[TECHKEYS.US upcoming keys] Hazardous Key Cap Set!

[Dabboo]

Hello Geek Hack!

I've been working away on ideas for new key cap designs and I've come back with this. I'm unsure if anyone's done any of these designs before but even if they have I doubt there is a full set.

Please do give me feedback if there's any other designs you'd like to see added/taken away from this set.
 
Dave.



Direct link to image is here: http://i.imgur.com/sWs3B.png


People interested:
- Dabboo (myself) (1 set)
- boost (1 set)
- jil_jil32 (2 sets)
- Elrick (4 sets)
- sirtetris (1 set)
- baldgye (1 set)
- elton5354 (1 set)
- feng (4 sets)
- paudash (2 sets)
- Laggy-gaga (2 sets)
- jcrouse (1 set)
- OrangeJewce (1 set)
- nikonf5 (2 sets)
- winzds (1 set)
- Internauta (1 set)
- Zwi (1 set)
- dorkvader (1-2 sets) (I'll presume 1 for now)
- precarious (1 set)
- Marclgw (1 set)
- lysol (1 set)
- 1391401 (1 set)
-WhiteFireDragon (1-2 sets) (I'll presume 1 for now)
- bnp70kr (1 set)
- Kaysa (1 set)
- rindorbrot (1 set)
- telepete (1 set)
- DanGWanG (1 set)
- RickyJ (1 set)
- Macrowave (1 set)
- danielucf (1-2 set/s) (I'll presume 1 for now)
- Permeability (1 set)
- The_Beast (1 set)
- YUIOP (1 set)
- JSchool (1 set)
- rowdy (1 set)
- Rob (1 set)
- mithinza (1 set)
- TheSoulhunter (1 set)
- Internetlad (1 set)
- Computer-Lab in Basement (1 set)
Total sets: 49

(Let me know if I've missed anyone or you've requested a set but aren't on the list.)

Update #1: 30/9/12
It's looking like i3oilermaker may be willing to help with this GB as he has far more knowledge than I do and he'll be a great asset in this. So thank you to him for that!

As far as the actual colours of the keys etc, yellow seems to be the go-to colour for this. Someone suggested white keys with the icons inside triangles as if they're on signs.
I was thinking about this and the issue I had was that the icons would need to be far smaller to fit in the triangle which would mean they would probably be harder to print especially in the case of the explosives icon.

However if the community is adamant about doing this then I have no issue with it.

I've also decided that there will be no more than 10 keys in this set otherwise it will likely become expensive but also because if we've got a maximum of 10 then these keys can be used on the number row form 1-0. If you've got an idea for a 10th key do suggest it otherwise I'll be sticking with 9.

Dave.

Update #2: 30/9/12

Okay final design is up, there are now total 12 key caps in this set as requested by a couple of people. This is so they can be used as either number keys or function keys. I've avoided the gas mask idea as I don't think it fits this set but I'd be happy to design one for a different GB if requested.

The extra 3 added are: corrosive materials, magnetic hazard and laser hazards.

This will probably add to the cost of the set but hopefully not by a lot.

This will probably the final design unless anyone has any big issues with the newer caps.

Dave.

Update #3: 1/10/12

Hey again,

I've had a few questions about the pricing of these caps and after talking to i3oilermaker wee're currently looking at around $2 per cap which totals $24 for the set.

I found this to be quite a reasonable price and it was cheaper than i imagined. If you'd like to withdraw your interested due to price please let me know.

Dave.

Update #4: 1/10/12

Okay folks,

I've been talking to i3oilermaker and we've agreed that there has been enough interest expressed in this set to warrant production.

i3oilermaker has talked to qtan about having them made and he should be getting some prototypes made in the nest 1-2 weeks.

After that i3oilermaker will be selling the sets directly from techkeys.us as this will ease the strain on money collection and distribution.

Please do sign up to the notification service at techkeys to be notified of when they will be available.

I'd like to thank you all for support my ideas and I'd also like to thank i3oilermaker for taking all of this on board.

if you've got any question regarding the set or anything else please do PM me.

Dave.

[metalliqaz]

Not bad at all.

[reaper]

Looking good there and I don't believe it's been done before except for the skull (Jolly Roger) and the Biohazard keycap (by ragnorock).  Anyway, they look good but I'm not sure I agree with the color. lol

[Sifo]

I've seen the nuke one as well.  A full set would be cool though

[Dabboo]

Looking good there and I don't believe it's been done before except for the skull (Jolly Roger) and the Biohazard keycap (by ragnorock).  Anyway, they look good but I'm not sure I agree with the color. lol

I'm always uncomfortable when using the colour yellow. I either end with something looking like a banana or vomit-coloured. Looking at it now, I think I've managed to fit both of those in, feel free to give me some hex codes or samples to try on them!

Dave.

[boost]

Count me in for a set. Color combo isn't bad.

[modulor]

Looks good!

[alaricljs]

Hmmm, for DS I'm pretty sure many of those are too detailed and/or have lines that are too thin.

Best of luck tho.

[metalliqaz]

Black on yellow ia good.

[hashbaz]

Good idea.  I like it.

[jil_jil32]

Yup! In for two if it happen!

[Dabboo]

Hmmm, for DS I'm pretty sure many of those are too detailed and/or have lines that are too thin.

Best of luck tho.

I was thinking about this, especially in the case of the explosive key cap. I would think it's too detailed to be DS. But maybe engraved and coloured black (if that's possible) would work?

There are a few different printing methods out there and I truly have no knowledge of how most of them work so it would be good to get the opinion of someone more knowledgeable, of whom there are many at GH.

Dave.

[Elrick]

Black on yellow ia good.

Always care about OH&S so I'm in too.  If it's in PBT, then I'll order 4 sets.

Got an idea of bashing up a keyboard, spilling paint, solvents, dirt and oil then installing these babies onto it.  Mining Style......

[Dabboo]

Black on yellow ia good.

Always care about OH&S so I'm in too.  If it's in PBT, then I'll order 4 sets.

Got an idea of bashing up a keyboard, spilling paint, solvents, dirt and oil then installing these babies onto it.  Mining Style......

I'd hope for PBT but I have no experience creating/running/starting/organizing a group buy so I'd need a tonne of help from someone else who knew what they were doing.

It does seem that there is a good amount of interest though, which is good, we'll have to wait and see if anyone is willing to help!

Dave.

[sirtetris]

Color should, if possible, be selected according to the standard of those sybmols. But it looks like that's already the case. :)

I'm in for 1 set. :)

[baldgye]

looks great I'd defo be in for a set... if it was to happen after my PayPal limit resets

[elton5354]

In4aS

[feng]

In for 4 sets. Thanks!

[paudash]

Very nice. In for 2 sets. Hope you do it.

[Dabboo]

It's great to see people so interested!

I do have a couple of issues though.

I have no experience running a group buy and I also have no experience in talking to manufacturers etc. Not only that, I have under 60 posts as of yet so I'm not allowed to.

Is there anyone who'd be willing to step up to this task? I'd love to see these key caps come to life!
 
Dave.

[Laggy-gaga]

take 2 sets for sure
ty

[jcrouse]

I'll take a set.

[tsangan]

It's great to see people so interested!

I do have a couple of issues though.

I have no experience running a group buy and I also have no experience in talking to manufacturers etc. Not only that, I have under 60 posts as of yet so I'm not allowed to.

Is there anyone who'd be willing to step up to this task? I'd love to see these key caps come to life!
 
Dave.

Just let the IC roll, someone will jump in

[IvanIvanovich]

I like this.

[OrangeJewce]

+1 Interest.

Cheers,

[nikonf5]

In for two sets.

Obviously dyesub as some of the designs would be too complicated for DS.
It would be nice if you could go through SP as they did for the Portal set http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=31946.0 which came out beautiful.

The exclamation mark is a bit generic unless you wrap it in a triangle as shown on this page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazard_symbol

There are more examples here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dangerous_goods and here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warning_sign

IMO, if you can do a colored symbol [see previous links] on white, that would work really well.

[Dabboo]

The exclamation mark is a bit generic unless you wrap it in a triangle as shown on this page http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazard_symbol

There are more examples here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dangerous_goods and here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Warning_sign

IMO, if you can do a colored symbol [see previous links] on white, that would work really well.

I was thinking the same thing regarding how plain it looks. However I decided against it because in reality all of these symbols are in a triangle and I feel it would ruin the effect so put just one of them in the triangle.

However the rest of the community may feel otherwise so I'll do what the majority would like.

Dave.

[winzds]

1 set.
Thank you.that's cool.

[Internauta]

I'd be in for a set for sure, if the price is reasonable!

[Zwi]

I'm in for a set

[dorkvader]

I'm in for 1-2 depending on price and PBT.

Looks like you already have the SVG's made, just need to remove the triangle and change the colour. Excellent.

[precarious]

grumble grumble me hungry feed me 1 set

[Marclgw]

In for at least 1 =D

[IvanIvanovich]

I would like to ADD something to set...

I must have such a key.

[danielucf]

Looks like a cool set, I also want the nice key that lysol wants.

[1391401]

<expression of interest />

[Dabboo]

I would like to ADD something to set...

Show Image

I must have such a key.

This looks quite easy and simple to do.

I'm unsure of the deadlines of when all these keys need to be due in by for production but I've added this one into the original image and I've messaged i3oilermaker about it so hopefully it should be fine.

Here's a draft image of the singular key:


Dave.

[Elrick]

This looks quite easy and simple to do.

I'm unsure of the deadlines of when all these keys need to be due in by for production but I've added this one into the original image and I've messaged i3oilermaker about it so hopefully it should be fine.

This is just a query regarding the number of keys you want to make.  Currently it's Nine (9), would you be hard pressed to develop a total of Twelve (12) Hazard keys?

Just wanting more Fluoro Yellow/Black goodness along the whole Top Section (F1 - F12) of the keyboard.

There is for example the new "Chemical Weapon", "Laser Hazard" and "Magnetic Field" symbols.  Only referring to this site for these extra's;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazard_symbol

[metalliqaz]

If you need to fill it out with more ideas, you could just get yellow stripes like caution tape...
like this

Also, for computer-related, you could try a google image search for "static warning"

Elrick is right, a 1-12 function row is pretty cool.  Could even add a red "stop" sign for the esc key, no?

[Dabboo]

This looks quite easy and simple to do.

I'm unsure of the deadlines of when all these keys need to be due in by for production but I've added this one into the original image and I've messaged i3oilermaker about it so hopefully it should be fine.

This is just a query regarding the number of keys you want to make.  Currently it's Nine (9), would you be hard pressed to develop a total of Twelve (12) Hazard keys?

Just wanting more Fluoro Yellow/Black goodness along the whole Top Section (F1 - F12) of the keyboard.

There is for example the new "Chemical Weapon", "Laser Hazard" and "Magnetic Field" symbols.  Only referring to this site for these extra's;

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hazard_symbol

My original thinking was to stick to a maximum of 10 for the number keys but you do raise a good point about the F1-F12 idea.
My concern being this would likely make them more expensive for people (or does this community typically not worry too much about price?)
The other concern I had was I don't want to just fill the extra 3 keys with random symbols like metalliqaz said. I'd much raather keep to the symbols shown on signs.

The other idea I had for a key was the corrosive materials symbol as shown here:

But i don't know how well it would translate into a key cap as it is fairly detailed.

I'd be in for a set if it were done in different color (anything but yellow).

Unfortunately most of the people interested like the yellow and I don't want to change the current design too much otherwise people who were originally on board may not be too keen on the idea. Sorry!
However if more people begin to suggest another colour then I'm happy to change it.

Dave.

[Elrick]

My original thinking was to stick to a maximum of 10 for the number keys but you do raise a good point about the F1-F12 idea.
My concern being this would likely make them more expensive for people (or does this community typically not worry too much about price?)
The other concern I had was I don't want to just fill the extra 3 keys with random symbols like metalliqaz said. I'd much raather keep to the symbols shown on signs.

Dave.

About the Price Issue, that has never been a problem for me, but I don't know how the others feel......

Remember it's your Group Buy, hence go with whatever you feel comfortable with.  Don't let anyone else change your vision on these unique key-caps...... sorry if I spoke out of turn.

[Dabboo]

My original thinking was to stick to a maximum of 10 for the number keys but you do raise a good point about the F1-F12 idea.
My concern being this would likely make them more expensive for people (or does this community typically not worry too much about price?)
The other concern I had was I don't want to just fill the extra 3 keys with random symbols like metalliqaz said. I'd much raather keep to the symbols shown on signs.

Dave.

About the Price Issue, that has never been a problem for me, but I don't know how the others feel......

Remember it's your Group Buy, hence go with whatever you feel comfortable with.  Don't let anyone else change your vision on these unique key-caps...... sorry if I spoke out of turn.

No it's totally fine. I'd rather have a set that everyone likes and have lots of people own it than just have a set that only I like and few people own it.

I think I'll keep the cap on at 10 for now (just incase I add the corrosive or laser beam symbol) as there aren't too many other good looking symbols and I don't want to "dilute" the set.

Thanks for your opinion though, it is appreciated!

Dave.

[Internauta]

I was thinking maybe a gas mask symbol would look good for the 10th key cap. The gas mask would look nice if you could manage to find a good vector or create your own, i'm having problems finding a suitable one. Just my 2 cents.

[Elrick]

I was thinking maybe a gas mask symbol would look good for the 10th key cap. The gas mask would look nice if you could manage to find a good vector or create your own, i'm having problems finding a suitable one. Just my 2 cents.

The famous "Gas Mask".  I totally forgot about that one, until now.  Thanks for bringing it up, although I have no idea whether it would be popular for this key-set. 

I would truly love it if it gets made....... just my own personal opinion.

[demik]

nice colorway!

[WhiteFireDragon]

Interested in one, maybe 2, depending on final price of each set.

[Dabboo]

It's good to see so many people interested in this.

As requested I've added three extra keys totaling 12 keys. This will mean you can use them for your function buttons or for the number buttons.

If you've got any questions please let me know.

Dave.

[bnp70kr]

I'm certanly in for a set!

[Elrick]

It's good to see so many people interested in this.

As requested I've added three extra keys totaling 12 keys. This will mean you can use them for your function buttons or for the number buttons.

If you've got any questions please let me know.

Dave.

Untold buddy....... now it's a complete set.  A nice even dozen.

Could even add a red "stop" sign for the esc key, no?

He might have a point.  A red STOP sign for the ESC key would give that extra something special to add to the 12 yellow hazard keys.  Just something to consider when you are summarizing your complete designs for a hand over.

I don't care if it's double shot or PBT, they look superb.  Just give us your paypal address so we can start throwing some money your way.

Having 12/(13) on a dark coloured keyboard.  A True OH&S warning key-set so unique on this Forum and perfect for a Mining site.

[Kaysa]

Looking good, interested in one or two set depend on price.