Is this a terrible idea?

[AMW1011]

Hey.  I'm looking into a Cherry MX Brown keyboard.  I am thinking about getting an OCN Ducky with PBT keycaps.  I could also get a Das keyboard, however I've heard a plethora of horror stories about the letting coming off.

So here is my crazy idea:  I'm thinking about getting the "Ultimate" (Otaku) version.  I'm not a great typist, and I tend to make a lot of mistakes.  I've been doing my best recently to never look at my keyboard so as to improve.  I am decent at it, but at times I stumble a bit and must press blindly to find the right key.  I'm thinking that an Otaku keyboard would force me to learn the key placement, and become a better typist.  It also looks sick and I wouldn't have to worry about the lettering coming off, since there is none.

What do you keyboard enthusiasts think?

[godly_music]

It sounds really cool until you have to type a special character. Remembering A-Z is easy.

[AMW1011]

I've been practicing my spec characters like # @ & %. Probably will be a pain in neck for awhile.

[poco]

You could purchase a set of blank keycaps, and replace them incrementally as you learn to not look at the keys.

[flyinout]

I'm using the Ultimate model. At the first a few days, it feels a little strange. but when you get used to it, you'll love it

[.XL]

You could purchase a set of blank keycaps, and replace them incrementally as you learn to not look at the keys.

 That's my plan. I'm hoping to learn Colemak this way too.

I've been forcing myself to look at the keyboard as little as possible. I'm doing pretty well now, and I've seen marked improvement in the last week or so I've been at it.

[poco]

That's my plan. I'm hoping to learn Colemak this way too.

I've been forcing myself to look at the keyboard as little as possible. I'm doing pretty well now, and I've seen marked improvement in the last week or so I've been at it.

Nice. I'd do that if I had the means to acquire a set of blank keycaps for my Ducky. But I just ordered a set of doubleshots, so I'm holding of on spending any more money for the time being.

[Tony]

Do it step by step. First replace the A-Z keys. The number row/punctuation keys are harder to remember, so you should only replace it when you feel you are ready.

And Colemak for the win! You hands will love it.

[AMW1011]

You could purchase a set of blank keycaps, and replace them incrementally as you learn to not look at the keys.

Thats a very good point.

Do the keycaps that can be used with a Ducky keyboard, be used with a Das too?

[poco]

Thats a very good point.

Do the keycaps that can be used with a Ducky keyboard, be used with a Das too?

Yeah, I believe they're compatible. You may want to double-check to make sure the Shift and Enter keys are shaped the same, but they're just regular MX-switches.

[digitalleftovers]

I went through the same thought process before getting my blank filco.  I didn't know the symbols on the number row either, but I took the plunge anyway and I've never looked back.  I did some practicing before making the switch so I could at least type words.  I think I was at the point where I knew which hand was supposed to type each symbol, just not where they were.  

As a side note, gh'ers may not respect you as much for having a blank keyboard as having vintage doubleshots and/or making your own keys, but all of your friends will instantly believe you are a 1337_H4x0r.  good luck.

[AMW1011]

I went through the same thought process before getting my blank filco.  I didn't know the symbols on the number row either, but I took the plunge anyway and I've never looked back.  I did some practicing before making the switch so I could at least type words.  I think I was at the point where I knew which hand was supposed to type each symbol, just not where they were.  

As a side note, gh'ers may not respect you as much for having a blank keyboard as having vintage doubleshots and/or making your own keys, but all of your friends will instantly believe you are a 1337_H4x0r.  good luck.

Not a bad idea, but I don't even have the hand placement down.

GH dislikes blank keys?

[regicide]

I myself am typing this on a das keyboard ultimate S, I love it, I did it to both test my typing ability as well as learn a new layout (dvorak, still working on it though).

My current average typing speed is 71wpm according to http://www.typrx.com which uses quotes from books (which have all sorts of crazy punctuation), according to a facebook quiz im about 96wpm.

My typing speed has noticibly increased since I started using blank key caps (as I already knew most of the layout but looked down out of habit meaning I then had to look back up to read the next word) as well as my accuracy increasing greatly.

[AMW1011]

Ah thanks guys.  Now I must decide whether to get the Das or the Ducky and get blank keys later.

[digitalleftovers]

GH dislikes blank keys?

Not really.  Theres just far more excitement around here about nostalgic and quality keys over more subtle ones.  As long as there are keyboards, there will be a niche for blanks.

[db_Iodine]

Ah thanks guys.  Now I must decide whether to get the Das or the Ducky and get blank keys later.

At the same price point I would personally recommend the Das. Even with the glossy finish that bothers some, it is a sturdy board. and those USB ports on it were actually pretty useful. I find myself missing USB ports on my keyboards now that I've sold my Das.

[regicide]

Although with the das you are limited to a full size keyboard, whereas with the ducky you can it tenkeyless (without the numpad) meaning you can have your mouse closer (if you are right handed).

I personally own a das but thought I would just put it the only pitfall I have had with it

[bugfix]

Get a blank keyboard and then teach yourself to touch type on it.

[db_Iodine]

Although with the das you are limited to a full size keyboard, whereas with the ducky you can it tenkeyless (without the numpad) meaning you can have your mouse closer (if you are right handed).

I personally own a das but thought I would just put it the only pitfall I have had with it

I think he was trying to decide between the Ducky 9008 from OCN and Das, so he was going with a full size keyboard anyway.

[ch_123]

You could purchase a set of blank keycaps, and replace them incrementally as you learn to not look at the keys.

If you purchase the Das with printed letters, this is done automatically.

[Queue]

I think Ripster was on to something.  I have the Realforce 103UB and the lettering on the keycaps really do look blank in anything but the brightest of lighting.  If you are struggling learning the layout, turn the lights up!  Feeling lucky, turn them down.  And besides, it feels fantastic!

[itlnstln]

The only time I thought blank keys are a real nuisance was when I needed to type in very odd (read: secure) passwords.  You can get around it by typing it in Notepad or something so you can read it, then copy/paste it in the password field, but that would defeat the purpose of the masking/encryption/whatever.  It's not a huge deal, but it does get pretty annoying at times.

[Reaif]

Indeed, the only problem I have with my blank keycaps is for secure passwords. But if you type something in often enough, you get used to it. In my password I use a number, capital letter, and a symbol, and I don't have any trouble with it any more. It took me about a week to get used to it. In any case, I would go for the blank key caps if I were you. You shouldn't have any trouble selling the keyboard if you find you don't want it. Just make sure to take good care of it, and don't let it get scratched (assuming you get a das).

My das isn't the cleanest, but I am going to keep it for the duration. I intend to get a new keyboard at some point so that I don't have to transport this one from home to work and back again all the time, but oh well. Just waiting on those Leopolds...

[.XL]

This Ducky All Blank PBT kit is rather nice.  

Wish OCN/ArmyGroup would offer this.  Probably would cost $60 or something.

Hopefully Majestouch will have used all this down time to do something creative like offer blank or doubleshot sets for the Leopolds.

PCHome has them for $60 shipped

EDIT: Linky

Go down the page a bit to where you see a small drop down menu. You can choose language there.

[Dr.Pepper]

Honestly, It doesn't matter to me if the keys are blank or not. Even when I am typing one handed I don't have to look at the keyboard, besides it's a good way to keep everyone off of my computer

[AMW1011]

PCHome has them for $60 shipped

EDIT: Linky

Go down the page a bit to where you see a small drop down menu. You can choose language there.

Good catch, but how would one order?

[AMW1011]

I think he was trying to decide between the Ducky 9008 from OCN and Das, so he was going with a full size keyboard anyway.

Yeah, I can't find a good tenkeyless anyway.  I don't really mind the numpad, though I probably should try to use the top number row more since I play a lot of SC2.