If you could only use one keyboard the rest rest of your life, why would it be Topre?

[nubbinator]

@nubbinator: A "ghost black" is a black switch (linear) with a clear spring, correct? Therefore, a ghost black would be a lighter version of a black linear switch, whereas a clear is a tactile non-clicky switch. Although Topre and Cherry are not really comparable, I would suppose that a Cherry mx clear might be the closest Cherry mx switch to a Topre. In any event, I shall soon be able to test a keyboard with clears for myself.

Yeah.  It's lighter at the top, heavier at the bottom.  My favorite linear switch.  Clears are much heavier.  Ergo Clears are closet, but the feel is still very different.

[strict]

@nubbinator: A "ghost black" is a black switch (linear) with a clear spring, correct? Therefore, a ghost black would be a lighter version of a black linear switch, whereas a clear is a tactile non-clicky switch. Although Topre and Cherry are not really comparable, I would suppose that a Cherry mx clear might be the closest Cherry mx switch to a Topre. In any event, I shall soon be able to test a keyboard with clears for myself.

You're correct, a ghost black is a black stem with a clear spring. However, the clear spring is heavier than the black spring and also has a slightly different force curve. A clear spring has a steeper force curve, meaning it starts out lighter than a black spring but gets heavier faster.

[Hypersphere]

Thanks for the clarifications and amplifications on the "ghost black" hybrid switch!

[Oobly]

I do concede that Topre sliders move more smoothly than those in new MX switches. All the new MX switches I own seem to be at least a little bit "grindy", although it goes away after a good wear-in.

I stick with my verdict, though, that currently there are no Topre boards that I could consider using as "the one" for the rest of my life. Once you've tried a proper ergo board, you can't think of a "normal" layout board as the ultimate no matter how good the switches are. It's very hard to make a custom board with Topre switches and there are no ergonomic layout boards using Topre switches. So for now, I'm a MX guy. Not to mention that I love to modify my switches and tune them to my taste. Again, not possible with Topre. Then there are keycaps. They can change both the look and the feel of the board, due to material, profile and mass. How many different aftermarket keycap sets are there for Topre? What can I say, I like to have options.

...
Ergo  Clears and Ghost Blacks are love.


Err, I mean Topre 5ever.

+1. Ghost Blacks are my favourite linear switch. Favourite tactile are ErgoClears, 2nd favourite are "Panda" Clears (Clears with Black spring). I don't like MX clicky switches, as I feel the click is rather contrived and high-pitched. Sounds rather cheap to my ears and I don't like the hysteresis they have, too.

I have yet to try an Alps that I really like (old Apple IIc and a calculator with Alps switches are all I've tested so far, though). Going to get some Matias clicky and silent switches to try, but I think it will take a lot to beat the customised Clears I'm currently using.

I may also end up getting a Topre board for experimenting with (probably a Realforce 55g). xwhatsit has inspired me to try some capacitive sensing experiments and I'd like to try making a Topre version of my ergo layout for the challenge and to see how it feels. 

[epzy]

hå-hå-kå-be

[Oobly]

hå-hå-kå-be

hå-hå-kå-be to pe-är-o?

... hvorfor Topre?

[Macsmasher]

Well, everybody's Topre experience is different and very personal. In my case, when I type on my Topre boards, I can hear Shania Twain sing her hit single, "I Want to Be On my Knees Under Your Desk". It's hard to explain...but while coding throughout the day, her golden voice, dripping with sensuality, caresses my ear drums while my fingers tickle her boobies as I type.

Don't tell anybody about this. I'll deny all of it unless you have pictures...

[pr0ximity]

Well, everybody's Topre experience is different and very personal. In my case, when I type on my Topre boards, I can hear Shania Twain sing her hit single, "I Want to Be On my Knees Under Your Desk". It's hard to explain...but while coding throughout the day, her golden voice, dripping with sensuality, caresses my ear drums while my fingers tickle her boobies as I type.

Don't tell anybody about this. I'll deny all of it unless you have pictures...

Well now I'm feeling pretty good about my Realforce being delivered on Tuesday.

[frosty]

my poker 2 :-)

[rowdy]

my poker 2 :-)

You have Topre switches in your Poker?

[frosty]

my poker 2 :-)

You have Topre switches in your Poker?

I don't like tactility

Lubed 62g reds for nowwww, waiting for my vintage blacks from Lurch!

[rowdy]

my poker 2 :-)

You have Topre switches in your Poker?

I don't like tactility

Lubed 62g reds for nowwww, waiting for my vintage blacks from Lurch!

Vintage blacks are smooooth

[nubbinator]

my poker 2 :-)

You have Topre switches in your Poker?

I don't like tactility

Lubed 62g reds for nowwww, waiting for my vintage blacks from Lurch!

Vintage blacks are smooooth

#overrated #hypetrainderailed

[demik]

my poker 2 :-)

You have Topre switches in your Poker?

I don't like tactility

Lubed 62g reds for nowwww, waiting for my vintage blacks from Lurch!

Vintage blacks are smooooth

#overrated #hypetrainderailed

vintagefrican americans*

[nubbinator]

my poker 2 :-)

You have Topre switches in your Poker?

I don't like tactility

Lubed 62g reds for nowwww, waiting for my vintage blacks from Lurch!

Vintage blacks are smooooth

#overrated #hypetrainderailed

vintagefrican americans*

They prefer the term multigenerational switches of color.

[frosty]

I like it baby-ass smooth

hey hey hey what's with the colours u all know rainbow is superior

[Hypersphere]

You can register your vote on the Topre-switch keyboard poll that I started recently:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=62923.msg1474738#msg1474738

[Fragil1ty]

Kidding with the title, but I think I'm starting to get it, at least with the HHKB.  I just don't understand the fanaticism still.  What drives the almost religious fervor around it?

It wouldn't. MX > Topre imo.

But everyone is different and we all have different opinions and preferences. I love MX reds and I think this is going to be the switch for me for a very, very long time, maybe there's others out there that feel the exact same way but about topre keyswitches.

/thread.

[nubbinator]

[pbtforever]

Clack

Oops wrong thread ignore

[dgreekstallion]

Because when you get old and weak you will only be able to lift a cheap plastic keyboard instead of a real solid model with plenty of steel in it.

Like our Model Fs? You know I bet in a home invasion, I can just whack the s**t out of the robber with my aircraft carrier...

[johndavis33]

Because they feel like boobs.

I can't think of many things I particularly like about topre switches. They are very snappy on the release, which is nice. The main reason I can't use lighter MX switches is because they barely apply any force at all to your fingers as you lift them up.
I also can't think of anything I really don't like about topre switches. They're just rather unassuming to me.

But if I were to use one keyboard for the rest of my life, it would have a trackpoint.