Devlog 1

Issues with Tracking

I used the lookout-app to record how I worked, but it didn’t really connect with my account. On stardance-help I didn’t really get an answer (I will try again later) :(

Project Start

Today I started with my project. I want to focus on the keyboard first and add the other features after the bare minimum is working.

At first, I tried sketching the layout in Fusion.

Keyboard Concept

It should be an 80% keyboard but with a small display (touch-display) in it, so you can control the audio for example.

I also want to insert a Tamagotchi-like OS, so the more you use the keyboard, the happier and stronger your keyboard pet gets.

The art part could get difficult, but I tried using AI for it and the images were alright. But that’s for another time.

Layout Problems

After I sketched the rough layout, I needed to know how many keys an Austrian keyboard needed (ä, ü, ö, etc.).

That was a bit difficult because the keyboard layout managers I found were only in English format. I found out that it’s mostly the same by counting the keys on my own keyboard.

I had some difficulties later because some parts of my laptop keyboard were better than my normal keyboard, so I got things mixed up and messed up the layout a bit—but it was quickly fixed afterwards.

Next Steps

My next steps would be to wire everything up and hope for the best.

PCB Ideas

I’m still thinking about whether I should use a separate PCB for the display. That would complicate things, but on the other hand, the PCB would get really complicated and the chances for failure would be larger.

Mounting Problem

I almost forgot—I need to place the mounting holes somewhere, but I have no idea where to place them, so that could turn out interesting.

We will see.

Extra information for the Sketch

(I later decided to only add the display and maybe the text (still in progress) and leave the rest on the top out to have more room—so ignore the turn thingy, I forgot what it’s called.)