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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 11 June 2014, 10:37:03

Title: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Wed, 11 June 2014, 10:37:03
If you're deep in this hobby like I am, you've probably lusted after and perhaps even bought your favorite novelty keycaps. There's so many novelties: Clacks, BroBots, Zombros, nubbinator's caps, GasMasks, BingeCaps, KBKs, metal keycaps...the list goes on and on. Everyone has their favorite and happily shows them off in the media threads. But I was wondering...

Do you type on your novelty keycaps?

I have a bunch of novelties on my KMAC that I enjoy. I type on all of them and I don't worry about things like shine or wear. To me, keyboards and keycaps are function first so I use the caps and boards I have. Do you type on your novelties? Or do they live somewhere safe?
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: Puddsy on Wed, 11 June 2014, 10:56:04
Have you seen Genesis?

It's like one big novelty keycap.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: BlueBär on Wed, 11 June 2014, 11:03:07
I think a novelty cap on something like Esc wouldn't be too bad. The only one I'm worried about is my Andre the Fly by nubbinator since its antennas or whatever you want to call it are so thin. I don't have more than one on my boards right now though.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: bueller on Wed, 11 June 2014, 11:29:17
I use novelties on mine but I tend to rotate them pretty frequently so I'm not too worried about wear. Looking at the quality of Clacks, Binge Caps and Bros etc I don't think they'd have problems with wear anyway.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: infiniti on Wed, 11 June 2014, 11:38:42
I use them on Esc on my keyboard but aspire to fill the top row of my 60%.

I also take them on adventures. :))
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: osi on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:11:26
Some gasmasks used to live on my board but recently I have removed them. I had no problem typing with them Their original purpose (for me) was for navigation help.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:12:57
Yes, when they are placed in the F-row or on the Esc key.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: Pacifist on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:15:10
no
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: hwood34 on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:19:38
I usually stick mine in low traffic areas or on my numpad, so they don't feel totally left out :p
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: exitfire401 on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:20:18
Yes. All of the ones on the top row of my HHKB
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: Frenir on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:24:06
I try to put mine in places where they don't get overused.

I have an Iron Mask keycap that I put on my Filcos ESC and it got worn down in a month (it might have been low quality). So I'm not risking breaking any of my novelty caps.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: Excaliborg on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:28:51
So far I have only purchased caps that I planned on actually putting on a board; the only exception being a spare set of DDR arrows that I got for collection purposes. The set of DDR arrows that I actually use however are by far my most abused set of caps due to hours of OpenITG.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: mashby on Wed, 11 June 2014, 12:49:59
Like most folks have already said, I typically only use them on the ESC key. So they're in use, but not heavy use.

The only exception has been the shotgun key cap that CTRLalt did. I put that on the "~" key that is to the right of the shift. It just went so perfectly with the Commando Key cap set. (photo (http://l.mashby.com/ipJh))

Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: Oobly on Wed, 11 June 2014, 15:11:58
I use my Cinnn Iron Man on my Esc key, but I'm always very careful how I press it. I actually really like how it feels. Really solid metal cap on an ErgoClear switch mmmmmm....
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: noisyturtle on Wed, 11 June 2014, 18:37:43
Regulated to top row use, but yeah, they get hit too.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: Beca on Wed, 11 June 2014, 18:43:01
When I had my Mario/Luigi keycaps I would use them like normal. When I had a cc skull on my escape I just used it whenever as well. I wouldn't not use any novelty key with nice detailing on it in a "high traffic" area though.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: epzy on Wed, 11 June 2014, 18:44:57
Hell yes.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: tribade on Thu, 12 June 2014, 00:18:00
I have a gasmask as my escape key right now.  it's actually kind of nice.  I might regret it if it gets dirty I suppose but right now I enjoy having it on there.  I don't know whether I'd have the heart to use bro caps or clacks though.  Maybe as an F-row key, since I hardly ever use those.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 12 June 2014, 05:12:56
Yes.  Esc key of MX keyboards, and top right corner of HHKB.

The 3D Skull in the extreme top right of HHKB `~ key gets used more than you might think - Command-` is used to switch between open windows of the current application on Mac.

Most of the others came in sets - Portal, Hazard, Smile! - they might get used for a couple of weeks on the F-row, but otherwise not really, unless I am colour-matching something.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: atlas3686 on Thu, 12 June 2014, 05:30:17
Yes.  Esc key of MX keyboards, and top right corner of HHKB.

The 3D Skull in the extreme top right of HHKB `~ key gets used more than you might think - Command-` is used to switch between open windows of the current application on Mac.

Most of the others came in sets - Portal, Hazard, Smile! - they might get used for a couple of weeks on the F-row, but otherwise not really, unless I am colour-matching something.

Very similarly to everyone here I do use them but try to avoid high traffic areas. I use F row/esc on my Realforce and esc and top right on my hhkb, although I try and avoid the top right most key on the HHKB because as Rowdy mentioned Command+` is used to switch current app windows on mac and fn+` is my delete which I use quite a lot as well.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 12 June 2014, 05:48:53
Yes.  Esc key of MX keyboards, and top right corner of HHKB.

The 3D Skull in the extreme top right of HHKB `~ key gets used more than you might think - Command-` is used to switch between open windows of the current application on Mac.

Most of the others came in sets - Portal, Hazard, Smile! - they might get used for a couple of weeks on the F-row, but otherwise not really, unless I am colour-matching something.

Very similarly to everyone here I do use them but try to avoid high traffic areas. I use F row/esc on my Realforce and esc and top right on my hhkb, although I try and avoid the top right most key on the HHKB because as Rowdy mentioned Command+` is used to switch current app windows on mac and fn+` is my delete which I use quite a lot as well.

I use Ctrl-D a lot instead of Fn-Del.  Same thing on Mac.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: atlas3686 on Thu, 12 June 2014, 07:04:24
Yes.  Esc key of MX keyboards, and top right corner of HHKB.

The 3D Skull in the extreme top right of HHKB `~ key gets used more than you might think - Command-` is used to switch between open windows of the current application on Mac.

Most of the others came in sets - Portal, Hazard, Smile! - they might get used for a couple of weeks on the F-row, but otherwise not really, unless I am colour-matching something.

Very similarly to everyone here I do use them but try to avoid high traffic areas. I use F row/esc on my Realforce and esc and top right on my hhkb, although I try and avoid the top right most key on the HHKB because as Rowdy mentioned Command+` is used to switch current app windows on mac and fn+` is my delete which I use quite a lot as well.

I use Ctrl-D a lot instead of Fn-Del.  Same thing on Mac.

Weirdly that doesn't work for me, I though it might be xtrafinder that was the problem but turned it off and still not... weird.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: Showhand on Thu, 12 June 2014, 07:24:24
What you mean exactly with novelty keycap?
Ty
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 12 June 2014, 07:29:01
What you mean exactly with novelty keycap?

Do you type on your Clack, BroBot, VIM caps, any cap that you bought that is a fun single cap and not a set? Read the OP for other examples of novelties.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 13 June 2014, 05:55:07
Yes.  Esc key of MX keyboards, and top right corner of HHKB.

The 3D Skull in the extreme top right of HHKB `~ key gets used more than you might think - Command-` is used to switch between open windows of the current application on Mac.

Most of the others came in sets - Portal, Hazard, Smile! - they might get used for a couple of weeks on the F-row, but otherwise not really, unless I am colour-matching something.

Very similarly to everyone here I do use them but try to avoid high traffic areas. I use F row/esc on my Realforce and esc and top right on my hhkb, although I try and avoid the top right most key on the HHKB because as Rowdy mentioned Command+` is used to switch current app windows on mac and fn+` is my delete which I use quite a lot as well.

I use Ctrl-D a lot instead of Fn-Del.  Same thing on Mac.

Weirdly that doesn't work for me, I though it might be xtrafinder that was the problem but turned it off and still not... weird.

Er, maybe my bad phrasing, when I said "I use Ctrl-D a lot instead of Fn-Del.  Same thing on Mac." I meant that Ctrl-D and Fn-Del are the same on Mac.  Ctrl-D doesn't work on Windows, although Fn-Del (typed on a HHKB) would work.

In fact a lot of "standard" control sequences, such as Ctrl-A for beginning of line, Ctrl-F for end of line, work on Linux and Mac, but do something completely different on Windows.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: atlas3686 on Fri, 13 June 2014, 06:11:22
Yes.  Esc key of MX keyboards, and top right corner of HHKB.

The 3D Skull in the extreme top right of HHKB `~ key gets used more than you might think - Command-` is used to switch between open windows of the current application on Mac.

Most of the others came in sets - Portal, Hazard, Smile! - they might get used for a couple of weeks on the F-row, but otherwise not really, unless I am colour-matching something.

Very similarly to everyone here I do use them but try to avoid high traffic areas. I use F row/esc on my Realforce and esc and top right on my hhkb, although I try and avoid the top right most key on the HHKB because as Rowdy mentioned Command+` is used to switch current app windows on mac and fn+` is my delete which I use quite a lot as well.

I use Ctrl-D a lot instead of Fn-Del.  Same thing on Mac.

Weirdly that doesn't work for me, I though it might be xtrafinder that was the problem but turned it off and still not... weird.

Er, maybe my bad phrasing, when I said "I use Ctrl-D a lot instead of Fn-Del.  Same thing on Mac." I meant that Ctrl-D and Fn-Del are the same on Mac.  Ctrl-D doesn't work on Windows, although Fn-Del (typed on a HHKB) would work.

In fact a lot of "standard" control sequences, such as Ctrl-A for beginning of line, Ctrl-F for end of line, work on Linux and Mac, but do something completely different on Windows.

Oh no I mean it doesn't work on my mac. Are my shortcuts different to yours?
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: bianco on Fri, 13 June 2014, 06:30:01
i put my novelty keycaps are in the esc-function row... which doesn't really get that much action.
except for F5 when there's a sale going on somewhere...  :))
but then again, i don't have that much novelty keycaps in my collection.  :(
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 13 June 2014, 06:53:00
Yes.  Esc key of MX keyboards, and top right corner of HHKB.

The 3D Skull in the extreme top right of HHKB `~ key gets used more than you might think - Command-` is used to switch between open windows of the current application on Mac.

Most of the others came in sets - Portal, Hazard, Smile! - they might get used for a couple of weeks on the F-row, but otherwise not really, unless I am colour-matching something.

Very similarly to everyone here I do use them but try to avoid high traffic areas. I use F row/esc on my Realforce and esc and top right on my hhkb, although I try and avoid the top right most key on the HHKB because as Rowdy mentioned Command+` is used to switch current app windows on mac and fn+` is my delete which I use quite a lot as well.

I use Ctrl-D a lot instead of Fn-Del.  Same thing on Mac.

Weirdly that doesn't work for me, I though it might be xtrafinder that was the problem but turned it off and still not... weird.

Er, maybe my bad phrasing, when I said "I use Ctrl-D a lot instead of Fn-Del.  Same thing on Mac." I meant that Ctrl-D and Fn-Del are the same on Mac.  Ctrl-D doesn't work on Windows, although Fn-Del (typed on a HHKB) would work.

In fact a lot of "standard" control sequences, such as Ctrl-A for beginning of line, Ctrl-F for end of line, work on Linux and Mac, but do something completely different on Windows.

Oh no I mean it doesn't work on my mac. Are my shortcuts different to yours?
(Attachment Link)

Pretty much the same:

[attachimg=1]

I am (still) on Snow Leopard (got a new HDD and already downloaded Mavericks, but just don't have the time to upgrade).

If I type this line in the Quick Reply box, then Ctrl-A to move to the beginning of the line, I can press Ctrl-D to delete characters from the beginning of the line.

Or Command-Fn-; (where ; = left arrow) to move to the beginning of the line, and Fn-Del to delete characters from the beginning.
Title: Re: KTOD - Do you actually type on your novelty keycaps?
Post by: atlas3686 on Fri, 13 June 2014, 07:50:31
Haha, figured it out, forgot I have some stuff setup in Keyremap4macbook  :p