TOTEM VS miryoku

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

I've seen https://github.com/manna-harbour/miryoku but it doesn't appear to be easily modified.

A 75% keyboard still require quite a lot of wrist movement, which is not ideal in your situation. It's better to learn to use layers, you could still have all the function keys and such with a 36 or 34 keys. With with such a small keyboard you don't need to move your wrist while typing. A Corne or even a Ferris Sweep can do the job with a proper keymap, like Miryoku.

If you prefer to have semicolon on Base you'd substitute custom Base, Nav, and Sym layers, swapping semicolon and slash, with https://github.com/manna-harbour/miryoku/discussions/85.

The Miryoku layout [1] has a dedicated number layer which turns the left half into a number pad. Practical (once you get used to it) and portable.

[1] https://github.com/manna-harbour/miryoku

It's understandable if some people would prefer a larger layout. I wouldn't argue people should be using smaller keyboards.

It's "I don't mind moving my hand to hit the key" vs "I don't mind holding down some Fn key to hit the key". (Or with F1-F12 on Macbooks, you need to both hold down a Fn key and move your hand).

For an example of "36 keys ... how", I think the popular miryoku layout is fascinating. https://github.com/manna-harbour/miryoku/tree/master/docs/re... -- Often, mnemonics for particular keys aren't all that complicated.

Except for those who use Miryoku, which is not optimized for software development, probably every single person here will have its own custom keymap.

The keyboard on the other desk is a wireless Corne low profile kit I built up a while back using a couple nice!nano controllers and their low power display too. For general typing I don't have much of a problem going back and forth between the two, but the Corne is only 34 keys and I use a complex layout called Miryoku to get access to most symbols and functions I have by default on my 360.