[ANN] GTA04 Keyboard prototype

[Bob Ham]

On Tue, 2012-05-01 at 18:06 +0200, Dr.H.NikolausS wrote:

> we have developed a prototype for a 80 button QWERTY keyboard PCB
> that could eventually be connected/integrated into the GTA04

This is some good work and the PCB looks like it will be useful.
However, I think it may be premature to start designing keyboard
circuits.

I think the really important issue in developing a hardware keyboard is
in the physical design; the arrangement of keys, how the shape of keys
effects ease of typing, how the keyboard is integrated into the case,
etc.  In order to develop case designs that include a keyboard, we must
first have designs for cases without a keyboard :-)

At present, we do not have this.  As I understand it, Slyon's cases do
not fit together properly and so we cannot build a complete GTA04 case
from them yet (has this changed?)  There are also no case component kits
available.

I think it would be more advantageous to spend time dealing with these
basic problems.  That way, we will have a solid base from which to build
more advanced designs, including designs that incorporate a keyboard.

Also, I believe we should not limit ourselves to the existing case
shape.  I will say more about that in a separate email to the GTA04
list.

-- 
Bob Ham <rah at settrans.net>
Diaspora: rah at pod.settrans.net

for (;;) { ++pancakes; }
-------------- next part --------------
A non-text attachment was scrubbed...
Name: not available
Type: application/pgp-signature
Size: 198 bytes
Desc: This is a digitally signed message part
URL: <http://lists.openmoko.org/pipermail/community/attachments/20120502/aeddd07d/attachment.pgp>