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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: atarione on Mon, 17 April 2017, 14:48:15

Title: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: atarione on Mon, 17 April 2017, 14:48:15
So for the last two years or so now I have been using my Filco TKL (mx-reds /w o-rings and vortex pbt doubleshot keycaps).  basically exclusively,  Today I decided I needed to give the filco a full clean and so I am waiting on the keycaps to dry..

I got out my Rosewill RK9000 (I got this keyboard on the craziest newegg combo deal ..I ever saw pentium d (refurb) + RK9000 (mx-reds) for $24.99 free shipping  :) ) ... I bought it immediately, somewhat assuming newegg might come back and cancel it as a pricing error.. but no it shipped and I used this keyboard a little bit for awhile (I also had a WASD V1 w/ mx-browns at the time ..I used this one more).

Anyhow ..using the rosewill again now waiting for the keycaps to dry out... and it is sort of awkward using a 104 key keyboard now after getting so accustomed to the TKL size ... the abs keycaps on the rosewill seem strange as well actually.

on the upside /touchwood the usb connector on my RK9000 hasn't broke like seems to happen sometimes with these
[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: atarione on Mon, 17 April 2017, 14:57:09
however.. if I am honest..the potentially dodgy usb connector aside the rosewill is a pretty well built keyboard ... not quite as good obviously as the filco.. but not bad at all..

of course the gigantic horrid rosewill logo is a bit of a bummer.. .. also the red back plate?? why rosewill why???

but none the less looking now the v2 mx-reds is on sale for $65 or $70 for mx-blues.. not a bad price for a costar built keyboard with actual cherry switches...
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: iLLucionist on Tue, 18 April 2017, 05:22:17
however.. if I am honest..the potentially dodgy usb connector aside the rosewill is a pretty well built keyboard ... not quite as good obviously as the filco.. but not bad at all..

of course the gigantic horrid rosewill logo is a bit of a bummer.. .. also the red back plate?? why rosewill why???

but none the less looking now the v2 mx-reds is on sale for $65 or $70 for mx-blues.. not a bad price for a costar built keyboard with actual cherry switches...

After having used HHKB and TKL for SOOO LOOOONG (went TKL in 2012, never went back), it just looks wrong to have a 100%.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: Entropia on Tue, 18 April 2017, 06:37:10
The central block is what is redundant and useless and should be banned from keyboards, because your can use a numpad with numlock and it will be much faster and intuitive than moving your hand from the cursors to the keys above. Summarizing: 1800 is the way to go!
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: tp4tissue on Tue, 18 April 2017, 08:40:15
however.. if I am honest..the potentially dodgy usb connector aside the rosewill is a pretty well built keyboard ... not quite as good obviously as the filco.. but not bad at all..

of course the gigantic horrid rosewill logo is a bit of a bummer.. .. also the red back plate?? why rosewill why???

but none the less looking now the v2 mx-reds is on sale for $65 or $70 for mx-blues.. not a bad price for a costar built keyboard with actual cherry switches...

What you want to do.. Is take it apart,  and epoxy the connector.. build a small tape made square mold around it, and pour on some epoxy..  it will never break..

u can check out my harddrive mod below where I do the same thing.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: Kavik on Tue, 18 April 2017, 15:01:52
I have the white version of this keyboard with MX Blues (RK-9000I). Mine wasn't nearly as good of a deal (I think it was $65 with a $15 rebate). I used it exclusively at work for about three years. I got sick of it for a while, but now I'm rotating it in with my Model M (it feels a bit better with PBT keycaps). I've actually never had an issue with the USB connector, and mine is a gen 1, which is supposedly more prone to damage.

Regarding fullsize, it's still my preferred layout for real work. I *really* miss the numpad at work when I use a TKL. Fullsize is a bit awkward since it's so long on the right, but I'm so used to it that I don't have to think when using it. Oddly, the lack of a numpad isn't all that bad when I use a laptop, but it kills me at a desktop.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: atarione on Wed, 19 April 2017, 18:59:24
oh i don't like the navless design..  to each there own... I get why some might.. but I don't need the number pad most of the time.. if I did for some reason I'd break out one of my full sized keyboards..

but for me .. TKL is just perfect.


also.. UGH... amazon messed up the shipping of my replacement o-rings and sent them to the wrong place.. so now they are delayed..   oh well..

amusingly I was doing reeeaally well playing CS:Go (well well playing casual) w/ the full sized rosewill last night... 17-4 on mirage ... despite thinking it seemed "strange" to be back on full sized keyboard my gaming performance was pretty decent and not much different than w/ the filco TKL.

Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Wed, 19 April 2017, 19:21:16
Using a 100% keyboard at this point is the definition of cruel and unusual punishment....

Numpads WHEN I need them I prefer separate so I can move to the left

The Nav Cluster i rarely use outside of work (or arrow keys)

At Home a 60% is plenty for everything

Even a 40% is fine if not gaming.

Fullsize?.......May as well use Standard def TV with a rotary phone while using a pager.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: tp4tissue on Wed, 19 April 2017, 19:28:51
Using a 100% keyboard at this point is the definition of cruel and unusual punishment....

Numpads WHEN I need them I prefer separate so I can move to the left

The Nav Cluster i rarely use outside of work (or arrow keys)

At Home a 60% is plenty for everything

Even a 40% is fine if not gaming.

Fullsize?.......May as well use Standard def TV with a rotary phone while using a pager.

 

120hz  CRT 640 * 480 for Starcraft..  Oh yea...  Standard def FTW..
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: LiquidEvilGaming on Wed, 19 April 2017, 19:32:23
Using a 100% keyboard at this point is the definition of cruel and unusual punishment....

Numpads WHEN I need them I prefer separate so I can move to the left

The Nav Cluster i rarely use outside of work (or arrow keys)

At Home a 60% is plenty for everything

Even a 40% is fine if not gaming.

Fullsize?.......May as well use Standard def TV with a rotary phone while using a pager.

 

120hz  CRT 640 * 480 for Starcraft..  Oh yea...  Standard def FTW..


Made me feel old for even remembering CRT monitors.....damn you TP /shake fist
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 19 April 2017, 19:46:17
Full-size is completely natural for people who work with numbers.

I have trouble down-sizing to a "full-size" after using a 122-key, but with plenty of desk space and mice on both sides I am spoiled with luxury.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: dante on Wed, 19 April 2017, 20:56:34
Full-size is completely natural for people who work with numbers.

I have trouble down-sizing to a "full-size" after using a 122-key, but with plenty of desk space and mice on both sides I am spoiled with luxury.


That's not wide enough - you need to add an external numpad on the right. :)
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: atarione on Thu, 20 April 2017, 14:19:45
oh thank goodness.... UPS showed up 10AM with my o-rings... stopped working to put Filco back together.. much better...

Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: tp4tissue on Thu, 20 April 2017, 15:36:02
Using a 100% keyboard at this point is the definition of cruel and unusual punishment....

Numpads WHEN I need them I prefer separate so I can move to the left

The Nav Cluster i rarely use outside of work (or arrow keys)

At Home a 60% is plenty for everything

Even a 40% is fine if not gaming.

Fullsize?.......May as well use Standard def TV with a rotary phone while using a pager.

 

120hz  CRT 640 * 480 for Starcraft..  Oh yea...  Standard def FTW..


Made me feel old for even remembering CRT monitors.....damn you TP /shake fist

I used crt all the way through high school.. and even parts of college.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: Niomosy on Thu, 20 April 2017, 15:54:27
I had problems going to a TKL after using a full size for decades.  I still want to key in number sequences on a 10-key.  It goes so much faster.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: atarione on Thu, 20 April 2017, 16:05:47
I had problems going to a TKL after using a full size for decades.  I still want to key in number sequences on a 10-key.  It goes so much faster.

fair enough.. I have some shoulder issues and fairly chronic tendonitis in my right should the shorter reach to the mouse with TKL is much easier for me...  I also do not tend to have a lot of numeric input to perform on a regular basis..
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: Niomosy on Thu, 20 April 2017, 16:46:50
I had problems going to a TKL after using a full size for decades.  I still want to key in number sequences on a 10-key.  It goes so much faster.

fair enough.. I have some shoulder issues and fairly chronic tendonitis in my right should the shorter reach to the mouse with TKL is much easier for me...  I also do not tend to have a lot of numeric input to perform on a regular basis..

I can see that.  I normally shift my mouse in front of my keyboard a lot of times.  Using the TKL was nice for the smaller size and I can get by without the numpad, though I do prefer it.  If anything, I'm off the TKL right now more because of the feel of it - XMIT hall effect board with 50g springs, it's a bit too light for me.  Once I get around to swapping out all the springs, I'll give it another go and see if I like it more.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: Entropia on Sat, 22 April 2017, 03:42:48
I'm reading much about the need to input numbers, but what about text browsing and edition? Do you, tenkeyless and full 100% users, use your numpad or the central block to position your cursor when programming or editing texts? For me it's much easier, comfortable and intuitive to use the numpad cursors and not to have to move my hand to reach the end, home, pgdn and pgup, just to go to the end of the line, the beginning and scroll the text up and down. I couldn't get use to do it with the central block. Actually, I think it would be as annoying as using FN + cursors, as happens with some 60% keyboards.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: iLLucionist on Sat, 22 April 2017, 05:01:00
I'm reading much about the need to input numbers, but what about text browsing and edition? Do you, tenkeyless and full 100% users, use your numpad or the central block to position your cursor when programming or editing texts? For me it's much easier, comfortable and intuitive to use the numpad cursors and not to have to move my hand to reach the end, home, pgdn and pgup, just to go to the end of the line, the beginning and scroll the text up and down. I couldn't get use to do it with the central block. Actually, I think it would be as annoying as using FN + cursors, as happens with some 60% keyboards.

I use vim and try to use combinations of alphanumeric alongside the special characters that surround theml like {} [] \ etc.

In vim, I use hjkl to move around (like wasd), jk and kj to exit insert mode and "\" for leader. So every shortcut I make is activated by pressing \ + <other key>.

I never felt the need for numpad except for inputting datasets by hand. But I no longer have to do that myself.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: Kavik on Sat, 22 April 2017, 09:50:32
I'm reading much about the need to input numbers, but what about text browsing and edition? Do you, tenkeyless and full 100% users, use your numpad or the central block to position your cursor when programming or editing texts? For me it's much easier, comfortable and intuitive to use the numpad cursors and not to have to move my hand to reach the end, home, pgdn and pgup, just to go to the end of the line, the beginning and scroll the text up and down. I couldn't get use to do it with the central block. Actually, I think it would be as annoying as using FN + cursors, as happens with some 60% keyboards.

This makes the most sense. I just don't like the orientation of the nav keys and cross-arrows in the numpad. I prefer the nav cluster's orientation with T-arrows. Unfortunately, the only keyboard that combines these two is the CM QuickFire TK (that I know of). I'm also in the habit of holding right shift or right ctrl with my right index finger and/or thumb while hitting a nav key with my middle finger. I guess I could use my left hand for the modifiers, but it's just what I'm used to.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: Niomosy on Sun, 23 April 2017, 16:00:11
I'm reading much about the need to input numbers, but what about text browsing and edition? Do you, tenkeyless and full 100% users, use your numpad or the central block to position your cursor when programming or editing texts? For me it's much easier, comfortable and intuitive to use the numpad cursors and not to have to move my hand to reach the end, home, pgdn and pgup, just to go to the end of the line, the beginning and scroll the text up and down. I couldn't get use to do it with the central block. Actually, I think it would be as annoying as using FN + cursors, as happens with some 60% keyboards.

I honestly can't recall the last time I used the numpad for anything other than numeric entry.  I suppose it would be a necessity on something like a TK board that keeps the numpad but removed the nav cluster but with a full-size board, I go for the fastest route.  Given the nav cluster is closer for the right hand than the numpad, it wins that battle.  For me I don't find it an issue to move from the arrows to PgUp/Down.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: jcc04 on Sun, 23 April 2017, 16:04:01
Absolutely despise using 100%.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: Bucake on Sun, 23 April 2017, 17:56:42
i'm just so used to 60% that even when i swap to TKL, i keep smacking my mouse against the right side of my keyboard :-/
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: iLLucionist on Sun, 23 April 2017, 18:16:19
i'm just so used to 60% that even when i swap to TKL, i keep smacking my mouse against the right side of my keyboard :-/

That's hardcore man!

The other day at the office those f**kers gave me a 100% HP something something rubberdome mushy awfulness.

I was constantly plunging into numpad coz that's where my mouse is with my HHKB. I literally smashed the kb against the wall. Unsurprisingly, the kb broke.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: davkol on Mon, 24 April 2017, 04:47:34
Two different things: (1) distance between "home row" and the mouse, and (2) mousing space itself.

I'm more annoyed by (1). A standard layout has 3-10 columns between the QWERTY semicolon key and right edge of the keyboard. On something like the ErgoDox (or a wide-mod 60% JIS keyboard (https://i.imgur.com/exxzMWK.png)), it's only 1 column. Big deal for me, and one of the reason why I've mostly switched to left-handed mousing.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: tp4tissue on Mon, 24 April 2017, 05:34:11
It's time to --Ergodox--..


[attachimg=1]
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: _rubik on Mon, 24 April 2017, 10:12:32
After seeing this post I took out an old 100% to see what it would feel like. You're completely right. After getting used to various 60 - 75% boards, having all of those keys just feels redundant. Either a tkl or 1800-esk layout is certainly the way to go.

tldr; middle block or numpad, not both.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: TopreFan333 on Mon, 24 April 2017, 12:35:56
I have lots of trouble going back to a 100% keyboard after using my HHKB for a long time. The arrow keys feel so very far away and slower to reach. Not the case on my Macbook, though, where the arrows are still very close at hand.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: iLLucionist on Mon, 24 April 2017, 14:54:02
Reminds me... I also have a hard time going back to a mouse when I used a laptop with a trackpad for a longer period of time. Only I can't play osu with laptop... dat acceleration on the trackpad is killing me.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: Cavemann6 on Mon, 24 April 2017, 19:48:32
It was hard for me to switch from a 60% keyboard back to tkl, still not used to dedicated f keys and arrows
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: rowdy on Tue, 20 June 2017, 22:36:59
About the only 100% I can bear to use these days is my speakered Model M.  It is probably the nicest keyboard I have (the closest competitor would be the HHKB).

I tried using my first modern mechanical, a Ducky Shine 108 key, recently.  I couldn't get used to it.
Title: Re: wow.. hard to get use to 100% keyboard after using TKL for ~2yrs
Post by: SBJ on Wed, 21 June 2017, 02:33:36
It was hard for me to switch from a 60% keyboard back to tkl, still not used to dedicated f keys and arrows
It was a nice change for me. I just need those arrow keys I guess. And I've found that the F keys are surprisingly nice to have - I didn't use them before going to the 60% but I've started really using them since.