Oh man, so much OT ranting in here that I just feel compelled to join in
I really wish I could get a backlit keyboard. I currently have a filco w/ browns, and I like it but I really wish I could try some others. I think my ideal board would be either topre or mx blues (neither of which I've tried), otaku (in daylight), backlit. That would be *amazing*.
I imagine the letters would be nearly invisible in daylight (since they'd blend in), but in the dark they'd stand out with backlighting.
And all this nonsense about backlight being good or bad - it's just a matter of taste! A "high contrast keyboard" would not help me in the dark, esp. when my eyes have adjusted to the brightness of the screen. I usually touch type, but that doesn't help when I have to type one handed in a nearly completely dark room while I hold a baby in the other, programming & feeding. Backlight would be wonderful then. I think otaku looks neat. I like black keyboards because they look better.
This is a great thread. I had no idea about the mionix stuff (or clone). Black widow ultimate, deck legend, upcoming ducky shine. The last I'm very curious about - a backlit MX blue keyboard would be amazing.
You know what we need? A custom keyboard site. Choose the layout, key caps, switches, backlit/none, extra USB hub, etc. Make them all add-ons like they do for cars. Built to order. Expensive. Perfect. Upgradeable. How many people would use a site like that?