Ive been using a split keyboard at home now for several years,
(specifically, the https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/[UHKv2], though nowadays I probably would have gone for something ortholinear)
and ive always wanted one for the office.
The problem was, if I was going to get a new keyboard,
I wanted it to be for both the office and travel,
and most prebuilts around are not that portable.
I also was not confident enough in my soldering skills to solder the SMT diodes found on many handbuilt designs out there.
Eventually, though, I stumbled upon the github page for the https://github.com/davidphilipbarr/Sweep[Ferris Sweep].
== The Basic Build
The Sweep seemed simple enough that I could assemble it,
and after doing some shopping around, I was able to source all the parts I needed for under $100.
I ordered the pcb from JLPCB and the parts from https://keeb.io/[Keebio] and https://lowprokb.ca/[Lowprob.ca],
and started the long wait for it all to arrive.
In the meantime, I researched what how to flash the https://docs.keeb.io/elite-pi-guide[elite-pi]'s I had purchased with QMK.
(normal elite-c's were out of stock, and I like the RP2040.)
its a little bit different, but as long as you have used QMK before, it wasnt much extra to that.
When the parts came, I socketed the microcontrollers, soldered the sockets to the pcbs,
and finally soldered the switches in. (I used choc purpz, a bit of a leap of faith from my usual heavy tactile switches).
I did ruin one switch by letting a leg getting hot enough to melt the housing plastic,
and desoldering it was unexpectedly difficult, but not every build can be mistake free, right?
Flashing QMK was uneventful, working exactly as the https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/tree/master/keyboards/ferris/sweep[QMK docs] for the Ferris Sweep suggested.
I would, however, recommend flashing the micros _before_ doing any soldering,
I had to take my micros out of their sockets in order to access the boot buttons.
(once the keyboard is assembled, there is a dedicated keycombo on most layouts to enter the bootloader,
so you dont have to do this every time you reflash your keyboard)
== Layout
I wasnt feeling quite adventurous enough to switch away from qwerty,
