Hi! I'm new to keyboard science, but AFAIK "programmable Keyboard" and "programmable Controller" are different kettle of fish, in the way, that the former is more restricted, right? So my question is: which keyboards (60% or TKL) on the market have a build-in programmable controler, so that I do not have to replace it first, to flash it with a custom-made firmware?

You really don't like to do research, eh?

I wouldn't say zero, but they are rare indeed. Some of the newer TEX keyboard controllers are reportedly programmable, but they need completely different firmware than the TMK or Soarer firmware suites.

The only way to be sure is to build your own controler and solder it in.

It's a fair question. And it's threads like this where people's future research winds up leading!

You're correct about the terms. Tipro and Access-IS keyboards are right on the high end of the "programmable keyboard" category. You can reconfigure them quite intensely. (Although they require their manufacturer's shitty Windows software to do so.) Layers aplenty, complete remaps and macros enough for our very own Kbdfr: The Tipro Man.


post158928.html#p158928

The only difference really between these keyboards and custom controllers is that the firmware is fixed. You can switch to completely different software in a custom whenever you like, following a must have feature…

But in general, "programmable keyboards" offer as little customisation as they can. You'll typically get a remappable layer (the "program layer" often accessed by Pn) which may have basic macro support, too. But everything else is fixed, and so you'll always stumble back into it and realise that it's set in stone. Grr!

JBert wrote:You really don't like to do research, eh? […]

Exactly what I had been thinking.
Since registering on DT almost exactly 6 weeks ago, Eszett opened 12 new threads (for a total of 90 posts).

To his credit there is to be said that unlike others at least he reacts when someone answers his questions.
Mostly with new questions

Nothing wrong with questions! If nothing else, a thread with "programmable controller" in the title is useful to have on the forums because then in future people who search it will arrive at this (hopefully) useful discussion.

Well, I think the discussion could have been continued in the thread named "Question: fully programmable?" which Eszett opened some four weeks ago:
keyboards-f2/question-fully-programmable-t7674.html
and where he had already asked:

Eszett wrote:Hi! I’ve got a newbie question. What can I expect when I read about “fully programmable”, e. g. with a Ducky. Does it mean I can remap everything to everything? Where are the limitations? […]

I would prefer to discuss the matter, and Muirium is the only one who kindly does. If you don't like it that I'm opening threads with beginner questions send me a PM or ignore me, thank you very much.

Eszett wrote:I would prefer to discuss the matter, and Muirium is the only one who kindly does. If you don't like it that I'm opening threads with beginner questions send me a PM or ignore me, thank you very much.

Feel free to open multiple threads instead of doing research even if I do not like it,
but please do not even think of trying to restrict my right to express my opinion even if you do not like it.

Eszett, have you heard of bpiphany's custom controllers? You can get a QFR or some Filco (not sure which exact keyboards are supported) and then program the controller to better suit your needs. You do have to replace the controller, though.

@scottc Yes, when I dig more into keyboard science, somewhen I will be able to do that. But what about other people, who have not the time nor the knowledge to do it? They still might wish to customize their KBs in a way that's only possible with a new firmware. So i thought maybe there is a more user-friendly KB at the market with inbuilt programmable controller ... Tipro is a something for it's own, when I show it to others people they ask me "where is the spacebar?". Not to mention the aesthetics

Haha, you're quite right Eszett. In truth, I think Muirium has said all that can be said about the topic: the only way up from there (that I know of!) is a controller replacement or custom keyboard.

If you have a PS2 keyboard, you could get something like Soarer's Converter to convert it to USB. Soarer's also lets you define key remaps, layers, etc -- but again, it's not exactly an easy software replacement.

If you want to do it in software, you can use xmodmap for Linux, or KR4MB for OSX, or SharpKeys or AutoHotKey for Windows. They're obviously not as portable. though.

Alright then, I think I got it, thanks Muirium and scottc.

What is this "keyboard science"? What do programmable keyboards have to do with science?

science = slang for "difficult knowledge"

Well, knowledge attained through stacking coins and *uuuugh* misplacing shoes.



Ripster did some kinda sorta informative stuff. But "science" is a stretch. More like medieval medicine…

You're talking about The World's #1 Keyboard Alchemist?

I don't know. Guess we would have to gut a sacrificial animal and study the entrails to be scientifically certain.

Muirium wrote:Guess we would have to gut a sacrificial animal and study the entrails

this is the Scottish who is talking

Scotland: birthplace of the Enlightenment, and a hotbed of Calvinism. Take your pick!

So, show me a fellow who doubts industrialisation and carbon cause climate change and I will show him a smack in the face.

I don't know about climate change but I can surely say that Earth is flat http://theflatearthsociety.org/forum/

Muirium wrote:Scotland: birthplace of the Enlightenment, and a hotbed of Calvinism. Take your pick!

So, show me a fellow who doubts industrialisation and carbon cause climate change and I will show him a smack in the face.

So, you don't believe in climate change or what?

(Selects a Model F for use as a weapon.)

err.. I'll take that as a no then? (I'm not always good at understanding indirect answers and to some degree humor on the internet)

Indeed. While other languages have their ironies, we English speakers just flip 1s and 0s and call it sarcasm.

Cheatsheet: I'm with the scientists on this one. And every one, in fact, even when I don't like what it means. (Insert joke about scientific faith here. I deserve it!)

Scientists? I thought only politicians talked about the global warming^Wclimate change.

global warming is a hoax. we can all stop trying to make our planet a better place to live in.

American winter (typical global warming) supposedly caused by Chinese air pollution.

Although we've never met, I suspect Ripster would be proud at how his very mention spectacularly derailed this thread!

Now can we please get back to aliens?

The moon landing was staged by the Illuminati!