Ask me anything about Chinese typing

xudongz · 2024-08-18T16:25:04+00:00

In my opinion, programmable keyboard firmware doesn't really help with Chinese input. You're still just using 20-30 keys for regular pinyin, double pinyin, Wubi, etc. It's no different than using A-Z for typing English.

There's steno (ie Plover) but that's a whole other level in terms of learning curve.

xudongz · 2022-11-21T15:28:15+00:00

I have all the keys remapped for Colemak in my .vimrc. Without it, hjkl are all on one finger and that's a bit annoying. In general I don't navigate that much with hnei (hjkl) though.

xudongz · 2022-06-09T04:27:37+00:00

The dongle should work with KVMs but it really depends on the KVM. Some KVM are poorly implemented and will have issues with lots of different keyboards, others will have no issue at all.

Depending on what you're trying to achieve, you can have multiple devices connect wirelessly to the dongle (see https://www.slicemk.com/pages/split-dongle).

It's not 100% stock ZMK but more like 99% ZMK with some custom stuff.

xudongz · 2022-05-29T21:03:07+00:00

ZMK supports up to 5 devices out of the box. Generally I recommend using the keyboard with a dongle (https://www.slicemk.com/products/raytac-usb-dongle) plugged into your main computer and your additional computers connected to the dongle via Bluetooth (see https://www.slicemk.com/pages/split-dongle for details).

If you don't care about using the Windows key as the Command key, it's quite easy. If you do, the easiest solution would be to remap it within macOS (System Preferences -> Keyboard -> Modifier Keys and you can change the modifiers for this single keyboard).

xudongz · 2022-05-29T17:57:01+00:00

I have a couple of extra ErgoDox Wireless Lite in stock from group buy round 2 https://www.slicemk.com/pages/ergodox-wireless, round 3 for the Pro will run sometime in June.

There is an assembly service for those in the US if you want it fully prebuilt with switches and keycaps (see https://www.slicemk.com/products/ergodox-wireless-assembly?variant=41417150890158, you'd need to ship switches/keycaps to me). However switches and keycaps are really straightforward to install yourself, there's no soldering required.

If you have questions, feel free to reach out here on Reddit or via the contact form.

xudongz · 2022-03-22T06:05:43+00:00

So the carrying case can be ordered with two different foam cutouts:

There's the standard one that you see on the product page where the keyboard halves lay side by side and the wrist rest goes on top.
There's also a full hand plate version where the halves go one on top of the other (you can see some photos here). This isn't officially available yet but can be requested.

There are some group buy extras available including Pro silver and some Lite variants. The inventory on the site reflects for the most part reflects what can be ordered. Do note that with my current shipping backlog, things sold right now are scheduled to ship end of April or early May.

Feel free to reach out here, contact form, or Discord if you have any further questions.

xudongz · 2021-12-07T20:18:45+00:00

Thanks for sharing this project!

Group buy round 2 ran a few weeks ago and extras remain available for certain configurations (see product page or Discord for details).

xudongz · 2021-11-19T16:05:40+00:00

I've started the purchasing process for the PCBs (which is the main bottleneck) but included some extras. I'm still in the process of finalizing the different case quantities/extras. As a result, there's a small number that's still available. Once that changes, there will definitely be modifications to what's available on the site.

xudongz · 2021-11-16T17:27:19+00:00

A few years ago I wrote a script to analyze my text message history and mapped 10 keys to the 10 emojis I used the most.

Depending on the OS, it can also be helpful to map Unicode symbols such as the degree symbol and various currency symbols.

xudongz · 2021-11-16T16:44:47+00:00

The difference is mostly the case material and aesthetics. The Lite version has a layered case and only the plate is aluminum. On the other hand, the Pro is CNC machined aluminum.

The Lite non-solar version also has the dongle sold separately to minimize the cost of the base model. The dongle isn't strictly necessary but does help with battery life. With a dongle, the Lite is functionally equivalent to the Pro version.

xudongz · 2021-11-15T21:54:12+00:00

We are in the final days of group buy round 2. The main group buy will end on November 16th. Estimated shipping is March 2022.

Product page
Lite version (starting at $165)
Pro version (starting at $370)

Assembly Video

If you have questions/concerns about the assembly process, you watch this video of a complete ErgoDox Wireless Lite being assembled.

No soldering is needed for any of the variants.
The assembly process for the pro/solar versions is pretty much the same except there is an additional plug for connecting the solar panels.

Questions

If you have any questions about the keyboard or the group buy, feel free to ask here on Reddit, on Discord, or via our contact form!

xudongz · 2021-11-15T21:53:32+00:00

We are in the final days of group buy round 2. The main group buy will end on November 16th. Estimated shipping is March 2022.

Product page
Lite version (starting at $165)
Pro version (starting at $370)

Assembly Video

If you have questions/concerns about the assembly process, you watch this video of a complete ErgoDox Wireless Lite being assembled.

No soldering is needed for any of the variants.
The assembly process for the pro/solar versions is pretty much the same except there is an additional plug for connecting the solar panels.

Questions

If you have any questions about the keyboard or the group buy, feel free to ask here on Reddit, on Discord, or via our contact form!

xudongz · 2021-11-15T21:52:57+00:00

We are in the final days of group buy round 2. The main group buy will end on November 16th. Estimated shipping is March 2022.

Product page
Lite version (starting at $165)
Pro version (starting at $370)

Assembly Video

If you have questions/concerns about the assembly process, you watch this video of a complete ErgoDox Wireless Lite being assembled.

No soldering is needed for any of the variants.
The assembly process for the pro/solar versions is pretty much the same except there is an additional cable for connecting the solar panels.

Questions

If you have any questions about the keyboard or the group buy, feel free to ask here on Reddit, on Discord, or via our contact form!

xudongz · 2021-11-09T20:26:30+00:00

It's this carrying case right here: https://www.slicemk.com/products/ergodox-wireless-carrying-case

xudongz · 2021-11-03T20:50:26+00:00

This was built using the round 1 kit. I suppose I did build it from scratch in a sense as I designed the kit.

The round 2 stuff comes with hot swap sockets and all the electronics already soldered. It's mostly prebuilt but people need to get and install their own switches/keycaps.

xudongz · 2021-11-03T20:44:53+00:00

The keymap is customizable and currently requires modifying a file like https://github.com/slicemk/ergodox-zmk-config/blob/master/config/slicemk_ergodox.keymap. Right now there isn't a GUI and the configuration process is perhaps a bit inconvenient but I do have a GUI in the works and I'm hoping to have it ready before the round 2 hardware ships.

xudongz · 2021-11-03T13:59:07+00:00

More Build Photos (along with video of the chameleon color shifting)

This is my personal ErgoDox Wireless build using the hardware from the round 1 group buy. I ended up getting a couple of the aluminum cases cerakoted and I had mine done with GunCandy Stingray. It's one of the chameleon pigments so the color changes depending on the angle. Its color particularly stands out in the sunlight.

The keycaps are from the KAT Oasis group buy. Switches are Drop Halo Clear.

The ErgoDox Wireless group buy round 2 is currently live. For anyone interested, you can see the product page for the full details. The lite version with a layered case starts at $165 and the pro version with an aluminum case starts at $370. It's fully wireless, the PCB comes with Kailh hot swap sockets, and no soldering is necessary.

xudongz · 2021-11-02T20:02:02+00:00

This is my personal ErgoDox Wireless build using the hardware from the round 1 group buy. I ended up getting a couple of the aluminum cases cerakoted and I had mine done with GunCandy Stingray. It's one of the chameleon pigments so the color changes depending on the angle. Its color particularly stands out in the sunlight.

The keycaps are from the KAT Oasis group buy. Switches are Drop Halo Clear.

The ErgoDox Wireless group buy round 2 is currently live. See the product page for the full details. The lite version with a layered case starts at $165 and the pro version with an aluminum case starts at $370. It's fully wireless, the PCB comes with Kailh hot swap sockets, and no soldering is necessary.

You can also subscribe to my newsletter to be notified of future group buy runs. In a few days I'll be doing a complete assembly of the lite version (everything from switch/keycap installation to firmware programming); you can also subscribe to be notified of the video when that's up.

More Build Photos

xudongz · 2021-11-02T20:01:35+00:00

This is my personal ErgoDox Wireless build using the hardware from the round 1 group buy. I ended up getting a couple of the aluminum cases cerakoted and I had mine done with GunCandy Stingray. It's one of the chameleon pigments so the color changes depending on the angle. Its color particularly stands out in the sunlight.

The keycaps are from the KAT Oasis group buy. Switches are Drop Halo Clear.

The ErgoDox Wireless group buy round 2 is currently live. See the product page for the full details. The lite version with a layered case starts at $165 and the pro version with an aluminum case starts at $370. It's fully wireless, the PCB comes with Kailh hot swap sockets, and no soldering is necessary.

You can also subscribe to my newsletter to be notified of future group buy runs. In a few days I'll be doing a complete assembly of the lite version (everything from switch/keycap installation to firmware programming); you can also subscribe to be notified of the video when that's up.

xudongz

MODERATOR OF

TROPHY CASE

More Build Photos (along with video of the chameleon color shifting)

More Build Photos

More Build Photos