tema ([info]tema) wrote in [info]optimus_project,
@ 2006-11-10 15:07:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend!  Next Entry
Optimus 103 Layout
I do believe that the extended space-bar is the best thing since sliced keyboard.



And yes, we decided to chop off 11 extra keys on the left side because a) we and our future customers save 10% in costs, b) there are 15 confugurable function keys in the keyboard's top row, and c) there's Optimus Upravlator for everything else (apps launching being the easiest task)

Page 1 of 3
<<[1] [2] [3] >>

(Post a new comment)


[info]ultratails42
2006-11-10 12:20 pm UTC (link)
Im still sad to see those 11 function keys go. That was one of my main attractions to the keyboard besides the fact it was just amazing. That just sealed the deal. Still. It's looking very nice and looking forward to seeing a final production version.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(Anonymous)
2006-11-19 11:43 pm UTC (link)
fucking furries.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]alamar
2006-11-10 12:21 pm UTC (link)
In com/mandership, you've told us keyboard should be wider with more keys to suit cyrillic alphabet needs.

Do you have plans to make such keyboards?

(Reply to this)


[info]kill_t
2006-11-10 12:23 pm UTC (link)
:-(

Too long interferes with ALT usage

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]ralesk
2006-11-10 05:48 pm UTC (link)
I think he meant widening it.

But I still wonder, why only 3 keys on the right side of the space bar?

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]phej
2006-11-10 12:43 pm UTC (link)
Yea, I do really miss the function keys on the left. That may have been my favourite element of the rendering. Perhaps you can offer two versions — one with the func keys and one without, that way the consumers have the option.

The keyboard is a little long, but I realize that's a result of the slightly larger keys to accomodate the LCD panels

(Reply to this)


(Anonymous)
2006-11-10 01:33 pm UTC (link)
I still miss the function keys, 10% isn't a massive saving I would be happy to pay 20% extra for the function keys they were what made it individial. Plus to get the mini 3 or upravlator I would be paying way in excess of 10% (i prefer the minamilist desktop look anyway, having the keyboard and uplavator would crowd it). As long as they keys are colour it will still be attractive, but it might just not be that bit special enough for me to buy it.

(Reply to this)


[info]boggyb
2006-11-10 01:38 pm UTC (link)
Out of curosity, why are the top function keys are in groups of three rather than the more usual four?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]alt_eject
2006-11-10 02:00 pm UTC (link)
+1!

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]boggyb, 2006-11-10 03:12 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]alt_eject, 2006-11-10 03:33 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]boggyb, 2006-11-10 04:58 pm UTC

[info]slamonella
2006-11-10 02:10 pm UTC (link)
"And yes, we decided to chop off 11 extra keys on the left side because a) we and our future customers save 10% in costs,"

Since this is going to be a specialty item anyway, I think the 10% extra cost on both ends wouldn't deter any of your target audience from purchasing.

"b) there are 15 confugurable function keys in the keyboard's top row,"

Keys that most 'power users' already use for many other things, so they're not really free.

"and c) there's Optimus Upravlator for everything else (apps launching being the easiest task)"

Another device to take up space on my desk that requires 2 more cords? That's not the solution I'm looking for. I think you're shooting yourself in the foot with this decision.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

(Anonymous)
2006-11-10 10:35 pm UTC (link)
I couldn't have put it better myself.

I am a power user, and I use EVERY key on my current keyboard. I was really looking forward to more, nor would I like to clutter my desk up with additional hardware.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
two things
[info]shmooilk
2006-11-10 02:24 pm UTC (link)
1. The right shift key is too short for my taste.
2. The function keys are in groups of three instead of four, which is non-standard and will be annoying...

(Reply to this) (Thread)
A couple more things
[info]shmooilk
2006-11-10 02:30 pm UTC (link)
1. I noticed that the right shift key is shorter because it has the '\' key beside it. I would prefer having that key beside the backspace key and having the backspace key be shorter (with both shift keys at equal length).
2. You have space for three more keys between the 6-set and the arrows and another three where the NumLock/CapsLock/ScrollLock lights used to be (and don't need to anymore because the actual key could now glow).

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: A couple more things - [info]skycry, 2006-11-10 02:58 pm UTC
Re: A couple more things - [info]ralesk, 2006-11-10 05:54 pm UTC

[info]c0nsumer
2006-11-10 02:33 pm UTC (link)
Just curious, is it possible to squish all the keys together in a Happy Hacker / Mac keyboard? I find the lack of whitespace makes it easier to touch type on the function keys, and the whole device overall takes up less space.

Also, why the big backwards L-shaped shift key?

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]armitige3
2006-11-10 03:10 pm UTC (link)
"Also, why the big backwards L-shaped shift key?"

That would be the Return/Enter key, actually. The shift key is below it.

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
(no subject) - [info]c0nsumer, 2006-11-10 03:12 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]armitige3, 2006-11-10 03:19 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]c0nsumer, 2006-11-10 03:21 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]armitige3, 2006-11-10 04:40 pm UTC
(no subject) - [info]armitige3, 2006-11-10 04:41 pm UTC
(no subject) - (Anonymous), 2006-11-22 09:38 pm UTC

[info]piehead
2006-11-10 02:46 pm UTC (link)
bramcohen: Ergonomic Keyboards. Third, the massive wasted expanse of the space bar should have a section cut out of the middle of it, in which there are spare enter and delete keys (enter under right, backspace under left, for consistency with already extant keyboards). It's amazing how much better your right pinky feels after using a keyboard with these extra keys for a while.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]muteprophet
2006-11-11 06:25 am UTC (link)
Yes, this right here is key to redefining the keyboard. No pun intended.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

(Anonymous)
2006-11-10 02:46 pm UTC (link)
Very cool keyboard, but why you delete the four keys above the num pad? I´m a mac-user and love these four keys, all macs have these keys and so all mac users who will buy your keyboard get angry about this.

On a mac they do:
1) Sound down
2) Sound up
3) sound off/on
4) CD out

(Reply to this)

20 keys were chopped off
(Anonymous)
2006-11-10 03:01 pm UTC (link)
You didn't chop off 11 keys, but 20 !
Here is the detail of the vanished keys when comparing this layout to the original render :
- 10-key block on the left side
- 1 double-sized key on the top left
- 4 Mac-styled keys above the numpad
- 1 key between right control and space bar
- 4 keys were the return key is now

For people already using every possible key on their keyboard, any extra-key can change their life a lot.
Those 20 extra keys were great, you should at least keep 4 of them...
Pat.

(Reply to this)


[info]cgvictor
2006-11-10 03:13 pm UTC (link)
:)

(Reply to this)

What about non-US users?
(Anonymous)
2006-11-10 03:55 pm UTC (link)
As a Mac user, I would miss not being able to eject the CD/DVD, and not being able to change the volume of my computer (and I'll miss F16). However, that's easily solvable as long as you add a "Function" key, similar to the one that many laptops have.

My main gripe with this design is that, being Spanish, there's no way I'll be able to use that keyboard, as I will be missing one key! (the one that made the Enter key smaller in the original keyboard). I'm sure that you are quite aware of this problem, and I'm interested in knowing whether you are just going to ignore countries where 104 keys are needed, or you plan on selling a 104 keys version later.

It's a shame that I can't even consider this keyboard if it ends up like this :(

(Reply to this) (Thread)
Re: What about non-US users?
[info]smurfix
2006-11-11 10:03 am UTC (link)
German layouts, too. I'd love the thing, but if there is no way in hell it can be made to conform to our standard layout(s), some purchasing departments will *not* allow you to buy it, period.

I also second the function key layout comment -- blocks of three are nonsense.

The key block on the left would have been very nice, but if the keyboard is useless for me anyway, that question is moot. Besides, those ten keys wouldn't make the keyboard ten percent more expensive -- there's more to building and selling a keyboard than the cost of the keycaps.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]schnee
2006-11-10 03:58 pm UTC (link)
I don't know. I would've paid an extra 10% for those...

(Reply to this)


[info]ceceil_felias
2006-11-10 04:07 pm UTC (link)
Nuts, I was actually planning on getting this for the sole purpose of the locale key and the program keys. D:

Oh well. *scratches Optimus keyboard off her list of possible items*

(Reply to this)


[info]fault
2006-11-10 04:26 pm UTC (link)
Backwards 'L' enter means Fault is not buying one. I can't use a keyboard set up like that. That'll save me some money, at least.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]syukton
2006-11-20 11:07 pm UTC (link)
I agree, the backwards-L enter key is very annoying. I only use keyboards that have a horizontal enter key with the backslash/pipe key above it.

(Reply to this) (Parent)
I would miss the rectangular Enter .....
[info]liejohn
2006-11-10 04:26 pm UTC (link)
( I TRY TO USE CORRECT ENGLISH.)
What make iPOD so diffently ? The answer is "Click Wheel".

If you couid just choose one key to stand for Optimus-1X3 ,it will be the "rectangular Enter" key.

WHY?

Becuse it's shape is different from the other keyboards on earth . And the only one function key can do a lot of things.

1.When I didn't type a key about 5 or 6
minutes , it could show a Analog Clock Widget on its surface.

2.When user leave his/her computer for a while , it could show the user's headshot on its surface. ( It means " Think again! Don't steal my keyboard!" )

3.When user didn't connect the Optimus-1X3 with the computer , it could be the "dialogue box" for security .

4..........

I am a chinese from Taiwan , there are a lot of gadgets to be manufactured here, for examples; ps3 , notebook computers , lcd monitors........, and I am happy that the "Mini Three" are made in Taiwan . In fact, my house is 1km away from your factory .I felt that I must buy the "Mini Three" from Russia......

I wish I could buy the Optimus-1X3 from Taiwan, and I wish to suggest other opinions in chinese. I think your workers here could understand what I am talking about. 謝謝 Thank you.

(Reply to this)


(Anonymous)
2006-11-10 05:08 pm UTC (link)
I don't know if I want to buy it now. I've look forward to this keyboard for more than a year, but as all the other posts say, you've removed the destinctive features from this keyboard. Those side keys and the bigger "escape"-button on top of them were really special. I would also gladly have paid 20% extra. Even if you will charge up to 500$ for it. Please put them back on, leisten to your costumers - we want those extra keys!

(Reply to this)


[info]davethegr8
2006-11-10 05:26 pm UTC (link)
This is the keyboard I was hoping to buy:


The L-shaped return button gets annoying, and moving my keys around screws up my typing. I can deal with a shorter right shift in the picture, but with your design, I'll hit '\' every time I try to shift.

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]davethegr8
2006-11-10 05:27 pm UTC (link)
Messed up the image tag...

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]kineticturtle
2006-11-10 05:49 pm UTC (link)
There's nothing new to say, but I support all the comments above. The new changes to the layout of the Optimus are dissapointing. Not sure I'd still buy one.

(Reply to this) (Thread)
I won't buy anymore
(Anonymous)
2006-11-10 06:02 pm UTC (link)
it's just the normal key layout. Ok, the oleds are very cool and usefull, but without the orignial promised design it isn't that breakthru it could be.

in the end, it's just typical _vaporware_!
Marketing killed my keyboard dream :(

(Reply to this) (Parent)(Thread)
Re: I won't buy anymore - [info]kineticturtle, 2006-11-10 06:58 pm UTC
Re: I won't buy anymore - (Anonymous), 2006-11-10 10:43 pm UTC

[info]eideteker
2006-11-10 06:15 pm UTC (link)
Put me down as another "no L-shaped enter key" person.

(Reply to this)

Agree with all above.
(Anonymous)
2006-11-10 06:17 pm UTC (link)
Very disappointing. It's even mildly insulting that as designers you can't appreciate the real value of the extra keys. As others have stated now you have a plain keyboard with LCD keys and grouped F keys. I don't think I need that. And Upravlator isn't a good replacement for the simple 10 keys as it requires the purchase of or usage of an existing graphics card output - which I, and I'm sure many others, don't have free.

Again. Just disappointed. You turned an amazing product into a mediocre one. I'd reconsider.

(Reply to this)


(Anonymous)
2006-11-10 06:33 pm UTC (link)
a) we and our future customers save 10% in costs,
if a) is so important for you i dont understand why:
c) there's Optimus Upravlator for everything else (apps launching being the easiest task)

should be more than 10%
buying upravlator is much more expensive

(Reply to this)


[info]docthestampede
2006-11-10 07:49 pm UTC (link)
I do not mind the L shaped key, but the loss of the extra keys, some of the free space, the placement of some of the keys and screen change are definitely driving me towards not purchasing the keyboard.

The faint buzzing noise in v1.5 of the Mini-3 was enough of a warning signal that I'm definitely waiting before buying it.

The function keys shifting to groups of three is surprisingly annoying - especially for those of us who actually do touch type with the function keys.

Ahh well - I hope that kineticturtle is right - hopefully they will listen to the feedback and reconsider the design. I doubt that people here were concerned about the cost. I'm more inclined to believe that the design changes are being made to accomidate programming difficulties.

(end ramble)

(Reply to this)

Page 1 of 3
<<[1] [2] [3] >>

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…