BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//pretalx//programme.europython.eu//europython-2026//speaker//MGPBM
 B
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:CET
BEGIN:STANDARD
DTSTART:20001029T040000
RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYDAY=-1SU;BYMONTH=10
TZNAME:CET
TZOFFSETFROM:+0200
TZOFFSETTO:+0100
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
DTSTART:20000326T030000
RRULE:FREQ=YEARLY;BYDAY=-1SU;BYMONTH=3
TZNAME:CEST
TZOFFSETFROM:+0100
TZOFFSETTO:+0200
END:DAYLIGHT
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
UID:pretalx-europython-2026-CBA98V@programme.europython.eu
DTSTART;TZID=CET:20260715T114000
DTEND;TZID=CET:20260715T121000
DESCRIPTION:Programmers spend countless hours typing\, yet we rarely questi
 on how keyboard design affects our comfort and productivity. Standard QWER
 TY layouts and one-size-fits-all hardware often contribute to strain and i
 nefficiency. This talk explores how Python can help you design\, build\, a
 nd optimize your own custom keyboard\; from analyzing your typing habits t
 o generating the PCB.\n\nWe start with a brief history of keyboard design 
 and the limitations of QWERTY\, then introduce alternative layouts (orthol
 inear\, split\, and more) and explain why they can reduce strain and impro
 ve speed. Next\, we use Python to make data-driven decisions: we’ll look
  at scripts that analyze your codebases or IDE usage to find your most-use
 d characters and symbols\, so you can place keys where they matter most fo
 r your workflow and favorite languages.\n\nWe then move on to PCB design w
 ith KidCad and GDSFactory\, a Python-based tool for creating keyboard PCBs
  and exporting Gerber or GDS files for manufacturing. You’ll see how to 
 arrange keys around your hand shape and generate production-ready files. A
 fter that\, we cover basic assembly and programming your layout with open-
 source firmware. Finally\, we discuss trade-offs: the benefits of a tailor
 ed setup (better posture\, less finger travel\, DIY satisfaction) it can a
 lso be a meaningful accessibility solution for users with special needs\, 
 limited mobility\, or other conditions where standard keyboards become a u
 ncomfortable or unusable. Some of the barriers (cost\, time\, learning a n
 ew layout)\, plus strategies for gradual adoption and practice tools.\n\n*
 *What you will learn:**  \n- Why keyboard layout and ergonomics matter for
  long-term comfort and productivity.  \n- How to use Python to analyze you
 r typing patterns and inform layout choices.  \n- How to use KidCad or GDS
 Factory (Python) to design hardware and generate manufacturing files.  \n-
  How to go from design to assembly and firmware\, and how to ease the tran
 sition to a new layout.\n\nNo prior experience with keyboard building or P
 CB design is required\; just curiosity and a desire to create a custom typ
 ing experience. By the end\, you’ll know how to question your current ke
 yboard and how to start building your own with Python.
DTSTAMP:20260524T121556Z
LOCATION:Theatre Hall (S2)
SUMMARY:Designing and Building Custom Keyboards ⌨️ with Python - Carlos
  A Aranibar
URL:https://programme.europython.eu/europython-2026/talk/CBA98V/
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR