I bought a Model M out of a bin for $1 when I was a student and needed a cheap replacement keyboard. It was heavy, bulky and not what was being sold with new computers. I used it. And used it. And I moved it from one new computer to the next, until one day, I didn't have a PS/2 port.
It was at this point that I went searching for some kind of solution and discovered that apparently the thing I owned and loved was Some Kind of Thing for other people too. This started me down the dark path, wherein I learned that there were OTHER mechanical keyboards, and some of them had pretty keycaps, and backlighting, and were smaller (60%), and were programmable!
My first not-a-Model-M was a non-backlit Pure with MX Blues, as they seemed to be closest in general to the buckling spring. Then a short while later I picked up a backlit Race, and a bit after that I added LEDs to my Pure.
Soon I discovered I could design and build my own stuff! I bought a GH60... sort of. I bought an ErgoDox... and lost interest in it. I built a GHpad, then I picked up a Ducky Shine 3. I decided I didn't need the keypad attached, so I bought a Code TKL with MX Greens. Lastly, I just finished building
my replacement for the Pure & Race. At this point, I don't have a use for the ErgoDox, Ducky, Pure or the Race, but I haven't quite reached the point where I've decided to sell them. They're just sitting there... in case of emergency. That just leaves the Model M. Ill never let that go.
