geekhack

geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: OfTheWild on Sat, 26 December 2015, 16:47:57

Title: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: OfTheWild on Sat, 26 December 2015, 16:47:57
Long time keyboard user that only within the last year or so realized people were making mechanical keyboards with modern usb interfaces! I've had a couple Corsair k95's and now i'm sold on picking up a pok3r for work, a Ducky 100% for the wife, and maybe something for my dad as well!

First things first though, i need to buy or build a key tester numpad! Any suggestions?
Title: Re: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: HPE1000 on Sat, 26 December 2015, 17:02:31
Welcome! :)

The pok3r is a great keyboard especially for the price. I like mine.

For the key tester numpad I am not sure. Do you want a functional key tester that can actually work with a computer or just one to test out different switches? One important thing is nothing can beat actually testing the switches out on a keyboard. The switch testers give you a good idea of how the switch will feel but they still don't match actually typing on the switches especially when comparing switches like cherry mx reds and blacks where they are heavier/lighter than one another.
Title: Re: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: OfTheWild on Sat, 26 December 2015, 17:08:03
If i were to actually build our a numpad i'd probably want one that worked so the few times i need one i have it (even if all the keys were different). You have a good point about actually typing on a board to see how it feels. I dont think i have an option for that though unless i go some a convention or something.
Title: Re: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: bcredbottle on Sat, 26 December 2015, 17:39:10
Isn't everyone a longtime keyboard user?
Title: Re: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: OfTheWild on Sat, 26 December 2015, 17:49:06
^ some longer than others  ;D

My first keyboard was this:
(http://www.oocities.org/stratfordteacher/trs.jpg)

...then grew up to be an IT guy.
Title: Re: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 28 December 2015, 19:12:51
Welcome to Geekhack!

I know it's not exactly building one yourself, but: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-switch-tester-with-anodized-case?mode=guest_open

For older non-USB keyboards you can get various converters and adaptors to use them on modern computers.  Anything from a simple PS/2 to USB converter to a Teensy, which is essentially a programmable keyboard interface that you can connect to almost any keyboard.
Title: Re: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: OfTheWild on Tue, 29 December 2015, 09:58:55
Welcome to Geekhack!

I know it's not exactly building one yourself, but: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-switch-tester-with-anodized-case?mode=guest_open

For older non-USB keyboards you can get various converters and adaptors to use them on modern computers.  Anything from a simple PS/2 to USB converter to a Teensy, which is essentially a programmable keyboard interface that you can connect to almost any keyboard.


Yeah i've been reading about the Teensy stuff you guys are doing, really awesome! Makes me want to try my hand at building my own keyboard!
Title: Re: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: bcredbottle on Tue, 29 December 2015, 10:02:33
Welcome to Geekhack!

I know it's not exactly building one yourself, but: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-switch-tester-with-anodized-case?mode=guest_open

For older non-USB keyboards you can get various converters and adaptors to use them on modern computers.  Anything from a simple PS/2 to USB converter to a Teensy, which is essentially a programmable keyboard interface that you can connect to almost any keyboard.


Yeah i've been reading about the Teensy stuff you guys are doing, really awesome! Makes me want to try my hand at building my own keyboard!

You should build an Ergodox w/ MX Clears. There is no better keyboard in the world and it's not that difficult.
Title: Re: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: billnye on Tue, 29 December 2015, 10:20:03
Welcome to geekhack! Always nice to see someone else from NC on here.
Title: Re: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 29 December 2015, 22:25:45
Welcome to Geekhack!

I know it's not exactly building one yourself, but: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-switch-tester-with-anodized-case?mode=guest_open

For older non-USB keyboards you can get various converters and adaptors to use them on modern computers.  Anything from a simple PS/2 to USB converter to a Teensy, which is essentially a programmable keyboard interface that you can connect to almost any keyboard.


Yeah i've been reading about the Teensy stuff you guys are doing, really awesome! Makes me want to try my hand at building my own keyboard!

Most of building a keyboard is lots of fiddly soldering.  Once you get into the flow, it is just repetitive.
Title: Re: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: OfTheWild on Wed, 30 December 2015, 11:13:30
Welcome to Geekhack!

I know it's not exactly building one yourself, but: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-switch-tester-with-anodized-case?mode=guest_open

For older non-USB keyboards you can get various converters and adaptors to use them on modern computers.  Anything from a simple PS/2 to USB converter to a Teensy, which is essentially a programmable keyboard interface that you can connect to almost any keyboard.


Yeah i've been reading about the Teensy stuff you guys are doing, really awesome! Makes me want to try my hand at building my own keyboard!

Most of building a keyboard is lots of fiddly soldering.  Once you get into the flow, it is just repetitive.

I could do that. lol I'm pretty good with a soldering iron, i have a nice adjustable one from my mechanic days.

Welcome to geekhack! Always nice to see someone else from NC on here.

 :thumb: With the IT industry around the triangle i'd expect a decent crowd here. Know of any groups that get together for show-and-tell?

Welcome to Geekhack!

I know it's not exactly building one yourself, but: https://www.massdrop.com/buy/varmilo-switch-tester-with-anodized-case?mode=guest_open

For older non-USB keyboards you can get various converters and adaptors to use them on modern computers.  Anything from a simple PS/2 to USB converter to a Teensy, which is essentially a programmable keyboard interface that you can connect to almost any keyboard.


Yeah i've been reading about the Teensy stuff you guys are doing, really awesome! Makes me want to try my hand at building my own keyboard!

You should build an Ergodox w/ MX Clears. There is no better keyboard in the world and it's not that difficult.

Interesting - yeah i saw that on massdrop a while back. I've never used an ergonomic keyboard but it looks pretty. I'd give it a try for sure.
Title: Re: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: engicoder on Wed, 30 December 2015, 12:35:47
Welcome! There are a few other triangle folks on Geekhack. I am in North Raleigh...aka other side of the city. As far as get togethers, we had one a few months ago and plan to have another eventually. Check out this thread https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=73695.0.

Title: Re: Hello folks! Newbie from Cary, NC
Post by: OfTheWild on Thu, 31 December 2015, 10:49:22
Welcome! There are a few other triangle folks on Geekhack. I am in North Raleigh...aka other side of the city. As far as get togethers, we had one a few months ago and plan to have another eventually. Check out this thread https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=73695.0.

Awesome! *subscribed.