---
# System prepended metadata

title: Keyboards!!

---

# Keyboards!!

## Layout 

**TODO**: Have another look at https://github.com/dariogoetz/noted-layout (suggestion from Mario)
If stats are comparable this might be a viable alternative because of the easily available shortcut keys ctrl+"zxcva"

**Current Favorite:** [PUQ](http://www.adnw.de/index.php?n=Main.OptimierungFürDieGeradeTastaturMitDaumen-Shift) 
Further discussion under keymap

**Most Common:** Dvorak, Colemak, Workman
**Variations:** Programmer Dvorak, Colemak-DH, Workman-P
**Other Stuff:**
https://github.com/manna-harbour/miryoku_zmk
https://stevep99.github.io/seniply/

https://patorjk.com/keyboard-layout-analyzer/#/main

## Model

**Base Concept:** Dactyl Manufold

**Very cool website to configure online:**
https://github.com/rianadon/dactyl-configurator - [(direct link)](https://ryanis.cool/dactyl/#manuform)

**current configuration:**
https://ryanis.cool/dactyl/#manuform:CiAIBhAEGgRmaXZlIgN0d28qBWthaWxoMgZub3JtaWU4ABoKCAASBG5vbmUYACIXVQAAgEAYACAAXQAA4EBlAABAQEAASAAy+QGVAwAAIECdAwAAgD+AAwCIAwENAAAAABUAAAAAHTMzM0AlAADQwC0AAIDBNQAAwEA9AAAAAEUAAAAATQAAwEBVAABAwF0AAOBAZTMzYcJtMzMtwnUAALzBeOcCgAHNGIgByCSVATMzF8KdATMzXcKlAWZmysGoAZ8LsAGZF7gB/CXFAQAAUMLNAQAA0MHVAQAAQMHYAZwE4AHzF+gBkBz1AQAA6MH9AQAAJMKFAgAAUMGIApsEkALzF5gC4CGlAgAADMKtAgAAcMG1AgAAAMC4AoQHwAKVEMgChAfVAgAAQMHdAgAAgMHlAgAAQEDoAoQH8AKVEPgChAc=

**Models I found:**
Original: https://github.com/tshort/dactyl-keyboard
https://github.com/dereknheiley/compactyl

## Keymap

**My Variation of PUQ (v6): i call it PU;Q
![](https://i.imgur.com/VOuGliG.png)

Potential issues with this layout:
- check all common shortcuts
- how much redundancy is needed?

What do i need to be able to press with left hand only?
- alt+tab / win+tab
- ctrl+z/x/c/v/a
- media buttons would be nice

### Letter Frequency

Following chart displays letter frequencies in german and english averaged. Difference shows deviation to german alphabet. f. ex. difference of 2.35% on letter E means a frequency of 15.05% + 2.35% = 17.4% in the german alphabet. (which also means english frequency = freq - diff = 12.7%)

| Letter | Frequency | Difference | Letter | Frequency | Difference |
|--------|-----------|------------|--------|-----------|------------|
| E      | 15,05%    | 2,35%      | G      | 2,51%     | 0,51%      |
| N      | 8,24%     | 1,54%      | M      | 2,47%     | 0,06%      |
| T      | 7,63%     | -1,48%     | W      | 2,15%     | -0,26%     |
| A      | 7,36%     | -0,85%     | F      | 1,93%     | -0,27%     |
| I      | 7,28%     | 0,28%      | B      | 1,70%     | 0,20%      |
| S      | 6,79%     | 0,48%      | P      | 1,35%     | -0,56%     |
| R      | 6,50%     | 0,50%      | Y      | 1,02%     | -0,98%     |
| H      | 5,43%     | -0,67%     | K      | 0,99%     | 0,22%      |
| O      | 5,01%     | -2,50%     | V      | 0,83%     | -0,16%     |
| D      | 4,69%     | 0,39%      | Z      | 0,60%     | 0,53%      |
| L      | 3,72%     | -0,28%     | J      | 0,21%     | 0,06%      |
| U      | 3,58%     | 0,78%      | X      | 0,09%     | -0,06%     |
| C      | 2,93%     | 0,13%      | Q      | 0,06%     | -0,04%     |

### Open questions / Things to keep in mind

**"Home row mods" are a thing!** I will most likely avoid them though, imo my current layout covers that just fine.

**what to put on the thumb row:** i'm thinking enter, space, ctrl, shift, (alt, windows), layer 1, layer 2 (layer 3 holding both)
do we need redundancy on any of those keys? maybe..

**what do the layers do?** i'm thinking one for numbers and symbols, one for moving around (arrow keys, start end whatever) and F keys and random stuff, third does what? maybe for convenience, shortcuts and stuff.

**what do you do when you need a layer plus modifier?** lets say ctrl + shift + <- to highlight the last word

**whaddabout gaming??** this issue will be postponed for the second "home" keyboard

**realization:** umlaute are more frequent than i anticipated, playing the diacritic key at 2% frequency. Meaning it needs to get a higher priority spot

## Software

https://config.qmk.fm/#/handwired/dactyl_manuform/4x6_5/LAYOUT$

Appearently this is the only way to go? https://docs.qmk.fm/
(ZMK does not work with wired split keyboards, only wireless)
(KMK only works with raspberry, which is overkill for a wired split)

Also look at VIA support: https://www.caniusevia.com/docs/configuring_qmk
(might interfere with custom C code)


## Hardware

**printing time:**
40% prototype: ~4.5 hrs (1x0.7mm), 160g
40% final: ~17 hrs per side (0.4x0.2mm)

**Links to some components (i ended up buying everything from aliexpress)**

https://www.amazon.de/-/en/Keycap-Mechanical-Keyboard-Kira96-Tada68/dp/B082X6RN9M?th=1
https://ymdkey.com/products/104-blank-xda-or-dsa-keycaps-for-id75-xda75-preonic-niu40?variant=30992256106557
https://switchandsnap.com/products/lubed-cream-yellow-50g-silent-clicky-outemu-switches?variant=45807446884627
https://keygem.com/products/gazzew-boba-u4-10pcs

https://www.amazon.de/Paradisetronic-com-Anschluss-ATmega32U4-Arduino-Leonardo/dp/B0BWRRNMSH?th=1

## General

https://medium.com/swlh/complete-idiot-guide-for-building-a-dactyl-manuform-keyboard-53454845b065

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cs0L1_hI-f4

https://sunaku.github.io/dactyl-manuform-5x6-keyboard.html

## Cost

| Item            | Cost   | Shipping | Fraction* | Final cost |
|-----------------|--------|----------|-----------|------------|
| Switches (110)  | 49.90€ | 06.99€   | 5/11      | 29,67€     |
| Filament (1Kg)  | 28.49€ | 06.00€   | 1/3       | 15.49€     |
| Arduino  (4)    | 20.28€ | 00.00€   | 1/2       | 10.14€     |
| Keycaps  (80)   | 15.29€ | 00.00€   | 5/8       | 09.55€     |
| Usb C Jack (2)  | 09.28€ | 00.00€   | 1         | 09.28€     |
| Usb C Patch (2) | 07.46€ | 00.00€   | 1         | 07.46€     |
| Usb C Cable (1) | 06.39€ | 00.00€   | 1         | 06.39€     |
| TRRS Cable (1)  | 11.65€ | 01.60€   | 1         | 13.25€     |
| TRRS Jack (10)  | 02.45€ | 00.00€   | 1/5       | 00.49€     |
| Hand Rest (2)   | 10.43€ | 00.00€   | 1         | 10.43€     |
| Diodes   (100)  | 01.42€ | 00.00€   | 1/2       | 00.71€     |
|Heat Insert (400)| 08.55€ | 00.00€   | 3/100     | 00.25€     |
| Gold Screws (10)| 01.82€ | 00.00€   | 1/5       | 00.36€     |

###### *Fraction of total ordered lot used.

Total Cost (so far): 107.08€

Resources used from own stash (apart from tools): Screws, Wires

