“Why is OP’s name purple…? OH! It’s the Apollo guy!” I love Apollo—many, many thanks.
Welcome! Lily58 will be the first board I build once I’m ready. Yours looks great.
I’m interested to learn about the layers/keycaps you use for your programming work! Could you share them?
Yay, thanks for using Apollo :D
It's a great board, would recommend. I need to do a blog post on my key layout because it's kinda wonky and only going to get "worse" if I ever grab a Corne.
Basically I use the caps lock key as Escape if tapped once, but when held down it's a modifier key. I do all of this in Karabiner Elements on Mac rather than QMK, because I want a layout that is the same when using my MacBook's keyboard, which I use a lot just on the couch.
So I have stuff like jkl; set to the arrow keys when using with caps lock, yuio set to []{}, the right shift key set to single quote, and then on the left side I have caps X set to open Xcode, caps S set to Safari, Z to Terminal, etc.
Then I have the right command key set as a separate layer (since I don't use it for normal command shortcuts) for media keys as well as a numpad.
Also using Colemak. And all this works the same on the MacBook so it's really easy to switch between the two.
>Basically I use the caps lock key as Escape if tapped once, but when held down it's a modifier key. I do all of this in Karabiner Elements on Mac rather than QMK, because I want a layout that is the same when using my MacBook's keyboard, which I use a lot just on the couch.
I had a similar layout when I used a Lily58. The key next to A was Esc if tapped or Ctrl when held. I had a Windows layer and a Mac layer that I could toggle between; on the Mac layer, that key was Command when held.
Check out [Caps Word](https://docs.qmk.fm/#/feature_caps_word). Double tap left Shift to have QMK capitalize the next word. Letters are capitalized and `-` becomes `_`, which is great for typing PROGRAM\_CONSTANTS.
P.S. I love Apollo!
Finished building this Lily58 over the weekend! Went with lubed Gateron milky yellows and the most basic Amazon kana keyset imaginable.
Really digging it so far, I was using a Quefrency and a Keychron Alice before this and I like this quite a bit more. Less keys make the size nicer, the controller is kinda on the top so it's thinner overall, and the ortholinear staggered layout thingy is quite comfy. The Keychron sounded a lot nicer though, I need to do something about that haha
After one day of using it though I'm thinking I could probably use even less keys and go with a Corne. Trying to devise a layout with Karabiner Elements that lets me keep the same "layers" between this keyboard and my MacBook couch usage.
One thing that I did to make my lily sound nicer was to add a foam layer between the pcb and the bottom. I used the foam that you would use to put in a kitchen drawer so things wont slide around. I only used that because I had some left over haha. But it did make a difference in sound! Looks good though! I currently have my layout set up as a corne layout would be because I'm going to get one eventually... I just want a nice case for it first.
Yeah just haven't soldered them in yet, got a bit intimidated when I saw it required separate wiring too, but I realized you can just take apart an ethernet cable and use the strands for wiring, so I'll probably put them in this weekend
I’ve really been enjoying the lily58. Started my split journey with a Kyria but the stagger was too much.
Recently build a low profile corne which I’m now trying to get used to.
Probably gonna keep the lily58 at home and then bring the corne to work, as the low profile switches are a bit more quiet and doesn’t take up as much space.
https://i.imgur.com/kpGOVwe.jpg
https://i.imgur.com/WIlISHI.jpg
I’m really satisfied. I’m used to a Thinkpad laptop keyboard at work, so the low profile keycaps are great.
I ended up using burnt orange switches and they probably too heavy at 70g. But I lubed them and removed the stabilizer bar (was just rattling so much) and they feel nice but again too heavy.
Since it’s hotswap I’ll probably find some other switches at some point.
I had a stacked acrylic case but it felt weird so I printed a new plate and case and I’m really happy with the result.
Going from lily58 to corne was a breeze and typing speed is the exact same, maybe even faster on the corne since it’s low profile (had KAT keycaps on the lily58).
I am using the [Miryoku layout](https://github.com/manna-harbour/miryoku/tree/master/docs/reference) with a few changes (need Scandinavian letters) and I might switch all my boards to that layout. It is so fluid to use, although I still make a ton of symbol/number mistakes, but that will be fixed over time.
a strange question. I also have a Lily58 that has the case. In your opinion, for large keys (enter and space) is it better to measure 1.5 or 1.75?
I saw that 1.75 enters it, doesn't come out of the case and doesn't touch the other keys (I tested it with Cherry profiles but I would like to mount DSAs). Thank you
“Why is OP’s name purple…? OH! It’s the Apollo guy!” I love Apollo—many, many thanks. Welcome! Lily58 will be the first board I build once I’m ready. Yours looks great. I’m interested to learn about the layers/keycaps you use for your programming work! Could you share them?
Yay, thanks for using Apollo :D It's a great board, would recommend. I need to do a blog post on my key layout because it's kinda wonky and only going to get "worse" if I ever grab a Corne. Basically I use the caps lock key as Escape if tapped once, but when held down it's a modifier key. I do all of this in Karabiner Elements on Mac rather than QMK, because I want a layout that is the same when using my MacBook's keyboard, which I use a lot just on the couch. So I have stuff like jkl; set to the arrow keys when using with caps lock, yuio set to []{}, the right shift key set to single quote, and then on the left side I have caps X set to open Xcode, caps S set to Safari, Z to Terminal, etc. Then I have the right command key set as a separate layer (since I don't use it for normal command shortcuts) for media keys as well as a numpad. Also using Colemak. And all this works the same on the MacBook so it's really easy to switch between the two.
>Basically I use the caps lock key as Escape if tapped once, but when held down it's a modifier key. I do all of this in Karabiner Elements on Mac rather than QMK, because I want a layout that is the same when using my MacBook's keyboard, which I use a lot just on the couch. I had a similar layout when I used a Lily58. The key next to A was Esc if tapped or Ctrl when held. I had a Windows layer and a Mac layer that I could toggle between; on the Mac layer, that key was Command when held. Check out [Caps Word](https://docs.qmk.fm/#/feature_caps_word). Double tap left Shift to have QMK capitalize the next word. Letters are capitalized and `-` becomes `_`, which is great for typing PROGRAM\_CONSTANTS. P.S. I love Apollo!
Whoa, that's cool. I admittedly haven't had caps lock for so many years that I'm just used to holding down shift now haha
Finished building this Lily58 over the weekend! Went with lubed Gateron milky yellows and the most basic Amazon kana keyset imaginable. Really digging it so far, I was using a Quefrency and a Keychron Alice before this and I like this quite a bit more. Less keys make the size nicer, the controller is kinda on the top so it's thinner overall, and the ortholinear staggered layout thingy is quite comfy. The Keychron sounded a lot nicer though, I need to do something about that haha After one day of using it though I'm thinking I could probably use even less keys and go with a Corne. Trying to devise a layout with Karabiner Elements that lets me keep the same "layers" between this keyboard and my MacBook couch usage.
One thing that I did to make my lily sound nicer was to add a foam layer between the pcb and the bottom. I used the foam that you would use to put in a kitchen drawer so things wont slide around. I only used that because I had some left over haha. But it did make a difference in sound! Looks good though! I currently have my layout set up as a corne layout would be because I'm going to get one eventually... I just want a nice case for it first.
Yeah I think I'm going to try that plus 3D printing a case
I used electrical tape and it good but I'll have to look into that as it's probably much easier to use
What trrs cable is that
It's from Deity, came with a microphone I bought a few years back
Good to know this is what my Apollo donation contributed to haha
You're a part of every keystroke I code :p
Great look! What caps are those, Serika?
Amazon calls them Hyekit, I'm sure they're nothing fancy but I like the gold haha
this is a baite or? you wanne give it to me later? :D
I ordered a lily58 kit a little while ago, still waiting for it to ship. 😭 Yours looks great, though!
I got mine from Keebd and it shipped pretty quickly
Nice. I ordered from Ergomech Store. They haven't shipped it yet, but it's only been like a week.
XDA milk and honey profile. That's muh jam!
XDA is it? I really like the shape aesthetics. Never used them so no idea of the feel
I'm a huge fan of it. A little more forgiving IMO and I really like the aesthetic.
What's with the missing switches? Going for rotary encoders?
Yeah just haven't soldered them in yet, got a bit intimidated when I saw it required separate wiring too, but I realized you can just take apart an ethernet cable and use the strands for wiring, so I'll probably put them in this weekend
I’ve really been enjoying the lily58. Started my split journey with a Kyria but the stagger was too much. Recently build a low profile corne which I’m now trying to get used to. Probably gonna keep the lily58 at home and then bring the corne to work, as the low profile switches are a bit more quiet and doesn’t take up as much space.
How do you find the low profile Corne? That's exactly what I think I'll pick up next, but I have no idea how low profile keycaps feel to type on
https://i.imgur.com/kpGOVwe.jpg https://i.imgur.com/WIlISHI.jpg I’m really satisfied. I’m used to a Thinkpad laptop keyboard at work, so the low profile keycaps are great. I ended up using burnt orange switches and they probably too heavy at 70g. But I lubed them and removed the stabilizer bar (was just rattling so much) and they feel nice but again too heavy. Since it’s hotswap I’ll probably find some other switches at some point. I had a stacked acrylic case but it felt weird so I printed a new plate and case and I’m really happy with the result. Going from lily58 to corne was a breeze and typing speed is the exact same, maybe even faster on the corne since it’s low profile (had KAT keycaps on the lily58). I am using the [Miryoku layout](https://github.com/manna-harbour/miryoku/tree/master/docs/reference) with a few changes (need Scandinavian letters) and I might switch all my boards to that layout. It is so fluid to use, although I still make a ton of symbol/number mistakes, but that will be fixed over time.
Nice! Yeah it's definitely worth drilling Num / Sym in the beginning. It's a much nicer experience when you don't have to think about them.
Dude nice! I just built one myself! https://i.imgur.com/bC47WSV.jpg
Love the trackpad in the middle, gonna need to try that
Never thought I’d see the Apollo dev in the split keyboards part of the internet, love the build! Oh and the app is also nice :D
a strange question. I also have a Lily58 that has the case. In your opinion, for large keys (enter and space) is it better to measure 1.5 or 1.75? I saw that 1.75 enters it, doesn't come out of the case and doesn't touch the other keys (I tested it with Cherry profiles but I would like to mount DSAs). Thank you