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geekhack Community => Keyboard Keycaps => Topic started by: ander on Fri, 05 May 2017, 17:43:31

Title: Redundant title title?
Post by: ander on Fri, 05 May 2017, 17:43:31
Erm, not to be annoying or anything, but isn't "Keyboard Keycaps" redundant, like "PIN number"?

Not to mention that the term caps is widely misused in the MK community. The proper term, used throughout the entire classic MK era by manufacturers and users alike, is button. ("Key" is also acceptable, though it was used mostly in the context of operation.)

KB and computer people didn't start referring to "caps" till IBM invented the two-piece button, consisting of a cap on a stem. You don't call the buttons on any other switching devices "caps", do you? For some reason, though, MK people started using the term for one-piece buttons. It's surprising this misuse continues, considering how much MK people are into accuracy, otherwise.

If you're interested (and I won't be surprised if you're not, as I'm used to being a "voice in the wilderness" on this), we're having a discussion about it here (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=89324.0).
Title: Re: Redundant title title?
Post by: romevi on Fri, 05 May 2017, 18:02:44
Right. So just say "keycaps."
Title: Re: Redundant title title?
Post by: libertycannon on Fri, 05 May 2017, 22:35:58
No its not the same as a PIN number.  You aren't an outlier here you are just wrong.  Good info on keycaps though!
Title: Re: Redundant title title?
Post by: gnmar2723 on Sat, 06 May 2017, 23:18:59
I'm with romevi on this one
Title: Re: Redundant title title?
Post by: _haru on Sat, 06 May 2017, 23:59:07
Wow, I didn't know that it was IBM that popularised that word.

To be honest though, I usually just end up calling them 'keycaps' (without the preceding 'keyboard') so it's not a huge issue for me.
Title: Re: Redundant title title?
Post by: Puddsy on Sun, 07 May 2017, 00:11:30
The subforum is called keyboard keycaps. That's what he's getting at, I think.
Title: Re: Redundant title title?
Post by: _haru on Sun, 07 May 2017, 01:03:49
Quote from: Puddsy on Sun, 07 May 2017, 00:11:30
The subforum is called keyboard keycaps. That's what he's getting at, I think.

That's what I was referring to, but yeah, I agree.
Title: Re: Redundant title title?
Post by: rowdy on Sun, 07 May 2017, 22:05:51
There's not many devices that use keycaps other than keyboards (numpads are little keyboards, Nostromos are game input devices with a mini built-in keyboard), so it kinda goes without saying that they are keycaps for keyboards.

Although good luck getting the title changed :p
Title: Re: Redundant title title?
Post by: Auk on Sat, 20 May 2017, 04:49:41
Quote from: ander on Fri, 05 May 2017, 17:43:31
Erm, not to be annoying or anything, but isn't "Keyboard Keycaps" redundant

This thread isn't annoying, but the title is clumsy and I certainly do find it jarring and awkward. Every time I want to navigate to this forum I'm finding it requires just slightly more thought and focus than elsewhere. I think the row with 'keyboard of the month' child forum isn't helping either, it breaks the flow. Intuitively I expect the index page to read:
but I can't see admin changing it unless they are extremely bored, or indulging in some severe procrastination to avoid doing something else.
Title: Re: Redundant title title?
Post by: fanpeople on Sat, 20 May 2017, 04:58:05
yeah been drinking sob**** IT ANDER IS RIGHT START THE REVOLUTION CHANGE THE TITLE