No prototypes for GamesCom, but a Wifi Chip and a Pyra in the dark!

[matzesu]

Well, my aktually Car is Bordeoux Red, which also is a nice color,

whyle my Bike, and my Motor Scouter is blue, like the New 3DS and my Ipod Nano

 

[WizardStan]

14€ alone don't sound like much

Also another thing to consider: this is the price of the part, not necessarily what ED will charge. He deserves to make a percentage profit, if he figures he needs (nay, deserves!) a 50% profit margin, that extra 14€ translates into 21€ to the end user.

 

[Luke-Jr]

I suppose it's not a "huge flaw" that Ctrl-C/V/etc are impractical with the Ctrl key in the middle?

 

[TrashyMG]

I suppose it's not a "huge flaw" that Ctrl-C/V/etc are impractical with the Ctrl key in the middle?

The shoulders buttons also act like ctrl,shift and alt. Also it's not that difficult to adjust to.

 

[Caine]

I suppose it's not a "huge flaw" that Ctrl-C/V/etc are impractical with the Ctrl key in the middle?

I can easily reach the middle button on my Pandora while thumb typing. One of the right shoulder buttons also functions as a ctrl key.

 

[YourAverageJoe]

I think 5 GHz is neat but it's definitely an enthusiast option that's not really ideal for an internal component. The rest of the Pyra's components as well as the rugged plastic outer shell will inevitably cause signal loss for such a short wavelength signal and besides, not all routers support it. Even the people who care about 5 GHz would probably rather use an external dongle for a cleaner signal, so it'd probably be better to support a few USB dongles via software and the wiki than to spend extra money on the chip.

 

[rygD]

I suppose it's not a "huge flaw" that Ctrl-C/V/etc are impractical with the Ctrl key in the middle?

I can easily reach the middle button on my Pandora while thumb typing. One of the right shoulder buttons also functions as a ctrl key.

How could we ever manage on the Pandora?

My hands aren't particularly large and I never had issues reaching them (I also often reach my thumbs across the keyboard when I need to), however it seems many people have difficulty with the size of these devices. 

 

[Natsu]

I think 5 GHz is neat but it's definitely an enthusiast option that's not really ideal for an internal component. The rest of the Pyra's components as well as the rugged plastic outer shell will inevitably cause signal loss for such a short wavelength signal and besides, not all routers support it. Even the people who care about 5 GHz would probably rather use an external dongle for a cleaner signal, so it'd probably be better to support a few USB dongles via software and the wiki than to spend extra money on the chip.

I really don't think it will be cut down that much, but this can be tested. Yes, but some routers do support and it is called future proofing. Actually, a seen a few post that said that they don't want to do that and rather have it built-in.


Dark grey, black or very dark red would be good.

 

[moxie]

Of course that's the part you'd quote. As for abusiveness, maybe you Roy, who I've noticed has a tendency to be patronizing and corrective to those you disagree with(and no this isn't excusable even if you volunteer here), shouldn't comment freely on other's posts, specifically mine which you referred to as rudely "spewing". Goes both ways.

If there is any need to put in more opinions, I would also call your posts "borderline abusive" or something similar, to a level that few others, including TrashyMG, ever reaches. I would much prefer that you tone it down, and the only reason I haven't seen it necessary to do something about it in the stern moderator voice is that it has mostly been in the keyboard section, where nobody with a will to live ventures anyway.  

If you are to spread this pointless bickering to other parts of the forum too, I will have to use that stern voice. Please don't make me do that.

 

[nextstep]

I think you should bear in mind many people, with different locales, will use this as a mini laptop. Probably very Unix-oriented people.

Not having some dedicated keys for some ASCII symbols like / is a bit suboptimal. Also, at least, a dedicated compose would be fantastic.

Given that it is impossible to be all things to all people, is it possible to have 2 key mats printed maybe? Say something resembling US International (with dedicated compose and /), and what you have now.

Also, many of us would like to use this as a much improved smartphone or phablet replacement. Thus, good WIFI and 4G is essential.

Keep up the good work

 

[moxie]

I wonder if I'm the only one who considers it incredibly rude to out someone's real name in a forum where they do not normally use it?

No, that is part of what makes me want to bring out the green. You don't do that. Not that it'll do great harm to TrashyMG, but there are those for which it would be a serious problem. That is part of what at least I would consider to be self-evident modern netiquette. 

Approaching a discussion of  opinions with the mindset that my opinion is objectively correct and those who don't agree are misinformed or incompetent also is a problematic standpoint. The thing with opinions is that they are basically expressions of values, which will reasonably differ between people from different backgrounds. That is the basis on which to discuss opinions - Had it been an issue of facts, it would be solved with measurements. Not understanding this, and not being able to acknowledge the validity of other priorities or values, also makes for a problematic position in such a discussion.

The externalization of responsibility (My aggressive tone, my boneheaded stubborness, my calling other people names and my too-similar-posts-diarrhea isn't a problem - The problem is that the evil {person} is picking on me!!!) is also a bit problematic. It makes it difficult to bring a sligthly derailed discussion back on track, since even very level-toned request to take it down a bit is quickly turned into issues of person.

So: There is a lot of problematic here. I would like a few people to take a moment for a few deep breaths and a chill pill, so that we won't have to bring out the moderator tools.

 

[rygD]

I think you should bear in mind many people, with different locales, will use this as a mini laptop. Probably very Unix-oriented people.

Not having some dedicated keys for some ASCII symbols like / is a bit suboptimal. Also, at least, a dedicated compose would be fantastic.

Given that it is impossible to be all things to all people, is it possible to have 2 key mats printed maybe? Say something resembling US International (with dedicated compose and /), and what you have now.

Also, many of us would like to use this as a much improved smartphone or phablet replacement. Thus, good WIFI and 4G is essential.

Keep up the good work

I can't "like" this since you are a guest.  A few of us have expressed interest in 2 keymats being made, but the cost is a bit high for the size of the project.  I don't remember the actual price mentioned.  It was high enough that it would greatly increase the cost of the Pyra per user edit: buyer, or make each keymat super expensive, and all of this is why some of us were so concerned with making the best of what we have.  This is why it is still a continuing public discussion even though the recent poll was supposed to end that, and only those working on it would have a reason to continue to discuss, albeit privately.  Some of us just don't get it, and are still voicing our interest in things to improve it even with the nearly final layout, such as a single key sized space "bar".  This would also help people in different locales, and those with different preferences and needs.

I plan on using mine in place of a laptop when I can, and so that I don't need a smartphone if we get something that will work for me.

 

[benoitb]

I think 5 GHz is neat but it's definitely an enthusiast option that's not really ideal for an internal component. The rest of the Pyra's components as well as the rugged plastic outer shell will inevitably cause signal loss for such a short wavelength signal and besides, not all routers support it. Even the people who care about 5 GHz would probably rather use an external dongle for a cleaner signal, so it'd probably be better to support a few USB dongles via software and the wiki than to spend extra money on the chip.

This is a good point. I don't know about where the WLAN antenna(s) would be located. Do we have info on this already ?

 

[txus]

I think 5 GHz is neat but it's definitely an enthusiast option that's not really ideal for an internal component. The rest of the Pyra's components as well as the rugged plastic outer shell will inevitably cause signal loss for such a short wavelength signal and besides, not all routers support it. Even the people who care about 5 GHz would probably rather use an external dongle for a cleaner signal, so it'd probably be better to support a few USB dongles via software and the wiki than to spend extra money on the chip.

I think this is mostly FUD, since every device I know of and/or have at home, including the aluminium Macbook of my GF, have an internal antenna and perfectly support the 5 GHz band. And no, I would most definitely NOT use an external dongle, sticking out and using up one of the USB ports, just to have the Pyra connected to a stable network, if there is any possibility at having it working seamlessly. Also: having an elaborate design with a separate CPU board for future-proofing, and not enabling 5 GHz wifi when there is a perfecly reasonable possibility to do so, would be a real pity. And not taking into account the initial difficulties for the first 1000 units, 14 euros amont 500+ is mostly negligible.

 

[FamilyGuy]

[...] Maybe I don't drink enough of the kool-aid around here or maybe it takes a lackey's perspective to dismiss these design errors.

Maybe you're pedantic and can't understand people have different tastes and opinion than you?


Sorry for off-topic, this whole keyboad layout saga is just crazy. You can change the layout to your liking anyway, that's just the printing! No biggie! If i was ED, I would just ship it blank with a sticker machine so everyone is happy.

 

[TeDaDeS]

Shame the CPU boards were too hard to make. But Gamescom will be a blast anyway.

For the 5GHz Wifi: internet is a essential function of the Pyra, that's why the 4G was added. So having the option to switch to 5GHz to have internet might be a good idea.

Personally I have both 2.4GHz/5GHz and usually use the 2.4GHz as it has better range. If you don't have good range you won't have good speed either, but that goes for both frequencies.

So if the €14 is weighing to much on the price I wouldn't add it.

 

[comradekingu]

Depends how much value it adds to the premise.

Doing more layouts is quite cheap compared to the prohibitly expencive extra cost of making another mold. I care enough alone to make that happen, but cant afford the latter.

The best all-around option is singlewide space mold, since that adds benefits to all layouts, and for colours to be user selectable.

Beyond getting some amount of "demographic selects colours they pay for", which aligns adding value with user preference directly, many projects have had success selling an option where one or few users pay alot, enabling more selection for many.

TOHKBD had someone fork up 2500€ for "Upgrade everyone to get custom colouring and upgrade everyone that had that already to signature!"

Love the option, love that person.

 

[WizardStan]

So if the €14 is weighing to much on the price I wouldn't add it.

€21 at least, I'd actually reckon. ED needs to pull a profit in order to be able to make more later, he can't just sell at cost.

 

[Timstertoo]

Really like the backlit keyboard picture! Money is starting to burn in my pocket 

 

[Natsu]

Really like the backlit keyboard picture! Money is starting to burn in my pocket 

Is that a Pyra joke?