Lessons Learned

I had a ton of fun designing and building the FyerDeck. But it failed it's primary goal. To take up less of a footprint, both in my bag and on a table, then that of a laptop. This obviously was not helped by needing to carry around the quest 3 as an integral component. Maybe once valve releases its new VR headset that is rumored to be standalone and run Linux we can build an interesting hacking device out of that... but until that happens we're on valve time. So, what did I learn. Designing things is damn fun! and maybe most importantly, mobile computing has been solved (at least for the time being) with laptops. There just simply isn't a better form factor for getting things done on the go. Case closed, just put all the framework parts back into the laptop chassis and call it a day right? WRONG.

Next Steps

So laptops are the most optimal formfactor for mobile computing at the moment. Sure you can get a decent amount done with a smartphone and bluetooth keyboard now a days, especially with things like termux and Android's up coming virtualization system, but for dedicated hacking and coding a full fat laptop is still preferred. The base Framework13 isn't good enough for me though. Mainly in the keyboard department. Don't get me wrong, the Framework13 keyboard is among the best laptop keyboards I've used, but it's still a laptop keyboard in the standard qwerty layout. I find that normal qwerty layouts make me hunch my shoulders while typing, and if typing for hours on end this leads to significant muscle cramping and knotting in my upper back. I much prefer the alice layout for keyboards because the slight cant to the separated halves really helps keep my shoulders in a more neutral position.

So just bring your keyboard with you and plug it in or connect via bluetooth. Well yes, I could do that, but what if I'm on a plane or in a car and I want to type without knotting my upper back any more then it normally is already? Sure I could just set my keybard on top of the keyboard built into the type cover... but like... that's so much more work. Why can't there just be a laptop keyboard that is alice layout? This in lies my spark of an idea.

Enter the FyerBook

I want to re-design at least the type cover of the framework laptop. I plan to either build my own custom keyboard using mechanical switches, hand wiring (or maybe a PCB.... haven't delved into that yet.) The design would be an alice layout keyboard with some modifications. The right enter and backspace keys will be replaced with normal sized keys, and have their functions changed because I want the backspace and enter keys to be on my thumb like I have them configured on my current daily driver the Cido ABM066. The keys should be low profile so they don't add too much to the thickness of the framework. I plan to re-use the existing framework trackpad and power button, this will keep the fingerprint functionailty, and honestly the trackpad is fine. I'd prefer a haptic trackpad, but this works just fine since I mostly use tap to click anyways.

The idea will be to keep the majority of the framework laptop as is, but just design a new type cover. I may have to design a new bottom case as well, but we'll cross that bridge if it comes to that.

I haven't started on this project yet, but in the comming weeks and months I will be making update posts as the project continues!