Blog Update 2/15/09

[adamorjames]

Check out the official blog or read below.

Here is a little Pandora 3D demo, for much more in depth information on the 3D and drivers see DJs post here.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wnr4HCIoFlk
More to come.


You will have to copy and paste the URLs until the forum gets fixed.

Link to DJ's post (not messed up as much): http://blogs.distant-earth.com/wp/?p=54

Another post has been made.

While the mould for the keymat is currently being produced, we're concentrating on working more on the keyboard layout.
We mostly scrapped out old layout since we had too many important keys missing - so there are no Umlauts or language specific keys on the layout, it's a plain English keyboard with a compose key to do special characters.

That layout is not final yet, it's our current WIP. The layout might look weird and mixed up at first sight, but there's one major difference with a standard PC Keyboard: You only use two thumbs for typing on that one, so it's much more important that the most used characters are convenient to reach (which can be a problem when using the Fn Button).

Link to full keyboard layout image: http://www.openpandora.de/images/pandorakeybV3.jpg

 

[typs lik dis]

This topic is extremely redundant; the blog post is just a link and a video of a 3D demo, both already posted in the topic below.
CODE
http://www.gp32x.de/board/index.php?showtopic=46729

 

[adamorjames]

Updated.

 

[MDave]

I am happy with the layout shown there (adamorjames you should link to the bigger pic too!)

I am impressed with what I see with the 3D Demos too! This shows it can do Quake 3 EASY and Doom 3 quite possible indeed

 

[pelrun]

I'm curious as to why the square brackets are on the number keys and the parens are on Fn-combos; seems backwards to me!

Apart from that, the layout is okay. I was uncertain about the ctrl/alt placement, but I'm beginning to warm to it.

 

[Phawx]

When is the deadline for Keymat layout? Before OP can start the manufacturing process, they will need the final keymat inside the CNC case, yes?

 

[Alpha2]

The choices made in terms of which symbols seem okay I think the only real problem is the placement for some of them. some could be a little more convienent for symple text use, which makes me wonder if the choices were more towards the programmer side?

Either way he does at least say that they're still discussing it so the placement could still change so there's a possibility it could get better.

 

[multiplex]

I'd call that improvement. Lots of nits to pick at, but even it it shipped with a layout exactly like that, it'd steer clear of the 'earth-shattering disaster' category in the annuals.
Are we making this the inevitable 'discuss the layout' thread? Because if so, I'd like to question the abundance of currency symbols, and the placement of compose-relevant keys on the number row.

 

[Eight Bit]

Maybe it would be better to have the FN key on the left side and have the symbols on the right as we're all used to? Seems more intuitive...


Edit: I'll try and come up with an alternative idea if that's ok. Always best to come with an alternative instead of just critizise imo
Anyway, I'll take it as it comes. I think you guys are doing a great job!

 

[mali]

If this layout would become final and I wouldn't hack the driver to allow a universal dead-key, I would throw Pandora out of the window after trying to write two sentences in real life when I'm not on this board.
4 keypresses for one fucking umlaut?

For four months after paying I liked the layout(thought it would somehow be the one I'll get).
Now I've to worry an undefined amount of time if custom keypads will be made available.

I've tried to contribute in the way I could to this project by providing info and answering questions. I'm no dev so that was all I could do. No one will miss me when I drop out, so that's a good thing.
Don't worry I'll wait for delivery and won't cancel my order.

If there is no definitive German layout in the works and soon to be available when Pandora is delivered, my Pandora's box is going straight to eBay. Upgrading my N800 to N900 instead of Pandora would be no problem and from an UMPCer's point of view not the worst thing to do.

 

[cowai]

Can I ask why the "," and "." is on the left side?

 

[Creature XL]

From a shell users point of view:

It looks hard for me to hit the <TAB> key.
I have to use my right thumb to press FN and TAB at the same time?

I think itis a good idea to put a FN key on both sides.
Thre is a reason why there are TWO shift keys on a atandard keyboard. And two CTRL.
Devs, take a closer look to your notebooks. There is only ONE FN key, but the FN-symbols are oly on the opposite side of teh FN key. For a reason

 

[kin]

Cmon... Why not use L or R button as FN?

No thumbs needed! Only index fingers!!

 

[peca]

Can I ask why the "," and "." is on the left side?

Because thay don't fit on right side? I don't know, but it is not an issue for me. I just think that other special characters are messed up. I understand that there cannot be one universal "fit for all" layout. So I incline to keep it on "them" and then (maybe) try make some the I really like. If there will be chance to order custom layout in reasonable amount for affordable price.

 

[cosurgi]

BIG KUDOS TO PANDORA TEAM.

now excuse me while I'll do my sickly obsessive careful analysis.... later.

I'm tired now - I just finished reading "Moving Pictures" by Terry Pratchett. I started reading it exactly 18 hours ago, and finished it right now. I need some sleep, and I need to focus on my post-doc Awesome book, you'd never expect, and it's about twentieth Pratchett's book that I've read and I'm still keep being surprised by his art.

 

[craigix]

L and R are left and right mouse click, makes it easy to use the nubs as a mouse + slider.

 

[TaG]

And makes it real easy to do something disastrous by hitting them by mistake.

 

[cosurgi]

just a short note if I may - it's not possible to press Shift+Delete, because Shift+Backspace=Delete.

 

[craigix]

And makes it real easy to do something disastrous by hitting them by mistake.

Surely only as disastrous as hitting real mouse buttons by mistake?

 

[kin]

in that case id rather press left on the D-pad


uhh... oh wait, the cursor moves back?