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    USB passthrough layout dongle

    • Started by pinkyache
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    26-Sep-2019 12:20:23#1 USB passthrough layout dongle

    I'm sure I heard this discussed before, but can't search the right terms for it here, so apologies if this is a repeat.

    Someone was asking about not being able to switch keyboard layout via OS recently, and mentioned the idea of using a hardware adapter.

    Did these get made, and can you purchase easily?

    Or would they be cheap to make?

    Either fixed or programmable layouts acceptable.

    Last edited by pinkyache (26-Sep-2019 12:21:53)

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    Physicians deafen our ears with the Honorificabilitudinitatibus of their heavenly Panacaea, their sovereign Guiacum.

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    27-Sep-2019 06:07:56#2 Re: USB passthrough layout dongle

    Hi! In my BigBag there's an article on USB-2-USB devices, or QUICKIE as I call their Colemak variant.

    My TMK files can program the device sold by Hasu over at GeekHack, as described in that article. It wouldn't be hard to get Dvorak going that way. Hasu ships from Japan, very reliably in my experience.

    They are cheapish to make too, and it seems like a fun experience. But I haven't done it.

    Last edited by DreymaR (27-Sep-2019 06:08:30)

    *** Learn Colemak in 2–5 steps with Tarmak! ***
    *** Check out my Big Bag of Keyboard Tricks for Win/Linux/TMK... ***

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    28-Sep-2019 12:14:40#3 Re: USB passthrough layout dongle

    Yeah, I have one of Hasu's dongles too, it works very well.

    It would be nice if they were a bit easier to buy though. The service from Hasu is great, but the fact that you have to order them from a "guy on a forum" is going to be barrier for the casual user and is therefore yet another barrier to custom/alternative layouts being more mainstream.

    Last edited by stevep99 (28-Sep-2019 12:15:53)

    Using Colemak-DH with Seniply.

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    28-Sep-2019 12:27:03#4 Re: USB passthrough layout dongle

    Another matter is that the newer generation microcontrollers like Teensy 5 and 6 are so much better. Instead of 32 k memory you have a megabyte, for instance. It'd be so nice if anyone made a QUICKIE-type device for these new controllers, then I could program in all of Colemak[eD] with dead keys aplenty if I wanted to. As it is, I've included four AltGr mappings only (they're also a bit tricky to implement since a keyboard can't send characters but just key presses).

    Last edited by DreymaR (28-Sep-2019 12:28:01)

    *** Learn Colemak in 2–5 steps with Tarmak! ***
    *** Check out my Big Bag of Keyboard Tricks for Win/Linux/TMK... ***

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    29-Sep-2019 14:14:03#5 Re: USB passthrough layout dongle

    Thanks for the links.  Not that cheap and easy then.  But a starting point.

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    19-Oct-2019 14:18:35#6 Re: USB passthrough layout dongle

    Last time I checked, a Pro Micro clone cost $6 on eBay. Add connectors, flash it and it's complete.

    Get yourself an ergonomic keyboard. Learn Maltron. Or stenography.

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    21-Oct-2019 08:24:33#7 Re: USB passthrough layout dongle

    Yeah, sure, but flash it with what? AFAIK, it hasn't been so easy to port TMK/QMK to all controllers because you need some libraries. It'd be awesome if you can get TMK and QMK with those cheap chips and both USB in and out for them at once too, but can you?

    Last edited by DreymaR (21-Oct-2019 08:25:58)

    *** Learn Colemak in 2–5 steps with Tarmak! ***
    *** Check out my Big Bag of Keyboard Tricks for Win/Linux/TMK... ***

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    21-Oct-2019 21:37:26#8 Re: USB passthrough layout dongle

    How to use a Pro Micro as a cheap controller/converter

    USB to USB keyboard converter build log(Pro Micro 3.3v with mini host shield)

    Last edited by davkol (21-Oct-2019 21:41:07)

    Get yourself an ergonomic keyboard. Learn Maltron. Or stenography.

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    22-Oct-2019 08:19:26#9 Re: USB passthrough layout dongle

    Thanks Davkol! I had forgotten that this is the controller in those topics. So nice!

    I had actually already linked to YangDigi's GeekHack topic in the Big Bag for USB-2-USB topic, silly me.  ლ(ಠ益ಠ ლ)

    Part of me wants to try this.  (b￣◇￣)b

    Last edited by DreymaR (22-Oct-2019 08:28:36)

    *** Learn Colemak in 2–5 steps with Tarmak! ***
    *** Check out my Big Bag of Keyboard Tricks for Win/Linux/TMK... ***

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