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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: QuincyJones on Sat, 18 June 2016, 05:32:28

Title: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: QuincyJones on Sat, 18 June 2016, 05:32:28
I just can't understand how "awesome" / "cool" / "neato" / "topper" having a keyboard which keys light up is. Really, I do not get it - maybe the chicks really dig it as you're part of the elite now? It  is just utterly useless and moronic.

The LED's cause a distraction at the bottom of eye-line and are of no use for typing in the dark (really for the health of your eyes, don't use a computer in the dark). They were a fad at best in the mainstream, and are only continued by factories that are equipped to make such keyboards and rather than retool these factories at tremendous cost, it's cheaper to remarket the product to a new audience - essentially vulnerable easily influenced kids.

So, pray tell; just why do you want a keyboard with stupid LED's under the keys?
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: epzy on Sat, 18 June 2016, 05:50:53
ok
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Fullcream on Sat, 18 June 2016, 05:53:23
LOL
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Aricil on Sat, 18 June 2016, 09:08:12
It makes it easier to see in the dark? It looks nice?
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Sat, 18 June 2016, 10:43:32
It's really just a matter of preference.  I know where the keys are so I don't need them.  But I do like white LED's on a low setting.  In the dark it may be difficult to find a single key with one finger.  Though I don't care much for the boards RGB boards that can glow an assortment of colors.

The fancy blinking and scrolling settings are sort of cool, but that is distracting.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: kawasaki161 on Sat, 18 June 2016, 12:09:20
If you don't need/want them don't use/buy them and more importantly don't care about them. You could use the same kind of logic on mechs in general, or custom keycaps, or custom keyboards and so on. Not giving a **** is always the better option than complaining about stuff that is 100% preference (like most of the choices/topics/whatever in this community).
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: xtrafrood on Sat, 18 June 2016, 12:13:35
ok

this
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: chyros on Sat, 18 June 2016, 12:31:05
<sorry I completely misunderstood this - blame me never having used modern keyboards :p >
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: lee+ on Sat, 18 June 2016, 13:14:25
A long time ago, when I was playing Wing Commander 2, I wanted a keyboard with the keys lit because it was nice to play in a somewhat dark room, which made it difficult to see the keys.  It would have been a great help if the keys had been lit because every now and then, you needed to press one, like to target another enemy or to communicate with your wingguys.  I'd look at the keyboard for that because my hands usually weren't already on it, and one was on the joystick anyway.

Unfortunately, nobody made such keyboards at that time, so I sent an email to Cherry and suggested that they make one.  They answered that they don't make lit keyboards and aren't planning on making any.

That's how lit keyboards were invented.  I should have obtained a patent on it ...


PS: Can someone please fix the verification images?  The letters on them are so messed up and small that they are unreadable without holding a magnifying glass to the screen.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: mike52787 on Sat, 18 June 2016, 13:23:33
Good question. I am dedinitely not a fan of rgb backlighting or any of that gamery ****.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: quasistellar on Sat, 18 June 2016, 13:44:05
ok

this

yup
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: mike52787 on Sat, 18 June 2016, 13:46:12
PS: Can someone please fix the verification images?  The letters on them are so messed up and small that they are unreadable without holding a magnifying glass to the screen.
lol just post more, around your 20th post you dont have to do the capchas anymore.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Krustyboomer on Sat, 18 June 2016, 13:48:05
Along with this, which DIY PCBs allow in-switch PCBs?  Gons for sure, but not sure on the Phantom.  It appears not.  Any others available with in-switch LEDs?
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: lee+ on Sat, 18 June 2016, 13:57:39
Along with this, which DIY PCBs allow in-switch PCBs?  Gons for sure, but not sure on the Phantom.  It appears not.  Any others available with in-switch LEDs?

That would be nice.  These unreadable images make it no fun to post anything.

Seriously, I really do have to use the magnifying glass or I couldn't post at all, and I still many times can't read them.

[sighs and reaches for the glass again ...]
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: shrubkeys on Sat, 18 June 2016, 14:14:58
Backlighting is not a fad. Remember: most people do not own the typical Geekhacker's black-on-black Cherry-profile Moogle-included thick doubleshot PBT Nordic keysets, where any LEDs just serve as decoration. Most people also do not touchtype. Correspondingly - and unsurprisingly - then, mainstream backlit keyboards come with shine-through caps, where the LEDs allow you to - wait for it - see the letters in the dark.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: ideus on Sat, 18 June 2016, 14:51:48
LEDs in a keyboard are just an extreme intent to revamp a simple and practical input device and transform it into something close to an ornament, it is like the travesty version of a keyboard, a keyboard trying to pass as a fancy thing, a working input device in disguise. This thing along with other trends like artisan's are the side effects of the culture that is sensitive to the importance of keyboards as part of the modern worker's workplace in the digital communications era, it is just another unfortunate diversification of our attention in high quality input devices. For some, the keyboard is our daily working tool, for others is a toy that needs some fancy clothes.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Bucake on Sat, 18 June 2016, 15:12:46
ok

this

yup

right
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: lee+ on Sat, 18 June 2016, 16:17:01
For some, the keyboard is our daily working tool, for others is a toy that needs some fancy clothes.

What's the last time you've seen a decent keyboard at a work place where it is a daily working tool?
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: davkol on Sat, 18 June 2016, 16:26:33
For some, the keyboard is our daily working tool, for others is a toy that needs some fancy clothes.
What's the last time you've seen a decent keyboard at a work place where it is a daily working tool?
You should have added "aside from your own keyboard" maybe…?
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: lee+ on Sat, 18 June 2016, 16:33:52
For some, the keyboard is our daily working tool, for others is a toy that needs some fancy clothes.
What's the last time you've seen a decent keyboard at a work place where it is a daily working tool?
You should have added "aside from your own keyboard" maybe…?

Well, I'm through the supply of rubber boards now.   This week, I got a Dell bigfoot cheaply off ebay with the idea to use it at work, but I'm surprisingly reluctant to take it there for unknown reasons ...  Maybe if I get another one in better condition first ...

I just couldn't bring myself to take the Model M or the Unicomp ...  No way!
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Findecanor on Sat, 18 June 2016, 17:33:48
At my last job everyone used Sun Type 7 which was surprisingly very decent for being a rubber dome. At the job before that most people used Logitech Illuminated which many argue has the best scissor-switches.

Over a few years, I have met three guys who used Kinesis Advantage at work, most recently about a month ago. I have also spotted a couple of Das Keyboard (of various editions) and Goldtouch.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: tkim on Sat, 18 June 2016, 19:09:41
I get where you are coming from OP but wait till you see those mice with little screens on them.  :blank:
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: lee+ on Wed, 22 June 2016, 16:06:41
I get where you are coming from OP but wait till you see those mice with little screens on them.  :blank:

What do mice need screens for?

I love my trackball --- and I hate mice ...
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: klennkellon on Wed, 22 June 2016, 16:11:58
why do people spend $500 on artisian keys?
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: xtrafrood on Wed, 22 June 2016, 16:35:07
(http://i2.cdn.turner.com/cnnnext/dam/assets/150909201103-03-star-trek-watn-restricted-super-169.jpg)
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: cryptokey on Wed, 22 June 2016, 16:38:19
I get where you are coming from OP but wait till you see those mice with little screens on them.  :blank:

What do mice need screens for?

I love my trackball --- and I hate mice ...

This.



What trackball do you roll?
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: cryptokey on Wed, 22 June 2016, 16:44:09
Although as a touch typist, I don't personally feel the need for backlighting, I can see the appeal of backlit keyboards in low-light environments for hunt-and-peck typists.  The WASD Code comes to mind.  The other situation where backlighting is most obviously a necessity is for SUPER OP PRO MLG GAMERZ I ****ED UR MOM N00B GET REKT ***IT!!!1!
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: ander on Wed, 22 June 2016, 18:15:46
If you don't need/want them don't use/buy them and more importantly don't care about them. You could use the same kind of logic on mechs in general, or custom keycaps, or custom keyboards and so on. Not giving a **** is always the better option than complaining about stuff that is 100% preference (like most of the choices/topics/whatever in this community).

On the contrary—seeing a topic that questions the sense of something like an illuminated, animated keyboard, and not reading and replying to it in a pointlessly "you shouldn't ask questions or express opinions here" way, would be the "better option". In a democracy, that is. If you decide to move to Russia so you can be told what you can and can't inquire or express opinions about, maybe you'll post here about it and let us know how much better it is.

 
A long time ago, when I was playing Wing Commander 2, I wanted a keyboard with the keys lit because it was nice to play in a somewhat dark room, which made it difficult to see the keys.  It would have been a great help if the keys had been lit because every now and then, you needed to press one... I'd look at the keyboard for that because my hands usually weren't already on it... That's how lit keyboards were invented.

No, it's not why they were invented. They were invented because keyboard makers needed a new gimmick to promote sales. Till then, the idea of illuminating something you're not supposed to look at—much less, adding disco effects to it—seemed silly. Then some hardware exec realized, "Hey, people who build custom PCs like stuff that lights up. Why don't we make keyboards that light up?" So they test-marketed them, to avoid the possibility that they'd be ridiculed and their brand damaged.

But since primates are instinctively attracted to bright, shiny things (apparently because they remind us of our need for water (http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2543625/My-precious-Scientists-discover-attracted-shiny-objects-say-key-inbuilt-desire-water.html)), people started buying them, even though it made about as much sense as embedding LEDs in the steering wheel of your car.

The illuminated, flashing keyboard thing also capitalized on computer ignorance. Since the sci-fi movie serials of the '30s, Hollywood has exploited the image of computers as mystifying, super-complicated devices covered with blinking lights, strange controls and cryptic displays (https://www.google.ca/search?q=retro+sci-fi+computer&num=30&source=lnms&tbm=isch&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwi91Yjy1bzNAhUL-mMKHTBAD9QQ_AUICCgB&biw=1217&bih=623#imgrc=_). Fun 'n' fanciful, for sure—but it also had the effect of making whole generations of people afraid to learn about computers because you had to be a scientist or mad genius to understand them.

And as far as adding little signal lights to a keyboard to avoid learning where the keys are... No one can tell you or anyone else how to use the tools you own. But it's not necessary to "reinvent the wheel" by hunting and pecking, either. Keyboard technology, the computers that keyboards are used to control, and the best ways to use them, are the result of decades of incredibly hard work by incredibly smart people who, in many cases, dedicated their lives to developing those devices and methods.

"Reinventing the wheel" means ignoring all that and deciding to do it your way. In some cases—for example, in art, music, writing, architecture—a certain amount of "wheel-reinventing" is good, as it opens the way to new ideas that are equally valuable.

But typing, especially on a standard keyboard, has pretty much been innovated out. Insisting on "reinventing" something like that is like building your own toaster (http://www.geek.com/geek-pick/nine-month-project-to-build-a-toaster-from-scratch-results-in-a-book-toaster-like-monstrosties-1424175/). Yes, it can be done—but if you're not doing it to make some kind of artistic statement, you're just wasting a lot of your present and future time.

Touch typing isn't that hard. If you can walk and talk, those are much harder and more complicated skills than typing. Yes, it takes some time to learn to use a keyboard without looking at your hands. It takes time to learn any really useful skill. But if you have the patience and long-range vision to do it, you'll save that time over and over for the rest of your typing life.

And of course if gaming's important to you, you'll be a much better at that too. Watch some videos of professional gamers—how many of them do you see taking their eyes off the display to see which keys they're pressing? You'll be like a bicycle racer who learns to ride without having to keep looking down at his feet to see which one's up and which one's down.  :?)


[attach=1]


LOL. Indeed, for the complete effect, you need the console of winky, blinky lights all around you too.


LEDs in a keyboard are just an extreme intent to revamp a simple and practical input device and transform it into something close to an ornament, it is like the travesty version of a keyboard, a keyboard trying to pass as a fancy thing, a working input device in disguise... For some, the keyboard is our daily working tool, for others is a toy that needs some fancy clothes.

While I wouldn't take quite such a draconian stance—in a free society, people can spend their money on whatever goofy things they wish—I agree: When you get to the point where you want to reinforce bad computing habits by adorning your hardware with glitzy distractions, you may want to reexamine how much you're valuing your limited time here on earth.


Backlighting is not a fad. Remember: most people do not own the typical Geekhacker's black-on-black Cherry-profile Moogle-included thick doubleshot PBT Nordic keysets, where any LEDs just serve as decoration. Most people also do not touchtype. Correspondingly - and unsurprisingly - then, mainstream backlit keyboards come with shine-through caps, where the LEDs allow you to - wait for it - see the letters in the dark.

I, too, don't get the fancy-caps thing. (Spending hundreds of bucks on a  little piece of plastic with a scary face carved into seems like a neurotic fetish.) But if you use a keyboard how it's designed to be used, you don't need your letters to glow in the dark any more than a concert pianist needs the names of the notes printed on the keys of a piano.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Krustyboomer on Wed, 22 June 2016, 19:35:42
I'm putting in-key LEDs in all my builds.  Screw it.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: jacobolus on Wed, 22 June 2016, 19:42:42
Why do people insist on putting stupid keys on top of their beautiful grids of LEDs?

It’s a really weird gimmick to want to be able to mash buttons on top of a beautiful lite brite array.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Data on Wed, 22 June 2016, 20:26:01
Noob question.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Blaise170 on Wed, 22 June 2016, 21:21:47
Touch typing isn't that hard. If you can walk and talk, those are much harder and more complicated skills than typing. Yes, it takes some time to learn to use a keyboard without looking at your hands. It takes time to learn any really useful skill. But if you have the patience and long-range vision to do it, you'll save that time over and over for the rest of your typing life.

Yes, well, I can touch type and I still use a backlit keyboard. Sure I can try finding the homing bumps to get back to homerow but when I'm in the middle of playing a game it's far easier to glance down for half a second then scrape my fingers across the keys trying to find which key I need.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: ander on Thu, 23 June 2016, 05:42:53
Guys, I'd had too much coffee when I wrote all that. I meant it, pretty much—but normally, when not under the influence of powerful stimulants, I wouldn't be so overbearing.

As the guy said in The Wizard of Oz, "Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain!" (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ubIpoPjBUds)

LOL—I just realized that in that clip, he's operating a console with blinking lights! Complete coincidence, no kidding.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Krustyboomer on Thu, 23 June 2016, 09:12:04
The real reason is that no one wants to really complete a project board, they want to keep on soldering.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: ideus on Thu, 23 June 2016, 09:18:58
Why do people insist on putting stupid keys on top of their beautiful grids of LEDs?

It’s a really weird gimmick to want to be able to mash buttons on top of a beautiful lite brite array.

You cannot type on a grid o LEDs, can you?
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 23 June 2016, 09:20:19
Why do people insist on putting stupid keys on top of their beautiful grids of LEDs?

It’s a really weird gimmick to want to be able to mash buttons on top of a beautiful lite brite array.

You cannot type on a grid o LEDs, can you?
Sure you can. Keycaps are just a gimmick, mx switches work just fine without them.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: ideus on Thu, 23 June 2016, 09:29:18
Why do people insist on putting stupid keys on top of their beautiful grids of LEDs?

It’s a really weird gimmick to want to be able to mash buttons on top of a beautiful lite brite array.

You cannot type on a grid o LEDs, can you?
Sure you can. Keycaps are just a gimmick, mx switches work just fine without them.

Right! The countered of the cross pattern at the top of the switch stem has the best ergonomics for the finger tips.  :thumb:
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 23 June 2016, 09:31:13
Why do people insist on putting stupid keys on top of their beautiful grids of LEDs?

It’s a really weird gimmick to want to be able to mash buttons on top of a beautiful lite brite array.

You cannot type on a grid o LEDs, can you?
Sure you can. Keycaps are just a gimmick, mx switches work just fine without them.

Right! The countered of the cross pattern at the top of the switch stem has the best ergonomics for the finger tips.  :thumb:
Honestly I say forget keycaps entirely, bring on colorful typing gloves in various materials.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 23 June 2016, 09:37:19
ok

this

yup

right

pretty much sums it up
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: ideus on Thu, 23 June 2016, 09:40:56
Why do people insist on putting stupid keys on top of their beautiful grids of LEDs?

It’s a really weird gimmick to want to be able to mash buttons on top of a beautiful lite brite array.

You cannot type on a grid o LEDs, can you?
Sure you can. Keycaps are just a gimmick, mx switches work just fine without them.

Right! The countered of the cross pattern at the top of the switch stem has the best ergonomics for the finger tips.  :thumb:
Honestly I say forget keycaps entirely, bring on colorful typing gloves in various materials.

All the typists should wear long nails and these tips to type directly on switches stems.

(http://i.imgur.com/TY2eROr.jpg)
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Thu, 23 June 2016, 09:45:03
Why do people insist on putting stupid keys on top of their beautiful grids of LEDs?

It’s a really weird gimmick to want to be able to mash buttons on top of a beautiful lite brite array.

You cannot type on a grid o LEDs, can you?
Sure you can. Keycaps are just a gimmick, mx switches work just fine without them.

Right! The countered of the cross pattern at the top of the switch stem has the best ergonomics for the finger tips.  :thumb:
Honestly I say forget keycaps entirely, bring on colorful typing gloves in various materials.

All the typists should wear long nails and these tips to type directly on switches stems.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/TY2eROr.jpg)


make those tips MX compatible and become one with the board

disclaimer: requires a minimum of 50 digits to be used effectively
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: xtrafrood on Thu, 23 June 2016, 09:48:12
Why do people insist on putting stupid keys on top of their beautiful grids of LEDs?

It’s a really weird gimmick to want to be able to mash buttons on top of a beautiful lite brite array.

You cannot type on a grid o LEDs, can you?
Sure you can. Keycaps are just a gimmick, mx switches work just fine without them.

Right! The countered of the cross pattern at the top of the switch stem has the best ergonomics for the finger tips.  :thumb:
Honestly I say forget keycaps entirely, bring on colorful typing gloves in various materials.

All the typists should wear long nails and these tips to type directly on switches stems.

Show Image
(http://i.imgur.com/TY2eROr.jpg)


(http://memecrunch.com/meme/69ZIP/are-those-hot-dog-fingers/image.jpg)
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: 1391406 on Thu, 23 June 2016, 12:08:11
I just can't understand how "awesome" / "cool" / "neato" / "topper" having a keyboard which keys light up is.

No one should buy anything unless you understand it.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: lee+ on Thu, 23 June 2016, 14:02:30
Why is a keyboard useful?
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: SpAmRaY on Thu, 23 June 2016, 14:11:37
No one should buy anything unless you understand it.

This is one of the many reasons I am cautious to sell things to just anyone and why I use a disclaimer that says understand what you are buying. :D
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: cryptokey on Thu, 23 June 2016, 14:16:01
Why is a keyboard useful?

I know, right?  All you need is an on-screen keyboard, a mouse, and a good physiotherapist!
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: lee+ on Thu, 23 June 2016, 14:27:33
Why is a keyboard useful?

I know, right?  All you need is an on-screen keyboard, a mouse, and a good physiotherapist!

Yeah, when you have only that, you sure need one.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: appleonama on Thu, 23 June 2016, 14:27:42
(http://i.imgur.com/hl0DWFQ.png)
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: lee+ on Thu, 23 June 2016, 15:40:51
So why are keyboards useful?
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: ideus on Thu, 23 June 2016, 16:10:03
So why are keyboards useful?

Who said so? Keyboards are ornaments with lights and cool colors for you to stare at.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: 1391406 on Thu, 23 June 2016, 16:26:17
Why is a keyboard useful?

A lot of people use them for collecting dust and crumbs.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: ideus on Thu, 23 June 2016, 16:33:39
Keyboard are dust collectors? LOL.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: xtrafrood on Thu, 23 June 2016, 16:46:21
People also use keyboards to hold down their desk sized mouse pad
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: rowdy on Thu, 23 June 2016, 21:55:21
They can used in hand-to-hand combat, especially vintage keyboards.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: dustigroove on Thu, 23 June 2016, 22:25:19
I prefer to remove all of the LED's from the buttons on the dash of my car too...

--
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: mike52787 on Thu, 23 June 2016, 22:56:56
They can used in hand-to-hand combat, especially vintage keyboards.
If there isnt a battle royale to the death with model ms at keycon this year imma be pissed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: xtrafrood on Fri, 24 June 2016, 08:27:29
They can used in hand-to-hand combat, especially vintage keyboards.
If there isnt a battle royale to the death with model ms at keycon this year imma be pissed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Probably should avoid using any Model Fs for the sake of safety. No one wants a tooth in their beer :))
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: zcmy on Fri, 24 June 2016, 08:33:23
They can used in hand-to-hand combat, especially vintage keyboards.
If there isnt a battle royale to the death with model ms at keycon this year imma be pissed


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

There always is. You just gotta know the right entry code.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: TopreFan333 on Fri, 24 June 2016, 13:48:05
I find subtle backlighting very useful on my MacBook. I can touch-type, but it's quicker and easier in a dark room to orient to the home row with a little lighting (yes, I know there are homing bumps on the F/J keys, but it's quicker to look) -- plus I'm not so good a touch-typist that I know all the punctuation and everything.

That said, the level of lighting on most of the aftermarket boards I see on here is massive, massive overkill on any functional level.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: klennkellon on Fri, 24 June 2016, 16:19:35
People like backlighting for the same reason they like their favorite flavor of Ice Cream.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: lee+ on Fri, 24 June 2016, 18:25:26
But ice cream is not useful ...
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: mike52787 on Fri, 24 June 2016, 18:26:13
But ice cream is not useful ...
blasphemy


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: klennkellon on Fri, 24 June 2016, 21:49:21
But ice cream is not useful ...
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: ideus on Fri, 24 June 2016, 21:56:44
I find subtle backlighting very useful on my MacBook. I can touch-type, but it's quicker and easier in a dark room to orient to the home row with a little lighting (yes, I know there are homing bumps on the F/J keys, but it's quicker to look) -- plus I'm not so good a touch-typist that I know all the punctuation and everything.

That said, the level of lighting on most of the aftermarket boards I see on here is massive, massive overkill on any functional level.

One of the few comments that actually makes sense on backlighting, all the noise based only on preferences is wasted.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: QuincyJones on Sat, 25 June 2016, 07:54:28
BUY A LAMP! Or... one of those cheapo USB powered LED lamps that if your kb has a spare usb port, you could probably plug and power into and fit it over your keyboard.

There. LED-lit keyboard for $1-2. You're welcome.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Blaise170 on Sat, 25 June 2016, 15:02:43
BUY A LAMP! Or... one of those cheapo USB powered LED lamps that if your kb has a spare usb port, you could probably plug and power into and fit it over your keyboard.

There. LED-lit keyboard for $1-2. You're welcome.

I'm not going to carry a lamp around with me in my backpack, and why would I buy a USB lamp when I can just use the backlighting I already have? 100+ LEDs only cost about $1 anyways. You're just being silly now.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: QuincyJones on Sat, 25 June 2016, 15:41:52
I'm not going to carry a lamp around with me in my backpack, and why would I buy a USB lamp when I can just use the backlighting I already have? 100+ LEDs only cost about $1 anyways. You're just being silly now.

Speaking of which, I and quite a few others I know, never take anyone who uses backlit keyboards seriously. Seriously. We're not 15 and realise how moronic it is. OH HAI! BRIGHT LIGHTS HELP MAI TYPING. MAI PRO TYPING SKILLZ etc etc.

Secondly, you carry a keyboard around in your backpack. Wow.

USB lamps are cool. Way cool. Try one - you'll be hooked and look grown up.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Blaise170 on Sat, 25 June 2016, 17:26:57
Yes I do, it's attached to my laptop which incidentally I also carry around with me.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: davkol on Sun, 26 June 2016, 05:43:08
Ugh, noobs with macintrashbooks… Ever heard of ThinkLight (http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkLight)?
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: mike52787 on Sun, 26 June 2016, 05:47:35
Ugh, noobs with macintrashbooks… Ever heard of ThinkLight (http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkLight)?
hell yeah man


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: QuincyJones on Sun, 26 June 2016, 05:52:01
Ugh, noobs with macintrashbooks… Ever heard of ThinkLight (http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkLight)?
You've screwed the pooch on this one, now kids will be wanting to take this idea and make it multi-coloured...
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: mike52787 on Sun, 26 June 2016, 05:55:32
Ugh, noobs with macintrashbooks… Ever heard of ThinkLight (http://www.thinkwiki.org/wiki/ThinkLight)?
my x230 came with a backlit keyboard, so my thinklight isnt quite as useful


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: davkol on Sun, 26 June 2016, 06:18:00
Actually, my X200T doesn't have ThinkLight and it doesn't bother me too much, because the pad printing is so good, that it reflect enough light even with only a dimmed screen.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: mike52787 on Sun, 26 June 2016, 06:20:22
Actually, my X200T doesn't have ThinkLight and it doesn't bother me too much, because the pad printing is so good, that it reflect enough light even with only a dimmed screen.
You need an upgrade pal, I had an x200 for about 3 days back in 2014, Bought it used off ebay and the motherboard was shot, it just hard powered off about every 15 minutes and wouldnt boot without pulling the battery out


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: QuincyJones on Sun, 26 June 2016, 06:31:30
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No-one gives a flying fish how it was sent. Please turn off this annoying message. Thank you.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: mike52787 on Sun, 26 June 2016, 06:32:59
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No-one gives a flying fish how it was sent. Please turn off this annoying message. Thank you.
eh, Ill leave it there just to piss you off :))


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: lee+ on Sun, 26 June 2016, 06:43:13
I'd also rather have it you disable this message.

Apple sucks badly anyway.  You don't need to remind us of it all the time.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: mike52787 on Sun, 26 June 2016, 06:51:49
I'd also rather have it you disable this message.

Apple sucks badly anyway.  You don't need to remind us of it all the time.
I'd also rather not hear your opinion :)) I like my 6s better than any other device ive ever owned, I tried to live the android life, I had an s3 for about 5 days back in 2013, then I traded it for an iphone 4s. I have a nexus 7, its not bad, but I would rather just use my iphone. jailbroken ios > android > stock ios

lmao but seriously if its that bad ill disable it.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: QuincyJones on Sun, 26 June 2016, 09:18:19
ios with malware and viruses > android > stock ios

fixed it for you
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Blaise170 on Sun, 26 June 2016, 09:29:37
lmao but seriously if its that bad ill disable it.

Pretty sure this is just a troll thread at this point, don't worry too much much it.

Sent from my OnePlus One using Google Chrome for Android.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: davkol on Sun, 26 June 2016, 09:35:09
Actually, my X200T doesn't have ThinkLight and it doesn't bother me too much, because the pad printing is so good, that it reflect enough light even with only a dimmed screen.
You need an upgrade pal
Feel free to list the new wonderful convertible tablets with a 16:10 screen, Wacom digitizer, actual VGA, Ethernet and USB ports, and no Intel AMT (https://fsf.org/blogs/community/active-management-technology).

Sent from my desktop using a keyboard
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: lee+ on Sun, 26 June 2016, 09:37:29
lmao but seriously if its that bad ill disable it.

Thank you :)

That message is actually spam.  And I don't put the output of lspci -vvvv plus the kernel config plus the process tree and the source code of the web browser plus the config of my window manager and whatnot under each post, either, no matter how much I like them.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: QuincyJones on Sun, 26 June 2016, 09:40:03
This message is also applicable here:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=82996.msg2206110#msg2206110
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: chuckdee on Sun, 26 June 2016, 11:10:27
lmao but seriously if its that bad ill disable it.

Thank you :)

That message is actually spam.  And I don't put the output of lspci -vvvv plus the kernel config plus the process tree and the source code of the web browser plus the config of my window manager and whatnot under each post, either, no matter how much I like them.

I've still not seen (other than personal preference) why it's so much worse than some of the sigs that people have, and why so much mindshare is given to it.  It's not a link, nor does it have images, flashing or otherwise.  It's just a simple statement.  I have it turned off on most of my devices... I forgot on some.  But I don't view it as spam, nor particularly bad.  To each his own, I suppose.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: davkol on Sun, 26 June 2016, 11:20:34
lmao but seriously if its that bad ill disable it.

Thank you :)

That message is actually spam.  And I don't put the output of lspci -vvvv plus the kernel config plus the process tree and the source code of the web browser plus the config of my window manager and whatnot under each post, either, no matter how much I like them.

I've still not seen (other than personal preference) why it's so much worse than some of the sigs that people have, and why so much mindshare is given to it.  It's not a link, nor does it have images, flashing or otherwise.  It's just a simple statement.  I have it turned off on most of my devices... I forgot on some.  But I don't view it as spam, nor particularly bad.  To each his own, I suppose.
https://deskthority.net/off-topic-f10/tapatalk-sig-spam-pisses-me-off-t13807.html
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: lee+ on Sun, 26 June 2016, 12:34:23
lmao but seriously if its that bad ill disable it.

Thank you :)

That message is actually spam.  And I don't put the output of lspci -vvvv plus the kernel config plus the process tree and the source code of the web browser plus the config of my window manager and whatnot under each post, either, no matter how much I like them.

I've still not seen (other than personal preference) why it's so much worse than some of the sigs that people have, and why so much mindshare is given to it.  It's not a link, nor does it have images, flashing or otherwise.  It's just a simple statement.  I have it turned off on most of my devices... I forgot on some.  But I don't view it as spam, nor particularly bad.  To each his own, I suppose.

Messages like this advertise some particular device or software, and they are uncalled for.  That suffices to classify them as spam.

I take it so far as to say all advertisement should be illegal in public.  If someone wants to see advertisement, they can download advertising videos, visit advertising web sites, buy advertising magazines, tune their TVs or radios to encrypted stations dedicated to advertising or the like, but save everyone who doesn't want to be bothered by all the crap from it.  And if you want to use my resources to have your advertising transmitted or displayed, ask for permission and for what you have to pay for doing so beforehand.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Blaise170 on Sun, 26 June 2016, 13:15:38
Whether you want to see it or not, advertising is necessary to keep sites running. Citing that you shouldn't ever have to see them shows a small worldview where everything in life is free.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: QuincyJones on Sun, 26 June 2016, 14:33:49
Whether you want to see it or not, advertising is necessary to keep sites running. Citing that you shouldn't ever have to see them shows a small worldview where everything in life is free.
Advertising is not necessary to keep sites running. That's a myth. There are many sources of incomes for sites depending on the site type, its audience and many other factors.

Source: I own many sites with 0 adverts on them.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: 27 on Sun, 26 June 2016, 15:10:53
Whether you want to see it or not, advertising is necessary to keep sites running. Citing that you shouldn't ever have to see them shows a small worldview where everything in life is free.
Advertising is not necessary to keep sites running. That's a myth. There are many sources of incomes for sites depending on the site type, its audience and many other factors.

Source: I own many sites with 0 adverts on them.

What other sources are there? Other than donations and subscriptions of course.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: davkol on Mon, 27 June 2016, 02:49:08
Deskthority is a club, thus it's funded from membership fees and possible donations.
There are websites, that don't contain *third-party* marketing, but only subtle advertisements for their own commercial products/services (e.g., hardware or training).
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: TopreFan333 on Fri, 01 July 2016, 18:54:33
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No-one gives a flying fish how it was sent. Please turn off this annoying message. Thank you.

Do you not have an option to turn off display of people's signatures? There's all manner of lame crap in them so I just turn 'em off instead of whining about things I don't like.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: ideus on Fri, 01 July 2016, 18:58:42
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No-one gives a flying fish how it was sent. Please turn off this annoying message. Thank you.

Do you not have an option to turn off display of people's signatures? There's all manner of lame crap in them so I just turn 'em off instead of whining about things I don't like.

Of course there is an option to do so, just go to your look and layout's profile and check the no show signature option, you will not see any of them.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Morituri on Fri, 01 July 2016, 19:38:00
I like to have a cap lock, num lock, and scroll lock keys with the LED indicators built in rather than on a separate chunk of keyboard real estate.

Otherwise, I don't care much for the "shine-through" lights, unless if I'm typing as the sun sets and feel too lazy to get up to turn on a light.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: QuincyJones on Fri, 01 July 2016, 19:38:46
that sent from my iphone is in the body of the message - DIME BAR!
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: klennkellon on Fri, 01 July 2016, 19:46:24
> this whole thread

Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Blaise170 on Fri, 01 July 2016, 20:10:40
Is this keyboard beautiful?  :cool:

(https://i.imgur.com/MtrEDxT.jpg)
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: mike52787 on Fri, 01 July 2016, 21:43:03
that sent from my iphone is in the body of the message - DIME BAR!
Its gone now, were all good
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 03 July 2016, 01:03:54
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

No-one gives a flying fish how it was sent. Please turn off this annoying message. Thank you.

Do you not have an option to turn off display of people's signatures? There's all manner of lame crap in them so I just turn 'em off instead of whining about things I don't like.

Trouble is, the Tapatalk text is not part of the signature.  It is embedded in the end of the post.
Title: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Rhosta on Mon, 04 July 2016, 08:01:38
Lately there happens to be a lot of situations with kids around my pc, so everyone wants to play games.

Every game has different controls, so I set up lighting profiles for each game and now I dont have to remember and teach them controls for every game every time they arrive.

Also sometimes I need to make as little light as possible to not disturb anyone in room, so backlit board comes in handy.

EDIT: You can also use effects like color change on press so you can check which keys you pressed when typing password.

I dunno, its not necessary, but lighting can actualy be useful, unlike things like high mouse DPI.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: xtrafrood on Mon, 04 July 2016, 09:01:13
Lately there happens to be a lot of situations with kids around my pc, so everyone wants to play games.

Every game has different controls, so I set up lighting profiles for each game and now I dont have to remember and teach them controls for every game every time they arrive.

Also sometimes I need to make as little light as possible to not disturb anyone in room, so backlit board comes in handy.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

To not disturb someone sleeping in the room is a pretty good reason to have a backlit keyboard imho
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: jcoffin1981 on Mon, 04 July 2016, 22:27:43
Weighing in only backlighting, the best board I've used has been the Logitech Illuminated keyboard.  It had a very clean, white light and there was no light leakage under the keys.  Unfortunately in the later editions they limited the amount of keys that can be simultaneously pressed to 3, I think, which forced Logitech fans to buy the more expensive boards for gaming. 

I have since tried to go back to this board I found that the keys are too stiff, and that it no longer works.  This board is more sensitive to moisture than any one I've ever used in my life, and I've gone through several of these.  I think it was just a humid day and I put it back in the original plastic packaging. 

The poker 3 also has very nice LED features and looks.  In hindsight, when I replaced all the switches I wish I replaced the white steel backplate with a black one.  I dislike the look of light leakage underneath the keycaps and this would have resolved it.  Stupid, stupid ,stupid.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: MOZ on Tue, 05 July 2016, 02:52:20
To not disturb someone sleeping in the room is a pretty good reason to have a backlit keyboard imho

But, but, I use clicky switches.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Aricil on Tue, 05 July 2016, 13:18:49
LEDs in a keyboard are just an extreme intent to revamp a simple and practical input device and transform it into something close to an ornament, it is like the travesty version of a keyboard, a keyboard trying to pass as a fancy thing, a working input device in disguise. This thing along with other trends like artisan's are the side effects of the culture that is sensitive to the importance of keyboards as part of the modern worker's workplace in the digital communications era, it is just another unfortunate diversification of our attention in high quality input devices. For some, the keyboard is our daily working tool, for others is a toy that needs some fancy clothes.

It's nice to have nice things you use look nice? I have blue and violet leds on my keyboard. They look pretty. I turn them on sometimes cuz I like the way they look. Other times, I keep them off, cuz I like the way my keycaps look without them on. Plus, you if you have LEDs, you can turn them off. But if you don't have them, you can't turn them on =p
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: appleonama on Tue, 05 July 2016, 23:21:47
Is this keyboard beautiful?  :cool:

Show Image
(https://i.imgur.com/MtrEDxT.jpg)


Not with that layout
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: appleonama on Tue, 05 July 2016, 23:24:01
Why is a keyboard useful?

A lot of people use them for collecting dust and crumbs.

He's right I have 13 keyboards and only use 2 at a time.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: xtrafrood on Thu, 07 July 2016, 13:34:58
To not disturb someone sleeping in the room is a pretty good reason to have a backlit keyboard imho

But, but, I use clicky switches.

Some of us are not as handsome as you tho :(
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: QuincyJones on Thu, 07 July 2016, 18:23:03
It's nice to have nice things you use look nice? I have blue and violet leds on my keyboard. They look pretty. I turn them on sometimes cuz I like the way they look. Other times, I keep them off, cuz I like the way my keycaps look without them on. Plus, you if you have LEDs, you can turn them off. But if you don't have them, you can't turn them on =p

Your keyboard sits under your dreamcatcher, right?
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Purp on Fri, 08 July 2016, 01:05:40
I'm not a fan of switch LEDs (backlighting) but my brother benefits from the feature, mostly because he can't touch type and and he games a lot in the dark. Since he has a shine through keycap set it definitely makes things easier, but at the end of the day I believe that people like it and have it simply for the aesthetics. RGB underglow on the other hand is amazing in my opinion, I find the patterns and colors mesmerizing and honestly it's one of my top priorities when picking a PCB nowadays. Good to see that the current generation of PCBs is making such feature widely available, there are a quite a few interesting options out there.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: MOZ on Fri, 08 July 2016, 03:42:14
To not disturb someone sleeping in the room is a pretty good reason to have a backlit keyboard imho

But, but, I use clicky switches.

Some of us are not as handsome as you tho :(

:-*
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: radish on Fri, 08 July 2016, 08:51:11
This smells like a bait thread.
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: kolec94 on Fri, 08 July 2016, 08:54:13
color
cool
Title: Re: Why are keyboards with LEDs in the keys useful?
Post by: Blaise170 on Fri, 08 July 2016, 10:04:50
(https://media.giphy.com/media/28gSWG4gjvhew/giphy.gif)