Silent Switches and Javelin for the Ecosteno

Nolltronics now has a version of the Ecosteno that works with silent switches and supports Javelin!

Silent switches – We’re now making a version of the Ecosteno that has 20g Ambients Nocturnal Silent switches! While they aren’t completely silent, they are significantly quieter than the standard Pro Pink switches we’ve been using.

Javelin – While we’ve had this for a few months now, this is the first announcement we’ve made for it. We’ve moved to the RP2040 processor with extra storage which lets our new Ecostenos and Multistenos work with Javelin! This will allow you to store steno dictionaries to your keyboard, allowing you to plug it into any computer and start typing natively with steno. Note that we’re still shipping our boards with QMK, but the Javelin firmware builder makes flashing Javelin easy if you decide to do so.

Lighter springs – We’ve also had this for a while now, but haven’t formally announced it! Our standard and silent switches are rated at 20g of activation force, but if you’re ready to do some DIY work, you can bring that down to 12g with some SPRiT Kailh Choc 12g Springs! You will have to remove your keycaps and pop open your keyswitches, but once you do, you’ll be rewarded with the lightest keyswitches available anywhere!

Another Walkaround Gig

I got to use my Jarne to caption at a museum yesterday!

Plover v5.0.0.2dev Released!

Get v5.0.0.dev2 here, featuring:

Features

Core

Integrate BuildResources into BuildUi to simplify UI plugin migration to Plover v5. (#1735)

Bugfixes

Core

Fix installation of plugins via git URL. (#1733)

Linux

When inputting Unicode with uinput the code now uses space to finalize the Unicode character instead of enter. (#1731)

API

No significant changes.

Jarne as AC Remote

Did you know that if you had a new model infrared Jarne and the proper firmware, you could use your Jarne as an infrared remote to control your air conditioning unit?!? 🤯

Plover v5.0.0.dev1 Released!

Plover v5.0.0.dev1 is here!

Features

Core

Update integrated Python version to 3.13. (#1720)

User Interface

Support dark mode that follows the system settings. (#1601)

Linux

On linux wayland, warn if ibus or fcitx5 isn't running. (#1711)

macOS

Add universal installer for macOS on Intel and Apple silicon. (#1720)

Bugfixes

Linux

Downgrade CI for building Linux AppImage to Ubuntu 22.04 to build against GLIBC 2.35. (#1718)

Fixed keyboards with mouse control functionality not able to be detected in the uinput module. (#1724)

Fix keys getting stuck if keys held when starting Plover and emulating keyboard with Uinput. (#1728)

When using Uinput, fix devices being disabled upon exceptions. (#1729)

macOS

Fix notifications for newer macOS versions. (#1601)

API

Breaking Changes

Update UI from PyQt5 to PySide6. (#1601)

3D Printed Lever Machine!!!

Noelle writes:

Hi everyone, recently I've been trying to get better at CAD and such by playing around with making a design for a lever machine, and I finally took what I have so far and printed and built a full machine out. I ended up with something pretty similar to the design in the lever machine thread, the main differences being a metal instead of 3D printed axle, and I put the magnets closer to the keys instead of all being at the back of the machine, which helps keep everything less wobbly. I've never touched a real lever machine in my life so I have no idea how well this actually replicates the feel, and it's missing some features like adjustable weight (and it's also like half held together with tape lol). But at least it writes pretty reliably.

🤯🤯🤯

Anna Sohn's Steno Videos

I just discovered Anna Sohn's YouTube Channel. I haven't watched all of her steno videos, but she's a court reporting student in a formal steno program who also uses a Starboard with Javelin, which makes me very happy. When I was in steno school, open steno didn't exist, and there weren't a lot of people who wanted to nerd out about the potential of spreading steno to learners who didn't necessarily want to become professionals, which made me kind of lonely. It's great to see someone with a foot in both sides of the steno world. I hope she keeps making more videos!