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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Diogones on Thu, 20 May 2010, 00:42:24
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Greetings Geekhack forum! I am a new user here, and as this is my first post, I'll get to the point. I am in the market for a mech keyboard, as I am convinced they are better than other types, but I am unsure which one to buy. Those more technically knowledgeable than myself might be able to help me purchase one. My parameters for buying a keyboard are as follows:
1.) I don't want to spend more than fifty or sixty dollars on one (I know that excludes most mechanical keyboards).
2.) Of course I would prefer a mechanical keyboard, but if there isn't one within my budget, then I suppose I wouldn't mind a rubber dome keyboard, as long as it is higher quality.
3.) I will use my keyboard for a combination of purposes: I perform secretarial work, so typing is of course quite important; but I would consider myself a gaming enthusiast as well, with an emphasis on RTS and strategy-based games.
4.) I don't need anything beyond the traditional qwerty layout, as I know that the bells and whistles (such as connectivity options, extra keys, etc.) will raise the price substantially.
5.) My computer does have a PS/2 port (which computer doesn't?) so I would be able to harness the full capabilities of that connection over a USB port. One question I do have though is, what difference does a USB to PS/2 adapter or vice versa have on the keyboard's performance, responsiveness, etc?
Thank you for taking the time to read my post, and I welcome all helpful replies!
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Greetings Geekhack forum!
hello diogenes
...then I suppose I wouldn't mind a rubber dome keyboard, as long as it is higher quality.
they do exist
3.) I will use my keyboard for a combination of purposes: I perform secretarial work, so typing is of course quite important; but I would consider myself a gaming enthusiast as well, with an emphasis on RTS and strategy-based games.
doesnt sound like n-key rollover would be critical for you. that opens up some options.
5.) My computer does have a PS/2 port (which computer doesn't?) so I would be able to harness the full capabilities of that connection over a USB port. One question I do have though is, what difference does a USB to PS/2 adapter or vice versa have on the keyboard's performance, responsiveness, etc?
probably some gamers should answer that. for normal typing probably wont make much difference.
Some questions:
-audible feedback: do you like loud or soft sounds from your keys?
-tactile feedback: i assume you want some tactile feedback as well? or do you want a smooth (linear) downstroke?
-do you like heavy or light resistance on your keys?
-do you bottom out as you type? or are you trying not to?
-do you like shallow or deep throws on your keys?
-do you require n-key rollover (for FPS gaming or etc)?
(Come to think of it, someone should just automate this decision flowchart). Actually if that database is ever made, this is the kind of flowchart that could produce filtered/matching search results at the end.
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Thank you for your prompt reply Wellington! To answer your questions:
1.) I don't mind how loud it is. If it's quiet, I can pretend I have a laptop keyboard! If it's loud, I can pretend I'm on a typewriter!
2.) Yes, partly why mech keyboards are supposed to be great is they have that tactile feel to them. I don't want too much resistance though, because as I mentioned, gaming requires fast responsiveness.
3.) Oops, I guess I already answered this in number 2!
4.) Well, since I type quickly, (as my job is a secretary) I would say that bottoming out is a slower technique, and for speed typing it may be detrimental.
5.) I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean by "throws".
6.) Didn't you mention in your post that NKRO wouldn't be critical for me? I'm not sure, because I've never used a board that had such a feature, so I couldn't say one way or another. I suppose I wouldn't absolutely require it, but I'd consider it a bonus on the keyboard I buy.
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If you are on a tight budget and don't mind a little cleaning you might be able to find one at a thrift store for under 10 dollars. If you don't like fiddling with food crumbs and leprechaun poop you best avoid this option however. I've never paid over 10 dollars for any of my mechanical boards but I HAVE had to do some serious cleaning. The great thing about the old boards is that they are robust creatures meaning that many will still work flawlessly with a little work.
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Yeah, I always say a Model M is the best keyboard entry because you can sometimes get them for free, and it's a nice transition from a rubber dome. Supposedly Model Ms have a fair amount of resistance, but not any more than a rubber dome...
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well, lets see.
5.) I'm sorry, I don't understand what you mean by "throws".
ie, the distance from top of keystroke to bottom of keystroke.
6.) Didn't you mention in your post that NKRO wouldn't be critical for me? I'm not sure, because I've never used a board that had such a feature, so I couldn't say one way or another. I suppose I wouldn't absolutely require it, but I'd consider it a bonus on the keyboard I buy.
well, other gamers might chime in here. I dont know how critical it would be for strategy games, which is what, I gather, you mostly play. I know FPSers (first person shooters) do like n-key but those games put special stresses on the keyboard's controller that it has to handle. TO be honest another reason you may want n-key is if you type super-fast. Whats your wpm? 100 or above? But like you say, for now, lets say its a 'bonus' feature.
so -- if you dont want too much key resistance, among mech boards you're probably looking at cherries or topres (Topres are out of your price range. Most cherry boards are too but a couple of models should be just within your price range.)
Cherries come in two flavors of interest here; blue cherries (audible click plus tactile feel) and brown cherries (no audible click, slight tactile feel).
You mentioned $50 to $60. Blues are easier to find in this price range. I can think of one n-key model and one non-n-key model:
For example, you might like adesso's new blue cherry board that just came out, and also happens to be advertized as n-key: $63 [froogle (http://www.google.com/products?q=adesso+MKB-125B&aq=f)shows at least one store that has it for $58 w/ free shipping]
http://www.provantage.com/adesso-mkb-125b~7ADES09Q.htm (http://www.provantage.com/adesso-mkb-125b~7ADES09Q.htm)
In fact, if you buy it, you'll be the first known person at GH to own it, and we'll want to see a review! But because no one has reviewed it yet, we dont know much about it (quality, whether it lives up to manufacturer's specifications, etc). It will probably be just fine however, and provantage does take returns, so you should be safe there. Its definitely one of the cheapest blue cherry boards (and with n-key, no less) that exists right now.
Another inexpensive blue cherry board is the scorpius m10 (reviewed by numerous people in the reviews section of the GH site). Not n-key. I've owned it and personally i like it just fine, and for your purposes will likely be just fine. See some of the reviews if you want a variety of opinions (of which there is no shortage here).
$59 w/ free shipping on ebay (http://shop.ebay.com/i.html?_nkw=scorpius+m10&_armrs=1&_from=&_ipg=); plus if you use the much-talked-about bing.com 8% discount (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=9994), you'll get it for about $55 if my math is right. THats the cheapest new blue cherry board you'll get.
Those are the two i can think of that fit closest to your requirements at the moment. Other options: buy a used board on ebay (or GH marketplace) if a cherry board (brown or blue) is available. There are a ton of other cherry-based keyboard models (see the wiki for model names and numbers) that sell for over $100 when new but can be had as used models for less, tho they're not always on the market at a given time.
hope that helps!
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Yeah, I always say a Model M is the best keyboard entry because you can sometimes get them for free, and it's a nice transition from a rubber dome. Supposedly Model Ms have a fair amount of resistance, but not any more than a rubber dome...
Average rubber dome: ~55g
Model M: ~70g
Worn out Model Ms will be much less than 70g, but will be far less pleasant to type on.
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Adesso Blue Cherry is $67. Striking distance of your budget. N-key (supposedly), good typing feedback audio and tactile, Good Enuf for RTS games.
just fyi froogle.com (google's shopping site) actually lists it for $58 shipped at one of the google-sponsored stores. Provantage (a fairly mainstream store) has it for $63.
someone buy and review the damn thing already. its a steal.
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Another question not asked - do you want a standard layout?
It sounds like the blues in a standard layout are going to be a much better recommendation for you, so I understand if you ignore this suggestion, but I thought I'd point it out.
There are some cheaper browns out there:
elbowglue has a G86-62410EUAGSA (http://geekhack.org/classifieds.php?do=showad&adid=373&title=for-sale-black-m13-g86-62410euagsa) for $50 + $10 shipping, in the classifieds.
Dell sells rubberdomes - so nevermind.
Also, it would give you an extra slew of macro keys.
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Thanks for the classified bump, the ricercar SPOS is sold though! The adesso looks pretty cheap and look to be a good price except for the huge enter key and small backspace key.
Dell's G86 keyboards are rubber domes if I am not mistaken.
Wow: Full sized blue cherry board by adesso, 72.99 with free shipping from directron (you might be able to apply some coupons too)
http://www.directron.com/mkb135b.html
Use coupon code preferred3 at directron for 3% off
Whoah look at this trackball:
http://www.adesso.com/en/home/micetrackballpresenters/308-imouse-t1.html
Big ball, left click, right click, scroll wheel. Nice!
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I thought Cherry changed the numbers, when they changed the switch type - that just makes it even more confusing. Or maybe that's it, it needs to have letters at the end?
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I think "G86" is a custom 'board number. If you look on the back of the SPOSs, you'll see that there is a "real" model number. In the case of the MX version, it does say "G80..." as well as MX SPOS.
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the ricercar SPOS is sold
I'll let my NIB ricercar SPOS go for $50 + 10 Shipping to the US.
Don't the MX SPOS all have a back label saying "Made in USA," and the MY have "Made in China"?
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I believe that's the case, too.
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except for the huge enter key and small backspace key.
omg, i didnt even notice that. what a tragedy.
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Alright, the Adesso (full-sized version) looks about right, although I'm confused. If the Adesso uses USB, and NKRO is PS/2, how the heck is that feature supported? I'm not sure about the Scorpius M10, as I've heard that it has had soldering issues and is not entirely as durable as a mech board ought to be. Alternatively, I could go with the ABS M1, unless anyone knows of any quality issues, etc. with it.
Is the SPOS any good? What sort of switches does it use? Because I can purchase that from ricercar if it is still available. Do you guys think buckling springs are better for gaming than MX Blues? On the one hand, double-tapping is easier with springs, but Blues don't have as much resistance, so it is something to think about.
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The MX SPOS has Cherry browns, and many of us feel they have a distinctly superior feel compared to an average Cherry brown board. I'm a fanboi of Cherry browns, so you won't likely hear any negative comparisons from me. I've gamed on browns and buckling springs and neither is distinctly superior.
The original ricercar SPOS enthusiasm thread is here.
Cherry Brown compact format $24 shipped BIN (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=7945&highlight=SPOS)
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Best deal seems to be from directron, $70 after coupon code, free shipping, no tax for california residents.
But: if you want it fast and you have free amazon prime, you can get it right away from amazon.com: ($80, free super saver shipping)
http://www.amazon.com/Adesso-MKB-135B-Pro-Mechanical-Gaming/dp/B0038KN6GO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&s=videogames&qid=1274386485&sr=8-1
Amazon should allow you to return it too I think.
If it's listed by amazon it now really available.
The adesso may give the filco 104 key a run for it's money. Although the adesso has larger lateral ridges, it is 18.25 inches across, filco is 17.3 inces. Adesso being available now, I'm gonna put them in my sig.
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Alright, the Adesso (full-sized version) looks about right, although I'm confused. If the Adesso uses USB, and NKRO is PS/2, how the heck is that feature supported?
dont know, but there are nkro experts around who will chime in
I'm not sure about the Scorpius M10, as I've heard that it has had soldering issues and is not entirely as durable as a mech board ought to be.
this is arguable; i've owned two m10's and had no issues with them quality wise. But yea, at $60 its not going to look the same as a $150 board if you open it up and examine the circuit board. It will probably look and work fine on your desk however.
Alternatively, I could go with the ABS M1, unless anyone knows of any quality issues, etc. with it.
ugh. there are issues with that too, if you want to apply the scorpius M10 standard to it, starting with a slower controller that wont handle very fast typing. Whats your wpm? But aesthetically again its a fine board if you ask me. But another issue for you may be that it uses alps switches. Alps switches will be slightly heavier than cherry switches in terms of key resistance. You sound like you want a light-resistance board. Also the abs m1 comes with 2 different kinds of alps switches. The Xm switch isnt well reviewed. The fukka is better reviewed. Hard to tell which switch an abs m1 will ship with when you order it.
So there are complications with the abs m1, to consider.
Is the SPOS any good? What sort of switches does it use? Because I can purchase that from ricercar if it is still available.
is that brown cherries? I think you might like brown cherries given your description of your requirements. Ricercar is a great seller.
Do you guys think buckling springs are better for gaming than MX Blues?
i dont thnk so. BS are great switches but much heavier than mx blues.
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Alright, the Adesso (full-sized version) looks about right, although I'm confused. If the Adesso uses USB, and NKRO is PS/2, how the heck is that feature supported? I'm not sure about the Scorpius M10, as I've heard that it has had soldering issues and is not entirely as durable as a mech board ought to be. Alternatively, I could go with the ABS M1, unless anyone knows of any quality issues, etc. with it.
Is the SPOS any good? What sort of switches does it use? Because I can purchase that from ricercar if it is still available. Do you guys think buckling springs are better for gaming than MX Blues? On the one hand, double-tapping is easier with springs, but Blues don't have as much resistance, so it is something to think about.
also, diogenes, keep in mind the adesso that I linked to has the L-shaped enter key and smaller backspace key, apparently (you can verify this on the pic of the one you're thinking of buying). Are you okay with that layout?
The adesso that elbowglue linked to has normal backspace and normal enter keys. So make sure you're looking at the right adesso as you consider your options.
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Yeah I was just considering the ABS-M1 as it had a black switch, which I heard is excellent for low resistance. But if is as questionable as the Scorpius, then I'll have to look at that.
I'm quite a fast typer, at around 300 WPM, as I am a secretary in a law office. So for that reason browns like Ricecar's look very appealing with their low tactility. The keyboard that Rice is selling doesn't have NKRO though, correct?
I'm just holding back a little bit on the Adesso, because while I would be more than happy to review it (with posted pictures!) I think blue might not be the best for gaming. I'd probably be happy typing with it, but it's gotta be versatile. I really can't afford two keyboards - one for gaming and one for typing - at the present time. And since Ricecar's board is within my budget, maybe we can cut a deal.
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Ok Ripster, if you say it's 6-key rollover, I'll take you at your word. And you are probably right: that should be more than enough key presses.
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Buckling Springs are better than Blue Cherries for games... leaving aside the "fire key" problem the stiffness makes them harder to accidentally depress.
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If you type quickly, the ABS M1 is totally out for you. It has transposition errors for very fast typists. Erase it from your mind, you will never like it.
The ricerrcar SPOS has a compact format. You should realize that the end keys (backspace, enter, right shift, capslock, tab, left shift) are smaller than usual keyboards.
The feel of the Ricercar spos is second to none. It is the best feeling cherry brown board there is. And because I think that cherry browns are the best switch in general, IMHO it is the best feeling board in the world. The only problem with it is the size of it. Which I did not mind at all when I was using mine.
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Yeah I was just considering the ABS-M1 as it had a black switch, which I heard is excellent for low resistance. But if is as questionable as the Scorpius, then I'll have to look at that.
There's a couple of problems with that. First and foremost, the M1 is discontinued, so you're going to have a hard time finding one. Second, it uses ALPS-compatible switches that aren't really all that low-resistance. Cherry browns are lighter and smoother than the switches in the M1. I would shell out for the Filco or G80-3000 w/browns (from DataCal.com).
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Ok, Ok, you've convinced me. I'll avoid the M1. But would you be willing to sell your SPOS board Ricercar? And if you will, would you be able to link it, or provide pictures, specs, etc? If not, I might just go with the buckling spring IBM, as ch_123 explained they are better than blues for gaming.
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Oh, and Wellington, I guess I can update you with what I've narrowed down so far:
1.) It will be a black, gray, or darker color keyboard (as beige and white tend to show dirt and grime more easily).
2.) It will have the standard keyboard layout (the compact size, shrunked backspace key, or jam-packed key design just do not appeal to me).
And of course, my previous criteria does apply as well.
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I'd recommend the Unicomp Spacesaver. (http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/en104bl.html)
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2.) It will have the standard keyboard layout (the compact size, shrunked backspace key, or jam-packed key design just do not appeal to me).
And of course, my previous criteria does apply as well.
You won't want the SPOS 'board, then. The layout on that one is very compressed.
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sell your SPOS board Ricercar? And if you will, would you be able to link it, or provide pictures, specs, etc?
The one that's for sale is new in box, so there aren't any pics outside the classified ad. The thread I linked to has sufficient MX SPOS pictures and commentary to please any but the most hard-to-please.
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While the Unicomp Spacesaver does look nice, Ch_123, (especially because it comes in black or metallic grey) I think that a spring board would be too stiff for me, as I prefer something that requires less compressive force. Still, I will consider it if the Adesso turns out to be less favorable to gaming, due to its blue switches.
I went back and checked your link Ricercar, thank you. So if it is right out of the box, then it doesn't have the modifications to it like the one in the original link? If so, then it's a solid color, correct? If only it wasn't so smushed together, I'd be handing you the money for it right now!
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Yes, the NIB keys are all black plastic with white legends. IIRC the white legends are lasered. The keyboard enclosure is a different plastic than the keys, and therefore a different color, slightly lighter grey.
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Forgive my ignorance, but what is IIRC?
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It isn't as pretty as Ricercar's compact and it is right behind it in feel according to comments on geekhack, but if you want a budget board with browns, there is also the thread (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=9923) linking to this NKRO with cherry browns (http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-CHERRY-BEIGE-PS-2-POS-KEYBOARD-G80-8200LPDUS-/310220138310?cmd=ViewItem&pt=BI_Credit_Card_Terminals&hash=item483a8fa746) for $34.95.
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Oh, and Wellington, I guess I can update you with what I've narrowed down so far:
1.) It will be a black, gray, or darker color keyboard (as beige and white tend to show dirt and grime more easily).
2.) It will have the standard keyboard layout (the compact size, shrunked backspace key, or jam-packed key design just do not appeal to me).
And of course, my previous criteria does apply as well.
300 wpm? Holy crap. You are the queen bee. That smokes pretty much everyone here. :)
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this NKRO with cherry browns for $34.95.
I have one of these too. It's a workhorse. The keyboard that never quits. PLUS you have all those custom keys to program.
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300 wpm? Holy crap. You are the queen bee. That smokes pretty much everyone here. :)
That smokes the official world record (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Barbara_Blackburn#Words_per_minute), if we're talking QWERTY.
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That's right Ripster! That's why I chose the name! I found out about Diogones in my philosophy class at college. Glad you caught that, and thanks for wishing me luck!
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Oh oh. now you're in for it. With 10 posts, you're one of us now. And we're not kind to one another.
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Oh oh. now you're in for it. With 10 posts, you're one of us now. And we're not kind to one another.
What the hell are talking about? I, for one, am nice to everyone. Now shut up, and finish that Kinesis mod before I head out to Cali and "make you" finish it.
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Now shut up, and finish that Kinesis mod before I head out to Cali and "make you" finish it.
Yassa massa. I be totin' dat bale as fass as dis po' boy can go. New post bah Mondee, foa shoa, suh.
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Thank you for that correction Ripster! But you must remember, I am a mere mortal, and not a forum deity, such as yourself.
"Perfection is unattainable. Good craftsmanship however, is." -Michelangelo.
I'll send you a PM Ricercar, so we can work out the details of the keyboard deal.
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If ripster's a forum diety, we're all heading for Hades.
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If ripster's a forum diety, we're all heading for Hades.
just bring him his daily human sacrifice and we'll be okay.
preferably a virgin.
you can send your tithes directly to majestouch ;)
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It was a transposition error.
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Majestouch is my favorite keyboard reseller. And as I keep telling him, "the Customer is not always right! In fact at least 5% will be true *******s."
sounds like you and steve jobs would get along just great ;) Buy one board, from one monopoly seller, no returns, no escape. Yup, thats what we all desire for the keyboarding world :)
There are deities and there are deities :)
(http://www.batuhijauschool.org/Asmat/studentpages/shaza/Social%20studies/Aztec%20pictures/aztecs40.gif)
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Diogones, if and only if you buy that keyboard from ricecar, I'll send you a mechanical one for free. Would it be an IBM M, an Oki? It's a surprise. Just pay for its shipment and it will be yours.
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Maybe it's 6%.
;-D pretty sure thats what the aztec priests thought too
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Diogones, if and only if you buy that keyboard from ricecar, I'll send you a mechanical one for free. Would it be an IBM M, an Oki? It's a surprise. Just pay for its shipment and it will be yours.
wow, thats the most fun random offer i've seen on the site in a while. really nice of you prd.
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Actually, it's more selfish than nice, in a strange twisted way. But the offer stands, if Diogones agrees to it.
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Holy smokes Prd! That is incredibly generous of you! The problem is, Ricercar hasn't responded to my PM about buying the keyboard, so I am wondering if there is another channel I have to go through to buy it. Let me know how buying here works and we'll cut a deal.
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I'll give you another board for free (no deal required) if:
1. you buy that board from ricecar or
2. if he would refuse to sell it to you.
It should be like this because there was an ongoing deal at the time of my offer and I don't want to interfere with it. It wouldn't be fair.
We're on as soon as ricecar confirms any of these two.
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Wow, I just saw that clicky Adesso at Micro Center but they want $99 for it. I was looking through the forums because I forgot which model it is becuase I wanted to know if the Adesso is a good board.
Thanks for the link!!
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What did you think about the adesso aegrotatio? Nobody here has actually tried one of these blue chery adesso's yet to verfy they work correctly..
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As luck had it, Micro Center just removed all the display models and I couldn't try it out.
I'm ordering one from Directron as I type this.
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Diogenes, a buyer ahead in the queue is buying the SPOS.
prd, go ahead and be nicer to Diogenes than I was, hook him up with a mech board or two.
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As luck had it, Micro Center just removed all the display models and I couldn't try it out.
I'm ordering one from Directron as I type this.
cool, dont forget a review for us :)
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Well that is most unfortunate, Ricercar. But you know what they say, first come first serve. That is kind of you to offer a free keyboard Prd, but are you sure you're OK with it? I don't want to feel like I'm stealing a keyboard or anything.
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Yes, I'm quite ok. As a matter of fact, as long as you're paying for its shipment, I guess I should tell you what I'm offering.
It's an Oki, identical to this one (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=6861). It's nice, clean, it has the same yellowing on the case (retr0bright (http://retr0bright.wikispaces.com) should solve that). Springs perform just fine. Yet some of them may seem a little 'lighter' than others, so bear in mind that it is still a 20 years old, used, keyboard.
PM me with your address if you want the board and we'll take it from there.
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Okay, I just got the Adesso. From first impression I have to say it's not good. Many of the keys stick up too high and have to be pushed down into their seats. More troubling, the caps lock feels as if it would break off. The Backspace key jams. It has a meaningless audio connector and USB hub. The finish is painted on and will definitely rub off. THe key legends are printed with uneven ink. The keys are tactile clickly and when they bottom out it's a muffled sound, like there's a damper or something underneath.
This is not a $99 keyboard. I paid $72 and I'm not sure if I am going to return it. The cheap keycaps probably need a little love. I pried off the backspace and file off some burrs and it seems to be happy but I'm really worried about the caps lock key.
***EDIT*** The key switches are Cherry blues.
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I guess the saying holds true; you get what you pay for. I think the Adesso 'board is kinda ugly anyway. How are the legends put on the caps (laser, pad printing, etc.)?
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Sheesh, asking what to buy advice from this group reminds me of something I heard when I used to hang at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology: "Getting an education at MIT is like trying to get a drink of water from a fire hose." Getting this much information can be a little overwhelming.
I gotta go with the simple and fairly undisputed idea that you won't be disappointed with a Model M if you aren't worried about the noise. You can get a decent one for under $50 as an exposure to the mech boards and then explore subtleties in difference and preferential feel from there. The key for me is the fact that the audio and tactile feedback correspond with the actuation of the keypress, so I KNOW that what I think I'm typing is what is actually showing up on the screen and I don't have to keep looking up at the monitor only to find missing letters that I pressed but didn't register. It is particularly comfortable for me since I learned touch typing on the old IBM electric typewriters and these were built with that experience in mind. If your 300 WPM (bow down!) skills were born there as well I would say the M is a likely match to optimize them now.
I think as a first foray you can't go wrong there, and more than likely you will end up collecting other varieties afterwards anyway. But whichever way you decide to go, welcome to this world:
"Hi. My name is Voixdelion, and I am a mechanical keyboard addict..."
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Hah! I love that it says "IHTFP" on the piano! Our holiday a cappella concert included a parody of the 12 days of Christmas with that particular acronym replacing the partridge in a pear tree. Aahh, memories...
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Was that all one dude in multiple tracks? i always wanted to try that...
And ripster goes way OT? the HELL you say....NEVER!
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Well Prd, after days of deliberation, I'm afraid I must decline your offer. Understand, this has nothing to do with you, but the keyboard just doesn't fit the following criteria:
1.) It is white or beige, instead of black, gray or a darker color.
2.) The enter key is much too big, smushing out and shrinking the backspace key.
While these might seem like ridiculous and stupid requirements, I want to make sure the keyboard I get is the right one, even if I have to pay for it.
Again, I thank you for your generosity and consideration. That is kind of you to offer the keyboard as a consolation for losing the deal with ricercar, but never fear, I'll find the keyboard I need sooner or later. I also enjoyed your link to the retr0bright site; I found that to be most interesting and unusual: who knew that removing the yellowing from white electronics has turned into a serious and meaningful science?
In the meantime, how this thread ever went from mechanical keyboards to pianos falling off of buildings to Japanese barbershop quartets, is quite beyond me. All of it is very amusing and just goes to reveal the wonderful amount of fun that can occur in this forum. It is nice to know everyone here doesn't take themselves too seriously, and that the art of laughing at the absurdity of life isn't dead yet.
I may just go with the Model M, Voixdelion, as brown switch keyboards are out of my budget. Still, it is a tossup between the reproduction of the IBM recoiling spring keyboard, or the Adesso blue switch keyboard. I may come to like the Adesso, as the IBM may be too stiff for gaming.
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I understand. No problem, really.
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In the meantime, how this thread ever went from mechanical keyboards to pianos falling off of buildings to Japanese barbershop quartets, is quite beyond me. All of it is very amusing and just goes to reveal the wonderful amount of fun that can occur in this forum. It is nice to know everyone here doesn't take themselves too seriously, and that the art of laughing at the absurdity of life isn't dead yet.
I blame ripster. :first: definitely gets my vote for most eclectic (and expansive) collection of tangential trivium/topicum. What I find worrisome is how much of what he references I actually recognize....
Although, at least in my brief experience here thus far, page two is early even for him. In general, I've noticed that the threshold for strictly on topic conversations around here is about three pages worth (forgiving the occasional aside that doesn't totally digress to some standalone-capable discussion.)
And yes, this forum is kinda like my e-quivalent to the comics in the newspaper, but even more chock full of art, absurdity, and laughter. I knew I would end up revisiting frequently after reading two topics....
**Edit - (speaking of sticking around) HEY, COOL! This post actually brings me to the point of losing the "junior" in my designation; it just changed to full-fledged "Member" status! Do I get a badge or something? (Or did I just declare 'open season' for getting picked on?)
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CP..."Junior Member"
Need I even say the joke?
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'bout time I got someone around here.
:)
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Diogones, just a suggestion.
If you can, try and find a cheap mechanical 'board even if it doesn't quite fit your requirements. I found that getting my Chicony from a Goodwill type store was enough to give me a tough idea as to what I wanted in a Mechanical, even if I would up with a very different keyboard (Filco Otaku Tenkeyless with Browns, try saying that 10 time quickly!). The Chicony taught me that I didn't want a Cherry blue board or similar, as I found the feedback too harsh.
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I am so confused.
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How so?
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Holy smokes everyone! I have some great news! As I am a secretary at the law office where I work, I had some down time and one of the attorneys asked me to clean out the closet in the conference room. Now the closet was overflowing, because we had just thrown old, broken, and used office supplies back there without ever attempting to organize it. So as I began my odyssey through the junk, I found some HUGE CRT monitors from '92, which looked outrageous and weighed a ton. Mostly everything else was trash...stacks of files, a couple of broken mice....and then lo and behold, what was this on the very top shelf next to a box of hard drives? I couldn't believe my eyes, but it was...a genuine IBM Model M keyboard, with the buckling spring keys and the PS/2 cable that looks like a telephone cord! My boss couldn't understand my excitement, to him it was just an old keyboard. After confirming it did work, I asked to buy it from him, and he let me have it for free, as he didn't think it was worth anything! What a find! And here I was struggling to find a decent non-rubber dome keyboard, and one almost literally falls into my lap. Hooray!
Now if only it had Windows keys on it, I'd believe it was a perfect keyboard. Granted, it needs some cleaning, but you know Model M boards, they never break. And if I get angry at one of the lawyers for making me type an excessively long brief, I can knock 'em in the head with it! There is no way to reprogram the other keys to serve as a Windows key is there? I don't think it's possible, but I'd just thought I'd ask.
It surely is a joy to type on, as I am tying on it now, so as you can see my post is quite long as I just can't stop. I'll never go back to membrane keyboards again! Shoot, I don't think I'll even have to try any mechanical keyboard switches. The "feel" of this keyboard is unbelievable! Shouldn't be too stiff for my games either.
Just to be specific, the actual Part Number is: 82G2383, and the date on it is '96. A good year indeed. Sure, it isn't a really old school Model M like the 80's version, but I'll take what I can get.
Thanks again everyone for the keyboard advice, and happy typing!
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Congratulations! Finding a rare gem like that is always more fulfilling than buying one. Saving one from a scrap heap or landfill during an office cleanout makes it even better.
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Congrats, what a deal, enjoy.
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I've felt the same way at yard sales many-a-time. congrats!
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Serendipitous things like that are an affirmation of being on the right path, I believe. My Dad has a t-shirt that says "Coincidence is God remaining anonymous." Very excellent indeed.
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congrats diogones, glad it worked out for you. And yes remember it doubles as a self defense weapon.
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Thank you for the command, ripster! I'd never even used autohotkey until you introduced it to me. What a powerful program! There are all kinds of neat tricks I can do with it. I'm definitely going to have to start using it more.