geekhack community interview series, featuring engicoder (July 13, 2018)

[Photoelectric]

This Question and Answer interview is intended to be a fun series targeted at well-known community members whom most, if not all of you have most likely "met" here on geekhack.  If you have username suggestions for further interviews, please add them in your comments.  If you want to see some questions added for future interviews, please type them in your responses as well! (Can't guarantee that all requested questions will be added, as keeping the overall interview length reasonable is important for respondents.)  This week I present to you an interview with engicoder.

Previous interview with Oblotzky may be found here: https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=95684

Question & Answer interview with engicoder :

Please let us know what motivated your geekhack.org username or else what it means to you, if it's not Top Secret information.
I received my undergraduate degree in aeronautical engineering. Unfortunately, at the time, the cold war had just ended and the job market was non existent for my field. I went back to school for a degree in computer science. So I am bit engineer and a bit coder.   

How did you get into the keyboard hobby?  Stories or anecdotes are welcome.
I have always appreciated a good keyboard. Over the years I kept keyboards I liked and used them with newer computers; a Northgate, a few IBMs, a Zenith, etc. In late 2012, my new laptop did not have a PS/2 port so was forced to look for a USB keyboard. All the keyboards I could find in local stores were terrible. The internet led me to GeekHack and Deskthority and the world of modern mechanical keyboards. My first keyboard purchase was a Leopold FC200 with MX Browns; please don't judge me

What's your main area of interest in the keyboard hobby: the looks, the feels, the customization process (DIY or combining keycap sets with various keyboards), endless variety of keycap sets, artisans, ergonomics, anything else?
I enjoy building and refurbishing keyboards especially when I can work with others. The "maker" side of this community is amazing. The community in general is what makes the hobby enjoyable for me.  The looks and feels are a bonus. 

Show us a picture of your favorite keyboard [that you own] with a brief description
It is difficult to choose a true favorite, but every time the Zenith ZKB-2 comes up in my rotation, I fall in love again.  It uses Alps SKCL Green switches which are smooth and lightly weighted, with a curious hint of tactility at the bottom. The keycaps and case combine for a great sound. I can't really describe what makes this keyboard special. It has character that many keyboards do not.



What is your current "daily driver" keyboard(s)?  Also with photographs, if it's not the same board as above
I don't really have a daily driver. I swap my keyboard every week or so and enjoy or suffer through it. Some weeks it is something modern but most it is something older as I have a few to choose from.

 

Wish list or dream keyboard(s) or keycap sets?
Keyboard: IBM 4704-300, aka F77. The original is, for the most part, unobtainable. Fortunately, Ellipse and his new Model F keyboard project (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=79141.0) will one day fulfill my dream.
Keycap set: Doubleshot Cherry profile Tai-Hao TH series Alps keycaps. https://deskthority.net/wiki/Tai-Hao_TH_series



Favorite keyboard switch
I don't really have a single favorite switch. My top 3 "modern" switches in no order:

• Model F (Capacitive) Buckling Spring
• Alps SKCL Green
• NMB/Hi-Tek 725 Series linear

Favorite keyboard layout/size:
I always seem to come back to the Tenkeyless; winkeyless as well for looks. The separated arrow cluster is easy to find by touch, regardless of which keyboard I am using, and lack of tenkey moves the mouse closer. I prefer the standard layout (or something approximating it) for the main block (alphas and mods). I have tried several alternate and reduced layouts. While they have merits, as I have gotten older I find it difficult to swap back and forth between a custom layout and the standard layout and be productive. The one change I do prefer is having Control where Caps Lock is. The original IBM PC, Sun workstations and more recently, the HHKB have it there and it seems to be more comfortable to use.

Any guilty-pleasure keyboard type or size, or layout that you would never be caught using? (at least outside the secret privacy of your hidden typing shrine, like an old shiny Razer BlackWidow or a very pingy Model M)
I still have and use that original Leopold FC200 with MX Browns. In fact it has a set of GMK Dolch keycaps on it. This keyboard got me into the hobby and will always be a little bit special.



Favorite plate material or lack thereof and why
I prefer rigid materials. This usually means steel but I am intrigued by thicker, pocketed, machined brass or aluminum plates.

What is your current mouse?
Gaming: Corsair M45, Work: G400 I have not purchased a new mouse in quite a while

Any ergonomic / desk organization preferences?
I use a 3M adjustable keyboard tray to get the right arm and wrist position. I prefer my keyboard to be flat or at a slightly negative angle. I also have an Aeron chair that I received in lieu of payment for some work I did. As far as desk organization, I try to keep the piles a few layers deep at most ;P

Please share your favorite drink (alcoholic or non-alcoholic) or snack
Favorite drink: Blood Orange Sanpellegrino
Favorite snack: Cheddar Goldfish

We'd love to learn about your other hobbies, if you wish to share
Designing microcontroller based electronics, their pcbs and firmware. It crosses over with both the keyboard hobby and my profession in software, but consumes large amounts of my free time, so it must be a hobby, right?

Got any pets?  If so, let's see their photo(s)!
Not at the moment. I still working up my courage after losing my last dog, a German Short Haired Pointer named Chester.



Any advice for people who are just starting out in the keyboard hobby? 
The "endgame" is an illusion. Avoid becoming fixated on what the majority considers the "best".  Try have fun. Experience a variety keyboards and switches, appreciate what makes them different and use what makes you happy.

Closing words:
The community has grown immensely since I first joined. I have met many amazing people and seen an astounding increase in options available to the keyboard enthusiast. I look forward to seeing where things go from here.

[livingspeedbump]

Engicoder is not only one of my favorite community members, but one of my favorite people in real life. 

Thanks for this interview Photo! Very well done!

[Photoelectric]

I must say, that is some amount of keyboards in the storage cases!  /respect

[mbsurfer]

Engicoder is extremely talented. If you haven't seen Chyrosan22's video on the restoration project of a Focus FK-9000, I highly suggest it because Engicoder stepped up and helped out Chyrosan with completely reverse engineering and rebuilding the numpad's calculator component from scratch.

[Photoelectric]

Beyond his many accomplishments, those who don't frequent this site often but stop by for the Marketplace section may know engicoder as one of the masterminds behind the beautiful 1976 SA keycap set:
https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=65935.0

[LightningXI]

  Quite the formidable collection, and a man of excellent tastes, particularly in vintage. Always great to see another engineer among us.

Thanks also for the informational interview, PhotoE.

[SpAmRaY]

Glad to see he is still around, he must hang out elsewhere.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

[engicoder]

I've been around, but have had a lot going personally. You should more of me in the future, although I have to admit I have been a bit more active on DT lately as it is a bit easier to keep up with. The pace of GH has certainly increased over the years.

[suicidal_orange]

Not many posts given the long membership yet this guy lives up to his username in doing a bit of everything - very impressive!  An interesting read, thanks

[kurplop]

Big thanks to Photoelectric for adding this feature. After we’ve bought everything we want and learned what we can, it’s the community that keeps us coming back.  It’s great to hear about some of the members. Keep it up!

[romevi]

Wow, you're old!

[engicoder]

Wow, you're old!

Guilty 

[chyros]

He's not just a very talented guy, but also a REALLY nice one. Great interview .

[CPTBadAss]

I <3 you engicoder. Lovely interview

[engicoder]

I <3 you engicoder. Lovely interview

Thanks man, really looking forward to your next issue!