Lmst

At last someone has articulated my thoughts about C memory safety. The solution exists and is very robust: ADA.
If only I could convince management to use that instead of C/C++. Instead they're more likely to find Rust the more attractive option 😔
https://hackaday.com/2025/03/11/trapc-a-c-extension-for-the-memory-safety-boogeyman/

#clanguage #cplusplus #ada #hackadaycolumns

Keebin’ with Kristina: the One with the Keyboard Configurator

Have you ever wished you could experiment with different layouts super easily, just by adding or removing a few switches here and there and printing a new case? Well, [heyisjambo] says that it's more than possible with menura, the modular keyboard system.

So many lovely options! Image by [heyisjambo] via GitHub[heyisjambo] is happy with 36 keys, but is reduced-count-curious and wanted a way to explore without a lot of wasted time and PCBs.

At the same time, [heyisjambo] wanted to experiment with split vs. uni-body construction, and especially the different shapes that are possible when tweaking the angle and distance between them.

And as if that weren't enough, there's support for [Sadek Baroudi]'s VIK standard for interfacing data between PCBs, which calls for an FPC 12-pin, 0.5 mm pitch connector and allows for ultra-cool magnetic connectors. This way, you can easily add things like displays, trackpads, and trackballs in the between the halves.

Thanks for the tip, [calculus]!

Cosmos Keyboard Configurator Is Out of This World

Well, this is probably the coolest thing I've seen this week. Cosmos is an utterly customizable keyboard configurator by [Lost Pistachio] that uses a scan of your hand to figure out what thumb clusters, curvature, and layout are right for you, without wasting time and plastic on physical prototypes. You should go check it out, especially to see the cool and noodly finger animations in the demo.

Image by [LostPistachio] via Cosmos Keyboard ConfiguratorAt the top left you'll find Basic, Advanced, and Expert modes, where Expert is playing directly with the code. You can mess with the thumb cluster keys by moving them around directly with the mouse. You want a trackball? Boom, trackball.

Did I mention that it does all this in the browser? Oh, except for a couple of things things, which are accessible with a PRO account. This costs a measly $10 and is good for a lifetime, yours or theirs.

Yes, there are a lot of settings, but it's easy enough to get started with the docs page, which outlines some recommendations for everything from the layout to the microcontroller.

Thanks for the tip, [Timothée]!

The Centerfold: The Hacktrick

Image by [tschibo00] via redditNo, this isn't some sci-fi prop. It's real, and it's spectacular. This is [tschibo00]'s Hacktrick -- a gasket-mounted keyboard that uses converted key tops from an IBM Selectric I typewriter. The golf ball type element is not just for looks -- it's mounted on a special adapter and acts as encoder to scroll up/down, left/right, and push down.

The switches are mounted sideways in order to accept the keycaps without an adapter. Since the Selectric key tops are normally mounted on levers and wider in the north-south direction, the switches must be rotated, and a cross-slit Dremeled into the underside of each beautiful, double-shot key top. This way, they can still be used on a Selectric. In case you're wondering, that case was resin-printed by a board house, although [tschibo00] sanded, painted, and clear-coated it many times.

Do you rock a sweet set of peripherals on a screamin' desk pad? Send me a picture along with your handle and all the gory details, and you could be featured here!

Historical Clackers: the Bennett/Junior

Introduced in 1907, the Junior was Charles Almon Bennett's first typewriter. It had no paper table and utilized ink rollers. Evidently, it had numerous issues with alignment. But one thing is certain; this was truly a pocket-sized typewriter.

Image by [Lucas Dul] via The Mechanical TypeThese issues were all addressed with Bennett's second machine, which he named after himself. The Bennett had a paper table, ribbon spools, and no alignment issues. Even so, it was difficult to type on.

First off, the keys are way too close together, which is just bad for typing in general, plus it made the wrists begin to ache after a while.

And you see how they overlap? Pressing one depresses the keys beneath it as well -- hit Q, and A and Z go down with it. But hey, at least it's ortholinear, eh? And plus, look where the Space bar is.

These things are small : just 11″ x 5″ x 2″ and a mere 4.5 pounds. They have the honor of being the smallest typewriters ever manufactured with full keyboards. If you want to take a deeper dive into one of these machines, be sure to check out [Lucas Dul]'s exploration of a Junior. You may remember [Lucas] from a previous Keebin'.

There's Nothing Wooden About This Design

Look, I don't happen to have any experience clacking on a wooden keyboard, although I welcome it with open arms. And unless I get some serious skills and/or cash, it's probably going to be a while.

Image via Yanko Design

That said, the folks at Yanko Design got their hands on an Alice60 made (almost) completely out of wood, and rave about the sound, the tactility, the whole nine.

We know what plastic sound and feels like. But even the nicest plastics get slick over time with finger oils. I'm not saying that will magically go away with a wooden keyboard, only that one can imagine the oils seasoning the wood rather that ruining it.

This offering from Epomaker x Feker is currently available for pre-order for a cool $549. Not bad for something so lovely, which will undoubtedly provide a keyboarding experience like none other.

This is certainly not the first wooden keyboard we've seen, and it's not even the first commercial offering. If you're not into ergonomics and have the means to spend twice as much, check out this wooden rectangle from Hacoa. If you want to make one yourself, take a look at [Bo Yao]'s carpenter tau number, or [Steve M. Potter]'s Scrabble tile affair.

Got a hot tip that has like, anything to do with keyboards? [Help me out by sending in a link or two](mailto:tips@hackaday.com?Subject=[Keebin' with Kristina]). Don't want all the Hackaday scribes to see it? Feel free to [email me directly](mailto:kristinapanos@hackaday.com?Subject=[Keebin' Fodder]).

#hackadaycolumns #peripheralshacks #bennettjunior #ibmselectric #keyboardconfigurator #modularkeyboard #pockettypewriter #vikstandard #woodenkeyboard

2025 Hackaday Europe CFP: We Want You!

Hackaday’s Supercon is still warm in our hearts, and the snow is just now starting to fall, but we’re already looking forward to Spring. Or at least to Hackaday Europe, which will be taking place March 15th and 16th in Berlin, Germany.

Tickets aren’t on sale yet, but we know a way that you can get in for free.

Call for Participation

What makes Hackaday Europe special? Well, it’s you! We’re excited to announce that we’re opening up our call for talks right now, and we can’t wait to hear what you have to say. Speakers of course get in free, but the real reason that you want to present is whom you’re presenting to.

The Hackaday audience is interested, inquisitive, and friendly. If you have a tale of hardware, firmware, or software derring-do that would only really go over with a Hackaday crowd, this is your chance. We have slots open for shorter 20-minute talks as well as longer 40-minute ones, so whether you’ve got a quick hack or you want to take a deep dive, we’ve got you covered. We especially love to hear from new voices, so if you’ve never given a talk about your projects before, we’d really encourage you to apply!

Hackaday Europe, the Badge, and the SAOs

If you're not familiar with Hackaday Europe, it's a gathering of 350 folks for a ridiculously fun weekend of talks, badge hacking, music, and everything else that goes with it. Saturday the 15th is the big day, and Sunday is a half-day of brunch, lightning talks, and showing off the badge hacks from the day before. And if you’re in town on Friday the 14th, we’ll be going out in the evening for drinks and dinner, location TBA.

We’ll be re-spinning the 2024 Supercon SAO badge, which was all about the Supercon Add-Ons. (Can anyone think up a Hackaday-Europe-themed backronym: “Spree Add Ons”?) The badge was an inspiration for many stateside Supercon attendees to dip their toes into the warm waters of small badgelet designs, and we’re hoping to bring the same to the Continent. Additionally, there are two prototyping “petals” that you can hack on during the event, even if you didn’t make anything beforehand. And of course, there’s always hacking the firmware.

But wait, there’s more! We also ran a contest for pre-Supercon SAO designs, and the top three designs will be in your schwag bags at Hackaday Europe. Yes, this means that every attendee will be receiving a functional plug-in multimeter, etch-a-sketch, and blinky wavy-arm-art-thing. These are among the most creative and fun SAOs that we’ve ever seen, and now you too can have one!

See you There!

Again, tickets aren’t on sale yet, but we’re opening the green-room door to those who want to present first. Take the next few weeks to firm up an outline and get your talk proposal in to us before January 14th. We can’t wait to see what you’re up to!

#cons #hackadaycolumns #news #2025hackadayeurope #berlin #hackadayeurope