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geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: HaaTa on Sat, 17 August 2013, 19:20:23

Title: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Sat, 17 August 2013, 19:20:23
So the unthinkable has happened. I HaaTa have finally stopped moving...

(7 years of constantly moving sorta takes its toll, especially when hauling around my keyboard collection)

Anyways, I'm now in the Bay Area, and hopefully will be around for a while :D

I'm thinking of starting a regular keyboard meetup in the Bay Area, but with a few different goals than of previous meetups.

Kiibohd Party - Bay Area

September 7th, 2013 at 1 PM, TechShop San Jose Conference Room
300 South 2nd Street
San Jose, CA 95113

After 4 hours, they'll probably want us gone (if another group is using the room), so we can proceed to drinks/foods somewhere.
DO NOT park in the TechShop parking lot. They are tow happy, so find pretty much anywhere else. It's a bit of a walk from the Caltrain station (not *that* far), but you can be lazy and take the VTA Lightrail which stops quite close to TechShop.

Goals

I'm thinking about holding it Monthly, sometime on the weekend.

You won't have to bring any keyboards unless you want to (I'll have enough for everyone :P). I have acquired A LOT of keyboards this year, but due to travelling, I haven't been able to take pictures of any so you'll get to see some previously undiscovered switches.

Comments? Suggestions? Recommendations?


I'm also on #deskthority and #geekhack on irc.freenode.net all the time :D
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: digi on Sat, 17 August 2013, 19:22:29
Beer and keyboards, I'll be dur.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: SpAmRaY on Sat, 17 August 2013, 19:25:36
Pictures of undiscovered switches!

Can't wait for this awesomeness!
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: acantha on Sat, 17 August 2013, 19:27:43
I'd show up for that!
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: codyeatworld on Sat, 17 August 2013, 19:33:53
Quote from: digi on Sat, 17 August 2013, 19:22:29
Beer and keyboards, I'll be dur.

Haha this! I would go!
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Sat, 17 August 2013, 19:38:29
This is a rather tame teaser, but since I have it...  :cool:

(http://i.imgur.com/KNT72d1.jpg)
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: Trent on Sat, 17 August 2013, 20:17:38
I need an excuse to take a weekend trip out to Cali, lemme know when it is.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: cgbuen on Sat, 17 August 2013, 20:19:09
In!
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: meiosis on Sat, 17 August 2013, 21:08:58
I'll be back in Norcal but I'm in the Valley :(.

I can probably arrange at room at Stanford if you guys want... But I'm almost 21, :(
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: jwaz on Sat, 17 August 2013, 21:14:44
I'm so stoked for this!
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Sat, 17 August 2013, 21:35:17
I'm liking the interest :D

This will be re-occurring, hopefully monthly. Ideally finding different places each time until a nice regular meeting spot is found.
One of the pluses for me that it's recurring is that I don't have to bring *EVERYTHING* each time :cool:

The soonest I would be able to do something like this would be the weekend of Aug 31st. With the current interest, I'm not sure I'd be able to fit people in my hypothetical apartment. So suggestions would be awesome :D

Stanford would work, unless someone else has suggestions for a first place. I'm thinking of an afternoon, meet around 12:30/1, and hypothetically end around 7 or 8.

Once a location and time is decided, I'll start mentioning the stuff people should at least bring.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: Trent on Sun, 18 August 2013, 17:03:17
I'll be in come future months, if I had 2 months notice i could easily plan a friday off and get a hotel in san jose using points.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: kenmai9 on Wed, 21 August 2013, 15:13:23
Where in the bay? I visit Berkeley every once in a while and might be down to pop in :)
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Wed, 21 August 2013, 15:24:12
Not sure quite yet where it's going to be (just sorting out my living arrangements right now, so I'm not completely organized yet).
I'm near downtown San Jose, but I'd be open to just about anywhere in the Bay Area. Just gotta find somewhere.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: hashbaz on Wed, 21 August 2013, 15:55:40
The hash is in.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: Trent on Wed, 21 August 2013, 16:38:31
Host it at the computer history museum...
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Wed, 21 August 2013, 16:44:05
Quote from: Trent on Wed, 21 August 2013, 16:38:31
Host it at the computer history museum...

And have them take my keyboards. No wei :P
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: acantha on Wed, 21 August 2013, 16:49:07
Quote from: HaaTa on Wed, 21 August 2013, 16:44:05
Quote from: Trent on Wed, 21 August 2013, 16:38:31
Host it at the computer history museum...

And have them take my keyboards. No wei :P

wow, that place grew up. i went to a talk there back when it first opened up and it was just two rooms in a dingy building off downtown. its all fancy now. that might be a thematically appropriate first meeting place. i wonder how much it costs to rent the meeting space...
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Wed, 21 August 2013, 16:56:34
Oh? They have a meeting space?

Things to look into, I've secured living now, so I'm just getting my stuff moved in. Will be able to start looking at this more seriously next week.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: Input Nirvana on Wed, 21 August 2013, 22:44:43
Quote from: cgbuen on Sat, 17 August 2013, 20:19:09
In!

You mean IN!
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: DamienG on Wed, 21 August 2013, 23:11:25
Quote from: HaaTa on Sat, 17 August 2013, 21:35:17
The soonest I would be able to do something like this would be the weekend of Aug 31st. With the current interest, I'm not sure I'd be able to fit people in my hypothetical apartment. So suggestions would be awesome :D
Why would you do it when PAX is on!?!?

Nooooooo

[)amien
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: meiosis on Wed, 21 August 2013, 23:51:41
Quote from: DamienG on Wed, 21 August 2013, 23:11:25
Quote from: HaaTa on Sat, 17 August 2013, 21:35:17
The soonest I would be able to do something like this would be the weekend of Aug 31st. With the current interest, I'm not sure I'd be able to fit people in my hypothetical apartment. So suggestions would be awesome :D
Why would you do it when PAX is on!?!?

Nooooooo

[)amien

I'm flying back on the 31st -.-

and dang :O
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Thu, 22 August 2013, 00:05:17
I just said that's my first free weekend. The weekend after works as well :P

Any preference?
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: tjcaustin on Thu, 22 August 2013, 00:07:09
I could be convinced to fly/drive out for one or two of these for the lols.

Not soon, but would def be interested.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: DamienG on Thu, 22 August 2013, 00:53:46
Quote from: HaaTa on Thu, 22 August 2013, 00:05:17
I just said that's my first free weekend. The weekend after works as well :P

Any preference?

Any time after PAX works for me. I'll bring a BBC Micro for giggles.

[)amien
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Mon, 26 August 2013, 17:38:02
Date has been confirmed :D
September 7th. Likely the afternoon. Should know where/when by Monday next week.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: sth on Mon, 26 August 2013, 18:22:20
i'll be there too.

we should meet somewhere with pinball. ron spoiled us last time with krispy kremes, ridiculous coffee and he had pinball and go karts in his office. can we top that?
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Mon, 26 August 2013, 21:43:24
sth, if you can find a place with pinball :D :D

And if the place sucks we'll just have it somewhere else next month.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: meiosis on Mon, 26 August 2013, 21:49:18
Quote from: HaaTa on Mon, 26 August 2013, 21:43:24
sth, if you can find a place with pinball :D :D

And if the place sucks we'll just have it somewhere else next month.

Chuck E Cheese it is
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Mon, 26 August 2013, 21:50:45
Rofl.

Well, I was hoping for a place we would be able to hold serious discussions as well without too many distractions...
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: demik on Mon, 26 August 2013, 21:52:47
damn i want to go :( do one in december?
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Mon, 26 August 2013, 21:55:52
:D

If all goes well, I'll be holding these every month, including December :D
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: meiosis on Mon, 26 August 2013, 22:02:30
Where exactly will this party be around? I know it takes like 30 minutes to get anywhere in NorCAL but just so I know :P. Sadly I'm almost 21 but won't be for a little bit.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Mon, 02 September 2013, 17:01:35
Since I'm still unpacking/moving, I'm gonna try and get something close by to me (so I don't have to acquire vehicle'age).
If I move quickly on Tuesday, I should be able to book a 4 hour window in the conference room at TechShop San Jose (it's less than a mile from where I live), and cost me nothing (outside my membership fees).
IIRC we can eat there as well, but there's lots of restaurants and bars around.

Unless someone else has any other places for the first meetup, I'll try and reserve tomorrow.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Tue, 03 September 2013, 11:56:02
Conference room at TechShop San Jose from 1 till 5 PM. :D
Do NOT park in the TechShop parking lot if you are driving, they are picky about that.

If anyone wants to help me bring a few boxes (I live less than a mile away), PM me.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 03 September 2013, 12:07:13
I demand pictures of all the keyboards...and possibly of the keyboard owners! ^__^
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Tue, 03 September 2013, 12:16:35
If you have a laptop, and not too hard to carry. Please bring it :D

Along with any keyboards you want to show off :P
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: acantha on Tue, 03 September 2013, 13:25:27
i shall be there! probably towing a kmac mini (for self defense, as well as to show off. that alu case is SOLID) and maybe a few other odds and ends.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: meiosis on Tue, 03 September 2013, 13:34:59
It's today? what...

I have to pick up siblings at HS -.-
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: CPTBadAss on Tue, 03 September 2013, 13:38:48
Quote from: Meiosis on Tue, 03 September 2013, 13:34:59
It's today? what...

I have to pick up siblings at HS -.-

In the huge yellow front from the OP: September 7th, 2013 at 1 PM, TechShop San Jose Conference Room
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: meiosis on Tue, 03 September 2013, 13:42:49
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Tue, 03 September 2013, 13:38:48
Quote from: Meiosis on Tue, 03 September 2013, 13:34:59
It's today? what...

I have to pick up siblings at HS -.-

In the huge yellow front from the OP: September 7th, 2013 at 1 PM, TechShop San Jose Conference Room

I always click latest post :P (so I skipped it ._.). But damn, I'm going to a residency thing at Kaiser >.> sadface...
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: Rayne on Tue, 03 September 2013, 14:27:33
Just saw this, I live near the bayarea, I would love to come sometime, probably can't make it this month tho
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: codyeatworld on Tue, 03 September 2013, 20:32:58
I should be able to go, its about ten minutes away from my office. However I might be out of town this weekend.

if I can come ill bring my pink  gon 38gt/kitty pad and lz-gh.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: meiosis on Tue, 03 September 2013, 22:19:17
I actually have no keyboards :) Cept the one on my macbook
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Tue, 03 September 2013, 22:28:14
This meetup is a bit different than all the previous ones.
The focus isn't really on showing off your collection (though everyone is free to do so). It's more of a discussion of keyboards, mods, state of the keyboard world, keyboard archaeology, and interesting keyboard related projects. So if you don't bring a keyboard, that's cool :D
Please bring a laptop if you have one though, it will be useful. There is wifi at TechShop.

I've got 5 "interesting" keyboards to bring, including 2 of my 4 big discoveries this year. 3 of the have never seen before switches, another is an unseen variant, and the last one is just rare enough that I've spent the last 3 years looking for it.
Depending on time, I'll be going in depth into every aspect of each keyboard.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Wed, 04 September 2013, 16:05:27
Added the address in case using Google Maps is too hard :P
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Wed, 04 September 2013, 16:14:59
My pile of "recent" acquisitions that will be unveiled at the upcoming meetups :D

(http://i.imgur.com/b2RJiPy.jpg)
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: Game Theory on Wed, 04 September 2013, 16:22:37
Quote from: HaaTa on Tue, 03 September 2013, 22:28:14
... and the last one is just rare enough that I've spent the last 3 years looking for it.

Please post after the party for others to see!  Unfortunately no work trip to Bay area:(
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: meiosis on Wed, 04 September 2013, 22:51:17
Quote from: HaaTa on Wed, 04 September 2013, 16:14:59
My pile of "recent" acquisitions that will be unveiled at the upcoming meetups :D

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/b2RJiPy.jpg)


Need help moving in?
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Wed, 04 September 2013, 23:06:53
Mostly moved in now, just slowly acquiring furniture at this point :P

My living room floor is covered in keyboards waiting for more Uline boxes to come in :P
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: meiosis on Thu, 05 September 2013, 01:52:17
Quote from: HaaTa on Wed, 04 September 2013, 23:06:53
Mostly moved in now, just slowly acquiring furniture at this point :P

My living room floor is covered in keyboards waiting for more Uline boxes to come in :P

If you need places to try for food let me know :). I guess the only one in your immediate area would be Boiling Crab, if you like asian food theres everything within 20 minutes :).


I might get my lz-se soon ._.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: blueSmoke on Thu, 05 September 2013, 04:55:11
I would attend -keyboards... hell I have one somewhat modded one.

love keyboards & beer combo.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: codyeatworld on Thu, 05 September 2013, 17:35:58
Well I was just planing on bringing mine incase anybody wanted to see them.
I should be in town and able to attend! Is there a list of whos attending?

Quote from: Meiosis on Thu, 05 September 2013, 01:52:17
Quote from: HaaTa on Wed, 04 September 2013, 23:06:53
Mostly moved in now, just slowly acquiring furniture at this point :P

My living room floor is covered in keyboards waiting for more Uline boxes to come in :P

If you need places to try for food let me know :). I guess the only one in your immediate area would be Boiling Crab, if you like asian food theres everything within 20 minutes :).


I might get my lz-se soon ._.

the boiling crab is always PACKED.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: cgbuen on Fri, 06 September 2013, 02:55:13
I'll be there for the second half.. hope that'll be alright!
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Fri, 06 September 2013, 09:19:46
Shouldn't be a problem, though you'll miss a bunch of my presentation.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Sat, 07 September 2013, 09:38:14
Reminder.

First one is happening today!
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: blueSmoke on Sat, 07 September 2013, 13:07:27
For those that don't have the Techshop address, here it is:

Address: 300 S 2nd St, San Jose, CA 95113
Phone:(408) 916-4144
Techshop Saturday hours 9:00 am–12:00 am
Keybohd hours: 1 pm-4pm

I know... google has it, but got to add a Saturday post...

See ya there :)
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Sat, 07 September 2013, 13:12:22
I'll be there a bit early setting things up. If you get there early, feel free to ask for a TechShop tour (the place is really cool).
Officially the booking starts at 1 PM and ends at 5 PM actually.

From the schedule it seems no one else has booked the room, so being early/tardy shouldn't be a problem.

Drinks/food afterwards depending on interest :D
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: CPTBadAss on Sat, 07 September 2013, 14:36:36
POST.
MANY.
PICTURES.

Seriously, I'm excited! Let's see everyone's wonderful faces, presentations, and keyboards :D
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: vivalarevolución on Sat, 07 September 2013, 15:39:06
Indianapolis now has direct flights to San Fran.  I'll make the next one, as long as somebody pays for my flight.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Sat, 07 September 2013, 20:33:18
Unfortunately, less crazy photographers than usual. But some photos will make it up. Mostly of keyboards :D

Attendance
HaaTa (of course ;D)
Acantha
bluesmoke
DamienG
jwaz
sth
cgbuen

Pics of my rare keyboards that I showed off (dismantled 1, didn't have time for 2 of them) will show up over the next week or so.
Slides (https://docs.google.com/presentation/d/1Oe19OUKpVgalsi867XW4UVr5Ccm6AS-l11zsrk7Kh6M/edit?usp=sharing)

Current target price of the keyboard project is around $300, but this may change. Mostly on the case chosen (ideas? expertise?).
Not sure on how many will be made, probably just over 100. The project hinges mostly on the case, everything else there is expertise to get it done quickly.
Proceeds go to Kiibohd activities (food? drinks? keyboards? keycaps? mods? or whatever the group decides to spend it on).
I have an EE friend who has volunteered to do the PCB, I'll coordinate stuff with him.

Consensus is the Alps Reed Switches have the best sliders ever, virtually no friction. And no you haven't seen one before. Pics sometime this week.

More consensus, unless we get a bunch more people, live casting didn't interest the group. If someone comes and has the equipment, we can do it. I was mostly talking/presenting for much of the time, but it was a pretty casual bunch of presentations  :))


Location of the next one is still undecided, but may be closer to SF. The TechShop conference room worked out awesomely. I'll have more rare keyboards to bring,
I'll start a new thread for the next one. All are welcome :D You don't even have to bring keyboards :P
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: acantha on Sat, 07 September 2013, 20:33:21
Great meetup! Met a bunch of cool people and saw some of HaaTa's super cool collection. Looking forward to future meetings. I'll post some pictures and and a more detailed writeup later tonight.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: Game Theory on Sat, 07 September 2013, 20:42:13
HaaTa’s Custom Keyboard Switch!!  :thumb:
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: DamienG on Sat, 07 September 2013, 20:52:28
A few pics from today's meet (as well as some older ones from the DSA Retro party)

https://plus.google.com/photos/110321883146291924112/albums/5921062126287698193

Just realized I forgot to take pics of my own Acorn Electron keyboard today.

Thanks HaaTa for organizing. 

[)amien
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: cgbuen on Mon, 09 September 2013, 03:04:17
Very cool stuff from HaaTa.. really confusing to figure out how to put the caps back onto these weird layouts haha. And I was also pleasantly surprised by blueSmoke's clicky Space Invaders too.

Thanks again for organizing.. looking forward to the next!
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: mkawa on Mon, 09 September 2013, 18:43:12
the height meter with the strain gauge mounting is vedy good, but i want it to measure in situ damnit!

;)

please post as many measurements as you can while you have the strain gauge. those things are NOT CHEAP (and often precise but not accurate), but if 002's is accurate it can make up for the lack of sample points. it looks like it's also hand-actuated? so no frequency measurements :(

in the long run i'd like to get the design and build of electric fingers off the ground so that we can gather a ****ton of data on switch batches and board batches. but any measurement is better than no measurement.
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Mon, 09 September 2013, 18:59:53
This is more medium term, I actually have a cheaper alternative in mind for a year or two down the road that's in my list of projects, but requires me to dedicate a fair amount of time.

On the Deskthority thread, there was a suggestion to build a stand as it can be done much more cheaply. I'm spread pretty thin already, but if anyone wants to work with me on it I'd be up to helping out/attempting to build it.
At this point I probably have the largest collection of switches in the keyboard community (probably not even close to largest collection though :P), so I really want something that can reliably characterize keyboard switches.

I'm on IRC if anyone wants to chat about this. I'm also very interested in pretty UI's for force curve visualization for any of you web devs. Both interactive and SVG.

OO2's gauge is a proper Imada force gauge, so it has everything needed to mount it. I already wrote software to pull in the data (and made some cables).
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: mkawa on Fri, 13 September 2013, 22:40:26
once you have a lot of data there are tons and tons of options for visualizing. the problem is gathering data. no matter what you do you need a pressure sensor or strain gauge of sime kind and these are, like thermocouples, just a huge pain in the butt to make precise within reasonable tolerances.once we get design and manufacture of something "good enough" off the ground, we'll get enough data together to brute force our way through imprecision but yah it's non-trivial to get there and there a lot of other things to do
Title: Re: Kiibohd Party - San Francisco Bay Area
Post by: HaaTa on Sat, 14 September 2013, 14:40:35
Just bought an arbor press today at HSC and some stepper motors, now to hack something together :D

To me the big problem for me has always been the "work holding" as machine shops call it. The sensors I can do :P