Keyboards

ANSI Keyboard Layout With Form Factor

Should you have only one device to interact with your computers, keyboard is definitively a good choice.

Touch devices require rare raw material, and are hard to maintain during time.

ANSI Keyboard Layout With Form Factor

Galaxie Clan Keyboards

Specs

The ideal feature set for keyboards from our point of view would be:

  • Waterproof

The keyboard should support outdoor environment exposition during long period with minimal intervention, and stay functional.

  • Hotswap keys

No need to replace the entire keyboard for one touch it cause trouble. Keys have to be hot swappable. Spare key’s can be useful.

  • Capability change keys caps

Capability to use custom layout like FR, DE or ES is required, the flat key like DSA Profile.

  • Bluetooth

Unfortunally wireless requires battery that can be a source of trouble over time. If Bluetooth is present, care aboue the battery replacement, or the ability to use it also in a wired mode.

  • Arrows key

Arrow keys are required for the keyboard, that excludes a certain amount of keyboard form factor. A console without Arrow key is less fun.

  • Small form factor

The fact we target a small case box as enclosure mean size of devices is important. A full size keyboard is normaly excluded. 65%, 75%, 80% look to be a good compromise (40% and 60% seems too small).

  • Noise

With the apability to change keys, mechanical keyboard jump in the selection. Our target will be the less noise possible. Low profile mechanical can help to reduce the noise produced.

Mechanical keyboards

65% KeyChron K6

  • ANSI Layout

  • White Blacklight

  • Bluetooth and Wired

  • Hotswappable

  • Have two function keys

70% KeyChron K14

  • ANSI Layout

  • White Blacklight

  • Bluetooth and Wired

  • Hotswappable

  • Have two function keys

Keychron keyboard configuration

Keychron Keyboards on GNU/Linux use the hid_apple kernel module, both in Bluetooth and Wired modes.

By default, this module uses the F(unction)-keys as multimedia shortcuts and you have to press Fn + F-key to get the usual F1 through F12 keys.

In order to change this, you need to change the fnmode parameter for the hid_apple kernel module.

Official documentation

fnmode values

  • 0 = disabled

    • Disables the fn key.

    • Pressing fn + F8 will behave like you only press F8

  • 1 = fkeyslast

    • Function keys are used as last key.

    • Pressing F8 key will act as a special key.

    • Pressing fn + F8 will behave like a F8.

  • 2 = fkeysfirst

    • Function keys are used as first key.

    • Pressing F8 key will behave like a F8.

    • Pressing fn + F8 will act as special key (play/pause).

	echo "options hid_apple fnmode=2 swap_fn_leftctrl=0 swap_opt_cmd=1" | sudo tee /etc/modprobe.d/hid_apple.conf
	sudo update-initramfs -u
	sudo systemctl reboot

source