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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: jedrys on Sat, 28 September 2013, 12:32:58

Title: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: jedrys on Sat, 28 September 2013, 12:32:58

Hi,

I've been lurking this forum for a while, but I couldn't find a suitable solution for me.

I'm a translator and I type a lot everyday (usually 40-50k keystrokes per day). Right now I'm using a small Apple Bluetooth keyboard, but I definitely need a change. I don't play games at all. My requirements are:

1. Solid keyboard which will last few years.
2. Tenkeyless
3. Not too loud, because I need to hear my thoughts ;)
4. Compatible with a Mac (working Fn key is a must!).
5. EU layout with big Enter, if possible.
5. Backlighting would be a plus, but I can live without it.

Important thing: I use Alt key (usually left one) a lot to enter Polish characters.

Budget is not a problem - I can spend 200 USD for a good keyboard, but I prefer a model available in Europe because of taxes and transport costs.

Right now I'm looking at Matias Laptop Pro or Filco Majestouch-2, Tenkeyless with browns. Unfortunately both of them have small Enter key.

What are your suggestions?

Marcin

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: longweight on Sat, 28 September 2013, 12:39:53

How about this? http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/uk-filco-ninja-majestouch-2-tenkeyless-nkr-tactile-action-keyboard.asp (http://www.keyboardco.com/keyboard/uk-filco-ninja-majestouch-2-tenkeyless-nkr-tactile-action-keyboard.asp)


You could get some GMK caps with the language packs :)


http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48798.0 (http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48798.0)

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: uzoc on Sat, 28 September 2013, 12:47:30

Quote from: jedrys on Sat, 28 September 2013, 12:32:58

Hi,

I've been lurking this forum for a while, but I couldn't find a suitable solution for me.

I'm a translator and I type a lot everyday (usually 40-50k keystrokes per day). Right now I'm using a small Apple Bluetooth keyboard, but I definitely need a change. I don't play games at all. My requirements are:

1. Solid keyboard which will last few years.
2. Tenkeyless
3. Not too loud, because I need to hear my thoughts ;)
4. Compatible with a Mac (working Fn key is a must!).
5. EU layout with big Enter, if possible.
5. Backlighting would be a plus, but I can live without it.

Important thing: I use Alt key (usually left one) a lot to enter Polish characters.

Budget is not a problem - I can spend 200 USD for a good keyboard, but I prefer a model available in Europe because of taxes and transport costs.

Right now I'm looking at Matias Laptop Pro or Filco Majestouch-2, Tenkeyless with browns. Unfortunately both of them have small Enter key.

What are your suggestions?

Marcin

If translating/interpreting is your day job and you type that much...
I wouldn't recommend anything less than a Kinesis Advantage.
FYI, just checked, they have three on sale, used on EBay! $125!
Not clicky (browns) make sure that you get the o-rings around $2 on Amazon (100).
Larger enter (whole thumb finger)...

Or a TypeMatrix 2030 (definitely and improvement over older models, for me).

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: tp4tissue on Sat, 28 September 2013, 17:30:38

what's are the most " saucy " lines you've translated....  (http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/014.gif)

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: jedrys on Sun, 29 September 2013, 02:53:36

Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 28 September 2013, 17:30:38

what's are the most " saucy " lines you've translated.... 

Show Image

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/014.gif)

"General Protection Fault". This line makes everybody cry  ;D

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: Linkbane on Sun, 29 September 2013, 03:26:00

I would recommend, given your need for silence and typing, either an MX Blue with o-rings or MX Brown. You really shouldn't need rings for those, and Brown keyboards are pretty ubiquitous. A CM Storm QFR with browns will do just fine. Here is a link to a British store http://www.scan.co.uk/products/cooler-master-cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-mechanical-cherry-brown-mx-gaming-keyboard (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/cooler-master-cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-mechanical-cherry-brown-mx-gaming-keyboard). Despite the picture being an ANSI keyboard, it's actually an ISO according to a buyer.

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: csmith1991 on Sun, 29 September 2013, 15:12:03

I'm kind of curious here. Have you ever heard of stenotyping? It'd allow you to get through work much quicker, and there's some programs that work with macs to enable this functionality. That said, learning it can be quite difficult.

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: tp4tissue on Sun, 29 September 2013, 15:49:36

Quote from: jedrys on Sun, 29 September 2013, 02:53:36

Quote from: tp4tissue on Sat, 28 September 2013, 17:30:38

what's are the most " saucy " lines you've translated.... 

Show Image

(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion/014.gif)

"General Protection Fault". This line makes everybody cry  ;D

What do you have along the lines of,

Laura slowly slid Katherine's skirt up her stockings. Along the way her fingers sense the tactile transition between the smooth sheer and the lace adorned elastic. The motion pauses as Laura's mind races; She's wondering what's further ahead, are these simply hold-ups or is Katherine a temptress bad girl donning a garter-belt. Overwhelmed, Laura leans in to.......


(http://www.cute-factor.com/images/smilies/onion_custom/th_0pride.gif)

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: dragonxx21 on Sun, 29 September 2013, 15:59:36

Quote from: Linkbane on Sun, 29 September 2013, 03:26:00

I would recommend, given your need for silence and typing, either an MX Blue with o-rings or MX Brown. You really shouldn't need rings for those, and Brown keyboards are pretty ubiquitous. A CM Storm QFR with browns will do just fine. Here is a link to a British store http://www.scan.co.uk/products/cooler-master-cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-mechanical-cherry-brown-mx-gaming-keyboard (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/cooler-master-cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-mechanical-cherry-brown-mx-gaming-keyboard). Despite the picture being an ANSI keyboard, it's actually an ISO according to a buyer.

QFR isn't Mac compatible. At least the link you posted says it isn't.

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: dorkvader on Sun, 29 September 2013, 17:18:38

Quote from: dragonxx21 on Sun, 29 September 2013, 15:59:36

Quote from: Linkbane on Sun, 29 September 2013, 03:26:00

I would recommend, given your need for silence and typing, either an MX Blue with o-rings or MX Brown. You really shouldn't need rings for those, and Brown keyboards are pretty ubiquitous. A CM Storm QFR with browns will do just fine. Here is a link to a British store http://www.scan.co.uk/products/cooler-master-cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-mechanical-cherry-brown-mx-gaming-keyboard (http://www.scan.co.uk/products/cooler-master-cm-storm-quickfire-rapid-mechanical-cherry-brown-mx-gaming-keyboard). Despite the picture being an ANSI keyboard, it's actually an ISO according to a buyer.

QFR isn't Mac compatible. At least the link you posted says it isn't.

My roommate uses his QFR with his MBP, so I can confirm it'll work with OSX 10.7 and 10.8

Keep in mind, though, that there are no dip switches to swap super and alt, like on the poker2, pure, etc.

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: vatin on Sun, 29 September 2013, 17:56:00

I'm also a translator and type a lot. Kinesis Advantage makes my day gone by happily. It is a worthwhile investment.

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: Kouni on Mon, 30 September 2013, 00:13:44

Hey, I'm also a translator, and I use a Filco Majestouch 2 with brown switches and o-rings. Very comfortable.

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 30 September 2013, 00:25:27

wtf? there are this many translators on GH?

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: CeeSA on Mon, 30 September 2013, 08:51:00

for a job with so many keystrokes I would urgently recommend you a programable keyboard.
So you program different languages or  layouts in different keyboard layers. Think about retyping phrases and so on.

Tipro or Access are very good companys with very good keyboards. It's even easier if you live in europe. Both come with Cherry MX Black switches.

Here are some ebay listings:
http://www.ebay.de/itm/TIPRO-Futuro-Kassentastatur-Part-No-30101-TMC-KMCV-C15-021-/380703233337?pt=Kassen_Abrechnungen&hash=item58a3ae5539 (http://www.ebay.de/itm/TIPRO-Futuro-Kassentastatur-Part-No-30101-TMC-KMCV-C15-021-/380703233337?pt=Kassen_Abrechnungen&hash=item58a3ae5539)
http://www.ebay.de/itm/Kassen-Apotheker-Tastatur-USB-Tipro-TMC-KMCV-C13-038-VSA-Layout-T13-/271281870512?pt=Kassen_Abrechnungen&hash=item3f29a8d6b0 (http://www.ebay.de/itm/Kassen-Apotheker-Tastatur-USB-Tipro-TMC-KMCV-C13-038-VSA-Layout-T13-/271281870512?pt=Kassen_Abrechnungen&hash=item3f29a8d6b0)

http://www.ebay.de/itm/Access-IS-Point-of-sale-Keyboard-P-N-AKEOCTC314-2-cleaned-tested-VG-condition-/300977030089?pt=UK_BOI_Retail_Shop_Fitting_POS_Equipment_ET&hash=item4613a103c9 (http://www.ebay.de/itm/Access-IS-Point-of-sale-Keyboard-P-N-AKEOCTC314-2-cleaned-tested-VG-condition-/300977030089?pt=UK_BOI_Retail_Shop_Fitting_POS_Equipment_ET&hash=item4613a103c9)

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: jedrys on Mon, 30 September 2013, 13:01:38

Quote from: CeeSA on Mon, 30 September 2013, 08:51:00

Tipro or Access are very good companys with very good keyboards. It's even easier if you live in europe. Both come with Cherry MX Black switches.

I don't think that a used keyboard for pharmacy or POS would be suitable for me :)

Title: Re: Good keyboard for a translator
Post by: CeeSA on Mon, 30 September 2013, 13:25:53

Buy a new one...