geekhack
geekhack Community => Off Topic => Topic started by: keyboardlover on Mon, 09 May 2011, 17:48:25
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So I was able to get Carl to do a mini-interview for us, as I thought it would be insightful. Carl currently works at Archisite in Tokyo. Unfortunately he couldn't answer all my questions, but below are the ones he was able to answer:
1. What sparked your interest in designing keyboards?
"When I touch(ed) a bad touch feeling keyboard…"
2. What keyboard did you first design? If it was simply a prototype, was it a throwaway and what did you learn from building it?
"Majestouch is first time.
At first, StrongMan(Taiwan factory) made FILCO keyboard and Diatec had purchased.
( StrongMan went bankrupt before 3-4 years)"
http://www.diatec.co.jp/products/det.php?prod_c=11
http://www.diatec.co.jp/products/det.php?prod_c=6 (http://www.diatec.co.jp/products/det.php?prod_c=6)
"But, I thought I had to make ourselves design keyboard and Diatec cooperated closely with Costar on Majestoch project."
3. Was the Filco Majestouch the first major consumer product that you worked on? If not, which product was?
"No, it (was an) AC/DC adapter."
4. From whom did the requirements come for the Filco Majestouch? What market were you trying to target?
"Only in Japan market,
I had no target-market.
For example, gaming keyboard market in Japan is small,
But Japanese people like luxury product, Realforce is good sales.
So, I made Majestouch as FILCO."
5. What prompted some of your design decisions? (Choice of controller, PCB, other build materials, etc.)
"Total balance, I think the balance is important."
6. Do you feel that the Leopold is better designed than the Filco? Why or why not?
"Yes, of course!
I cannot tell you. Because I cannot tell the FILCO weak point."
7. What keyboard design have you seen that you find to be the most impressive?
"Apple Ajustable keyboard"
http://www.h4.dion.ne.jp/~kazzysvg/newfiles/keyboard6.html
8. Do you believe that the future market for mechanical keyboards will be strong? Why or why not?
"Yes, it will be strong, because I think the keyboard forum geekhack.org will be."
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freaking cool.
Unknown error in Filco? o.0
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Thanks for the interview!
However it made me curious about that weak point.
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Glad you guys enjoyed it!
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"If it bleeds, we can kill it."
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Thanks keyboardlover, that was cool to read. I wish the interview was longer but I'll take whatever I can get.
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You're welcome! It would have been longer, but he couldn't answer some of my more "probing" questions :D
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The creator has spoken! The weak-point is the key-caps on the filo vs the Leopold? We could find the weak-point by comparing the two changes in the design. Detachable usb, cherry stabilizer, and what else....
When the hell are they going to offer fullsized leopolds, I want in on those reds!
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Somehow I think Full sized FILCOs looked better than the Full sized Leopolds.
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Too bad Carl, I already know the weak point in the Filco. It's a small thermal exhaust port, right below the main port. The shaft leads directly to the reactor system. A precise hit will start a chain reaction which should destroy the station. Only a precise hit will set off a chain reaction.
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Its funny how they didn't patch that hole leading to the reactor and instead placed turrets and a narrow passage way to it... Sure the heat has to go somewhere but don't make it so obvious.
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that's pretty awsome \kl. thanks for taking the time to not only ask the questions, but share them.
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Feel the force luke!
Actually I think Carl Matsu IS Filco's Father.
I read this in Darth Vader's voice
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that's pretty awsome \kl. thanks for taking the time to not only ask the questions, but share them.
You're welcome!
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Thanks for sharing! I didn't know that the same guy designed the Majestouch series and the new Leopolds!
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You're welcome!
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You're welcome!
Awsome!
So the Leopold is indeed a very good deal. Very cool interview.
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I'll check with him and see what he says!
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-I'd like to know what exactly what he designed - was it just the physical design? or was he involved with the electrical/firmware development also.
-Also, if his role is more than just "keyboard designer", what other notable products/designs is he proud of being involved with.
-Favorite switch?
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Shoulda asked him how he did 18KRO in Windows AND OSX.
Like I keep saying JapaneseEngineering>ChineseEngineering.
His response:
"I thank to Topre , because I made a study of their technology."
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...
6. Do you feel that the Leopold is better designed than the Filco? Why or why not?
"Yes, of course!
I cannot tell you. Because I cannot tell the FILCO weak point."
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Thanks for sharing!
Btw ... it would be nice to know whether the majestouch-2 is still affected by this design flaw/weak point (???).
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Thanks for sharing!
Btw ... it would be nice to know whether the majestouch-2 is still affected by this design flaw/weak point (???).
I dunno...I'm reading that "weak point" comment as "I can't tell you why the Leopold is better because I can't think of anything wrong with the Filco."
If that's not what he meant though, I'm curious as well.
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It's like asking John McCain if Obama has any weak points.
Not worth stating since it's too easy?
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I'll take old and experienced vs. young and inexperienced any day.
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I dunno...I'm reading that "weak point" comment as "I can't tell you why the Leopold is better because I can't think of anything wrong with the Filco."
If that's not what he meant though, I'm curious as well.
Hi, probably you're right ?! I'm not sure. (???)
John McCain is sure a grumpy old man.
(http://www.veteranstoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/02/John-McCain-250x320.jpg)
Decent fellow ;)
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I'll take old and experienced vs. young and inexperienced any day.
It sounds like you are a milflover.
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That is an astute observation, RiGS.
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I am now itching to know what the FILCO weak point is...not that it matters as I love my FILCOs dearly. I guess I'll be getting a tenkeyless Leopold soon, though.
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Let me ask you this. If you left one company under "unusual circumstances" and went to a competitor would you ever spread FUD about your former company?
That's standard procedure in my world.
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I didn't know I was nominated 3 times in the troll poll. I'm disappointed in myself. Time to troll harder and no time better than the present.
Ahem.
I think KeyboardLover has a bad memory.
Let me recap.
- He had a Filco that pinged.
- Then he sold it to some poor schmuck.
- He saw Redpill start trolling Filco Quality and as a Filco hater jumped right on the Trollololo Wagon.
So, in other words, KL is just another Welly. Well, except that Welly was original and started Filco hating/trolling about 2 years ago.
Good times... good times.
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In the Security World former employees probably hack their old managers Facebook accounts. I've been to a Security Conference and met some scary people.
KL is the new Welly. I think he's losing it. At least I've been consistent here and at all other forums. ItlnStln can attest to that.
Consistent? Absolutely. Winner of popularity contests? Probably not.
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Interesting article. Maybe if I can swing my **** around a little more, I can get another raise.
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So, in other words, KL is just another Welly. Well, except that Welly was original and started Filco hating/trolling about 2 years ago.
Except that I'm not a Filco hater at all. I own one, and it's one of my favorite boards. And I wasn't jumping on any wagon, I simply brought up the fact that I had experienced a bad ringing issue on my Filco before (but thought that was just a "Filco" thing at the time), so I sold it. The person I sold it to never complained. Ripster seems to go ballistic when anyone mentions any kind of issue with a Filco keyboard. Figure that one out.
In light of all misinformation spread by someone who claims to be an "expert", I can't think of anyone on this forum who acts more like Welly than Ripster.
I'm closing this thread due to all the trolling. If anyone has any questions about the topic at hand, feel free to email or PM me.