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geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: Scarpia on Thu, 07 April 2016, 04:35:53

Title: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: Scarpia on Thu, 07 April 2016, 04:35:53
Hi good people of the Geek persuasion. I am Scarpia, a Scandinavian software dev and fellow keyboard enthusiast.

I've mostly been nerding keyboards over on Deskthority, but I figured why limit myself to one forum? Should I limit myself to one keyboard too? One switch? Heresy!  :))

I use a 55g Topre-clone TKL from RoyalKludge as my daily driver, I love the dull Topre thock but I secretly lust for amber Omrons. I own a Model M SSK DisplayWriter (P/N 1392464) and I am collecting interesting switches for a switch tester tour sometime in 2016.

So here I am, good to meet you all.

/Scarpia
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: CPTBadAss on Thu, 07 April 2016, 05:42:42
Oooo I like your taste in switches. Omrons are pretty fun and I love Displaywriters. Hopefully you can find some Marquardt Butterfly switches for your tour! Welcome to GH
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: henz on Thu, 07 April 2016, 05:45:46
Quote from: Scarpia on Thu, 07 April 2016, 04:35:53
Hi good people of the Geek persuasion. I am Scarpia, a Scandinavian software dev and fellow keyboard enthusiast.

I've mostly been nerding keyboards over on Deskthority, but I figured why limit myself to one forum? Should I limit myself to one keyboard too? One switch? Heresy!  :))

I use a 55g Topre-clone TKL from RoyalKludge as my daily driver, I love the dull Topre thock but I secretly lust for amber Omrons. I own a Model M SSK DisplayWriter (P/N 1392464) and I am collecting interesting switches for a switch tester tour sometime in 2016.

So here I am, good to meet you all.

/Scarpia

Go Sweden!
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: rowdy on Fri, 08 April 2016, 06:02:58
Welcome to Geekhack!

An interesting and unusual selection of switches - have you got an overall favourite switch (or would that be the amber Omrons)?
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: Scarpia on Fri, 08 April 2016, 10:09:10
Thanks all for the warm welcome!

My favorite switch so far would be original Topre 55g, although I must admit I've only tried them in a keychain tester. The Topre clones in my RoyalKludge board are lovely though, and I'm happy to stick with them until the day Topre lowers their prices  ^-^

Buckling spring
While I love the build quality, styling and retro charm of vintage IBM boards, I am actually not such a huge fan of buckling spring switches; maybe it's the pingy sound, maybe it's the travel, or maybe it's just that I've never learned to touch-type. And sound-wise, I would take blue Alps or amber Omrons over buckling springs any day.

Clicky
For clickies, like I said, it's Omron or blue Alps (and that includes several of the clones) all the way for me. None of the clicky Cherry MX switches I've tested feel as smooth or sound as good as the Alps mount ones.

Still, this is mostly speculative, since I haven't yet had the chance to use amber Omrons (or blue Alps, for that matter) in a full keyboard, so I don't know if I could live with them. And I'm positive that neither my girlfriend nor my coworkers would approve.

Linear
Linear switches in my mind should be buttery smooth, on the heavy side, and preferably fitted with big, bold keycaps. I could really go for that. Light and linear is not an option.

Tactile
Before I got the chance to play around with a bunch of different switches, I thought I'd love Cherry MX browns. The idea of a solid mechanical tactile switch with a good 'bite' to it sounded exactly right to me. So I was surprised to find that I hated every single 'brown' switch I tried. They feel wobbly, messy, like they have multiple poorly-defined tactile 'steps' instead of a single, unmistakable one -- a 'clickless click' was what I wanted, and the browns were not it.

I still haven't found exactly what I want in a tactile switch, but the Topres may be as close as I'll get.

Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: Scarpia on Fri, 08 April 2016, 10:17:56
FWIW, here's my daily driver:

(http://i.imgur.com/Q6dQb33.jpg)


And as for my switch 'tour bag', here's what I have accumulated so far (full list of switches (https://deskthority.net/want-to-buy-f56/moar-switches-for-the-ridiculous-switch-tour-t13352.html#p296200)):

(http://i.imgur.com/95v4sIs.jpg)

(the 'keypad' on the left holds 24 MX variants -- 8 flavors of Cherry, and 4 of each of Gateron, Kailh, Noppoo, and Greetech)
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: xtrafrood on Fri, 08 April 2016, 18:58:34
Quote from: Scarpia on Fri, 08 April 2016, 10:17:56
FWIW, here's my daily driver:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Q6dQb33.jpg)



And as for my switch 'tour bag', here's what I have accumulated so far (full list of switches (https://deskthority.net/want-to-buy-f56/moar-switches-for-the-ridiculous-switch-tour-t13352.html#p296200)):

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/95v4sIs.jpg)


(the 'keypad' on the left holds 24 MX variants -- 8 flavors of Cherry, and 4 of each of Gateron, Kailh, Noppoo, and Greetech)

Oh cool, I guess the RK tkl topre clone has a standard layout :) Welcome
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 00:50:29
Quote from: Scarpia on Fri, 08 April 2016, 10:17:56
FWIW, here's my daily driver:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Q6dQb33.jpg)



And as for my switch 'tour bag', here's what I have accumulated so far (full list of switches (https://deskthority.net/want-to-buy-f56/moar-switches-for-the-ridiculous-switch-tour-t13352.html#p296200)):

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/95v4sIs.jpg)


(the 'keypad' on the left holds 24 MX variants -- 8 flavors of Cherry, and 4 of each of Gateron, Kailh, Noppoo, and Greetech)

Ah, DSA Dolch.  I've been tempted by that set far too many times :))

Do I seen an NEC blue oval switch in there?  An interesting switch, used to be one of my favourites.

You've still got a little way to go (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=81010.0) with your switch collection though ;)
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: beehatch on Sun, 10 April 2016, 00:56:00
Quote from: Scarpia on Fri, 08 April 2016, 10:17:56
FWIW, here's my daily driver:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Q6dQb33.jpg)



And as for my switch 'tour bag', here's what I have accumulated so far (full list of switches (https://deskthority.net/want-to-buy-f56/moar-switches-for-the-ridiculous-switch-tour-t13352.html#p296200)):

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/95v4sIs.jpg)


(the 'keypad' on the left holds 24 MX variants -- 8 flavors of Cherry, and 4 of each of Gateron, Kailh, Noppoo, and Greetech)

I love your switch "tour bag" idea actually. I might want to try something similar one day.

Hope you enjoy your stay :3
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 01:01:03
Quote from: beehatch on Sun, 10 April 2016, 00:56:00
Quote from: Scarpia on Fri, 08 April 2016, 10:17:56
FWIW, here's my daily driver:

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/Q6dQb33.jpg)



And as for my switch 'tour bag', here's what I have accumulated so far (full list of switches (https://deskthority.net/want-to-buy-f56/moar-switches-for-the-ridiculous-switch-tour-t13352.html#p296200)):

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/95v4sIs.jpg)


(the 'keypad' on the left holds 24 MX variants -- 8 flavors of Cherry, and 4 of each of Gateron, Kailh, Noppoo, and Greetech)

I love your switch "tour bag" idea actually. I might want to try something similar one day.

Hope you enjoy your stay :3

DT used to have something like this - a switch sampler pack with a couple of dozen switches in it.
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: Scarpia on Sun, 10 April 2016, 04:53:02
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 00:50:29
Ah, DSA Dolch.  I've been tempted by that set far too many times :))

Do I seen an NEC blue oval switch in there?  An interesting switch, used to be one of my favourites.

You've still got a little way to go (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=81010.0) with your switch collection though ;)

Yes, the DSA Dolch is one of my all-time favorites; I am tempted to get the Alps mount DCS Dolch on MD right now, to Dolch up some lucky Alps board.

And yes, that's an NEC blue oval switch ;) got it from Orihalcon along with a bunch of the more interesting ones. And you're right that there's a long way to go to match Chyros' collection, but luckily that was never the intention.

As for my switch tour bag, I am still looking for a half dozen specific switches before I'm ready to start my tour. I've posted a Call For Switches over on DT (the thread I linked above) and I've gotten a lot of help from the community.

Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 06:04:46
Quote from: Scarpia on Sun, 10 April 2016, 04:53:02
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 00:50:29
Ah, DSA Dolch.  I've been tempted by that set far too many times :))

Do I seen an NEC blue oval switch in there?  An interesting switch, used to be one of my favourites.

You've still got a little way to go (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=81010.0) with your switch collection though ;)

Yes, the DSA Dolch is one of my all-time favorites; I am tempted to get the Alps mount DCS Dolch on MD right now, to Dolch up some lucky Alps board.

And yes, that's an NEC blue oval switch ;) got it from Orihalcon along with a bunch of the more interesting ones. And you're right that there's a long way to go to match Chyros' collection, but luckily that was never the intention.

As for my switch tour bag, I am still looking for a half dozen specific switches before I'm ready to start my tour. I've posted a Call For Switches over on DT (the thread I linked above) and I've gotten a lot of help from the community.

Is that SP DCS Alps Dolch?

Or Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch?

I got a Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch set from Massdrop a while back.

Silly, really, as I don't have an Alps keyboard :))
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: Scarpia on Sun, 10 April 2016, 06:10:26
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 01:01:03
DT used to have something like this - a switch sampler pack with a couple of dozen switches in it.

Sure, there's a bunch of MrInterface bags of course, some of which (https://deskthority.net/try-f29/switch-try-bag-round-3-conus-t6766.html) have been on tour before; and the Switch Try Numpad v2 (https://deskthority.net/try-f29/switch-try-numpad-version-2-round-2-europe-t4941.html) (which has Alps, Cherries and some ghetto variants in a working numpad; however, neither has been circulating since 2014.

Then there's the still-going SurpriseBox, which I believe contains a bag of switches, although I don't know which and I'm not sure they're accepting any more signups since the box has grown almost too heavy for shipping by now.

Either way, this bag contains >60 different switches, which is quite a few more than previous tours, including all three Topres and a lot of clone brands.
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 06:20:48
Quote from: Scarpia on Sun, 10 April 2016, 06:10:26
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 01:01:03
DT used to have something like this - a switch sampler pack with a couple of dozen switches in it.

Sure, there's a bunch of MrInterface bags of course, some of which (https://deskthority.net/try-f29/switch-try-bag-round-3-conus-t6766.html) have been on tour before; and the Switch Try Numpad v2 (https://deskthority.net/try-f29/switch-try-numpad-version-2-round-2-europe-t4941.html) (which has Alps, Cherries and some ghetto variants in a working numpad; however, neither has been circulating since 2014.

Then there's the still-going SurpriseBox, which I believe contains a bag of switches, although I don't know which and I'm not sure they're accepting any more signups since the box has grown almost too heavy for shipping by now.

Either way, this bag contains >60 different switches, which is quite a few more than previous tours, including all three Topres and a lot of clone brands.

MrInterface - that's what I was trying to think of!
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: Scarpia on Sun, 10 April 2016, 07:43:15
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 06:04:46
Is that SP DCS Alps Dolch?
Or Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch?

I got a Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch set from Massdrop a while back.
Silly, really, as I don't have an Alps keyboard :))

The Massdrop is for Tai Hao doubleshots - and you're right, they are OEM profile, not DCS. I'd probably take the Tai Haos over the SPs, simply a matter of price though.
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: xtrafrood on Sun, 10 April 2016, 08:14:57
Quote from: Scarpia on Sun, 10 April 2016, 07:43:15
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 06:04:46
Is that SP DCS Alps Dolch?
Or Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch?

I got a Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch set from Massdrop a while back.
Silly, really, as I don't have an Alps keyboard :))

The Massdrop is for Tai Hao doubleshots - and you're right, they are OEM profile, not DCS. I'd probably take the Tai Haos over the SPs, simply a matter of price though.

Keep in mind that Tai Hao sets have a 'Nano Antibiosis' or anti-bacterial coating on them that becomes sticky when it starts to wear off the keys :thumb: There are a few guides available to remove the stuff if it becomes an issue though
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: rowdy on Mon, 11 April 2016, 05:33:38
Quote from: csmertx on Sun, 10 April 2016, 08:14:57
Quote from: Scarpia on Sun, 10 April 2016, 07:43:15
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 06:04:46
Is that SP DCS Alps Dolch?
Or Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch?

I got a Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch set from Massdrop a while back.
Silly, really, as I don't have an Alps keyboard :))

The Massdrop is for Tai Hao doubleshots - and you're right, they are OEM profile, not DCS. I'd probably take the Tai Haos over the SPs, simply a matter of price though.

Keep in mind that Tai Hao sets have a 'Nano Antibiosis' or anti-bacterial coating on them that becomes sticky when it starts to wear off the keys :thumb: There are a few guides available to remove the stuff if it becomes an issue though

SOME Tai Hao PBT sets have that costing.

Massdrop usually indicates fairly clearly when a set does not include the costing.

Actually Tai Hao sets re not too bad.  Cheap, yes.  Thin, yes.  But the colours are good, the legends are consistent.  They are doubleshot.  They do fit a standard ANSI keyboard.

I got in on the original Tai Hao GB when the sets started at $9.  Things have changed a bit sine then :))
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: xtrafrood on Mon, 11 April 2016, 06:48:47
Quote from: rowdy on Mon, 11 April 2016, 05:33:38
Quote from: csmertx on Sun, 10 April 2016, 08:14:57
Quote from: Scarpia on Sun, 10 April 2016, 07:43:15
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 06:04:46
Is that SP DCS Alps Dolch?
Or Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch?

I got a Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch set from Massdrop a while back.
Silly, really, as I don't have an Alps keyboard :))

The Massdrop is for Tai Hao doubleshots - and you're right, they are OEM profile, not DCS. I'd probably take the Tai Haos over the SPs, simply a matter of price though.

Keep in mind that Tai Hao sets have a 'Nano Antibiosis' or anti-bacterial coating on them that becomes sticky when it starts to wear off the keys :thumb: There are a few guides available to remove the stuff if it becomes an issue though

SOME Tai Hao PBT sets have that costing.

Massdrop usually indicates fairly clearly when a set does not include the costing.

Actually Tai Hao sets re not too bad.  Cheap, yes.  Thin, yes.  But the colours are good, the legends are consistent.  They are doubleshot.  They do fit a standard ANSI keyboard.

I got in on the original Tai Hao GB when the sets started at $9.  Things have changed a bit sine then :))

Was the set any of the color schemes that Tai Hao produces at the moment?
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: jerue on Mon, 11 April 2016, 22:14:45
Hi Scarpia!

I had an amber Omron board once...it was fun to use.

You need real Topre though.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: Scarpia on Tue, 12 April 2016, 02:49:01
Quote from: jerue on Mon, 11 April 2016, 22:14:45
You need real Topre though.  :thumb:

I know.. but the prices  :eek:
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: Photekq on Tue, 12 April 2016, 04:21:33
Welcome Scarpia!
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 12 April 2016, 06:03:58
Quote from: csmertx on Mon, 11 April 2016, 06:48:47
Quote from: rowdy on Mon, 11 April 2016, 05:33:38
Quote from: csmertx on Sun, 10 April 2016, 08:14:57
Quote from: Scarpia on Sun, 10 April 2016, 07:43:15
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 06:04:46
Is that SP DCS Alps Dolch?
Or Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch?

I got a Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch set from Massdrop a while back.
Silly, really, as I don't have an Alps keyboard :))

The Massdrop is for Tai Hao doubleshots - and you're right, they are OEM profile, not DCS. I'd probably take the Tai Haos over the SPs, simply a matter of price though.

Keep in mind that Tai Hao sets have a 'Nano Antibiosis' or anti-bacterial coating on them that becomes sticky when it starts to wear off the keys :thumb: There are a few guides available to remove the stuff if it becomes an issue though

SOME Tai Hao PBT sets have that costing.

Massdrop usually indicates fairly clearly when a set does not include the costing.

Actually Tai Hao sets re not too bad.  Cheap, yes.  Thin, yes.  But the colours are good, the legends are consistent.  They are doubleshot.  They do fit a standard ANSI keyboard.

I got in on the original Tai Hao GB when the sets started at $9.  Things have changed a bit sine then :))

Was the set any of the color schemes that Tai Hao produces at the moment?

I have no idea what Tai Hao are producing at the moment.

The ABS ones seem to exclude the coating - at least I have not heard of an ABS set with the coating.

The PBT sets all had the coating, but people were whinging and Massdrop asked for a set or two without the coating - something like that - and got it.

I'm not sure if the orange/black set I got from Massdrop a while back has the coating, but comparing the feel with that of other PBT sets I have I would say that it does.  I don't rotate that set in all that often (too many other sets), so nothing has worn off yet.

But it looks absolutely dreadful when it does start to wear.
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: xtrafrood on Tue, 12 April 2016, 07:11:49
Quote from: rowdy on Tue, 12 April 2016, 06:03:58
Quote from: csmertx on Mon, 11 April 2016, 06:48:47
Quote from: rowdy on Mon, 11 April 2016, 05:33:38
Quote from: csmertx on Sun, 10 April 2016, 08:14:57
Quote from: Scarpia on Sun, 10 April 2016, 07:43:15
Quote from: rowdy on Sun, 10 April 2016, 06:04:46
Is that SP DCS Alps Dolch?
Or Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch?

I got a Tai Hao OEM Alps Dolch set from Massdrop a while back.
Silly, really, as I don't have an Alps keyboard :))

The Massdrop is for Tai Hao doubleshots - and you're right, they are OEM profile, not DCS. I'd probably take the Tai Haos over the SPs, simply a matter of price though.

Keep in mind that Tai Hao sets have a 'Nano Antibiosis' or anti-bacterial coating on them that becomes sticky when it starts to wear off the keys :thumb: There are a few guides available to remove the stuff if it becomes an issue though

SOME Tai Hao PBT sets have that costing.

Massdrop usually indicates fairly clearly when a set does not include the costing.

Actually Tai Hao sets re not too bad.  Cheap, yes.  Thin, yes.  But the colours are good, the legends are consistent.  They are doubleshot.  They do fit a standard ANSI keyboard.

I got in on the original Tai Hao GB when the sets started at $9.  Things have changed a bit sine then :))

Was the set any of the color schemes that Tai Hao produces at the moment?

I have no idea what Tai Hao are producing at the moment.

The ABS ones seem to exclude the coating - at least I have not heard of an ABS set with the coating.

The PBT sets all had the coating, but people were whinging and Massdrop asked for a set or two without the coating - something like that - and got it.

I'm not sure if the orange/black set I got from Massdrop a while back has the coating, but comparing the feel with that of other PBT sets I have I would say that it does.  I don't rotate that set in all that often (too many other sets), so nothing has worn off yet.

But it looks absolutely dreadful when it does start to wear.

Ah, I've seen new sets of orange and black set in a few marketplaces. Come to think of it, I have seen a few on Amazon labeled: "Without Antibiosis Coating" 
Title: Re: Sneaking off the DT compound to have some fun with the GeekHackers
Post by: Scarpia on Tue, 12 April 2016, 09:11:37
Quote from: henz on Thu, 07 April 2016, 05:45:46
Go Sweden!

Go Sweden indeed. But even more so, Go Denmark! ...where I'm originally from ;D

Quote from: Photekq on Tue, 12 April 2016, 04:21:33
Welcome Scarpia!

Oh hey Photekq! Nice to see a familiar face (name) over here :)