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Mechanical Keyboards @lemmy.ml osbo9991 @lemmy.world

QMK/VIA noob questions

I typically don't like using closed source software when I can avoid it. To my knowledge, QMK is open source, but VIA is not (as convenient as it is to use). It also requires your browser to use the WebHID API, which is problematic computer-security wise IMO.

Because of this, I was considering trying an open source version of VIA called vial. Does anyone have any experience with using it? How does it compare to VIA?

I think I could also try using QMK configurator to remap my keyboard/create new firmware, and to use QMK Toolbox to flash the firmware onto the keyboard. However, I was reading this keychron blog post: https://www.keychron.com/blogs/archived/how-to-factory-reset-or-flash-your-qmk-via-enabled-keychron-v6-keyboard. It says that "If everything works fine with your keyboard. Please don’t flash the firmware. There is a chance it can damage your keyboard". I am aware that if I unplugged during a firmware update it could brick it, but otherwise it would work out fine, right? Would the reset button underneath the spacebar save me in that situation? It is hard to tell whether this is just keychron trying to go the safest route to avoid tech support calls or if this is actually a valid recommendation.

Overall, what software should I use to remap keys and program macros on my keychron v6 (encoder version)?

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  • It says that “If everything works fine with your keyboard. Please don’t flash the firmware. There is a chance it can damage your keyboard”. I am aware that if I unplugged during a firmware update it could brick it, but otherwise it would work out fine, right? Would the reset button underneath the spacebar save me in that situation? It is hard to tell whether this is just keychron trying to go the safest route to avoid tech support calls or if this is actually a valid recommendation.

    I've seen some stories of folks having issues with flashing cheap keyboards due to driver funkiness or other reasons. It would be weird to see a *good *keyboard PCB designer telling you not to flash firmware, though, because that's a very normal thing for enthusiasts to do and the designer should be testing the board and its firmware to make sure it works.

    In terms of Vial vs. Via, Vial is much more full-featured, and arguably a little less newb-friendly just because it has a lot more stuff you can mess with. Many boards have Vial support to begin with, but some don't. I think it's relatively easy to add Vial support to a board that has Via support, but I've never done this because I'm usually building QMK from the command line.