geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: exia on Mon, 04 January 2010, 16:05:01

Title: Flat Keyboards
Post by: exia on Mon, 04 January 2010, 16:05:01

It seems that many mechanical keyboards have the keyboard angled up (a bit more than other non-mech keyboards). What is the reason? Are the keyboards supposed to be used with a wrist rest, is that the reason for the extra height?

If I buy a mechanical keyboard it will be angled higher and there would be no way to get the keys down closer to the desk. I prefer the keyboard to be as flat on the desk surface as possible. That is how logitech says it. It gives the most comfort because the wrist is not bent. It is the natural way to type.

Why do the mechanical keyboard companies make it harder on the users? First they price they way higher than what they are really worth and now this.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 04 January 2010, 16:27:44

I don't have a problem, per se, with the angle of the keyboard.  I use a wrist rest, though.  The main thing with mechanical keyboards, though, is that they need room for the internals, so they will never be as thin as rubber domes.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: timw4mail on Mon, 04 January 2010, 16:28:11

Well, most keyboards have feet to make the angle steeper. Totally flat keyboards probably aren't very ergonomic either.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: itlnstln on Mon, 04 January 2010, 16:32:00

Quote from: timw4mail;147946

Totally flat keyboards probably aren't very ergonomic either.

This.  The MS Natural 4000 has an optional riser to lift the front of the keyboard, so your wrists are bent the other way.  This was much less comfortable, IMO.  That said, I do like my 'boards as flat as possible.  I use mine with the back feet in.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 04 January 2010, 16:37:28

Quote from: exia;147939

It gives the most comfort because the wrist is not bent. It is the natural way to type.

(http://www.websown.com/~jdonahue/xkcd_citation_needed_edit.jpg)

And you type on a full travel board without bending your wrists quite easily.

Quote

That is how logitech says it.

Did you know that research funded by tobacco companies says that smoking can't kill you? And that research funded by the Catholic church 'found' that the HIV virus can get through the pores in the latex on condoms? *




[size=-4]*The particular hilarity about that one is that a HIV virus is several orders of magnitude larger than a single sperm, but I digress.[/size]

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: Buckling_Summer on Mon, 04 January 2010, 16:50:09

Quote from: ch_123;147951

Show Image

(http://www.websown.com/~jdonahue/xkcd_citation_needed_edit.jpg)

And you type on a full travel board without bending your wrists quite easily.



Did you know that research funded by tobacco companies says that smoking can't kill you? And that research funded by the Catholic church 'found' that the HIV virus can get through the pores in the latex on condoms? *




[size=-4]*The particular hilarity about that one is that a HIV virus is several orders of magnitude larger than a single sperm, but I digress.[/size]

Hilarious! Companies funding research ! How unbiased !

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: nanu on Mon, 04 January 2010, 17:43:33

What itlnstln said.  Mechanical switches are potentially bulky (http://images.google.com/images?q=cherry%20mx%20switch&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=N&hl=en&tab=wi).

But you're right, if you're bothered by the increase in height relative to the keyboard's surface like I was, you may have to do something about it, too.

I went from this
<404 image>

to this (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=103135&postcount=1145)
(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn20/HOSB5NM7/filcomod/wrist_rest1.jpg)
but I'm currently doing it like so (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=147974&postcount=1130)

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: nanu on Mon, 04 January 2010, 17:56:40

yep

Quote from: ripster;147977

Bwahahahaha!

You guys realize Exia will never buy a keyboard?

But it is fun to watch.

Quote from: ripster;147978

Exia, get a Deck Legend.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: AndrewZorn on Mon, 04 January 2010, 18:20:26

(http://plus4chan.org/boards/dw/src/125571479118.jpg)

flats keyboards

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: InSanCen on Mon, 04 January 2010, 18:34:34

Quote from: ripster;147984

So far Exia has posted he's getting a IBM mini (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=8310), a Realforce (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=8357), a scissor switch (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=144961#post144961), a Razer (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=145743#post145743), a Logitech Access 600 (http://geekhack.org/showpost.php?p=142030&postcount=34),  a wireless (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=141191#post141191) and a left handed keyboard (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=143510#post143510).

I figure he needs more to chew on.

P.S.  And he despises your wooden one. (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=147188#post147188)

I'm still partly convinced he's an epically sycessful troll.

@exia
Just buy a board already. Pretty much any switch will likely show up any non-Topre based rubber dome. If you like light get something with blue cherries. TVS gold's are cheap enough. Until then, just STFU. Welcome to MsWindows land, on my ignore list.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: Mercen_505 on Mon, 04 January 2010, 18:44:26

The funny thing is that, for the most part, we're a troll-proof forum, as we have a wide and generally accepted pool of knowledge, and we understand that although there are a few subjects up for debate (switch type, for example) we've already debated them to death.

In answering the OP's question, webwit totally nailed it.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 04 January 2010, 19:05:33

Also, our complete inability to stay on topic tends to work against trolling.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: timw4mail on Mon, 04 January 2010, 19:19:00

Quote from: ch_123;147998

Also, our complete inability to stay on topic tends to work against trolling.

Wait, that isn't a normal forum thing?

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: bigpook on Mon, 04 January 2010, 19:21:10

Quote from: timw4mail;148003

Wait, that isn't a normal forum thing?

certainly not here.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 04 January 2010, 19:23:04

Not really. On other forums which I post on, staying on topic is quite strictly enforced by the mods. In fact, if this was some of the other forums I can think of, we'd all have been banned a long time ago.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: bigpook on Mon, 04 January 2010, 19:24:31

Quote from: ch_123;148005

Not really. On other forums which I post on, staying on topic is quite strictly enforced by the mods. In fact, if this was some of the other forums I can think of, we'd all have been banned a long time ago.

wow, that would pretty much kill this site.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: ch_123 on Mon, 04 January 2010, 19:28:31

Depends on what you're catering for. Said forums I've described are for games and the like, where you get a lot of argumentative kids and clueless dip****s. Geekhack is reasonably self-policing in that it is of interest only to a relatively small number of... odd people.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: exia on Mon, 04 January 2010, 19:34:09

On the topic screen the title says "Flats Keyboards", how do I edit the title?

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: bigpook on Mon, 04 January 2010, 19:37:47

Quote from: ch_123;148010

Depends on what you're catering for. Said forums I've described are for games and the like, where you get a lot of argumentative kids and clueless dip****s. Geekhack is reasonably self-policing in that it is of interest only to a relatively small number of... odd people.

who you calling odd?

I'm just different...

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: itlnstln on Tue, 05 January 2010, 08:37:32

Quote from: webwit;147949

You do like your broads as flat as possible? Oh wait.

Well, it's better than saggy.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: overdriver on Tue, 05 January 2010, 11:22:00

Quote from: bigpook;148014

who you calling odd?

I'm just different...

odd, different is the sign of elite geek :rockon:

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: keyb_gr on Tue, 05 January 2010, 11:47:27

Quote from: ch_123;148010

Geekhack is reasonably self-policing in that it is of interest only to a relatively small number of... odd people.

Going off-topic seems to be a typical geek thing - it also is quite common on Usenet. There it's much easier to change the subject on a discussion branch though - "new subject (was: old subject)", then "new subject" on replies. I think some newsreaders like 40tude Dialog even do that automagically, though I haven't used the function is a long time...

Odd people... yeah, maybe. ;) Not the most boring ones though...

Quote from: exia;148011

On the topic screen the title says "Flats Keyboards", how do I edit the title?

Isn't that one of those things that don't work here (but hopefully will at some time)...?

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: o2dazone on Wed, 06 January 2010, 00:23:22

There's enough terrible forums on the internet where power hungry "SRS BIZNESS" moderators ban users and lock up posts for not staying on topic. I find this forum more interesting to read, and I still get all the technical information I need ( I might not just find it in a specific post, but thats what search is for).

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: spolia optima on Wed, 06 January 2010, 01:20:23

i likes my keyboards like i likes my women: flat and squishy, with rubber domes and big, fat asses.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: hyperlinked on Wed, 06 January 2010, 01:52:20

Quote from: spolia optima;148353

i likes my keyboards like i likes my women: flat and squishy, with rubber domes and big, fat asses.

It's a shame that your keyboards don't get a chance to refuse their choice of user.

KIDDING! KIDDING!

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: ricercar on Wed, 06 January 2010, 02:09:41

I rather enjoy the tangents.

The OP writer can change the thread title using Go Advanced (assuming enough time hasn't passed to prevent editing of the OP.

Title: Flats Keyboards
Post by: spolia optima on Wed, 06 January 2010, 02:42:56

No, it's true. If my keyboards had the choice, they wouldn't want me anywhere near them. Luckily, they don't have that option. And this is why keyboards are better than human relationships.