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Author Topic: Keyboard for a coder  (Read 2832 times)

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Offline komar007

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Keyboard for a coder
« on: Tue, 14 September 2010, 16:29:04 »
Hi all,
this is my first post.

I'm pretty much new to mechanical keyboards and after some time reading i got my first real keyboard - a Dell AT101W with black alps, and it feels great compared to most of the rubber domes I used to use before.
The problem is I basically only code and use the terminal and it seems the black alps suit me well when I type text, but not that well when I program. Writing many special characters I find myself bottoming out much.

Additionally I don't completely feel the tactility of the black alps, but I have read they are not the very tactile ones. The problem is that the more I try to not bottom out, the less I feel when the keys actuate and I end up missing some strokes.

Do you think a buckling spring board will be a better choice, considered that I don't type fast (50-70wpm) and I tend to prefer heavier keys?

Or do you know any other good keyboards for coding?

Thanks for your help.
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Offline komar007

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Keyboard for a coder
« Reply #1 on: Tue, 14 September 2010, 16:40:38 »
I've been thinking about a unicomp and I may end up with one if I don't find a model M somewhere close, as shipping outside US is crazy expensive.
Or maybe I'll just learn to use the Dell;)

The linux layout won't be necessary, and I find the windows-keys pretty useful as additional modifiers.
Thanks
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Offline keyboardlover

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Keyboard for a coder
« Reply #2 on: Tue, 14 September 2010, 16:50:09 »
Quote from: komar007;223336
I've been thinking about a unicomp and I may end up with one if I don't find a model M somewhere close, as shipping outside US is crazy expensive.
Or maybe I'll just learn to use the Dell;)

The linux layout won't be necessary, and I find the windows-keys pretty useful as additional modifiers.
Thanks

I'm a developer and I like topre, cherry brown, and keytronic.
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Offline WhiteRice

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Keyboard for a coder
« Reply #3 on: Tue, 14 September 2010, 17:13:56 »
If missing strokes due to tactile feedback is the issue, just about any switch with more of a "click" would be a better fit.

As far as symbols go you have two options:

Drill on those keys until they become easy to type on.

and

Configure emacs/vi/whatever cli text editor you use to help fill in the blanks/brackets/terminating characters.

APL actually uses shift to type symbols and alt as a modifier key to type underscore characters. You just get used to it.
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Offline Half-Saint

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Keyboard for a coder
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 15 September 2010, 03:17:35 »
Quote from: komar007;223336
I've been thinking about a unicomp and I may end up with one if I don't find a model M somewhere close, as shipping outside US is crazy expensive.


Hi. Your nick sounds slovenian. I can hook you up with a nice, clean model M for a price ;) If you're interested, drop me a PM.

Cheers
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Offline komar007

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« Reply #5 on: Wed, 15 September 2010, 09:27:28 »
Thanks, Half-Saint, I'm not Slovenian, but shipping from Slovenia to Poland should be much cheaper than overseas.
Still, I have to check one possible location of a maybe-model-m just a few kilometres from my house first and use the dell for some time to really check it out;).
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Check out the GH60 project! | How to make a keyboard

woody

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Keyboard for a coder
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 15 September 2010, 10:00:07 »
Half-Saint, since I'm bit to the East of you, is your offer valid if komar007 decides to pass?
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« Last Edit: Sat, 05 February 2011, 13:37:47 by woody »
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Offline Half-Saint

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Keyboard for a coder
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 15 September 2010, 13:26:25 »
Depends on how much you like the ISO YU layout! If you're not bothered by that, my offer is valid of course but we should move that to PM or marketplace :-)

I just checked and postage to EU countries is 25eur for a package between 2kg and 5kg. Might be a deal-breaker.
« Last Edit: Wed, 15 September 2010, 13:28:31 by Half-Saint »
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IBM Model M (6) - Acer Alcatel 6312-KW - IBM Model M Space Saver - IBM Model M 122-key - Cherry G80-3000 (2) - IBM Model F AT - TG3 BL82A (2)

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Offline komar007

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« Reply #8 on: Wed, 15 September 2010, 14:48:07 »
The postage cost looks great, but I'm searching for an ansi layout, so woody, feel free to make the deal.
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Check out the GH60 project! | How to make a keyboard

woody

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Keyboard for a coder
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 15 September 2010, 17:13:06 »
Hah, thanks for the clarification. I'll pass on the YU layout, strictly after US one. Maybe I'll bite the (customs) bullet and try Unicomp. Damn keyboard virus. Damn GH.
Thanks once again, both Half-Saint and komar007.
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« Last Edit: Sat, 05 February 2011, 13:39:48 by woody »
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Offline Superfluous Parentheses

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Keyboard for a coder
« Reply #10 on: Wed, 15 September 2010, 17:18:32 »
Unicomps are a good deal - except for the shipping of course - but that goes for pretty much any decent mechanical keyboard, unless you're in the UK (keyboardco).

Personally, I'm really enjoying my HHKB Pro 2. It's not exactly heavy - Model Ms are a lot heavier, but it's tactile and the layout rocks for coding. Especially if you're mostly in terminals and emacs/vi type editors. It's ridiculously expensive though, even without shipping and taxes.

No word yet if any of the cherry-based boards with similar layouts we've seen around here will ever be available - those should normally be quite a bit cheaper than anything made by/based on Topre.
« Last Edit: Wed, 15 September 2010, 17:20:53 by Superfluous Parentheses »
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Current collection: HHKB Pro 2 black on black, HHKB Pro 2 white/grey blank, [strike]Dell AT101W[/strike] (sold to SirClickAlot), 1992 Model M, Key Tronic Ergoforce KT 2001, BTC 5100 C. Dead boards: MS Natural Elite, MS Natural 4000.

Offline Superfluous Parentheses

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Keyboard for a coder
« Reply #11 on: Wed, 15 September 2010, 17:31:38 »
Also: if you can't find a Model M, and Unicomps are too expensive with shipping, check the classifieds on this board. There's a few Model Ms and Unicomps for sale there.
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Current collection: HHKB Pro 2 black on black, HHKB Pro 2 white/grey blank, [strike]Dell AT101W[/strike] (sold to SirClickAlot), 1992 Model M, Key Tronic Ergoforce KT 2001, BTC 5100 C. Dead boards: MS Natural Elite, MS Natural 4000.
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