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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: FerretBuster on Sun, 11 March 2012, 06:40:03

Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: FerretBuster on Sun, 11 March 2012, 06:40:03
SORRY FOR THE PUN.

Hey guys I am looking to buy a new Filco, however this time around I am looking to get a board with blues (I have browns atm). However I have a dilemma, I can't decide whether to go Tenkeyless or not, so I thought I'd ask you guys!

I will mainly use the board for typing and gaming. I usually play fps's and mmo's. Also I am going on to uni to do a degree in computer science next year, and programming is a little hobby of mine. So I will be doing a fair amount of programming.

However as I am in the intermediate stages of programming, I haven't really developed any large programs, and therefore have no idea whether the numpad would come in useful or not. So I would like to ask your opinions on this!

EDIT: Before ripster or someone else points out that the abbreviation is TKL, I know. (Hopefully this thread is now ripster proof)
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: Tony on Sun, 11 March 2012, 06:41:57
I think you should buy both. I did. You don't have to be in a dilemma for such a keyboard
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: FerretBuster on Sun, 11 March 2012, 06:55:31
I'm a poor student. I don't have that kind of money!!!
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: Tony on Sun, 11 March 2012, 07:01:10
I see. You can buy the full key first just to make sure that you can use the numpad if needed.
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: mickd on Sun, 11 March 2012, 07:07:35
Do you have a full board at the moment? Do you use the number pad? The answers to those questions should hopefully answer your question :)

As for programming, most programmers that I know don't use the number pad much while programming. Data entry however, is another thing! But hey, if that's the case you could just write a program that enters the data for you ;)
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: FerretBuster on Sun, 11 March 2012, 07:43:46
I do have a full board at the moment but I only use the number pad on the occasion. But I don't know whether I might need it in the future.
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: ReAzem on Sun, 11 March 2012, 07:57:57
I would get a TKL for looks.

Buy usb numpad to go with it?
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: pyro on Sun, 11 March 2012, 08:01:01
You can always just map a numpad onto your tenkeyless, if you desperately need it (you don't). Go tenkeyless.
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: hoggy on Sun, 11 March 2012, 08:12:28
Go tkl.  If you aren't sure that you need the numpad, you don't.  If you mouse with the right hand, you'll find it much better for your shoulder.
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: FerretBuster on Sun, 11 March 2012, 10:17:35
Quote from: ripster;542189
What pun?

I recommend computer programmers take a few English classes.

Wait it isn't a pun is it... or is it? I don't know, anyhow most people wouldn't care. Ripster you smell like cheese.
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: ReAzem on Sun, 11 March 2012, 10:19:26
Quote from: FerretBuster;542201
What did I do wrong?

The pun, also called paronomasia, is a form of word play which suggests two or more meanings


(French Canadian Here)
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: FerretBuster on Sun, 11 March 2012, 10:25:25
I was never any good at English, I got an A at GCSE, but I'm more of a maths/physics guy.

and
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pun

Correction, wikipedia is teaching me English. You still smell like cheese.
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: ReAzem on Sun, 11 March 2012, 10:26:15
Where do you take your lego pictures?
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: Henry Allen Venture on Sun, 11 March 2012, 22:34:37
Back to OP's question... Prepare to be overwhelmed with logic:

If you're worried about it, just get the full-sized keyboard. That way you can't lose?

OR, if you really want a tenkeyless board, just get one.
Then if you find you desperately need the numpad, swap with the keyboard you're using now?
Even if you're planning on selling your current keyboard, and do buy a tenkeyless, and still want a numpad, you can just by a cheap USB numpad for the occasions when you do need it.
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: FerretBuster on Mon, 12 March 2012, 02:30:03
I made a decision! I will get a full size board for now. Then if I find that I am not using the numberpad later on, I will "downgrade" (pricewise) to a tenkeyless!
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: necr0mancer on Mon, 12 March 2012, 03:17:52
Quote from: pyro;542147
You can always just map a numpad onto your tenkeyless, if you desperately need it (you don't). Go tenkeyless.


This is exactly what I was just going to say. You can always use a utility to map your keys to function however you want. I do a lot of programming/coding and I rarely ever had a need for the numpad.
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: FerretBuster on Mon, 12 March 2012, 03:22:49
Arghhh!! Everyone keeps changing my mind :D
I should really just get a tenkeyless and be done with it really...
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: necr0mancer on Mon, 12 March 2012, 03:37:17
Hehe. Sorry about that :biggrin: I suppose if you already have a full 'board, you might as well get one TKL to see how you like it.
Title: TKEY or not TKEY
Post by: suprsmo on Mon, 12 March 2012, 03:37:41
Do it.. Once you go TenKey.. and learn the number row.. you're laughing.. only thing I missed for the first few days was being able to hit enter on the numpad, for URLs and such.

Just get a Tenkeyless. You will wonder why all Keyboards aren't this way :)