Keyboard recommendation for a Sweepstaker

[edyedy]

I'm not a gamer or a programmer........I'm a Sweepstaker! One of those crazy people that enter hundreds of online contests every day.  As a result of all that time on the computer I've gradually moved away from using a mouse and rely solely on my keyboard and MS speech recognition to get the job done.  I'm hoping you guys can give me some recommendations on choosing a new keyboard, as I'm still using the one that came with the P.C.

    Here's how I work;  I use the Speech recognition to do the majority of mouse related tasks, but for scrolling I use the cursor keys. I also use the number pad setup with Mousekeys for instances when I need to move cursor more accurately. I also frequently use the Home/End  Page Up/ Page Down keys as well as all CTRL and WIN key shortcuts.  I'm a hunt and peck typist.  I only really type to fill in forms and Captchas, so a split ergonomic keyboard won't really suit me.   

What do you guys think?  What would be a really good option for me? I've got around $100 bucks in Amazon credit ready to use.

[laffindude]

Just sweepstake a new one...
I would not bother with a new keyboard. I'd just setup a macro in autohotkey and wham, even less typing.

[vun]

I don't really know what kind of board I'd recommend off the top of my head, but I have something a bit off topic I'd like to ask; How often do you win contests, and what sort of stuff do you win?

[noisyturtle]

I'm curious, have you ever won any big prizes like a car or something? Reason I ask is because I did a sweepstakes binge for about 6 months when I was living off ramen and taco bell sauce packets, entering more than I could count and all I got was a dummy email account full of spam.

[edyedy]

Well, best prize I won was an all expense paid trip to Fiji. Most recent prize was tix to Cirque du soleil show a few days ago.

[bace]

Well, best prize I won was an all expense paid trip to Fiji. Most recent prize was tix to Cirque du soleil show a few days ago.

wow thats pretty awesome

[Binge]

This doesn't sound like you need anything concerning ergonomics, but just something that won't quit on you.  If I'm right in assuming this most cherry switch keyboards would be fine, but I would stick to black, red, and brown keys because they would not generate a lot of noise.

I'm not a gamer or a programmer........I'm a Sweepstaker! One of those crazy people that enter hundreds of online contests every day.  As a result of all that time on the computer I've gradually moved away from using a mouse and rely solely on my keyboard and MS speech recognition to get the job done.  I'm hoping you guys can give me some recommendations on choosing a new keyboard, as I'm still using the one that came with the P.C.

    Here's how I work;  I use the Speech recognition to do the majority of mouse related tasks, but for scrolling I use the cursor keys. I also use the number pad setup with Mousekeys for instances when I need to move cursor more accurately. I also frequently use the Home/End  Page Up/ Page Down keys as well as all CTRL and WIN key shortcuts.  I'm a hunt and peck typist.  I only really type to fill in forms and Captchas, so a split ergonomic keyboard won't really suit me.   

What do you guys think?  What would be a really good option for me? I've got around $100 bucks in Amazon credit ready to use.

[vun]

I would not bother with a new keyboard. I'd just setup a macro in autohotkey and wham, even less typing.

This sounds pretty reasonable. Unless your current keyboard is wearing out or bothering you in some way, I don't see any reason to get a new board. You could take a look around the media section, and possibly the photos section on deskthority, and see if you can spot a keyboard with a layout that would suit your needs. You mention that you use keys like home etc. fairly often, a lot of older boards have some funky layouts that might be interesting to look at.

[edyedy]

My true GEEKNESS shines in local radio contests. You know, the "caller 20" ones. I understand the the patterns and timing. So I win like 5 to 10 times per year. And I'm just using an old analog office phone with speed dial. I'm able to dial, hang up and re-dial faster than everyone entering with cell phones.

[edyedy]

I guess I'm looking to increase comfort and productivity. I figure I'm using the cursor keys and numpad just as much as any gamer, so you guys are the best people to ask.

[shibbyllama889]

It doesn't look like you need anything other than a standard fullsize keyboard since you make ample use of the numpad. I would say Brown switches would be desirable over Blues. If you use the arrow keys and what not to navigate around, then you are probably double tapping a lot. Browns would be better for that, and they will be quieter to boot.

The cream of the crop is the Filco Majestouch 2 with MX Browns, and it would stand up to your beating everyday. They're pricey though, about $150. Look for the Keyboard Company on Amazon to purchase from. Das Keyboard is the only other option I can think of that is sold on Amazon.

The only other thing I can think of is possibly making use of AutoHotKey to move some key functions around so that they better suite your needs. But if the standard layout works for you, then that's a non-issue.

[edyedy]

I am interested in trying a mechanical keyboard. My hands are all over the place when I'm "working" at these contests.  Shortcuts, F-keys, hunt and peck, cursor keys and numpad. I've heard so much about the responsiveness of the keys, so I'm eager to try one out. I do double tap a lot, especially the 5 key, as I use it as my right mouse button.

[RickyJ]

Amazon also sells Rosewill (Newegg) RK9000 boards, and are in your price range (also on sale at the moment).

[TotalChaos]

@edyedy

I recommend any keyboard with cherry red switches, such as Rosewill RK9000RE which comes equipped with elite numeric keypad or Cooler Master Quickfire Rapid amputated edition which lacks numeric keypad .  Cherry Red switches are fastest for double tapping and fastest period.  They require the least activation force.  Furthermore they won't destroy your hands as fast as the other switchtypes (especially the horrible ones they give away free with computers).  Get a Cherry Red and forget everything else.

If for some weird reason u don't like it u can always sell it to me at a discount as I will need a second one soon.  Or there are a zillion other guys looking for deals on used Cherry Red keyboards all the time on here.

Now could u please please please please give me more infos about your awesome sounding ergonomical situation?!  I am in horrible pain and your setup sounds really interesting!!!!

You said u use voice to control the mouse?  What can u make the mouse do and what words do u speak to do it?

How many different voice commands do u use that really work out for you in real life?

Why do u use the 5 key as a RMB instead of just speaking some secret word  for RightMouseButton?

What do u do for LMB?  MMB?

Please tell me.  I need infos.

What program lets you redefine a key on the keyboard as a mousebutton?

I always wanted Cherry Red Mousebuttons.  Now it sounds possible.  Maybe I will redefine number row keys or numpad keys.  Yeah!

I just bought a brand new 3.1Ghz quadcore bgcpc so I would have the cpu power to do things like fast nonlaggy voice recognition.

[edyedy]

@Totalchaos, thanks for the helpful info. My ergonomic situation is not that complicated.  I'm pretty much using the stuff available in Windows 7. The ease of Access Center (Win Key + U) has the Speech Recognition Software, and Mousekeys, which is for people with limited mobility that can't really use any type of mouse.  I finally ditched the mouse after trying several of them;  plain 2 button shipped with pc, logitech wireless, ambidextrous trackball, usb trackpad, The only good one was the corded logitech trackman wheel, but even that one would tire out my thumb.   When I do my radio contests I hold the phone in my left hand/ear, hang up with my right index finger and hit speed dial button with my thumb in a back and forth manner, really quickly, many, many times. That's kind of why I stopped using a mouse. I didn't want to lose that speed. Even switching to left handed, after a few months you begin to have some discomfort. With voice recognition, there's no discomfort and the commands are easy. "Open Chrome browser", "Press ALT-D" "Show Numbers" puts a number on every link in a webpage, then you just say "click 22" .. "Mousegrid" opens up a grid that you can narrow down to even the smallest link in a page.  The voice recognition software is great  especially when I enter unlimited entry contests.  I entered one 700 or so times and won a V.I.P  3 day theme park/2 night hotel + $1,000 spending cash.

[TotalChaos]

So I got Dragon Naturally Speaking for nothing?
(I have brand new win7 puter in da box)

[eth0s]

I am going to make a serious response to this guy's question, even though I don't know if it's a serious post.

But w/e, based upon the OP's parameters, he has the following needs:

(1) A full-size keyboard with number pad.
(2) Something that makes double-tapping easier.
(3)  Something that costs approx. $100, or less.
(4)  Something that is available on Amazon.com.

Based upon the foregoing, here is my suggestion:  Rosewill RK-9000 with Cherry MX Blue switches.  http://www.amazon.com/Rosewill-Mechanical-Keyboard-Cherry-RK-9000/dp/B004F38Y7Y/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1354412333&sr=8-1&keywords=mechanical+keyboard+mx+blue

It costs ~ $79; it is available on Amazon.com, it is fairly durable, it is a great double-tapping keyboard with both an audible click and a tactile bump to indicate when the switch has actuated. 

@OP:  Don't be surprised if this first keyboard sets you on a path to buy moar keyboards.

[precarious]

You said u use voice to control the mouse?

thanks for killing my friend, he is presently dying of laughter

[Hak Foo]

Maybe you should consider a programmable macro device like the X-keys series: http://piengineering.com/xkeys/xk24.php

[TotalChaos]

About Cherry Blue

It costs ~ $79; it is available on Amazon.com, it is fairly durable, it is a great double-tapping keyboard with both an audible click and a tactile bump to indicate when the switch has actuated. 

That "audible click" will only be an "audible click" to the user.

To your parents, children, baby, girlfriend, wife, next door neighbor, cat, dog, etc. it will be referred to as "That #!?/#*(!@ noisy keyboard!".

Also keep in mind that a Cherry Red keyboard is actually going to make quite a bit of noise on its own because I know u r going to smash the key down into the bottom of the keyboard just as you have been trained to do your whole life with those evil membrane keyboards.  When u smash the key into the bottom it makes a click noise anyway.

I recommend u concentrate on training urself to type the correct way, where you press the key down halfway then release, never smashing into anything.  But that is a whole separate issue.

I bought my Rosewill RK-9000RE (Cherry Red Switches) on Amazon a week ago for $69.99 with free shipping and free tax.

[1391406]

I recommend u concentrate on training urself to type the correct way, where you press the key down halfway then release, never smashing into anything.

How is typing with half key presses any more "correct" than bottoming out?

[TotalChaos]

Because impacts are harmful to the human body.

If you eliminate the impacts then you eliminate the main source of harm.

[1391406]

Because impacts are harmful to the human body.

If you eliminate the impacts then you eliminate the main source of harm.

Some impacts are harmful. Some aren't. Personally, I have no reason to believe that bottoming out falls under the former category. If I had to think of a good reason to not bottom out, it might be for noise reduction purposes(eg. others trying to sleep, work, etc.).

[edyedy]

Thanks again fellas for the recommendations.  I've been researching on my own for a while, but wanted input from actual users.  I'll follow up once I decide which one to try.

[TotalChaos]

Because impacts are harmful to the human body.

If you eliminate the impacts then you eliminate the main source of harm.

Some impacts are harmful. Some aren't.

No.

All impacts are harmful.

Your body can heal the damage from some certain number of impacts, if the impacts are small enough.  But if you bombard your nerves with millions of small impacts per year then you will exceed your body's ability to deal with it and develop some sort of terrible problem.

Personally, I have no reason to believe that bottoming out falls under the former category.

You are probably one of those guys who smoke, drink, and do drugz for nonmedicinal reasons.

If I had to think of a good reason to not bottom out, it might be for noise reduction purposes(eg. others trying to sleep, work, etc.).

Look I know it is the fault of Cherry and Alps and others for making these stupid idiotic switches that crash your finger after only 4mm of travel.  But that is the world we live in.  None of that is your fault.  But crashing your finger into an immovable object is bad for you and you should try to train yourself not to do it.

You mention noise.  What purpose does noise serve?  Getting text into a computer should be silent.   The fact that you made noise means something is going wrong.  Noise is the result of impacts (or friction).   In our case, the impacts are on your fingertips which is really bad for your Ulnar and Median nerves and tendons.  Noise means you are wasting energy.

I know its not a big deal to have an impact here or there.  But typing isn't like that.  Typing is gazillions of impacts per year.  In my case it was over a million per year.  I would imagine the average Geekhacker to be similar.

[edyedy]

Hey fellas, I want to update you on which board I ended up purchasing.  I strongly considered a plain mechanical, but went with the feature packed Thermaltake Challenger Pro. Its backlit, has Macros keys on both left and right sides, cooling fan, 2 usb ports, solid build, good quality braided cable, easy to use software. I had to try it out! Programmable Macros keys are so awesome!  Thanks for all the suggestions.

[rowdy]

I've just realised how old this thread is )

I was thinking of suggesting backlit, especially for hunt and peck.