Editing Talk:HHKB Professional (section)

=== Modifications ===
Various modifications are available for HHKB Professional owners. Whilst unofficial, do note that undertaking any modifications listed here usually means voiding warranties.
==== Silencing modification ====
The silencing modification is one of the most popular modifications for HHKB Professional owners despite the fact that PFU has already released the HHKB Pro Type-S series. Currently, Type-S series are not only expensive but are limited to certain variants (such as no charcoal gray JP Type-S). Silencing modification for Topre switches is done by placing a material (usually soft) in the bottom of the slider. This thereby prevents the notable "thock" sound on the upstroke when the key is released.

There are two types of silencing modifications available:
* Rubber band mod: By means of using dental bands.
* Foam mod: Cutting out foams in a similarly styled shape as rubber band. Type-S series allegedly uses foam for silencing HHKB Pro Type-S series.

Here are some links for curious viewers (with potentially more to come):
* http://www.key-bored.net/hhkb2-silencing-mod/
* Deskthority forums - http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/hhkp-pro-jp-variable-force-silencing-mods-t5196.html
* Geekhack forums - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40582.msg806229

==== Alternative controller modification ====
HHKB boasts DIP switches for customisability in terms of specific keyboard mappings are found to be potentially restrictive, even worse are notable topics of restricted functionality coupled with closed source firmware. However the same could be said for most of the keyboards manufactured these days lacking customisability forcing owners to seek methods such as a software level keyboard remaps. At the same time software level keyboard remaps are restricted to machine specific such as the fact that if one were to set the keyboard map up with a computer, the same would not apply to any other computer(s) one would use the same keyboard on without for instance copying across the configurations from the computer that was setup with.

hasu (the author of TMK firmware) has designed an alternative controller mainly for HHKB Professional. TMK firmware is an open firmware designed to give owners the flexibility of writing their own specific keyboard maps along with unlocking potentially other features that the keyboard manufacturers may have enforced. In addition to an open firmware, this thereby prevents the need to set the keyboard up again on another machine as it is written directly into the controller.

Alternative controller for HHKB Professional was designed to be a drop-in replacement to the controller provided by PFU. At the time of writing the alternative controller (Rev.A) lacks USB hub which usually the HHKB Professional 2 has by default.

Here are some links for TMK firmware as well as alternative controller (currently Rev.A, a newer version is underway):
* https://github.com/tmk/tmk_keyboard
* http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=41989.0
* http://grumpylemming.com/blog/2012/12/24/hacking-a-happy-hacking-keyboard/
* http://www.pjrc.com/teensy/

* http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=12047.0
* http://nathankot.com/blog/2013/09/05/modding-the-happy-hacking-keyboard/

More information may also be found in: [[Converter|Deskthority wiki - Converter]]

For those opting to make do with Teensy instead, there is a guide on Geekhack forums for that matter:

Geekhack forums: Teensy HHKB Controller (Write up) - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=57008.msg1293238

==== "key weights force" modification ====
HHKB Professional series by default have individual keys weighted at ~45g. Unlike Cherry MX switches for instance where one can swap out the various coloured (and inherently weighted) switches/springs, Topre owners can enjoy a similar benefit by swapping out the rubber cups within their keyboard for heavier ones. Unfortunately for Topre owners, individual purchases of either heavier/lighter/mixed rubber cups are not available. Instead one needs to "harvest" the needed rubber cups by purchasing another keyboard for use with their Topre keyboard. This thereby increases the cost of modification should one require it.

Here is a link describing on modifying the standard 45g to variable force Topre (that is a feature specific to Realforce):
* Deskthority forums - http://deskthority.net/workshop-f7/hhkp-pro-jp-variable-force-silencing-mods-t5196.html
==== Bluetooth modification ====
The HHKB was designed for "compact-ness", since the introduction of HHKB Professional along with detachable USB cable - some subsequent owners are longing for bluetooth modification to their HHKB for even more portability. The bluetooth modification at this stage (of writing) is currently primitive. PFU has also raised voice on desire for bluetooth feature but has not specifically indicated whether or not will such feature be implemented or not.<ref>Geekhack forums - [http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=53739.msg1201920#msg1201920 PFU's twitter response to demands for wireless variant]</ref>

Here are two bluetooth modifications (YouTube video):
* YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDkJa2e_A9A
* YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HzQI91Ruitk

==== Aluminium case for HHKB ====
Apart from Happy Hacking Keyboard Professional HG series featuring machined aluminium frame for the keyboard (as opposed to plastic). One person have attempted to make their own aluminium case for their HHKB.

o2dazone pointed this out originally; Geekhack forums - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=6123.0

==== Thumb-shift for HHKB ====
This is mainly a feature that probably only a few people can appreciate. Splitting the spacebar in half for instance to use thumb shift typing (Japanese) or the alternative spacebar can be used to bind to some other key (for instance backspace as indicated once by bhtooefr).

* hieroglyphe's blog - http://hieroglyphe.blog47.fc2.com/?no=33 (Japanese only)
* hieroglyphe's blog - http://hieroglyphe.blog47.fc2.com/blog-entry-34.html (Japanese only)
* hieroglyphe's blog - http://hieroglyphe.blog47.fc2.com/blog-entry-40.html (Japanese only)
* hieroglyphe's blog - http://hieroglyphe.blog47.fc2.com/blog-entry-66.html (Japanese only)
* shiology's blog - http://shiology.com/shiology/2012/06/2778-120620-b56.html (Japanese only)