Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[tjcaustin]

I'm also about fully set up to start taking Mod orders as well.

[The_Beast]

I'm up for modding, but I need to buy my own iron soon instead of mooching of lab irons across campus

[SmallFry]

I can also solder, but I'm a bit backed up currently.

Maybe some Metamucil or something? You can still solder on the john, no?

Heh, thanks for the laugh.

[llovro]

Why is geekhack named geekhack? It's sucha wierd name, especially for a keyboard forum. Why is geekhack not named keyboardhack? Or something like that. It would be more logical.

[CPTBadAss]

Why is geekhack named geekhack? It's sucha wierd name, especially for a keyboard forum. Why is geekhack not named keyboardhack? Or something like that. It would be more logical.

Because the name allows us to make custom G and H keys which looks really cool

Really though? I'm not sure why. It's just a name? ^__^

[CPTBadAss]

***ANNOUNCING THE SIMPLE QUESTIONS, SIMPLE ANSWERS GIVEAWAY***

I'm really pleased with how this thread has turned out. I actually made this thread on a whim while talking to SmallFry in IRC. And the thread idea was taken from a similar thread on TeamLiquid. Like all great ideas that I seem to have, this was spawned in IRC as well; while I was talking to dubsgalore.

Right now the thread has 1154 replies and 14k views. Whomever gets the 1300th reply, I will send you some goodies. Whether you have 1 posts or 1000 posts, I'll send you something keyboard-related out of my collection of stuff (right now I'm thinking some Geekhack stickers and caps but I've got some goodies incoming so maybe that might change). I'll keep an eye on the reply count and I'll PM the winner when I see it. If I happen to reply at 1300, the next person who isn't me will win. And yes, this is open to international too.

Hell yeah kids, Keep that knowledge hunt going. Keep asking questions   Let's make moves


UPDATE: CONGRATS TO MOOSE!

He hit the magical 1300th post!! And I will be gifting him a Mimic cable from TechKeys. I might do more giveways in this thread later but again, congrats to esoomenona for winning the prize!

[SpAmRaY]

Realistically how long does it take to swap all the keycaps on a keyboard?

[CPTBadAss]

Realistically how long does it take to swap all the keycaps on a keyboard?

If it's Cherry MX, it takes me around 45 minutes but I'm usually on IRC/GH/watching a stream as well. Alps caps are stuck on REAL TIGHT and it took me way longer to pop all those off; around 90 mins. I was so afraid of snapping/breaking the spacebar and stabilized modifier caps.

[esoomenona]

Simple question: how does I signature?

[keymaster]

Realistically how long does it take to swap all the keycaps on a keyboard?

It depends. I have cherry profile keycaps and they basically fly off. I can remove about 3 keycaps every 5 seconds, so it takes less than 3 minutes to get them all off. It probably takes me twice that much to put them back on since I have to put them in the right place on the keyboard.

[CPTBadAss]

Simple question: how does I signature?

Simple Answer: One does not simply signature

[SpAmRaY]

Simple question: how does I signature?

Simple Answer: One does not simply signature

no really....do we have a thread or wiki page or something with bbcode examples or whatever is used on this forum to make colorful signatures etc? 

[esoomenona]

bb code is really general. If you Google it, you will find tons of info. Good luck!

[Melvang]

how do you post a link but have the clickable link say something different.  IE a link to a google search page but the link in the forum post just says here.

Melvang

[SpAmRaY]

bb code is really general. If you Google it, you will find tons of info. Good luck!

I did that before I posted.  I tried some but it didn't work  I've never been good at coding 

here is some good info if anyone else is interested.... 

http://wiki.simplemachines.org/smf/Basic_Bulletin_Board_Codes

how do you post a link but have the clickable link say something different.  IE a link to a google search page but the link in the forum post just says here.

Melvang

Code: [Select]

[url=geekhack.org]show this text[/url]
show this text

[CPTBadAss]

no really....do we have a thread or wiki page or something with bbcode examples or whatever is used on this forum to make colorful signatures etc? 

I love this guide from TeamLiquid. I believe my switch review has another link as well. You can check my Wiki in my sig for that. A list of bbcode colors can be found here.

how do you post a link but have the clickable link say something different.  IE a link to a google search page but the link in the forum post just says here.

Melvang

The bbcode is |url=PUTURLHERE|PUTTEXTHERE[/url]
Replace the | with an open [ and closed ]

So after the "url=" you put the link you want and between the ] [ you can put whatever text you want to appear.

[esoomenona]

Click on the Preview button next to Post below. There are many formatting buttons. Try clicking them and see what code does what. Remember you have to close them on the reverse order you opened them.

[CPTBadAss]

There's no preview button in Tapatalk

[SpAmRaY]

There's no preview button in Tapatalk

Me + Tapatalk + GeekHack =

[esoomenona]

>2013
>Using Tapatalk instead of the full site in browser
>...

[SpAmRaY]

>2013
>Using Tapatalk instead of the full site in browser
>...

what you saying moose?     

[esoomenona]

You remember the days when browsers on phones were complete crap and you couldn't do anything with them? Then we got full browsers on smart phones that do everything you can do on a computer. And people are still using things to condense all the info.

Nah, I'm not saying anything. Apps are easy to use and have tons of uses. I just prefer the full site.

[Dubsgalore]

I can't stand Safari or Anything really on my Phone. If it's urgent, i'll go on GH on Safari, but usually i just stick to my Desktop/Laptop

[esoomenona]

You're right. Browsing on the iPhone is considerably worse. If you're using an iPhone, please disregard my views on Tapatalk.

[Lunartuna]

I still have problems with some sites on my phone browser even though its a "full" browser. Also I cant stand typing on my phones touchcreen.

[Dubsgalore]

I really only just use safari for emergencies or for PM's. Never to browse. too frustrating

[CPTBadAss]

On topic please guys    

[SpAmRaY]

Is there a program that analyzes the way a person types to see if there might be some way to improve?

[ekirayuki]

can i change my cherry mx blue spring with cherry mx green spring?

[CPTBadAss]

can i change my cherry mx blue spring with cherry mx green spring?

I don't see why not. Just gotta desolder the switches and open the case up.

[The_Beast]

can i change my cherry mx blue spring with cherry mx green spring?

yes

[The_Beast]

can i change my cherry mx blue spring with cherry mx green spring?

I don't see why not. Just gotta desolder the switches and open the case up.

If it's plate mount, just open the top of the switch

[ekirayuki]

woww thx for the really fast responses 
but on the ripster images i saw that the blue spring is slightly taller than the green spring. is that okay?

[CPTBadAss]

woww thx for the really fast responses 
but on the ripster images i saw that the blue spring is slightly taller than the green spring. is that okay?

The springs can compress and be stretched.

[ekirayuki]

can i change my cherry mx blue spring with cherry mx green spring?

I don't see why not. Just gotta desolder the switches and open the case up.

If it's plate mount, just open the top of the switch

btw my keyboard is fc700r, is it possible to open the top housing without desoldering the switch?

woww thx for the really fast responses 
but on the ripster images i saw that the blue spring is slightly taller than the green spring. is that okay?

The springs can compress and be stretched.

thx, i really appreciate it

[CPTBadAss]

can i change my cherry mx blue spring with cherry mx green spring?

I don't see why not. Just gotta desolder the switches and open the case up.

If it's plate mount, just open the top of the switch

btw my keyboard is fc700r, is it possible to open the top housing without desoldering the switch?

No, you'll need a custom plate in order to do that. You'll have to desolder.

[phx]

Wanna paint my QFR cover, can I just spray paint it?

[CPTBadAss]

Wanna paint my QFR cover, can I just spray paint it?

If you rough the surface with sandpaper, it'll accept the paint better. I believe you'll wanna do primer and paint but I'll double check.

Step 1) Sand the surface
Step 2) Clean with alcohol
Step 3) Primer unless you have spraypaint that adheres to plastic; use multiple layers as necessary
Step 4) Put paint on. If spraypaint, just spray, let it dry, and repeat. If car paint, try and use very thin layers and then let it dry for about 30 mins in between layers.
Step 5) Clear coat/matte finish to protect the paint


Quick walkthrough from Glissant <3

[nubbinator]

Wanna paint my QFR cover, can I just spray paint it?

You'll need to completely sand off the rubberizer from the shell, get the plastic roughed up a little, then use a finer grit sandpaper on it to give the primer something to grab hold of, but not make the paint look uneven when it's dried.  For the primer, I'd recommend Montana Gold Plastic Primer (you should be able to find it cheaper locally, that's just so you know what you're looking for) since I know it works well and doesn't react with the plastic or their paint.  For the paint, I prefer Montana Gold since it's not too expensive, gets awesome even coverage, dries quickly, has great caps that give you good control, and looks good when all is said and done.  It's what I used for my Cyan painted QFR.  If you can't find Montana Gold, Krylon Fusion is supposed to be good.  I wasn't super impressed with it when I did some computer case modding though.  After that, just toss a clear coat on it and/or some clear PlastiDip.

[Dubsgalore]

Nubbinator is the guy to talk to about QFR Customization

[Mandolin]

Which switches need no disoldering to dismount them from their respective PCB/Steel plate/plastic plate?
Alps
Acer switch
Fujitsu peerless
Cherry MY

[CPTBadAss]

Which switches need no disoldering to dismount them from their respective PCB/Steel plate/plastic plate?
Alps
Acer switch
Fujitsu peerless
Cherry MY

None of them? The custom plates for MX switches that The_Beast and WFD make allow for no desoldering. Otherwise, I think you need to desolder all other switches.

[Mandolin]

Whenever there is a ebay auction, koreans get to participate and buy them eventually in some cases.
Why is that?
I mean, spanish keyboards? german layouts? arabic layouts? what for.

[nubbinator]

Whenever there is a ebay auction, koreans get to participate and buy them eventually in some cases.
Why is that?
I mean, spanish keyboards? german layouts? arabic layouts? what for.

Because eBay is open for people around the world to buy from?  Not sure what you're trying to ask here.

[Mandolin]

Whenever there is a ebay auction, koreans get to participate and buy them eventually in some cases.
Why is that?
I mean, spanish keyboards? german layouts? arabic layouts? what for.

Because eBay is open for people around the world to buy from?  Not sure what you're trying to ask here.

yes. although they are not a big country. I thought they had many collectors of mechanical keyboards because of starcraft or something.

[nubbinator]

yes. although they are not a big country. I thought they had many collectors of mechanical keyboards because of starcraft or something.

It has nothing to do with Starcraft and everything to do with a love for technology and plenty of mech keyboard enthusiasts there.  In fact, there are plenty of Starcraft players who still use cheap $10 rubber dome keyboards.

[Mandolin]

yes. although they are not a big country. I thought they had many collectors of mechanical keyboards because of starcraft or something.

It has nothing to do with Starcraft and everything to do with a love for technology and plenty of mech keyboard enthusiasts there.  In fact, there are plenty of Starcraft players who still use cheap $10 rubber dome keyboards.

Oh, that's a clarifying answer.

[remedyhalopc]

I'm not the best photographer, nor did I have the best light available to me but what set are these caps from?

It's not black, as I put the black kids club and a grey cap there as well for reference.




The two shifts, pause break, delete, and prt scrn are all the same shade. Tab might be the same color, but with the centered legend looks like it might be apart of a R1-4 dolch set.

[esoomenona]

The dark grey look like Graphite, the green shift and yellow from a RGB set, grey/blue most likely from SoWaRe, and I'll take that Kids Club cap off of your hands now.

[remedyhalopc]

I thought it was graphite as well, but I thought the graphite was a little more blue?

Kids Club and the SoWaRe caps are mine I learned my keycap lessons after selling an OTD hand cap that was from a RA set IIRC. Nooby me didn't know what it was.