"You used to have a bad ass keyboard, what happened?"

[Computer-Lab in Basement]

I have had several comments on my keyboards at work. One lady said "Boy, it sure looks like you're into those modern keyboards!" (sarcastically referring to my Model M).  My boss has also commented on the fact that I seem to have a new keyboard every week (even though I've only ever brought three different keyboards into work).

[swagpiratex]

The people that have commented actually take more notice of the rest that I got from the Beast. They ask me why my palm rest is hard, instead of the gel ones you find @ Fry's.

I've since given up on telling people how much the keyboards cost.

[fohat.digs]

I love gel wrist rests.

I feel lost and disoriented when I go to somebody's computer with no rest at all, and the wooden ones feel SO harsh.

[swagpiratex]

I just use the slab of wood as a rest for my palms between bouts of typing.. Slows me down if i have my wrist on anything.

[The_Beast]

The people that have commented actually take more notice of the rest that I got from the Beast. They ask me why my palm rest is hard, instead of the gel ones you find @ Fry's.

I've since given up on telling people how much the keyboards cost.

Sweet

[AKIMbO]

I like the way hard wood feels on my wrists...wait...lolwut. 

[mushupork]

I see what you did there ... palms on the wood indeed!

[stingrae]

I have a new Filco...person next to me notices my mousepad that I brought from home for a change... XD

[Elrick]

I have had several comments on my keyboards at work. One lady said "Boy, it sure looks like you're into those modern keyboards!" (sarcastically referring to my Model M).

Actually she might of used them back in the 80's and 90's you should tell her how much they're worth today.  I think she'll have a stroke, since she probably threw it out in the trash in exchange for the new Dell rubbish keyboard that came free with her computer model.

Or maybe she's just brain-dead like so many of her ilk. 

[te3kay]

Most people don't get mechanical keyboards.

The most common thing I hear is "you paid how much???"

I'd rather not tell the price of the keyboard when people ask.

yea.. lol

[Internetlad]

Referring to an M (or any vintage mech) "Why would you use that old thing?"

Referring to my wife "You want HOW MUCH for a keyboard?"

I also work at a tech shop, and I have to field tech related phone calls from neophytes. One of my less favorites comments is that the customer "Installed the internet", or has the operating system "Microsoft Office"

:/

On the flip side, I got a freind who works at town hall, and his office is totally geared out with the latest tech. Triple IPS monitor setup, little dangly down platform for his tower, servers on the back wall, fancy desk, and a model M hooked up to his 2000 dollar IB 2011 Windows 8 tower with a 400 dollar revodrive X2 in it XD

[rowdy]

Referring to an M (or any vintage mech) "Why would you use that old thing?"

Referring to my wife "You want HOW MUCH for a keyboard?"

I also work at a tech shop, and I have to field tech related phone calls from neophytes. One of my less favorites comments is that the customer "Installed the internet", or has the operating system "Microsoft Office"

:/

On the flip side, I got a freind who works at town hall, and his office is totally geared out with the latest tech. Triple IPS monitor setup, little dangly down platform for his tower, servers on the back wall, fancy desk, and a model M hooked up to his 2000 dollar IB 2011 Windows 8 tower with a 400 dollar revodrive X2 in it XD

A line I get (providing tech support to everyone at work) often is "My internet is not working".  My response - "My internet works, perhaps there is somethign wrong with yours".

[Lanx]

here's how it goes

"lemme check something real quick" (moves to my computer)
blank stare at my kinesis
moving the hands in some voodoo kind of wax on/wax off motion to see where to put their hands.

"wtf man"

then i point them to my htpc

the blank stare is great.

[dorkvader]

Referring to an M (or any vintage mech) "Why would you use that old thing?"

Referring to my wife "You want HOW MUCH for a keyboard?"

I also work at a tech shop, and I have to field tech related phone calls from neophytes. One of my less favorites comments is that the customer "Installed the internet", or has the operating system "Microsoft Office"

:/

On the flip side, I got a freind who works at town hall, and his office is totally geared out with the latest tech. Triple IPS monitor setup, little dangly down platform for his tower, servers on the back wall, fancy desk, and a model M hooked up to his 2000 dollar IB 2011 Windows 8 tower with a 400 dollar revodrive X2 in it XD

I like it when they complain that their loaner computer didn't come with MS office, making it "useless". I took all my notes with pencil and paper, and if I brought a computer to class, I'd take them in notepad. Annotating powerpoints is as overrated as powerpoint is misused and overused. (The loaners do come with libreoffice, and a link on the desktop). Another customer couldn't find the optical drive on her loaner and send it back to get another one. The optical drive was clearly visible on the left. It wasn't even slot loading.
---
One cool part about having Dvorak keycaps (on my TG3 and unicomp, and soon all my other keyboards thanks to Lysol) is that people look at it and are astounded with it. They always ask: What did you do to your computer? (more technical people will say "what did you do to your keyboard") or "why did you mess up your keyboard." etc.

When I worked at the "Cyberdefence Lab" when I was 17, I plugged my 17-year old M into their really expensive computers. It was much more satisfying than their crappy domes.

[Xerobasix]

"How do you type without the letters?" is the most common question.  I had a coworker come over once and quiz me by pointing at several keys in succession and asking which each was.  And people, often those who don't even know how to use a tenkey, are always dumbfounded that it's missing.  Like the board is broken without it.

[davkol]

Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam, quis nostrud exercitation ullamco laboris nisi ut aliquip ex ea commodo consequat. Duis aute irure dolor in reprehenderit in voluptate velit esse cillum dolore eu fugiat nulla pariatur. Excepteur sint occaecat cupidatat non proident, sunt in culpa qui officia deserunt mollit anim id est laborum

[fohat.digs]

Somebody, probably Jobs, once said "The Internet IS the computer."

My problem with Apple is that they want a computer to be like an invisible appliance, and to reduce the "user interface" to as close to zero as possible. I was seriously gearing myself up to switch to Apple 5-10 years ago, in some fit of disgust with Microsoft, until I discovered that you can't buy an Apple motherboard.

My computer is like my workbench in the garage, except not as messy. I have a wide variety of tools, and I can tinker, change, add and subtract components at will. I am referring to both hardware and software when I say this.

I would guess that all the people here, in this forum, enjoy a tactile, sensual, physical experience when interacting with their computers, and that probably translates into tinkering with the virtual operations as well.

For many people, that is just not part of the equation, much like "I don't care how an internal combustion engine works, just tell me where to put in the gasoline."

There is another thread called something like "How Elitist Are You?" and we all are that, or we wouldn't be here.

[jeroplane]

a tactile, sensual, physical experience

But seriously, I completely agree with you point. While I own a Macbook and an iPhone, my desktop is a Windows PC. I agree that Apple is marketing their products to the greater population, and that includes many, many people who are not computer savvy at all. 2-year-olds can use an iPad, as can 90-year-olds who have never grown up with such technologies. All they have to do, literally, is point at something and they're there.

But you'd have to admit that there's some magic in that. It's nice to be able to interact with technology almost without thinking and without realising what you're using is actually a complex piece of equipment. People want to have these services in their lives, without it being obstructive or overly visible.

But I digress. I like that I have a balance - simplicity in the Apple products for my on-the-go items, and something I can tinker with and tailor for home.

[Internetlad]

Never thought I'd run into a fellow Vaper here!

I do, but i'm a lightweight. I've got a couple of the metro disposables, and i'm trying to convince my wife to let me buy a basic kit (We both smoked before kids, her heavily and me a couple a day)

[1stGenRex]

Never thought I'd run into a fellow Vaper here!

I do, but i'm a lightweight. I've got a couple of the metro disposables, and i'm trying to convince my wife to let me buy a basic kit (We both smoked before kids, her heavily and me a couple a day)

If you've got questions, or need more info, click on my sig pic. It'll take you to an awesome place where we're more than willing to help out!

[tp4tissue]

Regarding my unicorn vomit board which has rainbow blanks - "How do you type on this??" - Every person I ever see in computer labs.

So you're saying, you're an anime loving attention wh0re brony. Got it.

Though, this is quite unacceptable since you are male.

[Glod]

My wife now knows how much my HHKB Pro2 was that i bought last week. Man she wont shut up about it.

"Its so ugly"
"Its stupid, why would you pay that much for less keys"

but my favorites are, and i swear to god i am almost 100% in what she actually said here

" i saw you looking at that keyboard site, you should have paid for the cheaper keyboard and got cool looking keys, i bet your jealous of those guys"

"No im not mad you spent that much, im mad because for that money spent i would have expected this awesome huge keyboard with lights and stuff"

-_-

[The_Beast]

My wife now knows how much my HHKB Pro2 was that i bought last week. Man she wont shut up about it.

"Its so ugly"
"Its stupid, why would you pay that much for less keys"

but my favorites are, and i swear to god i am almost 100% in what she actually said here

" i saw you looking at that keyboard site, you should have paid for the cheaper keyboard and got cool looking keys, i bet your jealous of those guys"

"No im not mad you spent that much, im mad because for that money spent i would have expected this awesome huge keyboard with lights and stuff"

-_-

divorce, get one


^__^

[Glod]

My wife now knows how much my HHKB Pro2 was that i bought last week. Man she wont shut up about it.

"Its so ugly"
"Its stupid, why would you pay that much for less keys"

but my favorites are, and i swear to god i am almost 100% in what she actually said here

" i saw you looking at that keyboard site, you should have paid for the cheaper keyboard and got cool looking keys, i bet your jealous of those guys"

"No im not mad you spent that much, im mad because for that money spent i would have expected this awesome huge keyboard with lights and stuff"

-_-

divorce, get one


^__^

 

[The_Beast]

I escalate very quickly, it's the only way I roll

[karljs]

I'm going to defy the spirit of the thread and post a surprisingly enlightened question I got asked earlier this week. After noticing my Filco with brightly colored keycaps somebody asked "is it just colorful or is it special in some other way, too?" It warmed my heart just a little bit that not everybody immediately dismisses the idea that keyboards can be special!

For many people, that is just not part of the equation, much like "I don't care how an internal combustion engine works, just tell me where to put in the gasoline."

I don't disagree with you, but it's worth noting that Apple's laptops have a substantial appeal to UNIX geeks who are too busy to screw around with every little configuration setting in the Linux ecosystem.

[cancelx]

"Why are you using this old thing, can't you afford a new one?" - My lovely SSK :C

[Matt3o]

My wife now knows how much my HHKB Pro2 was that i bought last week. Man she wont shut up about it.

"Its so ugly"
"Its stupid, why would you pay that much for less keys"

but my favorites are, and i swear to god i am almost 100% in what she actually said here

" i saw you looking at that keyboard site, you should have paid for the cheaper keyboard and got cool looking keys, i bet your jealous of those guys"

"No im not mad you spent that much, im mad because for that money spent i would have expected this awesome huge keyboard with lights and stuff"

-_-

aaah, women!

[Larken]

My wife now knows how much my HHKB Pro2 was that i bought last week. Man she wont shut up about it.

"Its so ugly"
"Its stupid, why would you pay that much for less keys"

but my favorites are, and i swear to god i am almost 100% in what she actually said here

" i saw you looking at that keyboard site, you should have paid for the cheaper keyboard and got cool looking keys, i bet your jealous of those guys"

"No im not mad you spent that much, im mad because for that money spent i would have expected this awesome huge keyboard with lights and stuff"

-_-

Please tell your wife that I have a much cooler looking keyboard in her opinion and I am damn jealous of your HHKB Pro 2. :D

[486]

In reference to Model F AT , my co-workers either say "Shut the hell up" or "Where's the ESC key?"

[dorkvader]

My wife now knows how much my HHKB Pro2 was that i bought last week. Man she wont shut up about it.

"Its so ugly"
"Its stupid, why would you pay that much for less keys"

but my favorites are, and i swear to god i am almost 100% in what she actually said here

" i saw you looking at that keyboard site, you should have paid for the cheaper keyboard and got cool looking keys, i bet your jealous of those guys"

"No im not mad you spent that much, im mad because for that money spent i would have expected this awesome huge keyboard with lights and stuff"

-_-

You like capacitive keyswitches, right? Grab a model F-122. It's an awesome huge keyboard, though you need to add lights and stuff.

Oh, best idea ever: Put some D batteries in there and use them to power an LED matrix forever.

[SmallFry]

Since my parents still control what I do... The worst I've gotten is "You spent $18 on that SKULL?"  I LAUGHED in their face so hard that I cried. I also got called a weirdo for doing my recent Ergo Clear mod. Meh, oh well.

[1stGenRex]

Since my parents still control what I do... The worst I've gotten is "You spent $18 on that SKULL?"  I LAUGHED in their face so hard that I cried. I also got called a weirdo for doing my recent Ergo Clear mod. Meh, oh well.

I got called "a freak" for being able to type just fine with blank keycaps

[Saturn]

"No im not mad you spent that much, im mad because for that money spent i would have expected this awesome huge keyboard with lights and stuff"

Also, if you spend a lot of money on a car, it'd better be huge and obnoxious, like a Hummer.

[dorkvader]

Since my parents still control what I do... The worst I've gotten is "You spent $18 on that SKULL?"  I LAUGHED in their face so hard that I cried. I also got called a weirdo for doing my recent Ergo Clear mod. Meh, oh well.

I assume they were okay when you told them what it's now worth?

[SmallFry]

I was told to sell it. I refused and hid 'er in the safe in my room that I bought at Harbor Freight. Heh.

[1391401]

Before I added a ton of crazy random keycaps I got a lot of "lol that's so old" type comments from people looking @ my 'white' leopold.  I even had someone laugh at the "High-End Mechanical Keyboard" sticker on the back.  I gave up long ago trying to explain to people that you can have hobbies that aren’t watching sports, playing golf, automotive related, etc.  I never bother to tell how much something cost, where it came from, or the fact that I blindly gave some guy in Germany a couple hundred dollars in exchange for three pounds of plastic.

[Lanx]

none of you brightly colored keyboard guys got something like...
"wow you keyboard is colorful are you blind or impared?

[Daniel Beardsmore]

Do you have to type wearing shades?

[SmallFry]

Do you have to type wearing shades?

I can't see what you did there...I CAN'T SEE IT!

[mushupork]

Isn't it lovely ... Isn't it wonderful ...

[Daniel Beardsmore]

I was going for eye protection against retinal damage, but that works too.

[wetto]

I registered on the forum just due to this topic, lulz.

Anyway, my experience comes from changing from a Thermaltake Challenger Pro with a ISO Layout for a Metadot Das Keyboard Model S Professional Silent with US Layout (old Costar model, thank heavens) and the feedback for it was:

"US$ 160 and it's not even ISO layout? How am I supposed to type in Portuguese in this thing?" < There are ways to write in Portuguese even with an US layout keyboard, it's not hard or anything, people are just dumb and don't like anything that is "different". Nowadays I think I should have bought the blank model.

"Bloody hell, this thing is noisy" < Meh, I wonder what it'd be like if I had bought the Cherry MX Blue one

"This is crap, my keyboard has backlight and costs much less" < As if backlight actually matters to some REAL gamer or a typist. Backlight is just for appearance's sake, nothing else.

"For the same price, you could have bought a Logitech G110, which is far better" < C'mon, do some research and tell me the same thing later. Just check the god damn disassemble pictures for both and I bet you won't say the same. Better yet, try typing on them.


Anyway, I learned that gamers are ****ing sad creatures. They don't buy a keyboard that fits what they really NEED. They buy a goddamn keyboard that fits only what they WANT.

Gamer logic = Yeah, that LCD display which is incompatible with most games is the reason I'll choose this keyboard over that mechanical thingie which looks the same as my 10 bucks Dell keyboard. Talk about some overpriced ****, this membrane keyboard is surely better.

[rowdy]

Welcome to Geekhack!

You have your arguments all ready

By the way, many of us buy keyboards because we WANT them, not because we NEED them.

[Larken]

I put blanks onto my keyboard since a year or 2 back to force myself to learn not to look at the keyboard while I type. At first I still glanced at it every now and then. After a few weeks, I found that I didn't look once, not even when I was using another keyboard with a printed set of keycaps.

6 months later, a colleague asked if he could borrow my workstation to update his site. The look on his face was priceless when he turned around and asked me with a half irritated expression, "How the **** do you use this?".

Forgetting my keycaps were blanks and assuming that he was an Apple Fan, I gave him a gimlet stare and asked him, "You..... never used Windows before?"

The ensuing hilarity brightened up my day. I think I NEED my keyboards. Laughter is the best medicine.

[rowdy]

^ That's funny 

[mars-bar-man]

Funnily enough, no one has has said anything about my keyboard..

The Mrs was slightly bemused when I told her I spent £80 on a case for my Pure, but when I told her I'd rather spend tat on my board than on clothes I didn't really need, she seemed to get in a grump.. Victory to me I think! Colleagues at work love it, mostly due to the customisation I have on it (or rather, did).

[newtrekemotion]

Some in my office, a former Starcraft gamer apparently, commented that my Leopold looked like a Filco...

At my old place of employment, a bunch of computers were being trashed. Most were P4 era machines (why we still had them in storage as "spares" is beyond me). I saved the Dell that is in my sig from being tossed with them (and actually another that I gave to a friend). The confusion amongst my coworkers was great. "Why do you want THAT piece of ****?". "If you really need a keyboard we can give you a new Lenovo one."(<- my boss, and not the Thinkpad style keyboard)

[fohat.digs]

The Dell AT101 is not a bad board, but it gets very little respect here. I suspect that it was the "entry level" keyboard for a lot of folks here.

This other thread shows an AT101 that really is "Bad Ass"


http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36361.0

Keep asking and maybe he will tell us what wrap he used.

[newtrekemotion]

The Dell AT101 is not a bad board, but it gets very little respect here. I suspect that it was the "entry level" keyboard for a lot of folks here.

This other thread shows an AT101 that really is "Bad Ass"


http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=36361.0

Keep asking and maybe he will tell us what wrap he used.

Wow! That is awesome. I like my AT101. My biggest complaint about it is the size. I've been trying to conserve desk space as much as possible so the Dell has been put in the closet.