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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: wellington1869 on Fri, 19 June 2009, 00:44:53

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: wellington1869 on Fri, 19 June 2009, 00:44:53

Quote

Well, it's time to devote a WHOLE post to the ESC key

its about freakin time, I say!

sweet pics btw.

My favorite has to be the topre's red escape key.  Filco's is nice but I'd rather have my escape key say 'esc' than a brand name I guess.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: wellington1869 on Fri, 19 June 2009, 00:53:52

From top to bottom, and left to right, they're basically arranged in the order in which they would get 'beat up' if they could 'battle' each other.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: wellington1869 on Fri, 19 June 2009, 01:08:22

(http://www.gesticulations.com/public/gallery/Images/fun/esckeys1.jpg)


let the battle begin!

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: wellington1869 on Fri, 19 June 2009, 01:29:39

Quote from: ripster;97563

My Dad drives a Hyundai - kinda looks like his old Buick.  When my son rented one in a trip we nicknamed our Sonata the "Snota".

lols

Quote

Boy Welly, you're all set to learn PhotoShop for real now!!

photoshop, shmotoshop. (http://www.jingproject.com/)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: xsphat on Fri, 19 June 2009, 02:51:57

I have to say I have bias since I only own one real keyboard. It does in fact have red Esc key, and thankfully it just took the win.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ironcoder on Fri, 19 June 2009, 03:00:20

Most Excellent thread. But no blue Esc keys?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: Ulysses31 on Fri, 19 June 2009, 07:11:26

I'm surprised at how flimsy those Filco keys look.  Cherry G80 keyboards have thicker keys.  The Filcos look more like the ones off my Cherry rubber dome model.  Do they flex when pinched?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: jrib on Fri, 19 June 2009, 08:12:24

I have capslock as my escape key, I bet it could take those guys on

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 19 June 2009, 08:26:04

Quote

The Filcos are appreciably thinner. The two piece cap is obviously the thickest. Now you would think that a heavier cap would indicate higher quality or a better key feel but it's probably not that simple.

One hypothesis is that you match the key mass to the switch. Majestouch said:

Quote:
I think the lightweight plastic used for FILCO keys compliment Cherry MX switches. Anything heavier would probably dull the tactility and fast action, but then I'm biased as always...

I think this is quite accurate.  This is also why I think the Cherry G80-3000 has a better key feel than even the Filco.  The caps on the Cherry feel lighter than those on the Filco and, thus transmitting the tactility of the switch better than heavier key caps.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 19 June 2009, 09:23:06

Quote

Another is the observation that MOST people can't tell the difference between a two piece IBM cap and a one piece. That would imply this is all idle speculation. I actually tend to lean to this hypothesis.

There definitely is a difference between the two, the two-piece keycap seems to "dampen" (can't think of a better word for it) some of the feeling of the mechanism. If you try a two-piece keycap on a keyboard you usually use with a one piece cap and vice versa, you'd see the difference.

Which is better? I compared my Model F versus a Model M I got a loan of. The single piece caps feel better on the F (it feels horrible to type on otherwise) and the double-piece suit the M (you get better tactility from the single piece key caps, but the double-piece ones seem to absorb some of the force or something, makes it less tiring to type on)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 19 June 2009, 10:14:17

IBM and Topre use a dye impregnation process.  It is extremely durable since it basically colors the key.  From your picture above, it looks like Costar did a standard silkscreen for the Das which is probably why people have been reporting that their lettering has faded.  I am not sure what process is used on the Filcos.  Chloe had mentioned something awhile back about laser printing/etching or a different method of silkscreening that is more durable.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: wellington1869 on Fri, 19 June 2009, 10:50:46

Quote from: ch_123;97596

There definitely is a difference between the two, the two-piece keycap seems to "dampen" (can't think of a better word for it) some of the feeling of the mechanism. If you try a two-piece keycap on a keyboard you usually use with a one piece cap and vice versa, you'd see the difference.

Which is better? I compared my Model F versus a Model M I got a loan of. The single piece caps feel better on the F (it feels horrible to type on otherwise) and the double-piece suit the M (you get better tactility from the single piece key caps, but the double-piece ones seem to absorb some of the force or something, makes it less tiring to type on)

this is interesting ch_123 - I think you're right that the main difference between them may be in how much tactility you feel. (as opposed to -- I've always compared them in terms of the difference in sound they make.)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 19 June 2009, 13:55:40

Majestouch just sent me a red Filco key for my 'board. It really looks great. Now that I see it in person, I think I might like the bright, candy red button over the blood red for the simple fact that it looks more like an emergency button. The color of the Topre buttont is nicer, but I like the "panic" feel of the Filco.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 19 June 2009, 14:46:47

Quote from: ripster;97681

I'm gonna be a troll and disagree.
 
Filco sounds like a gas station.

I'll call your troll and raise you a peacemaker: To Each His Own.
 
Yes, Filco does sound like a gas station.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 19 June 2009, 15:29:45

Quote from: ripster;97719

Show Image

(http://www.comic-con.org/cci2006/assets/lost_jorge.jpg)

 
I'd post a better pic of him but I don't think there is one.

F'Sho'.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 19 June 2009, 15:55:53

Quote from: webwit;97730

The pinacle of this type of music was Rick Ashley of course.

Damn you, now I have that ----ing song stuck in my head...

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: jelly on Sat, 20 June 2009, 00:24:18

nice review too bad my filco doesnt come with a red esc key ):

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: jelly on Sat, 20 June 2009, 01:01:58

cant.

nw im trying to find red esc key for my filco and blank keys ):

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: wheel83 on Sat, 20 June 2009, 01:05:47

(http://lh3.ggpht.com/_ThSKk7WESFo/SdMe7ywMY1I/AAAAAAAAAr0/mAKDhL9O7fM/s400/DSC00501.Jpg)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: megarat on Sat, 20 June 2009, 18:41:28

This is quite petty, but I was annoyed when I found the red "FILCO" key included with my Filco Zero tenkeyless.

Because ...

... I wanted to install it on the keyboard.

But ...

... the key is for cherry switches, and the keyboard has grandson-of-Alps switches.

Grrr ...

So it's basically useless.  I even tried to use it to replace the Esc. key on my Filco numeric keypad (with brown cherries), but it's the wrong form-factor and looks out of place, like a crooked tooth.

Thanks for getting my hopes up, Filco.  Sheesh.

(So if anyone wants a red Filco key, I have two up for grabs.)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: bigpook on Sat, 20 June 2009, 18:44:49

too bad about the escape key but am looking forward to your thoughts on the Zero tenless.

First impressions?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: wellington1869 on Sat, 20 June 2009, 18:48:31

Quote from: megarat;97973

This is quite petty, but I was annoyed when I found the red "FILCO" key included with my Filco Zero tenkeyless.

Because ...

... I wanted to install it on the keyboard.

But ...

... the key is for cherry switches, and the keyboard has grandson-of-Alps switches.

Grrr ...

So it's basically useless.  I even tried to use it to replace the Esc. key on my Filco numeric keypad (with brown cherries), but it's the wrong form-factor and looks out of place, like a crooked tooth.

Thanks for getting my hopes up, Filco.  Sheesh.

(So if anyone wants a red Filco key, I have two up for grabs.)

wow, thats really a tragedy!  Its like they're dangling the red esc in front of you and yanking it away. Bastards. :)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: majestouch on Sat, 20 June 2009, 19:00:08

Quote from: megarat;97973

This is quite petty, but I was annoyed when I found the red "FILCO" key included with my Filco Zero tenkeyless.

Because ...

... I wanted to install it on the keyboard.

But ...

... the key is for cherry switches, and the keyboard has grandson-of-Alps switches.

Grrr ...

So it's basically useless.  I even tried to use it to replace the Esc. key on my Filco numeric keypad (with brown cherries), but it's the wrong form-factor and looks out of place, like a crooked tooth.

Thanks for getting my hopes up, Filco.  Sheesh.

(So if anyone wants a red Filco key, I have two up for grabs.)

Hi Megarat,

I'm very sorry about the red Esc key, that shouldn't have been included with the Zero! If we ever are able to get Red Esc keys for the XM switches, you'll be the first to get one!.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: vils on Sat, 20 June 2009, 19:04:08

I could have use for one...

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: bigpook on Sat, 20 June 2009, 19:40:51

Quote from: vils;97980

I could have use for one...

same here.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: IBI on Sat, 20 June 2009, 20:56:24

Quote from: ripster;97983

Do you have pierced ears?

Alternatively, stick em together to make a ten sided die (or a two-sided one if it falls over).

I'm surprised we haven't had a dice discussion on the forum yet, as they're so similar to keycaps and we've no shortage of geeks and creative people it seems like the subject should have come up before.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: jelly on Sun, 21 June 2009, 11:26:11

a red esc key is always nice ):

ripster: read ur pm want to get both of it from u (:

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: megarat on Sun, 21 June 2009, 23:41:37

Quote from: majestouch;97979

Hi Megarat,

I'm very sorry about the red Esc key, that shouldn't have been included with the Zero! If we ever are able to get Red Esc keys for the XM switches, you'll be the first to get one!.

Nice, thanks!

If anyone is seriously interested in these red Filco cherry key caps that seem to sub for escape keys, PM me.  Free w/shipping, basically.  Heck, you don't even need to pay shipping if I can send them with a first class stamp.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: watduzhkstand4 on Mon, 22 June 2009, 07:36:26

This is all that I'm waiting for,

1. Red esc key for Cherry
2. Blank purple keys for WASD for Cherry
3. Blank keys for Cherry.

I'm waiting for that e-mail newsletter Majestouch! =P

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: cmr on Mon, 22 June 2009, 18:40:10

mine's the best, it even matches geekhack

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=2824&d=1245713897)

orange X%&#! key of unknown provenance on scorpius M10

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: lowpoly on Wed, 24 June 2009, 10:09:23

Size matters:

(http://img5.imageshack.us/img5/2104/escapebop.jpg)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: cmr on Thu, 25 June 2009, 17:44:38

is that from the symbolics board?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: lowpoly on Fri, 26 June 2009, 07:25:39

Yes.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: cmr on Mon, 03 August 2009, 16:47:05

yeah, the red escape key is by no means the thing of a particular brand

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: Rajagra on Mon, 03 August 2009, 17:01:06

May as well go the whole hog:

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: microsoft windows on Mon, 03 August 2009, 19:00:41

I would rather have a gray Esc key instead of the one I have with green handwritten lettering on the keystem.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: o2dazone on Mon, 03 August 2009, 21:33:58

Quote from: webwit;106671

lol

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: rdjack21 on Tue, 04 August 2009, 22:50:11

I really like this dyed red escape key I got on the HHKB Pro I got from megarat.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=3572&stc=1&d=1249444109)

It is a little darker than the one that comes with the 87U.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: timw4mail on Wed, 05 August 2009, 06:33:15

Three Cherry, 1 ALPS, and 2 BS Red Escape keys...that's what I don't have...where could I get them, though?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 05 August 2009, 08:04:35

Quote from: timw4mail;107089

Three Cherry, 1 ALPS, and 2 BS Red Escape keys...that's what I don't have...where could I get them, though?

Majestouch can probably help you out on the red Cherry caps, but they might be Filco-branded.  The other two you might have to dye.  There are also caps similar to the second piece on the IBM keycaps that just fit over your existinsg key that you could also use on the Alps and BS.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 05 August 2009, 09:12:59

Let me look for them.  I had a link in the Modifications forum at one time, but I'll be d*mned if I know where it is.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 05 August 2009, 09:20:44

Quote from: ripster;107126

I've only seen those cheapo stick ons - where have you seen these? I just checked Hooleon and Fentek - only custom runs.

You know what, that was it.  I remember I was looking for a "Panic" button.  I think bhtooefr has one that was a Cherry replacement key, or something, and I went to search Google to fime something similar.  The ones I had originally found were adhesive (not stickers like Hooleon's, though).  Nevermind.
 
iFail.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 05 August 2009, 10:02:06

Quote from: ripster;107137

NP. Just making sure when I corner the market for Red Esc keys I don't have any competition.

So far, your only competition is majestouch, but he doesn't sell them... yet.  As soon as he does, I am buying one for my Cherry 'board.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: rdjack21 on Wed, 05 August 2009, 10:05:03

Quote from: ripster;107137

NP.  Just making sure when I corner the market for Red Esc keys I don't have any competition.

The only problem is that as soon as you corner the market someone will break out the dye and starting making some.

I do have to say that the Red Esc keys do look nice on a black board. Not so sure if I like them on white boards though.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: timw4mail on Wed, 05 August 2009, 10:11:49

Quote from: rdjack21;107150

The only problem is that as soon as you corner the market someone will break out the dye and starting making some.

I do have to say that the Red Esc keys do look nice on a black board. Not so sure if I like them on white boards though.

I don't know of many actually white keyboards...but it is true that it might look a little more strange with the beige.

It doesn't look too bad on that picture of the M Ripser posted earlier, though.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: rdjack21 on Wed, 05 August 2009, 12:33:38

Quote from: ripster;107182

I think it looks great!

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=3582&stc=1&d=1249490640)

Unfortunately Topre and Filco have a different profile so it's not as easy as modding a key to fit on a key stem.  Also, I only have Unicomp Grey keys and I bet those would be tuff to Rit dye.  Megarat sure got close though with the Topre's.

On that board it does look good. But then again you also replaced all the other keys with black ones. If those other keys had been the original color I'm not so sure it would look as good.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: quadibloc on Sun, 09 August 2009, 16:37:21

I saw this topic discussed in the section on keyboard pictures. (I really must take pictures of my keyboards; I'm scared, though, that they might be used to defraud people on eBay.)

The ATTN key on a 2741 was not red, and IBM usually didn't go in for colorful keys, so most 3277 and 3278 display stations didn't do that either as far as I know. But I have seen ASR 33 and ASR 35 Teletypes with a red Break key.

Since the red key is used to interrupt a running program, I would think you would want a red Pause/Break key on a PC keyboard, not a red Esc key.

Of course, I do have some pretty strange ideas of the color scheme I would like to see on a keyboard, as a drawing on my web site illustrates:

(http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/images/keyult66.gif)

Since it's only a drawing and not a picture, I figure this is the better thread for it.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 09 August 2009, 17:17:38

Quote from: quadibloc;108483

Of course, I do have some pretty strange ideas of the color scheme I would like to see on a keyboard, as a drawing on my web site illustrates:

Show Image

(http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/images/keyult66.gif)

Since it's only a drawing and not a picture, I figure this is the better thread for it.

Ah, so you're the man behind that mad keyboard layout site... You'd probably hate the Happy Hacking keyboard =P

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: watduzhkstand4 on Mon, 10 August 2009, 01:00:19

in desperate needs of some purple WASD keys and a red ESC key for my HHKB! PM me if you have some!

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: quadibloc on Wed, 12 August 2009, 21:40:33

I should note, though, that while I do have several keyboards, I don't have much that is all that impressive. While my first Model M was purchased new in an "Easy Options" box from an IBM Home Computing outlet, my other Model Ms, and most of my other keyboards, just came from thrift shops, although I did have a few lucky finds, and a few older items.

I do have a digital camera, and have made some initial attempts; when I get pictures that I'm ready to make a permanent part of my website, I will also link them here.

Quote from: ch_123;108490

You'd probably hate the Happy Hacking keyboard =P

I would have to admit that I'd be unlikely to choose the version with blank keycaps. And having to shift in order to use the backspace key does strike me as odd; why do pencils have erasers?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: rdjack21 on Wed, 12 August 2009, 22:21:27

Quote from: quadibloc;109328

I would have to admit that I'd be unlikely to choose the version with blank keycaps. And having to shift in order to use the backspace key does strike me as odd; why do pencils have erasers?

Well actually it has a dip switch where you can change that. You can either have Backspace or delete as the primary. I flipped that switch on mine because I use it more than the delete key.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: rdjack21 on Wed, 12 August 2009, 23:58:41

Quote from: ripster;109366

I use a kinda weird variation of the HHKB layout but it makes sense to me. \ becomes Backspace, BS becomes Delete.  That way I have easy access to both.   It corresponds to the HHKB layout when FCN key is used as a modifier.  The rest of the FCN Key HHKB layout is garbage to me because I want to use my right hand less not more so I shift it over to Raj's left handed WASD layout.

Show Image

(http://www.pfusystems.com/hhkeyboard/images/hhkbpro_fnon1.gif)

I'm the opposite I use my left hand quite a bit (Alt/Control combo keys) in the code editors I use all day. So the right hand Fn key actually moves some of the work over to my right hand which helps balance things a little better. Even though it would be nice to have a Fn key on the other side of the board. I actually figure that is why they put the Fn key on the right to begin with. It is called the Happy Hacking Keyboard for a reason. It was orginally layed out for coders who heavily use Ctrl and Alt all the time. And to be honest the more I use it the more I like it. But I would swap Home/End with PgUp/PgDn mostly because I use them more and where they are at is a streach.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: megarat on Fri, 14 August 2009, 15:34:29

I just posted about this in the eBay finds forum, but here's (http://cgi.ebay.com/Epson-QX-10-Computer-Keyboard_W0QQitemZ110411190158QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item19b5050f8e&_trksid=p3286.m20.l1116) another (presumably) unmodded, wild-type keyboard with a red escape key.

Here's the item photo, transplanted:

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: cmr on Fri, 14 August 2009, 17:09:27

Quote from: itlnstln;107130

You know what, that was it.  I remember I was looking for a "Panic" button.  I think bhtooefr has one that was a Cherry replacement key, or something, and I went to search Google to fime something similar.  The ones I had originally found were adhesive (not stickers like Hooleon's, though).  Nevermind.
 
iFail.

my 'X%&#!' key had an adhesive pad on the bottom, but when i peeled it away, behold, it was merely a cherry key cap.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: quadibloc on Fri, 14 August 2009, 20:44:55

Quote from: megarat;109774

another (presumably) unmodded, wild-type keyboard with a red escape key.

I see that your link reveals what I was going to mention - that this keyboard is from the EPSON QX-10 computer, the one with the VALDOCS operating system to protect your valuable documents.

In the meantime, I took another look at the Happy Hacking keyboard, thought about it, and came up with a suggestion for something more moderate with wider appeal. Remember that the original PC keyboard combined the numeric keypad with the cursor keypad? That would be one way of "getting rid of" most of the space the numeric keypad takes up without losing it entirely.

Well, why not take it one step further, and also use the numeric keypad as a substitute for the function keys?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: nanu on Sat, 15 August 2009, 07:37:49

Quote from: ripster;109796

guy took a dremel tool, sacraficed a Cherry Key and epoxied on the stem.  That is a lot of work and requires more precision than it first looks.

I'm thinking I must do this now, to use arbitrary keycaps with a cherry stem.  It beats molding and casting which some kbdmaniacs are doing, since I'm reluctant to get all the stuff needed for that..

What I first tried for stem conversion is epoxying aquarium tubing, but it's flexible material.  The current revision is to use a straight pin through the tubing as an anchor so it stays on longer.
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=3794&stc=1&d=1250343059)
It is noticeably wobbly—if you strike the key oddly, it will twist; a good sign to take a break, maybe.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: rdjack21 on Mon, 17 August 2009, 11:13:59

Quote from: nanu;109850

I'm thinking I must do this now, to use arbitrary keycaps with a cherry stem.  It beats molding and casting which some kbdmaniacs are doing, since I'm reluctant to get all the stuff needed for that..

I may have to look that up. I keep thinking I want to try molding my own keys mostly so I can get some cupped keys on a modern keyboard. But also so I can play with different materials as well. Do you have a link to the thread for this?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: Bollwerk on Mon, 17 August 2009, 16:16:57

Quote from: ripster;110195

EliteKeyboards now advertises the Red ESC key as a included item with their Filco Cherry Switch keyboards (he generally shipped them depending on availability gratis).

What? I ordered just recently, but befor that. I hope, I'll get one as well...^^
hope hope hope hope... xD

Title: metal esc keycap
Post by: ohdh2003 on Fri, 21 August 2009, 08:43:00

Here are two examples of metal (aluminium) keycaps.
(http://www.otd.kr/data/file/pj_356/2105777654_4431a63b_DSC_6683.jpg)
(http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/photo/files/attach/images/30354/067/843/kkkkP1010663.JPG)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: timw4mail on Fri, 21 August 2009, 08:52:29

I want aluminum keycaps!

How do those feel in comparison to the plastic keycaps around them?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: sixty on Fri, 21 August 2009, 09:10:29

Quote from: ohdh2003;111022

Here are two examples of metal (aluminium) keycaps.

Show Image

(http://www.otd.kr/data/file/pj_356/2105777654_4431a63b_DSC_6683.jpg)

Show Image

(http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/photo/files/attach/images/30354/067/843/kkkkP1010663.JPG)

Wow this is totally awesome. Did the poster say how much one cost to make and how long it took?

Thanks for posting this!

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ohdh2003 on Fri, 21 August 2009, 09:37:58

Quote from: sixty;111031

Wow this is totally awesome. Did the poster say how much one cost to make and how long it took?

Thanks for posting this!

I don't know the cost and time for making. They're maniatic production so, you may not buy them. I guess makers of them may not make anymore.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ohdh2003 on Fri, 21 August 2009, 09:44:18

Quote from: timw4mail;111028

I want aluminum keycaps!

How do those feel in comparison to the plastic keycaps around them?

I have chance to touch an aluminum keycap, the red one. The weight was similar to plastic one. It was not much cold as I thought.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: lowpoly on Fri, 21 August 2009, 09:46:10

Quote from: ohdh2003;111041

It was not much cold as I thought.

That's what I wondered. Thanks for posting these.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: keyb_gr on Fri, 21 August 2009, 10:58:49

I'd guess keeping the keycap mass down helps.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ohdh2003 on Sat, 22 August 2009, 05:30:44

Quote from: ripster;111039

That is just awesome.  Check around KBDmania for details.

That PS/2 cord looks like it has been RitDyed!

Good observation:) that chord painted by sort of spray like this http://itempage3.auction.co.kr/DetailView.aspx?itemNo=a520189843&frm3=V2 (http://itempage3.auction.co.kr/DetailView.aspx?itemNo=a520189843&frm3=V2)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: clickclack on Tue, 25 August 2009, 16:46:04

This thread is really unhealthy :(

now all I want to do is mod the crap out of stuff (more so than I already do)
*smacks forehead*

I really need to find out which keyboards have what stem and what tolerances/heights so I can figure out what's compatible with what I have.

hmm.... *scurries off*...

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: timw4mail on Tue, 25 August 2009, 17:52:25

Anyone know of a way to get a set of blue aluminum keycaps?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: timw4mail on Tue, 25 August 2009, 22:05:46

The double-shot molding on the Next keyboard certainly seems to be more precise than on the Cherry key, though.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ohdh2003 on Wed, 26 August 2009, 07:05:59

Quote from: webwit;111845

More from those maniacs:

Show Image

(http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/photo/files/attach/images/30354/212/850/kkkkP1010692.JPG)

The more I see colored keys, the less I want them. Well, that's probably not entirely true. But that korean photo forum manages to make them look tired.

That's truly awesome. Because that was made with "gold". (You may know the gold protect for the teeth.) So that gold keycap is  very experimental and very expansive.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: Rajagra on Wed, 26 August 2009, 08:00:30

Quote from: webwit;111845

The more I see colored keys, the less I want them. Well, that's probably not entirely true. But that korean photo forum manages to make them look tired.

Don't mean a thing if it ain't got that bling:

(http://www.g-ray.co.uk/pictures/psp.jpg)

(doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah, doo-ah)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 26 August 2009, 08:06:56

Quote from: ripster;111908

Actually I think that's an optical illusion because of the different texture (the Cherry is pretty textured). If you look at the extreme closeup you can see the lines where the plastics meet.

That, and Cherry uses a goofy, bubbly font where NeXT, and everyone else, uses fonts with crisper edges.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 26 August 2009, 09:29:42

Quote from: ripster;112019

Bubbly font is an apt description. Any of our German members ever figure out what this font is??

Fugly Sans-Serif Bold

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: Bollwerk on Wed, 26 August 2009, 09:33:45

We've got something here called "Normschrift". It would be sort of standard lettering.

We use it for traffic signs, technical drawings and other stuff. It looks a lot like that.


EDIT: Maybe DIN ISO 3098

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: quadibloc on Wed, 26 August 2009, 10:02:36

The sign in your photo appears to show printing in Copperplate Gothic.

I don't recognize the font in which the letter R is on the key in your photograph.

As to the letters on many computer keyboards in the old days, they are indeed drafting-style letters, made with a particular tool, about which information is available here:

http://www.mccoys-kecatalogs.com/KELeroy/1960Brochure/1960KELeroyBroch.htm

Because you can choose the diameter of the pen used in this, you can produce letters made from thin lines, or letters made from thick lines the rounded ends of which are obvious.

It's difficult to find photos of old-style computer terminals quickly on the Web, but in addition to my 122-key keyboard from Memorex-Telex, another example is at:

http://world.std.com/~jdostale/kbd/SpaceCadet.html

the famous Space Cadet keyboard. One recognizable thing about the font is the very wide % sign.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 26 August 2009, 10:21:46

Quote from: quadibloc;112033

The sign in your photo appears to show printing in Copperplate Gothic.

This was in reference to a running joke.  The pic is from a show in the US called New Yankee Workshop where the host (in the pic), Norm, builds incredible furniture.  Ripster was playing on words using the host's name, Norm, as the joke.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: Bollwerk on Wed, 26 August 2009, 10:24:31

Maybe it isn't standard lettering. Or an older one than the current. Frankly, I'm not sure, what the hell it could be...

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: clickclack on Wed, 26 August 2009, 14:27:06

Quote from: ripster;112029

Show Image

(http://arcanecode.files.wordpress.com/2007/04/windowslivewriterthenewyankeeprogrammer-146f70tourphoto13.jpg)

My family and I call him the anal retentive carpenter (everything he uses is like laser guided, screwdriver, ruler, bandsaw...haahaa)

Anywho.... moving on...
I just thought I would mention that I have seen many more rubber dome keyboards that have double shot keys than mechnaical boards. I just figured that was an interesting tid bit.
:)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: o2dazone on Thu, 27 August 2009, 13:39:13

Quote from: webwit;112321

This guy just the Internet:
http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/photo/860813

he just my Internet as well...damn

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: wellington1869 on Tue, 01 September 2009, 20:09:51

It looks like wet paint. Nice.

never mind which keyboard it came from, which keyboards will it fit?! :)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: msiegel on Tue, 01 September 2009, 20:15:12

Quote from: ripster;113819

I'll post tomorrow the keyboard it came from.

that thing looks amazing :)

is there a good source of double-shot alps keycaps, anywhere?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: rdjack21 on Wed, 02 September 2009, 01:40:56

Nice... Looks like you put it on your Filco tenkeyless board. So I'm guessing that key cap came from some cherry board.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: AndrewZorn on Wed, 02 September 2009, 01:57:48

if you want smooth, why not just polish an already famous/good/owned double-shot key?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: quadibloc on Wed, 02 September 2009, 08:12:10

Isn't plastic too soft to really allow itself to be polished well?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 02 September 2009, 08:16:35

That key is from a Cherry keyboard.  The font is a dead giveaway.  It would either be a G80 or G81 series model.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: rdjack21 on Wed, 02 September 2009, 11:42:59

Oh man no bonus points for guessing that you put it in your Filco Blue Cherry Tenkeyless board.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: wellington1869 on Wed, 02 September 2009, 12:26:03

Quote from: rdjack21;113968

Oh man no bonus points for guessing that you put it in your Filco Blue Cherry Tenkeyless board.

rdjack - the t-shirt in your avatar is Da bomb. I havent attempted to make one yet. One day it'll be avail on cafe press though, for sure, lol. I'll see to it ;)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: rdjack21 on Wed, 02 September 2009, 13:10:10

Quote from: wellington1869;113977

rdjack - the t-shirt in your avatar is Da bomb. I havent attempted to make one yet. One day it'll be avail on cafe press though, for sure, lol. I'll see to it ;)

I just hope webwit doesn't throw a fit when he sees it :) He is the one that photo shopped it. But even if he does I just needed a little soft landing today.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: wellington1869 on Wed, 02 September 2009, 13:48:45

Quote from: rdjack21;114014

I just hope webwit doesn't throw a fit when he sees it :) He is the one that photo shopped it. But even if he does I just needed a little soft landing today.

thats a soft landing alright

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: MsKeyboard on Wed, 02 September 2009, 13:56:41

webwit,

Quote

You owe me.. ONE MILLION DOLLARS

(http://usedbooksblog.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/dr-evil.JPG)

I hope you had the accent right!

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: quadibloc on Fri, 04 September 2009, 21:45:26

Quote from: nanu;109850

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=3794&stc=1&d=1250343059)

The keycap you're converting from happens to be exactly the same style as is on my Memorex-Telex 122-key keyboard.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: sixty on Tue, 08 September 2009, 09:10:55

(http://t.oomuch.info/src/1252419007092.jpg)

almost!

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: Shawn Stanford on Tue, 08 September 2009, 16:17:53

The best four minutes of Python's best movie. You are my hero...

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: Hak Foo on Tue, 08 September 2009, 20:29:15

I want a Commodore-style Run-Stop key.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: msiegel on Tue, 08 September 2009, 22:37:18

Quote from: Hak Foo;115971

I want a Commodore-style Run-Stop key.

how about an atari-style reset key, that makes a farty sound? XD

you guys must remember that :)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: Hak Foo on Tue, 08 September 2009, 22:40:17

Well, the VIC 20 and 64 had those gorgeous cupped keys.... did the Atari 800?  I know the XL series had non-cupped keys (I've got a 600XL and 800XL)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: quadibloc on Tue, 08 September 2009, 22:47:11

Quote from: Hak Foo;115993

did the Atari 800?

Yes, definitely. It was only after the IBM PC started the trend, by noting that cylinder keys were almost as good - and lent themselves much better to stickers on the top face of the keys - that everyone else switched too, because suddenly cupped keys looked old-fashioned.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 05 November 2009, 12:27:55

Nice comparison, ripster.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Thu, 05 November 2009, 12:55:06

The Cherry ones don't look dirty, but they are more of a cream color than stark white.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: clickclack on Mon, 09 November 2009, 03:41:27

Quote from: ripster;130707

And although it is a repost I just want to show this one to the KBDMania guys because, well, if you're American you might as well be obnoxious since everyone expects you to be.

Haahaaa, living the dream! =P

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: sixty on Sat, 02 January 2010, 10:21:48

Oh my god!

(http://sadpanda.us/images/83355-ADGRUCL.jpg)
(http://sadpanda.us/images/83356-N6AL0H0.jpg)

From kbdmania (http://www.kbdmania.net/xe/photo/1164146). God knows where these are from, but they are official Cherry Corp for sure. The rounded Arial Bold and the molding artifacts on the bottom are a dead giveaway.

Absolutely brilliant.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: sethstorm on Sat, 02 January 2010, 11:26:06

Quote from: ripster;97563

My Dad drives a Hyundai - kinda looks like his old Buick.  When my son rented one in a trip we nicknamed our Sonata the "Snota".

Boy Welly, you're all set to learn PhotoShop for real now!!

Well, there isn't a car in that company's stable that doesn't look oddly close to something else, and with a lower-spec engine.

Now where's the keycap from a fake Alps / fake Cherry so that Hyundai label could be put to good use?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: sethstorm on Sat, 02 January 2010, 11:30:39

Quote from: ripster;130549

I'm bumping this because Das is now shipping Laser etched White Lettering on Black keys so there is more buzz about that technology.   Surprisingly, I found out that the Kinesis keys on my keypad (see sig for link) are laser etched.  

So we have from left to right - all essentially new keys and all have been cleaned:

No M13 Black just as a comparison, or do you not have one of those?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ricercar on Sun, 03 January 2010, 02:02:40

Are double shot keys supposed to feel different? I've substituted Cherry double-shots on a keyboard that had Kinesis laser etched for three years, and the feel seems a bit more tight, perhaps less wobble in the key,

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ricercar on Sun, 03 January 2010, 15:07:18

thx for the reference. Time to put on my thinking cap.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ohdh2003 on Sun, 03 January 2010, 16:08:04

In my knowledge they came from China. Maybe Cherry China made them.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ohdh2003 on Sun, 03 January 2010, 16:12:52

In my knowledge, they came from China. Cherry China made them, maybe.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ohdh2003 on Sun, 03 January 2010, 16:21:35

It is a 356cl dark gray edition (DGE), special release of 356 line. DGE has a very crazy controller, so it shows awesome repeating rate. I think it may be comparable with keyboards of Omnikey line.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 28 January 2010, 11:18:24

Does it actually work with the buckling spring?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: kishy on Thu, 28 January 2010, 11:27:23

Quote from: ch_123;154388

Does it actually work with the buckling spring?

That's the ONE two-piece key on the SmarTrex board.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ricercar on Wed, 17 February 2010, 10:13:57

Might as well join the fray, since I posted the pic anyway.

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=7753&stc=1&d=1265592925)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 17 February 2010, 10:16:27

Nice.  It would be even cooler if it said "Big Blue."

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: kishy on Wed, 17 February 2010, 10:19:03

Makin' me hungry...

Imagine decorating an entire keyboard with those things (the funny caps, not Big Mac ones specifically).

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 17 February 2010, 10:35:28

HAHAHA! I love that pic. Before I used my super-secret Websense buster to see that pic, I already had it in my head to post it in response to your post. You beat me to it.
 
That kid sorta looks like this guy:
 
(http://lakesidetirefactory.com/images/michelinman.jpg)

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 17 February 2010, 10:51:20

Only if the kid is alive by 18. I would imagine that heart disease, diabetes, and a world food shortage* would take him down in about the next 5 minutes (if he's still alive).  He'll need a quadruple bypass just for his stomach.  I wonder if he needs help wiping his ass? I'm sure he can't reach it; hell, I'm suprised he can reach his mouth.
 
 
*You know, 'cause he all the food.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: kishy on Wed, 17 February 2010, 10:53:15

Less hungry, sure...but now I'm laughing.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: itlnstln on Wed, 17 February 2010, 11:03:29

Then you'll be hungry.
 
 
I am having lasagna (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=8023) right now.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 17 April 2010, 11:38:00

I have a blank red one that Webwit sent me on my M13. Goes well with the Trackpoint cap.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: TheSoundofTyping on Sat, 28 August 2010, 07:55:12

Sorry for bumping this thread, but I thought it'd be the best place to ask rather than starting a new thread - where (and why) did the whole red esc key thing come from?  Was it used on old terminal boards for emergencies, or what?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: kidchunks on Thu, 02 December 2010, 10:18:18

Quote from: ripster;255603

Gotta get my key in before all the ClickClack showoff pics appear.

My Sandblasted Aluminum Scarface response to the ever popular  "PANIC" Red Esc key.

Show Image

(http://farm2.static.flickr.com/1215/5169637412_b4216b51dc_b.jpg)

LOL going to be awhile before those from clickclack show up. Unless some folks live right next to EKB.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: RiGS on Tue, 19 July 2011, 14:36:01

It seems that all those esc kesy share the same texture on your picture.
That cherry doubleshot one is closer to orange than the rest.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: RiGS on Tue, 19 July 2011, 14:39:11

Lol  I realized that sounded quite racist.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: noodles256 on Tue, 19 July 2011, 14:46:20

racism?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: kaiserreich on Tue, 19 July 2011, 19:04:42

Is there any difference at all between the Fentek Esc key and SP's?

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: Atenacius on Tue, 09 August 2011, 13:06:26

Does Signature Plastics have trouble getting that Cherry Corp red? I'm still dying for one even if it isn't the original

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: noodles256 on Tue, 09 August 2011, 13:23:22

the racism on geekhack is getting out of hand. Someone needs to put a stop to it.

Title: Battle Of The Esc Keys
Post by: noodles256 on Tue, 09 August 2011, 15:02:52

quack, duckyyyyy shine