Waiting for my perfect keyboard

[markdibley]

Hello

I'm afraid I'm new here, but I hope my ignorance won't last too long.

At the moment I'm waiting for my perfect keyboard, a UK layout of the Filco Tenkeyless with Cherry Blues, to be produced. I've been told that it should come out a month either side of Christmas 2010.

Of course it might not ever appear so I thought I would ask if anyone knows of a good equivalent. I have tried the Dinovos and they have never been right - either fallen apart on me or just not had the right feel (my typing is all over the place at the moment).

And just out of curiosity, what would other people's perfect keyboard consist of? Mine is for programming.

Mark

[Rajagra]

Of course it might not ever appear so I thought I would ask if anyone knows of a good equivalent.

The U.S. version maybe? I know it seems like a compromise, but many people have tried it and been converted. You lose one key, but can work around that in a number of ways. Return and Left Shift become easier to reach to make up for that.

[~Blood~]

I'm pretty sure it will appear if bruce says he's working on the manufacturing process. If you don't want it on the market, you don't work on the process. And I guess he DOES know how to create a keyboard, so there are no unknown variables like 'can it even be produced'.

[markdibley]

The U.S. version maybe? I know it seems like a compromise, but many people have tried it and been converted. You lose one key, but can work around that in a number of ways. Return and Left Shift become easier to reach to make up for that.

:-)

I was afraid someone would suggest that. And believe me I have considered it over and over again. But I'm looking for my perfect keyboard (especially for that sort of money) so I'm going to hang out for a UK configuration.

I have also considered getting a good full keyboard and sawing off the keypad. The soldering I'm not so worried about; it's the feet on the right that are a nuisance to reposition.

:-)

[markdibley]

I'm pretty sure it will appear if bruce says he's working on the manufacturing process.

Well that clears up a whole load of things. I've been looking for the company that makes the Filco keyboards and I have just looked at the email I received from a sales enquiry I made with keyboardco.com. And it turns out the email was from Bruce who I am presuming is the same Bruce you are referring to.

And now I have found a relevant thread in the vendor forum. And I'm not alone!

Looks like I will have to wait until February, but I am sure the wait will be worth it.

Thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

[woody]

The Filco tenkeyless US is perfect enough for you.

You have the @ and " swapped, which you can fix in software. You can add by software even the pound sign, if you need it that much.
________
Ducati 851

[markdibley]

The Filco tenkeyless US is perfect enough for you.

:-)

I'm afraid that just isn't true. "Perfect enough" isn't perfect. Not for me anyway which I guess is why I am so glad The Keyboard Company are producing a UK version.

I wonder what would have happened if they had produced a UK version first and told US keyboard users that they just need to swap a few keys in the software. But personally I don't want to get into this sort of argument. Especially on my first thread.

:-)

[Rajagra]

You have the @ and " swapped, which you can fix in software. You can add by software even the pound sign, if you need it that much.

I wonder if anyone has written a keyboard layout that is basically the UK one but tweaked so it works without the missing key when an ANSI board is plugged in. It really should be done, I may do it myself as a way to learn to use MS's Layout Creator.

[zefrer]

:-)

I'm afraid that just isn't true. "Perfect enough" isn't perfect. Not for me anyway which I guess is why I am so glad The Keyboard Company are producing a UK version.

I wonder what would have happened if they had produced a UK version first and told US keyboard users that they just need to swap a few keys in the software. But personally I don't want to get into this sort of argument. Especially on my first thread.

:-)

Well if you don't want to wait you can get the US tenkeyless plus a set of UK key caps (keyboardco sell both). The only differences then would be the enter key and left shift/extra button next to left shift.

[woody]

I wonder what would have happened if they had produced a UK version first and told US keyboard users that they just need to swap a few keys in the software.

I've got laptop with UK layout - it doesn't matter that much. I use it with the US layout anyway and don't look at the legends at all.
Coming from a background with much worse problems (Cyrillic), I just want to assure you that the more you stay with the US layout, the less problems you'll have. And the more the availability. :-)

I know what you're thinking, but still - bite the bullet and get the US Filco. You're missing the fun. ;-)

That's just friendly advice (in a somewhat alien to me language). Also, welcome to GH.

[~Blood~]

Personally with my writing/typing style I need the big enter key because else I'd have to keep my pinky at an angle of 90° which is kind of painful over an extended period of time.

I won't spend 110 Euros on a ANSI layout either, why not wait 2 months.

[hoggy]

The Filco tenkeyless US is perfect enough for you.

You have the @ and " swapped, which you can fix in software. You can add by software even the pound sign, if you need it that much.

Funnily enough, if the OS is set to UK and it's a US layout it's only the labels on the keys that have changed - shift 2 gives " and not @.  Someone has pointed out elsewhere that you lose either the / or the # (can't remember) - I've remapped the back tick for # (I use Dvorak anyway and fitted the blank keys).  

I've got a US tenkeyless that I use for programming that's rather nice, but if you want to go with the UK layout then you should go with your gut choice.  I think the US layout has an advantage for programming as the enter key is closer to the home keys - but that's just me.

I'd suggest the blank key set and gradually swap in the blanks - it doesn't take long to get used (except for passwords) and really stops people wanting to use your computer.