4 participants. :D That's how luck and random number generators work.

So where do you find these giveaways?

Eventually, we arrived to the most burning question.

You already know that you shouldn't bother giveaways on Reddit. They are gimmicks. Instead, what you should do is…

Sorry, because of the nature of these tips, the last part of this editorial is only for members.

[…]


This is exclusive or early-access content for my supporters on BMC.

If you can't afford supporting this project, don't worry, I might publish parts of these write-ups later.

Btw, the full story is 9500+ characters long and you can read it at: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/dovenyi/behind-scenes-issue-48


Projects

The Mosquito

The Mosquito is a 34 key Bluetooth only, split column-stagger keyboard by jamesmnw with splay and a pinkie cluster.

The Mosquito (an evolution of the Midge) is open-source too: https://github.com/jimmerricks/bugs/tree/master/mosquito

Because of the small number of keys this keyboard is matrix/diode free. The switches are wired directly to the controller's (nRFMicro) I/O pins and ground.

One of the problems with these smaller boards is that they can be a bit unstable. I have a couple of sheets of 1.5mm adhesive neoprene that I can cut up and use instead of bumpons. It's a bit ugly, but it stops the thing from sliding or jumping around – jamesmnw.

VColChoc44

The VColChoc44 is an Atreus-like low-profile monoblock split by jpconstantineau with on-board RP2040.

My thinnest, most portable keyboard! – jpconstantineau.

This open-source keyboard, inspired by the Atreus and based on the PyKey60, features an on-board RP2040 and CircuitPython for easy keymap update.

Specs:

  • 44 keys, low-profile Kailh Choc with hotswap sockets
  • on-board RP2040 controller with CircuitPython
  • 14 mm height from desk to top of keycaps
  • speaker/buzzer on board

Why did I create a custom board instead of using a Raspberry Pi Pico? The Pico wouldn't allow for the thinnest keyboard. Its position would need room below the PCB and thus would also need a bottom plate to enclose it all, defeating the whole point of an ultra-low profile keyboard.

Github repo: https://github.com/jpconstantineau/VColChoc44


Yacc46

A monoblock split by 1m38 with column splay and all the bells and whistles.

44-46 keys, column splay, encoders, display, LEDs, open source: https://github.com/1m38/keyboards/tree/main/yacc46


Review

Gateron Box Ink Pink switches

Gateron Box Ink Pink switches reviewed by ThereminGoat.

This week, ThereminGoattake takes a look at the new Gateron Box Ink Pinks to see how they are and if they really are just Gateron Yellow Ink clones.

[Box Ink Pinks] make a great addition to the Gateron Ink family line of switches even if they don’t get nearly as much attention. While the short throw stems as well as the relatively light weighting may initially scare many people away who are looking into these, I would honestly encourage you to give these a try and especially so if you were interested in and upset by the performance of Gateron Ink Yellow V1s or V2s. These definitely are not just ‘the same molds as’ or ‘recolors’ of the Ink Yellow V2 switches. Albeit subtle, these are a much more polished, well defined, and well-constructed addition to the Ink line of switches than I think many people will give them credit for as the community at large begins to try them out.

Read the full article here: https://www.theremingoat.com/blog/gateron-box-ink-pink-switch-review


Tips & Tricks

Dactyl Chimera

Dactyl Chimera, a 3D ergo keyboard test bench by WolfIcefang.

Dactyl Chimera is designed from the ground up in FreeCAD. Unlike "true" Dactyls, DC is not based on the original OpenSCAD or Clojure code, so there's no programming required. You do need to understand FreeCAD though.

GitHub page: https://github.com/WolfIcefang/dactyl-chimera-keyboard/

The keyboard is sliced into columns for easy 3D printing. Each column is printed separately and screwed to a base plate.

A side effect of screw-together parts and open walls is, in fact, visible screws and dangling wires. I think of this keyboard as a "test bench", helpful for prototyping different column shapes before (or instead of) committing to a solid-walled build. Embrace the jank – WolfIcefang.

A low profile socketing method

An easy method for low profile socketing with standard 24 pin wide socket. Posted by atlantesque.

An easy method for low profile socketing with 24 pin wide DIP socket. On the PCB:

I'm waiting for a second revision to arrive, once I'll check that everything works I'll be open-sourcing this PCB holder – atlantesque.


Keyboard Spotting

IBM LPFK

The IBM Lighted Program Function Keyboard (LPFK) was used as an extra input device when doing computer aided design on the IBM RS/6000 series of machines. Posted by epearl-tv.

So this nice piece of computer history was posted by epearl-tv but the virtual trophy for the real contribution goes to mika_vs_the_USA who actually worked with this sick vintage macropad back in the Golden Age.

According to this page the IBM Lighted Program Function Keyboard (LPFK) was originally used as an extra input device when doing computer aided design on the IBM RS/6000 series of machines. It connected to the machine by a special port or by the serial port. IBM also made an attachment kit so that you could connect it to the serial port of a generic PC.

I was in Drafting and mechanical design back in the 90's at Boeing and we used the CATIA Product to make parts (Computer Aided, Three Dimensional, Interactive Application) or something like that. We had a 4-button puck with a crosshair and tablet board to move it around on, and this device you posted is called a LPFK (Lighted Programmable Function Keypad). You would select the function you wanted, like a circle to make holes in a part, then type in the radius/diameter. We also had a stand up device with 8 knobs on it, to spin the parts around. Spent many hours designing 737-x and 777 parts on these for the flightdeck area. Wow, flashback! – mika_vs_the_USA


Ericsson/Telekom keyboard

An Ericsson/Telekom keyboard spotted by retr0FPS.

You can spot some interesting details of this Telekom branded Ericcson terminal keyboard in the gallery: https://imgur.com/a/41rMrqt

2u Esc which totally makes sense. What's even better: an Esc cluster! Dummy stems, multipart angled PCB, yum!

I'm not sure about this but it may belong to an Ericcson PC.

Ericsson made a nice IBM PC clone in 1984 after the fiasco with "Ericsson Step One". This machine was well built and quite successful in Sweden (source).

Intel MDS 225

An Intel MDS 225 with a divine key arrangement posted by absurd_logic589.

Part of the Intellec Series II Microcomputer Development System (->MDS), this vintage 60% keyboard design from around 1978-1980 features some interesting legends and functions.

From the back sticker:

CURRENT: 5.4AMPS

Seeing the photo with the TPWR key (in the cross shaped arrow cluster) I was hoping for a dreadful and imminent solenoid attack but no, according to the manual (thanks Se7eNBRC), it is the humble Caps Lock from a time keycap legends weren't standardized yet.

What do you think? Does the text really suggest this is an inverse Caps Lock?! What does "deselect" mean in this context:

[…]the TPWR (typewriter) key is used to partially override the SHIFT key in that when the TPWR key is deselected, alphabetic character keys always produce an upper-case code. The TPWR key, which is mechanically latched on or off, does not alter the codes of the numerical or any other non-alphabetic keys.

Btw, the manual is quite informative, describing the matrix, extended keycodes, N key rollover, etc.

To enable the detection of keystrokes, the keys are logically organized into a matrix of rows and columns. Since there are 62 individual keys, an 8-by-8 matrix is used. Strobes are sequentially applied to the individual rows, and all columns are continually monitored. When a key is depressed, the associated row strobe is applied to the corresponding column output to the 8041 [chip]. The known row strobe output combined with the active column input allows the 8041 to identify any depressed key.

Inspiration

Foldable keyboard

Mr_Cupcake33 finished his foldable build.

Fully custom, designed from scratch, 3D printed and handwired using a Pro Micro.

I haven't seen something like this before on here, so I decided to give it a go. Is it pretty or even practical? Not really, but I've found I really enjoy the design process, and here we are – Mr_Cupcake33.

Source files not disclosed (yet?).


Corne Architect case

Daily inspiration: a nice blend of walnut and acrylic.

I don't want to incite buying, I simply found this combination of walnut and acrylic beautiful.

I've never thought of this before but will keep in mind.


That was Issue #48. Thanks for stopping by.

This issue was made possible by the donations of:
splitkb.com, Jeremy Kitchen, AikenJG, @keebio, @kaleid1990, u/chad3814, Eugenie, sebastian siggerud, ajoflo, cdc, Jim, Keycapsss.com, kiyejoco, Jens, @danielcormier

Your support is crucial to help this project to survive.

Discussion over at r/mk!
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