tema ([info]tema) wrote in [info]optimus_project,
@ 2006-10-15 19:12:00
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Optimus-113 Keyboard Key
Here's the prototype key from a 'big' Optimus keyboard.



It may be worth noting that our full-fledged keyboard went into production cycle about a month ago. We are going to start accepting pre-orders around December 2006 with shipping date after Spring 2007.

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[info]maxray
2006-10-15 04:58 pm UTC (link)
Mac-compatiablity? Will "apple" and "windows" button appear on different OS'?

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And what about tux?
(Anonymous)
2006-10-16 01:39 pm UTC (link)
Get me a Linux supported board and you've sold me one!

No linux suport, no sale.

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Re: And what about tux?
(Anonymous)
2006-10-19 03:34 pm UTC (link)
Make sure this guy has a "spellcheck" key installed too.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
Re: And what about tux?
(Anonymous)
2006-10-26 06:14 pm UTC (link)
Eheh, nicely done. Looking forward to this :-)

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Please document and open the control protocols
(Anonymous)
2006-10-16 01:51 pm UTC (link)
I think Mac/Linux/Windows/BeOS/Solaris/whatever is totally irrelevant as long as you document how the keyboard is configured and controlled, and openly publish this (i.e. free).

There's so much you can do with this keyboard: imagine driving all the keys in screensaver mode as one screen with images moving over it. For kids you could have a small game with a bunny hopping from key to key, in Linux and Macs you could develop a driver that makes a wave move over the keyboard on bootup before it receives the layout etc etc etc.

The possibilities are endless as long as you leave the specs open for people to play with, then it really doesn't matter what you support - the rest will emerge if someone needs it, wants it or gets paid to make it happen.

And yes, it would finally herald the death of the Windows key :-).

= cheros at Slashdot =

(Reply to this)(Thread)
Re: Please document and open the control protocols
(Anonymous)
2006-10-16 02:11 pm UTC (link)
Yes, full docs are essential.

Amiga users need a keyboard with Amiga keys and layout, for instance. We can't expect manufacturers to make one for us, but so long as the information is there, the Amiga coders will make it work.

Don Cox

(Reply to this)(Parent)
Re: Please document and open the control protocols
(Anonymous)
2006-10-16 07:20 pm UTC (link)
They already have opened the docs for Optimus Mini Three (http://optimus.artlebedev.com/download/OptimusMiniProtocol.doc) so it's a good chance they'll open them up for the full Optimus keyboard.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
Re: Please document and open the control protocols
(Anonymous)
2006-10-19 08:00 am UTC (link)
Lol,

They have opened the docs, and then put them online in a propietary format P

A PDF woul have been so much nicer. (at least the specs to read that are open)

Anyway, its a great gesture!, thanx mr Lebedev!

(Reply to this)(Parent)

(Anonymous)
2006-10-16 03:25 pm UTC (link)
Is it possible to achieve a narrower bezel around the LCD? Regardless, this is amazing, but the narrower the edge, and the narrower the gap between keys, the more impressive it becomes. Also, even with a screen saver, wouldn't you have to worry about burn in? I wonder if a good idea would be to shift the position and color of the letter on the key from time to time when you are using the keyboard as a standard keyboard. I suppose it would also be pretty cool to run totally black too since memorizing the keyboard is something most of us already have under control.

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(Anonymous)
2006-10-16 04:03 pm UTC (link)
Heh, buy an OLED keyboard to have it run blank the whole time.

I do agree that the gap between keys should be kept to a minimum.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
I disagree about key spacing
(Anonymous)
2006-10-21 08:46 pm UTC (link)
This is still, first and foremost, a keyboard. The bezel and keyspacing should allow for comfortable typing over aesthetic concerns.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]tema
2006-10-16 05:18 pm UTC (link)
As you can judge from the image the screen is pretty close to the transparent cover.

We're going to use very reliable displays. But if you wish, you can change layouts with shifted letters from time to time.

(Reply to this)(Parent)
CAPSoff
(Anonymous)
2006-10-16 04:02 pm UTC (link)
would you plan to get capslock key out from this keyboard?

(Reply to this)(Thread)
Re: CAPSoff
[info]lig
2006-10-16 04:02 pm UTC (link)
sorry, it was me

(Reply to this)(Parent)
key
(Anonymous)
2006-10-16 04:27 pm UTC (link)
what if one key breaks or bugs out? are they going to be easy to replace? are they going to be expensive to replace?

A ful spec and cost sheet needs to be released as soon as possible to even begin to make a judgement on whether it's worth the cost or not :|

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Fully fonctionnal
(Anonymous)
2006-10-16 07:03 pm UTC (link)
Do you already have a fully fonctionnal version of this keyboard ?
If yess could we get a video or something to see how it is actually working.

PS : anyway, I think you will count me in your firsts french customers ...

Good luck !!

PhenixOne

(Reply to this)
oh! Another reason to anticipate December!
(Anonymous)
2006-10-16 08:49 pm UTC (link)
o0o0o0 will those of us on the mail-list get a pre-order letter? I could fill mine out now, please :)

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(Deleted post)

(Anonymous)
2006-10-19 05:58 am UTC (link)
SOMEONE DECODE THIS MOONSPEAK

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(Anonymous)
2006-10-20 10:02 am UTC (link)
^^

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Flat
(Anonymous)
2006-10-17 11:04 pm UTC (link)
Hope it's not going to be too flat. I much prefer having the ability to have it tilted. Most keyboards are too flat now. Just a coupla decent retractable legs would do it. :-)

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Re: Flat
(Anonymous)
2006-10-20 05:11 pm UTC (link)
My leg stands never last long enough. I have a small pile of them sitting next to my monitor waiting for me to try to glue them back. I'm always stuck with a flat keyboard.

(Reply to this)(Parent)
Keyboard Placement
(Anonymous)
2006-10-21 09:43 pm UTC (link)
I'm 59 years old. I'm a speed typist. I took typing for 2 years in High School on typewriters before PC (personal computers) were invented. However, I've also been into computers for 38 years. I started on the old IBM 360 main frames. I've also owned a computer business for 20 years where I custom build systems and servers for medium and large enterprises. In other words... there's NOTHING about computers I don't understand. I'm also an American married to a beautiful Russian.

With this said, I want to make it clear that the KEY PLACEMENT of the keys on a keyboard is CRITICAL to its function. In other words, by changing the size, shape and layout of particular keys it will slow down a touch typist and I don't give a damn if a keyboard can turn into a roast beef sandwich and a six-pack of beer at midnight... It's PRIMARY job is as an INPUT device to get a particular JOB (meaning work) done. And, if it enhances that work and beautiful at the same time... it will be a hit and people will buy it. However, if it SLOWS down a typist in any way and if he/she has to RELEARN keys and various functions... it won't sell and the people who will buy it will soon put it on the shelf and return to their old keyboard.

Conclusion: I support this type of keyboard and I want a keyboard that can do EVERYTHING. However use a Logitech keyboard layout for the OPTIMUM template and then do whatever else you want.

(Reply to this)(Thread)
Re: Keyboard Placement
(Anonymous)
2006-10-23 08:00 pm UTC (link)
IMHO this won't be a keyboard that will be used my secretary's or anyone needing to type 100's of words per minute. Its got to be firmly aimed at the gaming/geek niche markets.

If you sat there hammering away on it all day everyday, i bet replacing keys could get very expensive.

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Re: Keyboard Placement
(Anonymous)
2006-10-24 11:25 pm UTC (link)
I still think it is a valid idea for the keys to be standard size. Even geeks have to type papers; I don't want to have to drag out a secondary keyboard when I have to type.

(Reply to this)(Parent)(Thread)
Re: Keyboard Placement
(Anonymous)
2006-10-30 02:42 am UTC (link)
I touch type quite fast also, but i have troubles going from one manufacturer to another, they seem to have their minute differences, i think no matter what they do it will feel different and take some getting used to.
but the closer to the 'standard' (whatever that is) the better. i think it matters more than you think, it could mean the difference between changing to the right weapon and killing your enemy, or missing the key and dieing like a noob.

(Reply to this)(Parent)

[info]illudereludere
2006-10-24 05:00 am UTC (link)
How much is this thing going to run for, anyways?

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