Greetings.

[0100010]

New member here, discovered the board earlier this week.  A different message board I frequent had a thread about 'Post your mechanical keyboard', which reminded me I had not had a decent keyboard since I was a kid; that of course being the age old Model M.

After much reading around the internet, I decided to take the mechanical keyboard plunge with a Unicomp 101 key board.  Once it arrives and I get the keys swapped to my liking, will post some pics.

I do agree with the sentiment that keyboards will consume my time and money; I already find myself wanting to find a way to build a key sampler 'board', that would have all the variants of mechanical keys available to test type with - although the typing aspect would be more difficult than just the feel and audible aspects.

[TheProfosist]

[absyrd]

Welcome to GH.

If you want the typing feel tester you can attempt to do a few things:

1. Go to local PC/electronics stores and try out their mech offerings.
2. Try to attend one of the local meetups that GH members have (should you be lucky enough to be in the areas)
3. Buy and sell. Buy one board, try the switches, and sell on ebay and marketplace. (This is the path most people on this board have taken)

Best of luck, and have fun!

[Sifo]

Welcome to Geekhack!

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

Another buckling spring enthusiast - you will find some like-minded members on this board

[0100010]

Wow, GH meets huh?  I've done so for range shoots, never would've thought there'd be meets for keyboards. Any ideas what areas they have been in?

Yes, learned to type on buckling springs, it's high time I get back to typing on one...

[rowdy]

Have a look in the Off Topic section - there are a few being arranged now.

[moonprismpwr]

[fohat.digs]

There are a few number pad "samplers" floating around with all the different Cherry switch types.

Unfortunately, each "tour" lasts for months and you have to get on a waiting list.

From the time I signed up, it was over a half a year before I got it in my hands (for <48 hours, because I am polite) but it was worth the wait.

[tjcaustin]

Where in TX are you?  There may be a fry's close and they have all the switches on various keyboards available to try, but if you're the buckling spring type, a good start would be to try Blues or build something with greens. 

Or buy a Race with milks

[mistakemistake]

Welcome to GH!

[0100010]

Yes - have a Fry's nearby; I'm in DFW.

As far as blue / green - understand those for Cherry variants.

But - in general, is there an "index" for common keyboard terminology somewhere? KBT, ABS, PBT, etc.  Have been looking for a sticky thread somewhere with all of these defined with no luck.

[Capitalistix]

Warm welcome! Dont be a stranger! =)

[tjcaustin]

Nice, another DFWer, I think I'd misunderstood and thought you were looking for more keyboards, not just caps.  Someone will correct me if I'm wrong, but I think the easiest/onliest way to get caps for a BS is through unicomp.

ABS/PBT are types of material used to create keycaps.

KBT are brands a company Vortex uses for their 60/75% keyboards

TK - Tenkey

TKL - Tenkeyless

And it's still early so I can't think of others to add at this moment.

[0100010]

Well - meant a sampler keyboard, that had maybe 6 keys on it of each type, that one could test out.  But - it sounds like there are number pad samplers already - not suprising to me that they would have a long wait time.

As far as keycaps for my first mechanical - yes they will all be from Unicomp, but pretty standard to start with.  Will have to see about getting some custom ones later maybe.  Other sources for BS keycaps, I beleive I have read that SP can make them, as well as Fentek.

[hazeluff]

Welcome to GeekHack.

Also Brown is the masterrace = )

[Computer-Lab in Basement]