Tangent's Blog

CharaChorder and Forge related articles and notes

Posted on Edited on In , Symbols count in article: 3.6k Reading time ≈ 3 mins.

Practice device layout

  • Propose: Get familiar with the locations of each key until you don’t need the visual guides
  • Recommended WPM: 0~13
  • Recommended tool:
  • Recommended goal:
>
ExplanationsHide

Unlike standard keyboards, CharaChorder 3D input devices, including CharaChorder One, CharaChorder Two, and Master Forge, don’t have key labels on them, so learning touch typing is crucial for better using them. Therefore, the first thing we need to get familiar with is the positions of each key.

The official training applications (dot i/o and CharaChorder LaunchPad) have corresponding tiers for this. You can follow the visual guide and practice all the letters there.

Besides, Alnitak is a tool specially designed for practicing device layout on CharaChorder 3D input devices. Character keys, including numbers, letters, and symbols, are split into small lessons so that users can focus on a small set of keys at a time. Moreover, the visual guide fades out when users reach 20 combos, and it reappears when there is a mistake. It helps users memorize the location and prevents them from simply following the guide.

Practice letters in-depth

  • Propose: Strengthen your muscle memory with the letters
  • Recommended WPM: 13~30
  • Recommended tool:
    • Constitution Training/Test Module at CCIO
    • Guided Lessons at Keybr
      • P.S. It’s recommended to set the target speed to 30. You can also start with a lower speed and gradually increase it to 30 according to your learning pace and progress.
  • Recommended goal:
    • Get S or S+ rank under Novice class of Constitution Test Module at CCIO
    • All the letters become green at Keybr
>
ExplanationsHide

CCIO is an official revolutionary typing game and integrated platform. Its constitution module allows you to train and test your familiarity with the device layout. Since the layout reference does not indicate the current key position, I suggest using this after you have learned the device layout above.

Besides, Keybr helps users learn touch typing. If you’ve learned the device layout above, you can use Keybr to strengthen the muscle memory of the letters further. Its default target speed is 35 WPM, but it might take users weeks to unlock the 7th letters and months to complete all the letters, so 30 is recommended here. If it’s still too hard for you, start with a lower target speed and gradually increase it as you pace yourself.

Practice trigrams

  • Propose: Practice common letter groupings
  • Recommended WPM: 13~27
  • Recommended tool:
  • Recommended goal:
    • Reach 27 WPM
>
ExplanationsHide

The official training applications (dot i/o and CharaChorder LaunchPad) have corresponding tiers for practicing common trigrams in English. Practicing these trigrams would help you type faster in general since many words include those trigrams.

Practice words

>
ExplanationsHide

The official training applications (CCIO, dot i/o, and CharaChorder LaunchPad) have corresponding tiers or modules for practicing common words in English.

Monkeytype is a popular tool for short-term typing practices and typing speed tests.

Use in real life

  • Propose:
    • Get familiar with using the device in your use cases
    • Fine-tune the layout and settings of your device to fit your use cases
  • Recommended WPM: 20~
>
Show DetailHide

Integrating the CC 3D input devices into your real-world use case is essential. Try to do small things with them.

For example, you can write short articles, code small programs, or do anything else that involves keyboards. You might find some key locations or settings you want to change.

Posted on Edited on In , Symbols count in article: 1.5k Reading time ≈ 1 mins.

Out of the Box (Pre-Kickstarter Pre-Order)

ℹ️ The parts shown here are the contents of the Master Forge bundle of the PRE-KICKSTARTER PRE-ORDER. If yours is Kickstarter or post-kickstarter order, your contents might be different from this.

ℹ️ This box doesn’t include the Trackball Bolt-on. It will be shipped individually in the future.

Here are some photos taken during my unboxing.

A sticker is between the two layers of box.

20250308_190416

After opening one more layer, I could see the tactical carrying case, deskmat, and other parts.

20250308_190441

Things outside the carrying case

image

  • Deskmat
  • Sticker
  • Cleat: used to collect some small parts
  • Ergo Bolt-on: used to tent the device
  • Allen Key: used to screw and unscrew the hexagon screws
  • Two Cables
  • Reference Guide

This is a closer look at the cleat. It has an allen key on it.

image

Things inside the carrying case

Inside the carring case, there are the device and the splitter.

image

(The splitter and the device were in seperated state when I opened the box. They might or might not be seperated in your case.)

Connect

I use the provided USB-C to USB-A cable to connect my M4G to my computer. Please connect the left port on the M4G to the computer.

20250308_191638

Splitting the Digitizers

(Please don’t split the digitizers when M4G is connecting to the computer.)

I used the provided allen key to unscrew the two black screws on the bridge between two digitizers.

20250308_192209

I carefully plugged out the center black part (Electrical Bridge), and I could slide out the digitizers from the mechanical bridge.

Those parts can be put on the cleat to prevent them from missing.

image

After that, I used the provided USB-C to USB-C cable to connect the left port of the right digitizer and the right port of the left digitizer. Then I could connect it to my computer again and use it.

20250308_192831