X-keys

[xbb]

do you know this? some are rubber domes, some mechanical, cherry compatible caps.
http://piengineering.com/xkeys/xk24.php
http://piengineering.com/accessories/keycaps1c.php

[ripster]

The nice thing about these is they have flash memory. Although a bit confusing Pi engineering told me even the USB version uses NVRAM to store settings so you can take keypad from computer to computer without loading drivers.

Like the HHKB3 might have if Topre engineers ever can bear to leave DIP switches and the 80's behind.

[lal]

But software programmable HW needs... software. Look at the Tipro programming thread to see why DIP switches are good. Especially for users of OSs with <1% market share and for everyone in the far future.

[daedalus]

Or even the users of the other 99% of the market who still want to use their hardware in 2 years time.

[Minskleip]

Indeed; my workstation has neither 32 bits nor com port, so I had to install an ancient machine to reprogram it..

[ripster]

I also have DIP switches on my CH DT225 Gen 1 trackball that I have no idea what they do because it was before the InterToobs was invented.

[Minskleip]

You have to change one variable at the time and do a lot of tests a lot of times. Remember to take notes!

[ripster]

Now the Northgates had it right. And that was in the 80's!

Press the right Control key 4 times.
Press and hold down the left Shift key.
While holding the left Shift key down, press the number 1 near the Escape key.
Then release both keys and press the R key.

Although a simple dedicated Macro key would be fine.

[webwit]

Now the Northgates had it right. And that was in the 80's!

Don't tell that to Northgate Bob. He rips out the program chips from the Evolutions, because they are bugged and faulty. MrInterface will confirm that.

[sordna]

Kinesis does it right too: The contoured keyboards have on-board programmability (no software required) since around 1990. And it's so easy, I remapped a 1993 keyboard from QWERTY to Dvorak in about 1 minute (vintage models didn't have instant DVORAK switching like they do now).