geekhack
geekhack Community => New Members => Topic started by: UnFocused on Sun, 24 April 2016, 14:07:56
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Hello,
I’m UnFocused from New Orleans and I’ve been using mechanical keyboards since 1982 and have only very recently purchased my second rubber dome keyboard.
I’ve been using computers since 1982 when I bought myself a Texas Instruments TI-99/4A. It was the earlier silver & black version. These machines had keyboards from a few different manufactures, and I have no idea which one I had.
I learned how to touch type on an IBM Selectric typewriter around this time and I grew to hate the absolutely insane layout of the TI’s keyboard.
After the TI, I moved on to an Apple //e in late 1984. I believe it had SMK vintage linear switches. I no longer have my original //e, but I have stacks of others with the same switch.
I replaced the //e with a IIgs in 1987. I’m fairly certain that its keyboard had orange Alps. I no longer have that system either, but the IIgs I have now has a keyboard with orange Alps. I didn’t know anything about keyboards then, but I do remember that I really enjoyed typing on that one.
I moved on from Apple computers to the PC world 1989 when I built myself an AT clone with a screaming fast 80286 running at 20MHz (this was an AMD chip). I got a Focus FK-2001 with blue Alps with that computer. I kept the Focus until less than a month ago when I sold it (thus my username of UnFocused).
I don’t remember why, but I bought a Maxi-Switch rubber dome keyboard around 1992 and stopped using Focus. I still have that Maxi-Switch and it’s really good for a rubber dome. I used that keyboard until 1999 when I discovered IBM Model M keyboards.
My first Model M (from 1987) was from a used computer shop. It’s now with Phosphor Glow for some TLC. I wound up with nine Model M keyboards (down to five now) and used them at both work and home. I was an absolute Model M snob and didn’t think any keyboard could ever compare to the majesty of the mighty M. This led me to do some very, very, very stupid things like giving away a SGI granite keyboard. And throwing away a completely functioning WYSE terminal and keyboard with MX Black switches. This was 2003-ish and I simply didn’t know any better.
I eventually got tired of the Model M’s size at home and wound up getting a QFR with MX Blues in 2012 after doing a bunch of reading (lurking here) and other places. That keyboard was great for a while, but I came to really hate the high pitched sound of MX Blue switches.
The keyboard I currently use the most at home is a KUL ES-87 with MX Clear switches and Dolch DSA keycaps. I got this board in January and since then things have spiraled a tiny bit out of control….
There’s the Model F (AT) that I got in early March and modified with a Teensy.
There’s one of my Model M keyboards from 1995 with one of Phosphor Glow’s controllers.
There’s the KBP V80 with Matias Quiet Click switches that I used for a month and am now trying to sell.
There’s the Hakko soldering station I bought to eventually build a custom keyboard. My first real project with the Hakko will be removing the MX Blue switches from my QFR and replacing them with some interesting MX clone switches I got for free. From what I’ve read, they’re called Taiwan jet axis and they’re linear.
And then there’s the second rubber dome keyboard I’ve ever owned… a Realforce 87U 55g.
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Hihi! Very few of us from New Orleans, as far as I know, but there are some :)
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Holy moley :eek: Welcome!
What was it about the v60 matias quiet click that made you want to sell it?
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What was it about the v60 matias quiet click that made you want to sell it?
The V80 with Matias is a very nice keyboard, but I just don't need it at work anymore since getting the Realforce. I'm already swapping out between my KUL, Model M and Model F keyboards at home, and simply don't need another taking up space.
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What was it about the v60 matias quiet click that made you want to sell it?
The V80 with Matias is a very nice keyboard, but I just don't need it at work anymore since getting the Realforce. I'm already swapping out between my KUL, Model M and Model F keyboards at home, and simply don't need another taking up space.
Oh ok, I was mainly wondering if you had issues with the switches. Phew :))
Whoops, v80, sorry about that. I'm so use to discussing the v60 keyboards :-[
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Welcome to Geekhack!
A forum username with a good story behind it ;)
I guess you're a collector of vintage systems?
Did you get many complaints using BS keyboards at work? I did, and switched to a CODE with clears.
Have you considered an SSK? Not much bigger than the QFR, and still BS :D
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Welcome to Geekhack!
A forum username with a good story behind it ;)
I guess you're a collector of vintage systems?
Did you get many complaints using BS keyboards at work? I did, and switched to a CODE with clears.
Have you considered an SSK? Not much bigger than the QFR, and still BS :D
Thanks!
Yes, I collect (or collected) many Apple II systems. I have a stack of //e systems, a II+ and a couple of IIgs systems, but I am planning on reducing the number of machines I have as I would rather have the space in my house at this point. I still have *working* floppy disks from the early 80s when I got my original //e!
I also just sold a 1970s George Risk Industries keyboard from a 1970s Vector I computer I have and a keyboard for a Lisa 2 system I used to have.
Nobody has ever complained about my BS keyboard at work as I have my own office.
I'd love to have a SSK, but not at the prices they're currently selling for. There was one sold at the BIN price of $45 a month or two on ebay. I noticed it when browsing through sold listings. I guess the seller meant to list it at $450 and goofed, but someone sure got a great deal.
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Welcome to Geekhack!
A forum username with a good story behind it ;)
I guess you're a collector of vintage systems?
Did you get many complaints using BS keyboards at work? I did, and switched to a CODE with clears.
Have you considered an SSK? Not much bigger than the QFR, and still BS :D
Thanks!
Yes, I collect (or collected) many Apple II systems. I have a stack of //e systems, a II+ and a couple of IIgs systems, but I am planning on reducing the number of machines I have as I would rather have the space in my house at this point. I still have *working* floppy disks from the early 80s when I got my original //e!
I also just sold a 1970s George Risk Industries keyboard from a 1970s Vector I computer I have and a keyboard for a Lisa 2 system I used to have.
Nobody has ever complained about my BS keyboard at work as I have my own office.
I'd love to have a SSK, but not at the prices they're currently selling for. There was one sold at the BIN price of $45 a month or two on ebay. I noticed it when browsing through sold listings. I guess the seller meant to list it at $450 and goofed, but someone sure got a great deal.
$45 is a great price for an SSK :eek:
Mine cost a bit more than that, but not silly prices. Both were under $200 :)
Keep looking, they do turn up from time to time.