Where did RGB keys originate from?

[Roguemaster8]

I've been curious about it all night and Google hasn't given me an answer. I'm sure it's buried somewhere in the wiki, though half an hour of searching there didn't give me an answer either.

Does anyone know of the origins of these RGB modifier sets?

[MMB]

I would like to know, too.

[Roguemaster8]

I feel like it has something to do with airport keyboards, but I'm not sure...

[tsangan]

Comes from Desko BMLO which are still currently used by delta airlines to this very day

RGB used to help memorize the different combinations on the keyboards

[MMB]

I definitely see more of the colored key on terminal boards, so that's probably a good place to start.

[tsangan]

basically for noobs that can't memorize control, alt and shift

[dorkvader]

I feel like it has something to do with airport keyboards, but I'm not sure...

Someone found some expensive desko (I think) keyboards in an airport terminal in Detroit, I believe. If you page back in "great finds" there was a topic about it not long ago. I remember they looked like that elbowglue SPOS that was popular, but they were white.

Anyway, I don't know the beginning of RGB sets, but it always sort of made sense to me: Modifiers can have colours, so the specific commands can be colour coded to them. Like, if CTRL (red) + P means "print", you can have a sub legend of "p" be "print" (in red), so it's easier to find. This makes sense for printing on the keycaps, relegendables, as well as those stickers that go near the keyboard for cheatsheets on programs

If anyone has any actual knowledge about it (not conjecture with what I just put up) I'd like to know as well.

EDIT: Tsangan has one of the pictures I remember is his post, above.

[tsangan]

BiNi talked about these before

They are for sure Deskos. Only the RGB keys and the caps with orange writing are dye subs. the rest are normal doubleshots. delta airlines uses these boards. they are in every airport from what i have seen. they pay $500/keyboard for them too and they aren't even MX switches. the older versions had the trackpoint in the middle of the keys so they cut off a portion of the caps to make room for it. The newer versions have the trackpoint in the front so the GHB keys are left in tact.

United Airlines uses a smaller version of the deskos with printed or lasered RGB keys. the CTRL/ALT on their boards are 1 units each so really small.

[Roguemaster8]

This makes me want to drive to the airport and sneak around the counter for a closer look. Think they'd mind? I'm sure it's not the first time someone has been curious about their keyboards.

Thanks for the info tsangan and dorkvader, it answered my question for the most part. I wonder if anyone on the forum has a Desko with the original colored modifiers.

[pitashen]

EDIT: Tsangan has one of the pictures I remember is his post, above.

I snapped that pic at the DTW.

[tsangan]

pitashen with awesome photo skills!

as for who has these quite a few members on here should have them, including myself

[Roguemaster8]

pitashen with awesome photo skills!

as for who has these quite a few members on here should have them, including myself

Show Image

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Sorry, it's late for me and I didn't even see what I typed. I meant to ask if anyone had any Desko boards with the first RGB modifiers on them.

[tsangan]

Those modifiers are from the Desko board... unless I'm understanding incorrectly

As for the board itself it's a G81 so it has MY switches so it's quite terrible, so mine went in the trash I do believe

[demik]

He's asking if anybody owns a desko board I think.

[pitashen]

He's asking if anybody owns a desko board I think.

Bini did

but then OP also asked for the "first" ... hmm

[IvanIvanovich]

Yes exactly, color coded for keyboard shortcuts so they are easier to remember.
I had a few of those Desko BMOL, but only stripped the keycaps and chucked the rest in the dump. Well actually I saved one of the card/passport boards too since it's amusing to play with. They come up on ebay every once and awhile, usually rawko for $25-50 depending.
[ Attachment Invalid Or Does Not Exist ] 53423[/ATTACH]
Heres one of my RGB on a work in progress Chicony 5181CT I am fixing up.

[Soarer]

basically for noobs that can't memorize control, alt and shift

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Heh, pretty much! I remember getting plastic/card templates to label function keys, that were colour coded, together with little stickers for the modifier keys, with Microsoft C 5.1. Here's the WordPerfect one from roughly that era...



Hard to say where it actually originated, but certainly back in the days of monochrome screens and limited menus, so its only purpose was to tie together the keys and such labels :-)

[dorkvader]

This makes me want to drive to the airport and sneak around the counter for a closer look. Think they'd mind? I'm sure it's not the first time someone has been curious about their keyboards.

Thanks for the info tsangan and dorkvader, it answered my question for the most part. I wonder if anyone on the forum has a Desko with the original colored modifiers.

Don't go around the airport photographing things. It's probably illegal, and you'll get searched and questioned for sure. You'll have to be discreet if you want pictures.

I mean, even if you glance over the counter at their keyboard, they'll look at you funny, unless you are incognito about it.

Thanks for the information.

[pitashen]

Don't go around the airport photographing things. It's probably illegal, and you'll get searched and questioned for sure. You'll have to be discreet if you want pictures.

I mean, even if you glance over the counter at their keyboard, they'll look at you funny, unless you are incognito about it.

Thanks for the information.

Certainly not a good idea taking photos when airport staffs are around. When I took mine at the DTW, the terminals were quite deserted lol.

[Roguemaster8]

Don't go around the airport photographing things. It's probably illegal, and you'll get searched and questioned for sure. You'll have to be discreet if you want pictures.

I mean, even if you glance over the counter at their keyboard, they'll look at you funny, unless you are incognito about it.

Thanks for the information.

Certainly not a good idea taking photos when airport staffs are around. When I took mine at the DTW, the terminals were quite deserted lol.

Heh, I was only joking, with the way airport security is nowadays that would just be asking them to violate your personal space.

Yes exactly, color coded for keyboard shortcuts so they are easier to remember.
I had a few of those Desko BMOL, but only stripped the keycaps and chucked the rest in the dump. Well actually I saved one of the card/passport boards too since it's amusing to play with. They come up on ebay every once and awhile, usually rawko for $25-50 depending.
(Attachment Link) 53423[/ATTACH]
Heres one of my RGB on a work in progress Chicony 5181CT I am fixing up.

Wow that looks sharp! And a little shiny too. :dizzy:

[rowdy]

Coloured keys are actually a very good idea, as anyone who has worked in phone support knows.  The only trouble is getting someone to let go of the Alt key once they have done the original keystroke.