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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: Rad on Mon, 14 March 2016, 19:37:27

Title: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: Rad on Mon, 14 March 2016, 19:37:27: I always see the same ugly font on Pok3r keyboards and other entry level mechs. I'd link a picture, but I just ate.

Is there some kind of patent issue with key cap fonts and the font in question is cheap? What gives?

Just because you don't want to spend a lot of money doesn't mean you should have to deal with dry heaving every time you look at your fingers.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: nmur on Mon, 14 March 2016, 19:41:51: I think they're trying to tap into the g4m3r market by having futuristic/technical looking fonts

most people seem to discover mechs through gaming related media
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: Rad on Mon, 14 March 2016, 19:43:23: Quote from: nmur on Mon, 14 March 2016, 19:41:51
I think they're trying to tap into the g4m3r market by having futuristic/technical looking fonts

most people seem to discover mechs through gaming related media
Yeah I go to my local robot shops, and it's all Corsair and Razer. Flashing lights everywhere. They should make a keyboard that makes noises. I want to hear a clown horn every time I press a key.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: jacobolus on Mon, 14 March 2016, 20:02:47: You can get a better looking keyboard from the 80s for about $30–40 shipped on ebay, plus another $5 for an adapter.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: Coreda on Mon, 14 March 2016, 20:33:23: Bank Gothic isn't ugly per se. The Poker 3 though has non-center align legends unlike the previous versions, which don't suit it at all. Haven't seen the typeface used for other boards.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: kekman on Mon, 14 March 2016, 22:22:06: ~~I always see the same ugly font on Pok3r keyboards and other entry level mechs.~~ I always see ugly fonts on all keyboards

blanks master race
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: effectiveduck on Mon, 14 March 2016, 22:24:47: The fonts could be cheaper to licence.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: Rad on Mon, 14 March 2016, 22:28:32: Quote from: kekman on Mon, 14 March 2016, 22:22:06
~~I always see the same ugly font on Pok3r keyboards and other entry level mechs.~~ I always see ugly fonts on all keyboards

blanks master race
I use blanks too. Sometimes I see boards that have some caps with white font and other caps with black font. Two different font colors on the same board. Whaaaat?
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: appleonama on Mon, 14 March 2016, 22:59:01: Gaymer aesthetics bro gotta look MLG ESPORTs
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: alexjd99 on Mon, 14 March 2016, 23:05:15: r u even 1337? if u wur a 1337 g4m3r u wud get y the fonts luk k001
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: klennkellon on Mon, 14 March 2016, 23:21:01: What? You don't want your keyboard to look like a prop from a 1970's sci-fi porno parody film?
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: alexjd99 on Mon, 14 March 2016, 23:31:00: Quote from: klennkellon on Mon, 14 March 2016, 23:21:01
What? You don't want your keyboard to look like a prop from a 1970's sci-fi porno parody film?
My keyboards are props from '70's sci-fi porno parodies

get on my level
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: klennkellon on Mon, 14 March 2016, 23:40:33: Quote from: alexjd99 on Mon, 14 March 2016, 23:31:00
Quote from: klennkellon on Mon, 14 March 2016, 23:21:01
What? You don't want your keyboard to look like a prop from a 1970's sci-fi porno parody film?
My keyboards are props from '70's sci-fi porno parodies

get on my level
mine was more than just a prop in one of those.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: Rad on Mon, 14 March 2016, 23:43:28: Quote from: klennkellon on Mon, 14 March 2016, 23:40:33
Quote from: alexjd99 on Mon, 14 March 2016, 23:31:00
Quote from: klennkellon on Mon, 14 March 2016, 23:21:01
What? You don't want your keyboard to look like a prop from a 1970's sci-fi porno parody film?
My keyboards are props from '70's sci-fi porno parodies

get on my level
mine was more than just a prop in one of those.

Talk about a dirty keyboard.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: kekman on Tue, 15 March 2016, 00:15:15: antique value!
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: klennkellon on Tue, 15 March 2016, 00:25:56: **RARE** Vintage CLICKY IBM keyboard used in 1970 thriller "NAZI LOVE ISLAND" $499
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 15 March 2016, 01:20:10: Maybe they have realised that the majority of mechanical keyboards go to keyboard enthusiasts, who usually swap keycaps anyway.

So why spend extra money on keycaps and raise the price of a keyboard if you're just going to remove the keycaps anyway.

Put cheaper keycaps on, brings the price of the keyboard down.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: saxophone on Tue, 15 March 2016, 05:13:30: Same fonts are used cause they use the same OEM to produce the caps.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: Bromono on Tue, 15 March 2016, 08:27:16: Same reason why people put ugly ass decals and spoilers on their car.

They think it looks cool (Some even think it will make the car faster / type faster)

Classy > l33t / d0pe

IMO

But clacks do make you type faster. proven fact. so don't even. Because I cant even.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: y11971alex on Tue, 15 March 2016, 09:09:27: Lack of creativity can be thought of as a form of ugliness too, such as the sans-serif fonts used by IBM on all their keyboards to date.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Tue, 15 March 2016, 11:34:04: Quote from: Rad on Mon, 14 March 2016, 19:37:27
I always see the same ugly font on Pok3r keyboards and other entry level mechs. I'd link a picture, but I just ate.

Is there some kind of patent issue with key cap fonts and the font in question is cheap? What gives?

Just because you don't want to spend a lot of money doesn't mean you should have to deal with dry heaving every time you look at your fingers.

I think most boards at truly entry level are judged to be used by gamers and not professionals and they like that odd look. That said you really think the font on the pok3r is ugly? I think it's fairly normal honestly.

https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8wjW-Or1jg8/maxresdefault.jpg (https://i.ytimg.com/vi/8wjW-Or1jg8/maxresdefault.jpg) (Stock pok3r)

What i consider ugly gamer fonts is something like this.

http://images.anandtech.com/doci/7911/RZBWU_11.JPG (http://images.anandtech.com/doci/7911/RZBWU_11.JPG) (Razer BlackWidow)

Or

http://img.dxcdn.com/productimages/sku_328860_1.jpg (http://img.dxcdn.com/productimages/sku_328860_1.jpg) AULA Demon King

That said i can't really consider the pok3r an entry level board either. Entry level is like CM QFR,Spyder Noppoo,Ganss etc. It may not quite be endgame for most but it's definitely not an entry level board either.

Someone already mentioned earlier also it may be due to cost since several use the same OEM for caps and most know people will likely replace the keycaps anyways in the long run.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: Rad on Tue, 15 March 2016, 11:49:56: It's called ninja font or something? Booooo.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Tue, 15 March 2016, 11:54:27: Quote from: Rad on Tue, 15 March 2016, 11:49:56
It's called ninja font or something? Booooo.

On the pok3r or the Razer/AULA boards?

The pok3r is bank gothic i believe (Which i don't mind though i will admit i prefer the look of the font on my Realforce)

The Razer/AULA though ...hurt my eyes.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: FoxWolf1 on Tue, 15 March 2016, 12:17:04: Ehh, appearance is just a personal preference. Not everyone likes the same things, and that's fine.

Also, not everyone obsesses over the appearance of their keyboard the way many "enthusiasts" do. Some buyers care more about price and capabilities/features than looks, and if they don't care, the companies that cater to them will just use whatever caps the cheapest OEM has on hand.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: chyros on Tue, 15 March 2016, 13:50:50: I'm fine with most simple non-serif fonts. Chicony used a pretty nice one, Key Tronic's was pretty ugly.

Everything is better than that revolting font on the AEK and AEKII (and they're not even placed correctly Oo ).
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: appleonama on Tue, 15 March 2016, 13:52:30: Ugliest font to date is the black widow
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: chyros on Tue, 15 March 2016, 14:07:31: Quote from: appleonama on Tue, 15 March 2016, 13:52:30
Ugliest font to date is the black widow
Everything Razer make is vulgar and tasteless xD .
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: klennkellon on Tue, 15 March 2016, 17:45:18: Quote from: chyros on Tue, 15 March 2016, 14:07:31
Quote from: appleonama on Tue, 15 March 2016, 13:52:30
Ugliest font to date is the black widow
Everything Razer make is vulgar and tasteless xD .
the first generation black widow was my first mechanical board, I have a soft spot for it :-[
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: piemancoder on Tue, 15 March 2016, 20:21:53: We need a comic sans keycap set. Everyone would love that, right?
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: klennkellon on Tue, 15 March 2016, 20:27:31: Quote from: piemancoder on Tue, 15 March 2016, 20:21:53
We need a comic sans keycap set. Everyone would love that, right?
(https://d3ui957tjb5bqd.cloudfront.net/uploads/2015/03/comic-papyrus-3.jpg)
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: xtrafrood on Tue, 15 March 2016, 20:50:56: I'm probably not going to purchase a keyboard that looks like it could be used as a stencil for keyboard graffiti.

keyboard graffiti.. I think my life is missing keyboard graffiti..

(http://senseslost.com/third-rail-content/uploads/keyboardskateboard.jpg)
This is not a stencil.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: kekman on Tue, 15 March 2016, 23:53:08: Quote from: csmertx on Tue, 15 March 2016, 20:50:56
I'm probably not going to purchase a keyboard that looks like it could be used as a stencil for keyboard graffiti.

keyboard graffiti.. I think my life is missing keyboard graffiti..

Show Image
(http://senseslost.com/third-rail-content/uploads/keyboardskateboard.jpg)

This is not a stencil.

it's modern art, go sell it for 10,000,000 on ebay
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: rowdy on Wed, 16 March 2016, 04:34:39: Quote from: klennkellon on Tue, 15 March 2016, 20:27:31
Quote from: piemancoder on Tue, 15 March 2016, 20:21:53
We need a comic sans keycap set. Everyone would love that, right?

Show Image
(https://d3ui957tjb5bqd.cloudfront.net/uploads/2015/03/comic-papyrus-3.jpg)

This is a thing!

Looks too much like Comic Sans at smaller sizes though.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: kekman on Wed, 16 March 2016, 05:23:03: I'm pretty sure the Deck Hassium uses Papyrus
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: Fiery on Wed, 16 March 2016, 05:32:13: I personally like the Pok3r font, But the "gamer" fonts on the razer are atrocious. And the LED's just make them a million times worse. :confused:

Blanks just look nicer in my opinion.

*EDIT* Why do you consider the Pok3r a entry level mech keyboard?
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: xtrafrood on Wed, 16 March 2016, 07:34:44: Quote from: kekman on Tue, 15 March 2016, 23:53:08
Quote from: csmertx on Tue, 15 March 2016, 20:50:56
I'm probably not going to purchase a keyboard that looks like it could be used as a stencil for keyboard graffiti.

keyboard graffiti.. I think my life is missing keyboard graffiti..

Show Image
(http://senseslost.com/third-rail-content/uploads/keyboardskateboard.jpg)

This is not a stencil.

it's modern art, go sell it for 10,000,000 on ebay
If that keyboard was mine I would keep it in a glass case! :p
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: appleonama on Wed, 16 March 2016, 10:16:23: Quote from: klennkellon on Tue, 15 March 2016, 17:45:18
Quote from: chyros on Tue, 15 March 2016, 14:07:31
Quote from: appleonama on Tue, 15 March 2016, 13:52:30
Ugliest font to date is the black widow
Everything Razer make is vulgar and tasteless xD .
the first generation black widow was my first mechanical board, I have a soft spot for it :-[

Reported I will have no sympathy for razer lovers
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: chyros on Wed, 16 March 2016, 10:41:44: I prefer legends that make no sense to blank caps tbh. Makes it even more mysterious, especially on weird layouts. Terminal keyboards are cool like that.

Or legends that are just plain weird. Like that "URINE" key on the hospital keyboard that got posted a while back.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Wed, 16 March 2016, 14:53:07: Quote from: chyros on Wed, 16 March 2016, 10:41:44
I prefer legends that make no sense to blank caps tbh. Makes it even more mysterious, especially on weird layouts. Terminal keyboards are cool like that.

Or legends that are just plain weird. Like that "URINE" key on the hospital keyboard that got posted a while back.

The only reason i like blanks on some of my boards and the very stealth look of the Realforce is it's beyond comical watching my wife try to type.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: Rad on Wed, 16 March 2016, 15:22:00: Quote from: csmertx on Tue, 15 March 2016, 20:50:56
I'm probably not going to purchase a keyboard that looks like it could be used as a stencil for keyboard graffiti.

keyboard graffiti.. I think my life is missing keyboard graffiti..

Show Image
(http://senseslost.com/third-rail-content/uploads/keyboardskateboard.jpg)

This is not a stencil.
~~Surf~~ Skate the web!
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: xtrafrood on Wed, 16 March 2016, 15:53:22: Quote from: Rad on Wed, 16 March 2016, 15:22:00
Quote from: csmertx on Tue, 15 March 2016, 20:50:56
I'm probably not going to purchase a keyboard that looks like it could be used as a stencil for keyboard graffiti.

keyboard graffiti.. I think my life is missing keyboard graffiti..

Show Image
(http://senseslost.com/third-rail-content/uploads/keyboardskateboard.jpg)

This is not a stencil.
~~Surf~~ Skate the web!
huehue (http://i.imgur.com/BJb7JAl.gif)
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: falkentyne on Wed, 16 March 2016, 15:55:59: Because the same OEM often makes the keycaps for several manufacturers. Thus the same font is used
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: Red October on Wed, 16 March 2016, 17:07:22: Quote from: Rad on Mon, 14 March 2016, 19:43:23
Quote from: nmur on Mon, 14 March 2016, 19:41:51
I think they're trying to tap into the g4m3r market by having futuristic/technical looking fonts

most people seem to discover mechs through gaming related media
Yeah I go to my local robot shops, and it's all Corsair and Razer. Flashing lights everywhere. They should make a keyboard that makes noises. I want to hear a clown horn every time I press a key.

My IBM 6112884 has a beeper in it that can be set to "stupid-loud" if you want using the keyboard to be a tortuous exercise. Uncomfortably loud even with my Beyerdynamic headset on.
I for one miss the days when, if you wanted a product to look "Hi-tech", you slapped OCR-A or Westminster on it and called it a day.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: ileben on Wed, 16 March 2016, 17:31:06: Personally I find the stock Pok3r font just as atrocious as the one on Razer. They are both targetting the gamer audience very clearly.

EDIT: It's even called "Pok3r" and not Poker. Come on...
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: saxophone on Wed, 16 March 2016, 18:28:01: Wow that AULA is sooooooo FAKE.

A real AULA looks something like http://www.aliexpress.com/item/AULA-Professional-Gaming-Keyboard-Black-Mechanical-Keyboard-87-Keys-Red-Switch-With-Multimedia-USB-Wired-Laptop/32626501622.html (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/AULA-Professional-Gaming-Keyboard-Black-Mechanical-Keyboard-87-Keys-Red-Switch-With-Multimedia-USB-Wired-Laptop/32626501622.html) **** like a Daemonic Aegis ready to deflect the beams of suns blinding light from your moms basement at any moment.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: piemancoder on Wed, 16 March 2016, 18:33:28: Quote from: saxophone on Wed, 16 March 2016, 18:28:01
Wow that AULA is sooooooo FAKE.

A real AULA looks something like http://www.aliexpress.com/item/AULA-Professional-Gaming-Keyboard-Black-Mechanical-Keyboard-87-Keys-Red-Switch-With-Multimedia-USB-Wired-Laptop/32626501622.html (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/AULA-Professional-Gaming-Keyboard-Black-Mechanical-Keyboard-87-Keys-Red-Switch-With-Multimedia-USB-Wired-Laptop/32626501622.html) **** like a Daemonic Aegis ready to deflect the beams of suns blinding light from your moms basement at any moment.

My eyes hurt.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: ander on Wed, 16 March 2016, 20:32:56: Quote from: Rad on Mon, 14 March 2016, 19:43:23
Flashing lights everywhere... They should make a keyboard that makes noises. I want to hear a clown horn every time I press a key.

LOL—hawnk hawnk!

Quote from: effectiveduck on Mon, 14 March 2016, 22:24:47
The fonts could be cheaper to licence.

But then why not use some of the nicer fonts with GPL or GNU free-use licences?

Quote from: klennkellon on Mon, 14 March 2016, 23:21:01
What? You don't want your keyboard to look like a prop from a 1970's sci-fi porno parody film?

How many subsequent retro sci-fi porn videos have they inspired? That's what I want to know.

To answer the OP: Maybe they doll up these boards to distract people from how mediocre they are as, you know, input devices.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: Rad on Wed, 16 March 2016, 22:22:30: Quote from: saxophone on Wed, 16 March 2016, 18:28:01
Wow that AULA is sooooooo FAKE.

A real AULA looks something like http://www.aliexpress.com/item/AULA-Professional-Gaming-Keyboard-Black-Mechanical-Keyboard-87-Keys-Red-Switch-With-Multimedia-USB-Wired-Laptop/32626501622.html (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/AULA-Professional-Gaming-Keyboard-Black-Mechanical-Keyboard-87-Keys-Red-Switch-With-Multimedia-USB-Wired-Laptop/32626501622.html) **** like a Daemonic Aegis ready to deflect the beams of suns blinding light from your moms basement at any moment.
That's one of the classiest, subtle keyboards I've ever seen. I like that two people can use it at once. You know, for when that happens.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: ika on Wed, 16 March 2016, 22:24:09: Quote from: Rad on Wed, 16 March 2016, 22:22:30
Quote from: saxophone on Wed, 16 March 2016, 18:28:01
Wow that AULA is sooooooo FAKE.

A real AULA looks something like http://www.aliexpress.com/item/AULA-Professional-Gaming-Keyboard-Black-Mechanical-Keyboard-87-Keys-Red-Switch-With-Multimedia-USB-Wired-Laptop/32626501622.html (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/AULA-Professional-Gaming-Keyboard-Black-Mechanical-Keyboard-87-Keys-Red-Switch-With-Multimedia-USB-Wired-Laptop/32626501622.html) **** like a Daemonic Aegis ready to deflect the beams of suns blinding light from your moms basement at any moment.
That's one of the classiest, subtle keyboards I've ever seen. I like that two people can use it at once. You know, for when that happens.

****, two player co-op used to be the best. you must be young.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: Rad on Wed, 16 March 2016, 22:26:28: Quote from: ika on Wed, 16 March 2016, 22:24:09
Quote from: Rad on Wed, 16 March 2016, 22:22:30
Quote from: saxophone on Wed, 16 March 2016, 18:28:01
Wow that AULA is sooooooo FAKE.

A real AULA looks something like http://www.aliexpress.com/item/AULA-Professional-Gaming-Keyboard-Black-Mechanical-Keyboard-87-Keys-Red-Switch-With-Multimedia-USB-Wired-Laptop/32626501622.html (http://www.aliexpress.com/item/AULA-Professional-Gaming-Keyboard-Black-Mechanical-Keyboard-87-Keys-Red-Switch-With-Multimedia-USB-Wired-Laptop/32626501622.html) **** like a Daemonic Aegis ready to deflect the beams of suns blinding light from your moms basement at any moment.
That's one of the classiest, subtle keyboards I've ever seen. I like that two people can use it at once. You know, for when that happens.

****, two player co-op used to be the best. you must be young.
Back in my day, a keyboard only cost a nickel.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: xtrafrood on Thu, 17 March 2016, 04:20:18: There are a few keyboards that have speakers built in for noise purposes. I'm not sure you can reprogram them to use mp3 quality audio though :p
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: saxophone on Thu, 17 March 2016, 15:59:58: Quote from: piemancoder on Wed, 16 March 2016, 18:33:28
My eyes hurt.
You have no style. True game need willfulness to show their attitude. You have already fallen for traditional appearance of the drainage mechanical trend.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: xtrafrood on Thu, 17 March 2016, 21:09:50: Quote from: saxophone on Thu, 17 March 2016, 15:59:58
Quote from: piemancoder on Wed, 16 March 2016, 18:33:28
My eyes hurt.
You have no style. True game need willfulness to show their attitude. You have already fallen for traditional appearance of the drainage mechanical trend.
That keyboard has fake screws. Fake screws.. (http://i.imgur.com/HTfA79a.gif)
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: falkentyne on Thu, 17 March 2016, 21:57:24: Quote

But then why not use some of the nicer fonts with GPL or GNU free-use licences?

Because most of these companies are in China/Taiwan.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Sat, 26 March 2016, 21:57:43: I forget the name of the process, but some cheap ones use a sort of decal stuck to the keycap. This style is particularly ugly and I'm sure you have seen some of these. You can feel the edge of it with your fingernail. But I agree there are lots of ugly fonts. One that comes to mind is one of the Cooler Master keyboards, especially the F row has very large white, ugly, blocky characters.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: kasakka on Mon, 28 March 2016, 13:25:34: Many of the "off brand" keyboards from China seem to have the same hideous caps with an angular font. It's similar to how large majority of men's dress shoes sold in malls etc are downright hideous yet people still buy them. As they still sell they don't have to have a designer who actually understands aesthetics. Just pick a "cool" font and roll with it.

I really have no idea who started the whole "gamer" look with red/black or green/black. Most of it looks tacky as hell and nowadays it's actually getting hard to avoid that look. I recently bought a new ASUS motherboard and had to take the "gaming" variant since it had the right feature set for me.
Title: Re: Why do most low-end keyboards have the same ugly font on their caps?
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Tue, 29 March 2016, 01:44:34: I don't think the fonts on the Poker 3 are ugly at all.