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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Permeability on Sat, 13 October 2012, 18:42:43

Title: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: Permeability on Sat, 13 October 2012, 18:42:43
Hey everyone, as my keyboard collection grows I can't help but think, what to do with multiple keyboards and have only a select places to use them? Do you rotate them when using them? I was wondering what everyone else does with them..
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: AKIMbO on Sat, 13 October 2012, 18:45:50
Store them all in the closet.  I always keep two on my desk (one clicky/tactile used for typing and one linear used for gaming).  I rotate them out every so often (usually once or twice a week).
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: Lorem-Ipsum on Sat, 13 October 2012, 18:48:37
So far I only have the one mechanical and two scissor switched boards but am planning on getting more.

My mechanical is used mostly and the scissor switched boards sit in their boxes but occasionally get some use for instance when I'm working on a server and need physical access.

When I get more mech keyboard though I'll probably start up a rotation.
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: MarkPharaoh on Sat, 13 October 2012, 18:52:37
Resell most, keep whatever I don't use in the closet and rotate them when I go from long hours of data entry to gaming.
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: IvanIvanovich on Sat, 13 October 2012, 18:55:18
I have 3 out at a time for my computers, one at work, and the other 11 currently in boxes. Some of those need to go... too many. I also have about a dozen more keycap sets than keyboards. :rolleyes:
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: m00nshake on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:13:56
I have one at work, two that are rotated on my home desktop, and another that's boxed up at another location just in case keyboard bandits decide to break in to my apartment and I need a back up.
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: boost on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:14:53
Keep one at work and one on the desk, rest in storage
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: The_Beast on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:17:18
I rotate them through changing them about every other day, but I only have 3 compared to some of the guys who have 10+
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: ekw808 on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:23:49
2 on the desk and usually 1 is being worked on, i.e switches, springs, stickers, lube, LED mod..
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: rowdy on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:31:00
One on my computer at work, one on the main computer at home, and another on order for my games machine at home.

Plus I was thinking of a fourth one for my server at home.
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: BucklingSpring on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:42:45
I rotate every now and then. Currently on duty: Filco AI 2, Unicomp and Matias QP.

I keep the unused boards in Rubbermade storage boxes

Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: Sifo on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:47:42
Apparently for me I lose them in the mail or break them...
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: Caaaarrrt on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:54:53
Got three sitting on my desk, I type on which ever my hands decide to head to at the time.

I need a bigger desk though.
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 13 October 2012, 19:58:50
I have about half a dozen carefully boxed and stored in the basement. They are "top-shelf" boards that I cleaned, adjusted, modded, whatever, and used long enough to know that they are absolutely problem-free.

I have another half-dozen floating around between home and work offices, and I rotate them occasionally. I always have an ordinary rubber dome, PS2 keyboard around for testing/maintenance in case any exotic keyboard will not boot .....

There are at least 4 in the garage in pieces, awaiting cleaning, testing, modding, etc.

Since I don't need more than 1-3 examples of any given board, as I upgrade my collection I sell off the leftovers.

I also have several zip-lock baggies full of keys.

My wife is angry about it and says that I should be embarrassed. If push came to shove, I would challenge her to a tally count between my keyboards and her shoes. (I would lose, of course, no matter what the numbers said.)
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: Neo.X on Sat, 13 October 2012, 20:06:06
use one in office, one at home.

And every evening, I do half an hour typing game, use black, blue, brown, red, topre and topre silence every 5 minutes.

 
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 14 October 2012, 03:05:11
I keep about 3-4 around on my desk for daily use with my computers. Most of the others I bought to try and haven't wanted to sell yet. Two are for any travelling I might do, and at least four are slated to become part of projects. Two are in the process of being made (Phantoms). One is currently missing.
For example, I have two ACCES-IS keyboards with NKRO, and keycaps arranged in Dvorak. The layout has been made with their program, and I just need to find a computer with Windows and a PS2 port to make a split keyboard for gaming and normal use. My Model F's are waiting on me to get more Teensys and make cases, etc.

There are a few that I do want to sell, but I've got much more exciting things to do, and I'm not really spare for cash at the moment.
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: swagpiratex on Sun, 14 October 2012, 03:17:15
Have two, have reds at at home for gaming, browns at work. When I add more to my collection, i'll store them in their boxes in my closet until I get bored of that switch.
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: jeroplane on Sun, 14 October 2012, 03:32:21
Using just the one at the moment at home - my Filco MJ2. Unfortunately I have to use the Microsoft rubber dome they've put in at work, since I share the desk.

I also recently refurbished a G80-11900, but only half the keys are on it since I'm using them on my Filco. I'm waiting to receive another set of keys so I can return these to the 11900, which will then be usable too. I'm thinking of either using it for my MBP or as a lap keyboard since it has a trackpad on it.

For those that run cables down the back of their desk to their machine below - any solutions for a neat way to interchange between keyboards without going to the trouble of crawling or keeping them both on the desk all the time? Maybe USB hub or something (but all those cables...)?
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: fohat.digs on Sun, 14 October 2012, 08:59:53
I have a USB hub and a PS2 extension terminating at the top back of my desk, so I can switch keyboards and mice by merely reaching around behind the monitor.

My dark back corner is a bowl of spaghetti wires.
Title: Re: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: AKIMbO on Sun, 14 October 2012, 09:07:23
I have a USB hub and a PS2 extension terminating at the top back of my desk, so I can switch keyboards and mice by merely reaching around behind the monitor.

My dark back corner is a bowl of spaghetti wires.

Dammit that's genius....why haven't I gotten a PS/2 extension yet.  I'm always pulling out the desk to snake those thick AT connectors behind it.
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: metalliqaz on Sun, 14 October 2012, 09:37:47
Goes like this:
1) buy new keyboard
2) customize it
3) realize that it has become too valuable
4) store it in box
5) GOTO 1

It gets typed on during step 2.
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: jeroplane on Sun, 14 October 2012, 09:42:02
I have a USB hub and a PS2 extension terminating at the top back of my desk, so I can switch keyboards and mice by merely reaching around behind the monitor.

My dark back corner is a bowl of spaghetti wires.

Nice, makes for easy hotswapping of all your peripherals!

Since my last post, I've bought myself a USB hub/card reader off eBay. I don't know why I haven't gotten one of these sooner. For years I've been reaching down to plug in flash drives and plugging my camera in via cable instead of sticking in the SD directly.

Also got some PS/2 to USB adapters coming in since my PC doesn't have PS/2 ports (defeats the purpose of PS/2 for NKRO, but that's not a huge issue for my use).
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 14 October 2012, 12:49:52
I have a USB hub and a PS2 extension terminating at the top back of my desk, so I can switch keyboards and mice by merely reaching around behind the monitor.

My dark back corner is a bowl of spaghetti wires.

Nice, makes for easy hotswapping of all your peripherals!

Since my last post, I've bought myself a USB hub/card reader off eBay. I don't know why I haven't gotten one of these sooner. For years I've been reaching down to plug in flash drives and plugging my camera in via cable instead of sticking in the SD directly.

Also got some PS/2 to USB adapters coming in since my PC doesn't have PS/2 ports (defeats the purpose of PS/2 for NKRO, but that's not a huge issue for my use).
http://www.ebay.com/itm/2-Port-USB-2-0-2-Port-PS-2-Combo-to-PCI-Card-Adapter-/180836227006?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item2a1aadd7be
Just sayin'

Unfortunately: http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?s=72aa97dfa888ecb82144b0807a35ad25&p=55270890&postcount=2 (http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showpost.php?s=72aa97dfa888ecb82144b0807a35ad25&p=55270890&postcount=2)
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: fohat.digs on Sun, 14 October 2012, 13:10:18
I have used several of these types (not this exact model) and have had pretty good luck, that is, 90% were not DOA and worked perfectly. Considering the absurd cheap price, an occasional dud is no big deal to me.

The concept of the "octopus" style really appeals to me, but I have bought 3 and only 1 worked.

Dorkvader, the card would be a great idea, but is seems that every couple of years when I buy a motherboard, I get less slots.

I have a nice full tower and always buy full-size ATX, but I seem to run out of slots very quickly. I wish I had at least one more on my current ASUS. I will not whine about the reasons why, because they might seem silly to almost everybody but me .....
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: hakujin on Sun, 14 October 2012, 20:05:43
My closet needs more shelves...
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: digitalleftovers on Sun, 14 October 2012, 20:48:21
I've had to pare down my PC collection a lot. I'm down to one home/work machine.  Keyboards go on the shelf until I feel inclined to grab a different one.
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: Sinzz on Sun, 14 October 2012, 22:50:14
rotate and or use them for gaming/typing as well. Love using the blues but I feel that blacks are more fun for games.
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: danielucf on Mon, 15 October 2012, 00:14:36
I keep one TKL and 2 Pures at my desk, one TKL at my main desk at work, and an old cherry with some WYSE keys in my cubicle that I type like one email a week, and enter my time every day. My SS7G is signed by Stephano, DeMuslim, iNcontrol, Idra, LZGamer, HuK, Machine, and Puma so I stopped using it. I have another older cherry I'm lending to a friend so he can try out blacks, and don't know what I'll do with the Thermaltake Tt eSPORTS MEKA G1 I have coming in the mail, maybe try and get it signed by MKP and sell it to a super fan.
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: Sifo on Mon, 15 October 2012, 10:13:06
^ Or White Ra
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: Hyde on Mon, 15 October 2012, 10:27:09
I have two so far, red at home and brown at work.  When I get more I'll probably keep them in the closet and rotate when I get bored.  Next on the list are buckling spring and topre  :D
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: The_Beast on Mon, 15 October 2012, 10:28:44
Yea, I forgot. When I do work in the summers I take my WASD to work, so I only have my poker and ssk at home. However when I'm at college, the WASD is the one I use the most
Title: Re: What do you guys do with your multiple keyboards?
Post by: jkercado on Mon, 15 October 2012, 13:21:37
I have a modded Unicomp Ultra Classic at the office, and switch between and IBM Model M or a IBM M4 at home, depending on how much free space I need on my tiny desk. I also carry in my laptop bag my trusty black USB Cherry G84-4100, just in case I need to do some extended mobile typing/coding.