TOTEM VS balbuzard

Wired Totem from keeb.supply needs a reset every time I start my Win10 pc, otherwise it works as usual. it says "USB device not recognized". Tested on multiple pcs and cables. Asked on their discord but they haven't heard this problem before. Nuked and reflashed with the given files multiple times, checked again the soldering but didn't help. If it works perfectly fine after reset or connecting to an already running pc, what might be wrong? Is there a watchdog feature that sends a reset signal the moment it gets power? My repo.

You just need a new keyboard 🙃

I built a TOTEM[1] (same creator) and it looks stunning. Was a breeze to get manufactured (both PCB and resin printer case from jlcpcb, in my case) and assemble too!

The build guide is very informative and quirky, it has everything from tips in how to solder smd diodes to "use a sharpie to paint the PCB sides black so it looks nicer", way better than some expensive kits I've bought in the last few years!

1. https://github.com/GEIGEIGEIST/TOTEM

There are some pads on the underside of the XIAO controller that we need to connect to. The footprint that I am using here has plated through-holes with edge cuts with enough space to allow you to use a soldering iron from the bottom to solder the plated through-holes to the pads. This approach was borrowed from Totem so it should work but I am worried about manufacturing issues due to the DRC failures there.

Here you can find the PCB and case files and of course a buildguide. Here is a Hackster post covering my process. I hope it's ok to mention, that you can also buy complete kits on keeb.supply by now.

Thanks! The KiCad files are open source, you can figure out how to add a number row, I believe in you! build guide

design your own case – take a look at the bottom of GEIST’s TOTEM

add an extra pinky key – popularized by Jian and seen in Totem

as u/Tulip2MF mentions, GEIST did the TOTEM for SEEED XIAO challenge and showed it off with a clear case and keycaps

(The Balbuzzard and Osprette are also interesting, but I think I wanna stay with a split keeb for now)

move top pinky key out and down – Azimuth, Balbuzard, Osprette

Balbuzard – more angle

I've personally been using 36 or fewer keys for at least half a year now, and have always enjoyed the comfort provided by the minimalism of 5 column keebs. However, no matter how far the pinkies go down (whether Corne or Ferris pinky stagger), it seems that I can't quite reach all of the pinky keys without having to move my whole arm with the pinky to reach the top row. By taking inspiration from Brow's Balbuzard, I found that moving the pinkies to the unused 6th column combined with choc spacing means that every single key was now within comfortable reach without having to give up the 30 key alpha layer that most modern keyboards maintain (read: the alpha keys with comma and whatnot).

This guy: https://github.com/brow/balbuzard