Optimized layouts. It doesn't surprise me though, because we live in a world, where MSIE6 was the most widespread web browser *for years*.
So what? Their monopoly is almost over (although Apple is yet another abomination) and politicians they've corrupted aren't getting reelected.Optimized layouts. It doesn't surprise me though, because we live in a world, where MSIE6 was the most widespread web browser *for years*.Shh. Watch what you say, MS might be lurking on the forums waiting to pounce
So what? Their monopoly is almost over (although Apple is yet another abomination) and politicians they've corrupted aren't getting reelected.Optimized layouts. It doesn't surprise me though, because we live in a world, where MSIE6 was the most widespread web browser *for years*.Shh. Watch what you say, MS might be lurking on the forums waiting to pounce
It's a matter of principle (path dependency) for the most part though.
I can't believe tiny spacebars haven't caught on. Especially for 40% and 60% boards where that can give you 3-4 extra keys. Most people only use one of their thumbs for space. And if you do a layout like http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/2e593596fba6092a28f90dd6b8d9a028 then you can move the spacebar over when you need it in a different spot. 2-wide space with 2 switches under it. Might have to do linears for the space bar area switches though.
Also, case materials besides plastic, aluminum and wood.
Numpads on the left hand side
of the keyboard.
split spacebars.
There's the erase-eaze, and a compaq with it. IBM wheelwriters & displaywriter sorta. After that, it's only japanese keyboards.
I mean, that's some prime real-estate!
Backlit PBT keycaps.+1
Only Deck has them and they're in the godawful Renaissance Fair font.
Mechanical keyboards at my workplace. I was prepared that my HHKB would bring on a tidal wave of clicking and clacking. The actual results: A coworker who was already into mechs bought a FC660C. I guess you could call that a small victory.
TKL + keypad rather than fullsize. If you're using your keypad, don't you want to be able to put it wherever?
Like Logitech diNovo?
But I don't think I've seen a package consisting of a TKL keyboard plus a separate matching numpad. That would be cool!
They exist. For example, Dad was just in China up to his arms in prototypes that he and the people that work for him designed. He is more of a "hands-on" guy who is happy to take apart the stuff he designs, figure out what's wrong and get it fixed for the next prototype. I imagine there's more.
- Engineers that actually fix, work on, and/or replace what they design.
- Engineers that actually fix, work on, and/or replace what they design.
I can't believe programmable function layers haven't caught on.
Optimized layouts.
ALPS
Integrated pointing devices.
Also, Maltron and alikes.
I can't believe you guys are still using keyboards that are all one piece..
I can't believe tiny spacebars haven't caught on.
split spacebars. [...] I mean, that's some prime real-estate!
Keyboards that dare to be different.
[An] analogue joystick like the ones in a console controller instead of the hat switch.
They exist. For example, Dad was just in China up to his arms in prototypes that he and the people that work for him designed. He is more of a "hands-on" guy who is happy to take apart the stuff he designs, figure out what's wrong and get it fixed for the next prototype. I imagine there's more.
- Engineers that actually fix, work on, and/or replace what they design.
Numpads on the left hand side
of the keyboard.
I've been debating doing this. In fact I'll try it out next week!
Just moving the numpad and switching hands is really hard, because if your “muscle memory” is based on using your right hand, then you’ll expect to use your index finger for 1, 4, 7, your ring finger for 3, 6, 9, maybe your thumb for 0, your pinky for plus and enter, and so on. But now on your left hand, you suddenly need to use your ring finger for the leftmost column and your index finger for the two columns on the right, and pressing 0 is a big pain. (Question for folks who use a numpad with the left hand: how do you press 0?)Numpads on the left hand side of the keyboard.1st day in. Harder to get used to than I thought. I've actually caught myself moving my right hand over to the left side to the 10key--dumbass hehe. I suck at being lefty. Trying for week maybe month.
Reminds me of a time, as a young lad, I thought it would be a good idea to swap my left and right hands while riding a dirt bike... I only tried that one time :D
Just moving the numpad and switching hands is really hard, because if your “muscle memory” is based on using your right hand, then you’ll expect to use your index finger for 1, 4, 7, your ring finger for 3, 6, 9, maybe your thumb for 0, your pinky for plus and enter, and so on. But now on your left hand, you suddenly need to use your ring finger for the leftmost column and your index finger for the two columns on the right, and pressing 0 is a big pain. (Question for folks who use a numpad with the left hand: how do you press 0?)Numpads on the left hand side of the keyboard.1st day in. Harder to get used to than I thought. I've actually caught myself moving my right hand over to the left side to the 10key--dumbass hehe. I suck at being lefty. Trying for week maybe month.
Reminds me of a time, as a young lad, I thought it would be a good idea to swap my left and right hands while riding a dirt bike... I only tried that one time :D
If you mirrored the numpad layout right-to-left in addition to moving it over, then I bet you’d be able to learn to type on it with your left hand relatively easily. That is:Show Image(http://i.imgur.com/fy5aRao.png)
* * *
In general, the standard numpad and phone keypad layouts are really great for typing numbers by pecking with one finger – that’s basically what they were designed for – because they are relatively compact so your one finger doesn’t have to move all that much to reach all the numbers. However, for touch typing, they pretty much suck (in a similar way to the standard Sholes/QWERTY layout for a full keyboard, which was also basically designed for hunt-and-peck usage).
Mandatory computer science education, like we do with reading and writing and math. Especially with the increasing lack of developers, especially talented developers, we should be doing everything we can to increase the labor pool.
Mandatory computer science education, like we do with reading and writing and math. Especially with the increasing lack of developers, especially talented developers, we should be doing everything we can to increase the labor pool.
Agreed, Everyone must use a computer sometime in the world we live in.
Mandatory computer science education, like we do with reading and writing and math. Especially with the increasing lack of developers, especially talented developers, we should be doing everything we can to increase the labor pool.
Agreed, Everyone must use a computer sometime in the world we live in.
Not if you live completely off the grid. There still is a surprising amount of people that live this way even in the US.
I can't believe POM material keycaps haven't caught on. I've tried all sorts of ABS and PBT and POM feels and sounds absolutely perfect. There are only a few sources left for this wonderful material and it depresses me that the mechanical keyboard fans of tomorrow may never experience it.
So...
Is there something you're surprised hasn't caught on in the mechanical keyboard world?
Numpads on the left hand side of the keyboard.
Numpads on the left hand side of the keyboard.
I happened across this just now :DShow Image(http://i.ebayimg.com/00/s/MTAwMFgxMDAw/z/RXkAAOSwh6xTrexJ/$_57.JPG)
http://www.ebay.com/itm/DSI-Left-Handed-USB-Keyboard-with-Cherry-Mechanical-RED-Key-Switches-New-/400733654502?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item5d4d964de6
Like Logitech diNovo?
Or Microsoft Sidewinder X6 - THE best TKL or Full keyboard, if you want it to be :thumb: .
X6 had only detachable numpad, not entirely separate. Azio Levetron or that Mad Catz monstrosity would coult as well, otherwise. It's EOL too, and I found the key profile/spacing somehow hurt my fingers. OTOH Logitech PerfectStroke scissor switches are pretty good.
Backlit PBT keycaps.
Only Deck has them and they're in the godawful Renaissance Fair font.
Integrated pointing devices.
Small integrated displays. I think that people have probably dismissed this as yet another "gaming gimmick" rather than really thinking about what kinds of use it could be put to, especially in non-gaming contexts-- which is where the feature was first seen, anyway.
In fact, now that I think about it, I wonder how many keyboard features that are now marketed as things for gaming were originally designed for office use and seen on high-end office keyboards long before there even was such a thing as a "gaming keyboard"...Show Image(http://deskthority.net/w/images/1/19/Focus5001USlayout.jpg)
They exist. For example, Dad was just in China up to his arms in prototypes that he and the people that work for him designed. He is more of a "hands-on" guy who is happy to take apart the stuff he designs, figure out what's wrong and get it fixed for the next prototype. I imagine there's more.
- Engineers that actually fix, work on, and/or replace what they design.
I have only met three in real life. One was on a job at a power house and he wasn't the engineer that designed the equipment, just a company rep. One is on the job that I work at now, same deal as the first. And the third is CPTBadAss.
Lillian Malt even wrote scientific papers on the design proving its superiority and it still was only used by a small minority of people.links plz
Lillian Malt even wrote scientific papers on the design proving its superiority and it still was only used by a small minority of people.links plz
That's one paper and not a very scientific one. I was wondering if you knew about anything else.Lillian Malt even wrote scientific papers on the design proving its superiority and it still was only used by a small minority of people.links plz
http://www.maltron.com/keyboard-info/academic-papers/236-lillian-malt-papers
That's one paper and not a very scientific one. I was wondering if you knew about anything else.Lillian Malt even wrote scientific papers on the design proving its superiority and it still was only used by a small minority of people.links plz
http://www.maltron.com/keyboard-info/academic-papers/236-lillian-malt-papers
Mandatory computer science education, like we do with reading and writing and math. Especially with the increasing lack of developers, especially talented developers, we should be doing everything we can to increase the labor pool.While it sounds good, I've really never seen one that wasn't tailored to a specific program that was worth a darn.
Integrated pointing devices.
We tried this, it failed, they lack precision.
Mandatory computer science education, like we do with reading and writing and math. Especially with the increasing lack of developers, especially talented developers, we should be doing everything we can to increase the labor pool.While it sounds good, I've really never seen one that wasn't tailored to a specific program that was worth a darn.
I see the results of those classes regularly, they're all but useless.
The problem is it takes a while for it to standardize, get into books and have tests developed, the technology changes too fast. Don't forget you have to deal with the computers many poorer schools have (whatever they can get) and the "computers" many wealthier schools have (Ipads and Chromebooks). And where do you start? How do you keep the kids interested? Generally you end up with a bunch who have no idea and learn little and a few who already know the lessons and end up hacking the system(s).
Colvrak sets. The World needs more Colemak and Dvorak sets..
If you look at those laptops that include a trackpoint almost all of them are corporate grade laptops (or downgraded corporate laptops), there's lots of reasons corporate laptops are designed how they are but it rarely ever comes down to what the workers want. Yes, there are people who refuse to buy a laptop that doesn't have one but those people are few and far between and pretty much every one of them has worked in I.T.QuoteIntegrated pointing devices.
We tried this, it failed, they lack precision.
I don't agree with this. We still find integrated pointing devices in laptops, with modern resolutions, and Lenovo still has TrackPoint keyboards for sale. It's definitely still a live category of device.
I disagree on technology changing too fast, the fundamentals of programming do not. We're still using OO languages not significantly different from smalltalk and that was developed in the 70s. Some CS courses fall out of date as they focus too much on trends and frameworks, my undergrad degree has barely changed in 20 years, and rightly so, It taught me to be capable of picking up any language as I go.Comp/Sci is much more than programming, I was referring to fundamentals and basic computer literacy.
I agree, same with people using wrist rests.
Cosmetic LEDs, which add add an extra hundred or so solder points and parts, and contribute absolutely nothing to the function of the keyboard.
I readily admit to being old fashioned. If pretty LEDs helped make mech boards popular (which they obviously have with the whole gamer aesthetic) then that's a good thing.
I've been confused about the whole 'helps you see in a dark room' reason, 'cause the keyboard is usually positioned really close to a massive light source (a monitor). That's always struck me as a bit of mental gymnastics to justify an aesthetic preference.
I also admit that the old style ThinkPads with the downlight were pretty useful in the dark, because the laptop keyboards were black and impossible to change, so therefore unavoidably hard to see in the dark.
Whilst I am an Ergo user, I am surprised that over in staggered row world, ISO hasn't universally displaced ANSI format.
Whilst I am an Ergo user, I am surprised that over in staggered row world, ISO hasn't universally displaced ANSI format.
I readily admit to being old fashioned. If pretty LEDs helped make mech boards popular (which they obviously have with the whole gamer aesthetic) then that's a good thing.
I've been confused about the whole 'helps you see in a dark room' reason, 'cause the keyboard is usually positioned really close to a massive light source (a monitor). That's always struck me as a bit of mental gymnastics to justify an aesthetic preference.
I also admit that the old style ThinkPads with the downlight were pretty useful in the dark, because the laptop keyboards were black and impossible to change, so therefore unavoidably hard to see in the dark.
I readily admit to being old fashioned. If pretty LEDs helped make mech boards popular (which they obviously have with the whole gamer aesthetic) then that's a good thing.
I've been confused about the whole 'helps you see in a dark room' reason, 'cause the keyboard is usually positioned really close to a massive light source (a monitor). That's always struck me as a bit of mental gymnastics to justify an aesthetic preference.
I also admit that the old style ThinkPads with the downlight were pretty useful in the dark, because the laptop keyboards were black and impossible to change, so therefore unavoidably hard to see in the dark.
I've absolutely been in a position where I didn't have enough light to really see what I was typing if I lost something back in the bad old days. I think I used to use a black Dell Quietkey when that was going on. I couldn't use the good loud keyboards because my parents were sleeping.