Cherry MX blue.. do my co-workers secretly hate me?

[kbrint]

Hi all,

I am using a Filco with Cherry MX blues.  I've never enjoyed a keyboard more than this.  I wish I could put these key switches in my laptop too!

BUT...  I'm working in a cube farm.  We do have some noise cancellation and decently high walls, but I'm pretty sure the high pitched click form my keyboard is audible about 25-30 feet away.

I'm considering swapping the keyboard out for the "Brown" equivalent, but I'm concerned that I'm not going to like it as much (and Elite wont' take returns)...  and if I change out both my Blues for Browns, I'm going to be out at least a hundred bucks.

I've looked at a bunch of youtube videos comparing the two, but I can't convince myself one way or the other...  What do you guys think?  Surely someone out there must have switched from Blue to Brown?

click click click

kb

[Brian8bit]

Just cough really loudly as you type to mask the sound of the keys.

[ricercar]

In a professional environment, it's the other person's responsibility to talk to you if they have a problem. Don't go looking for one.

[itlnstln]

In a professional environment, it's the other person's responsibility to talk to you if they have a problem. Don't go looking for one.

Agreed.

[noctua]

hmm.. the click sound of blue mx-switches is decent audible (i like that), the other harder/noise
sound can be soften with this method Cherry Key Silencing - Dental Bands Method ..

(on the other side, each keyboard makes its specific noise, rubber domes too..)

[Megaweapon]

Responses to Type I Simplified ALPS:

   "I hear that sound in my nightmares"
               -- Co-worker

   "We're going to get you a new keyboard"
               -- Boss

No follow-through on that last one.  I'm hoping that they'll fuggedaboutit.

[itlnstln]

I don't use loud keyboards when there are people around me doing work that requires concentration, I consider that anti-social behavior, and my behavior is not the responsibility of other people.

While you don't want to go "looking" for problems, this is equally valid.  I wouldn't work in a quiet office with a keyboard that was (intentionally) loud.  Fortunately, the switches I prefer are quiet.  The new Dell scissor switch 'boards we're getting around here are surprisingly loud, though.  I'll be getting one on Monday and promptly throwing it out.

[ricercar]

my behavior is not the responsibility of other people.

Of course not. But it IS the responsibility of the other people--not you--to determine what is appropriate for their working environment. That makes it THEIR responsibility to make corrections when they need them. Each of us is responsible for his or her own needs.

• It would be antisocial to refuse to give up a Cherry blue keyboard after a coworker's request to do so.
• It would not be antisocial to test a Cherry blue keyboard without interviewing every coworker in earshot.

[ricercar]

I just terrorize the hell out of him until he begs for mercy and curses the day he was born.

Now THAT'S antisocial. Kudos.

[didjamatic]

These discussions always remind me of the post here about someone who said people walk into their office and hear the model m clicking away and back off slowly upon realizing it is someone who doesn't F- around.

Can't find the quote.

[itlnstln]

That was Shawn Stafford, IIRC.  That was an epic post.

[kishy]

These discussions always remind me of the post here about someone who said people walk into their office and hear the model m clicking away and back off slowly upon realizing it is someone who doesn't F- around.

Can't find the quote.

"The shut up I'm typing sound" comes to mind, but I forget if I inferred that from the quote in question or if that was close to the actual wording...

[SpatiallyAware]

Blues are IMO too loud for a 'quiet' office setting - particularly in a cubicle environment.  In all honesty, I'd probably be the person telling you to take your damn keyboard home.


Blues are a bit too loud to use even in my office, people sitting ~10ft away can easily hear them.. It's not really the loudness, it's that the 'click' travels REALLY far..  I suspect browns would be fine though

[Rajagra]

Better than that. He intimidates them with an M4.

It's said that deep down, all men want to be feared. Choosing the right weapon is the first step.:biggrin:

[didjamatic]

Awesome Rajara, thanks for finding it!

At work I have to keep things down as my coworkers are noise-fearing freaks of nature, so my weapon of choice is an IBM M4. People walk into my office, see me hammering away at the keys on my weird keyboard, and instantly come to the realization that I do not **** around. Usually they back away slowly and ask someone else for help instead.

[noctua]

We all beasts without expertise in gentle typing, our plump finger can't massage the keys in a
decresendo manner, we are so insensitive..

I was being sarcastic.

[J888www]

If you want to scare people and have them run to the horizon, the wireless DataHand chair does the job just fine. If you really want to haunt them, you follow them in the rolling chair while continuing to type messages on geekhack.

At the same time scream in a high note "Exterminate, Exterminate".

[kbrint]

I think we scared off the OP.

Kbrint.  To the Original Question:  We don't secretly hate you.

Show Image

I didn't get scared off...  just taking it all in.  Love the rats ass :)

I guess I'll just let it ride for now...

[aegrotatio]

Alright, back to the topic at hand, yes, I do hate you and your Cherry Blues over there three cube aisles away from me, but I am FIGHTING BACK with my thocky ABS M1 and my extra-loud IBM Mini Space Saving keyboards.

[chimera15]

It's possible to dull the sound/clickiness of alps keys at least by oiling them, and putting rubber sheets down between the keys....  but for the oil at least, unless you want a lot of work, it may be a semi-permanent solution.