Pinebook Pro ANSI keyboard - feedback please!

[Luke]

Hey everyone,

We'd like your feedback on desired key placement on the Pinebook Pro ANSI keyboard.

We are currently considering the following:

• \| key above return key
  
• Del key is Fn + backspace
  
• Right Ctrl key placed at right Alt and <- arrow
  

Suggestions, ideas and alternatives welcome!

[samueldr]

My suggestion is simple. Follow the standards.

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO/IEC_99...IEC_9995-2
  

This shows that the bottom row should have, right to the space bar, at least AltGr (right alt) and a Control key.

Here's, in my opinion, an easy to digest graphic of what is standard in this case.

https://imgur.com/a/a4vQixT

The location D13 in the 104 key layout ("ANSI") would expectedly map to the keycode giving "\|" on a US qwerty layout.



Except for the position of right control, the 105 keys layout ("ISO") is fine in the pictures of the last blog post about the Pinebook pro.



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That said, I would add that both keyboards should present the same key at the right of right alt. Meaning that the 105 keys ("ISO") layout should also have right control there. And if impossible to change for the 105 keys ("ISO"), the 104 keys ("ANSI") layout should have the same key present, so there it would be "Delete". That is, mainly so that software fixes for the layout at the operating system level can apply equally to both layout, without surprises.

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EDIT: In addition, any complaints against a standard layout can be readily answered by "this follows the standard", which is kind of a cop-out, but has evidence backing it, while any changes compared to the standard is invitation to unexpectedness by the end-users, compared to other keyboards.

[tllim]

We still have 3 days time to influence on ISO keyboard until Monday. This means both ANSI and ISO keyboard can have the right-CTL key and del key as fn+backspace.

[halosghost]

I would echo everyone above so far.

* |\ above return on ANSI
* rctrl between ralt and ←
* delete as fn+backspace

It also hasn't been mentioned before, but, if possible, fnlock as fn+esc is common and very reasonable.

These would be ideal for me (I am planning on grabbing the ANSI keyboard, especially if the |\ and rctrl suggestions above happen)

All the best,

-HG

[chithanh]

It would be good if the keyboard bezel can accommodate either ISO or ANSI layout. So you can buy the other type and install it without having to replace the whole topcase.

About the del key, I prefer to have it separate in the function key row. If the function keys become narrower as a result, I don't mind.

Something like this:

[halosghost]

It would be good if the keyboard bezel can accommodate either ISO or ANSI layout. So you can buy the other type and install it without having to replace the whole topcase… Something like this…

Oh my. That return/|\ key solution is amazing. The ability to accommodate both sounds incredible. If it is not too late to change hardware, I think this would be the best possible solution.

Personally, I disagree about the delete key, but I would not be terribly bothered about having it as a hard key and shrinking the Fn row (again, only if it is not too late to change the hardware).

All the best,

-HG

[Kochise]

2 cents input : I'd prefered my CFILORUX layout ( http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/...014f825195 ) but we cannot have everything :/

(Oh that ugly right shift key, almost as long as the space bar)

[chithanh]

We still have 3 days time to influence on ISO keyboard until Monday.

Now it's Tuesday. What has been decided?

[Luke]

OK so 24 hours until the choice gets locked down.

Here is what we have:

1) ANSI keyboard - \| above return
2) ANSI and ISO keyboards - Del key placed next to Alt Gr and <- arrow key. No right Ctrl.

Everyone happy with this?

[samueldr]

As far as (2) is concerned (key right to alt gr) it is preferable to have both keyboards have the same layout.

Though, in my opinion it should be preferred to follow the ISO standard of [ctrl, fn, super, alt, space, altgr, right control], since after all it is the standard.