What do you friends think about your keyboard hobby/fetish?

[Farsiite]

hahahahahaha. i was able to laugh at myself this weekend. was at auto-zone with my girlfriend helping her buy a new water pump for her car, and guess what i see on the customer side of the counter as we walk in?!  

A CHERRY G80-8113 with 4 missing key caps! It's got browns! i was a mechanical keyboard virgin before i purchased this g80-3494 with reds. hadn't ever tried any switch other than model m buckling springs. i was stoked because i finally had the chance to try a different switch. to my surprise they basically felt like.....scratchy reds i guess???...that's how i'd best describe it.....i guess it's because my only reference for what "tactility" in keys is is from the model m buckling springs. obviously wasn't near that tactile......but anyways...

the girlfriend was with me like i mentioned above. she'd knew i bought this keyboard and that i read about them and stuff when i was bored. but you shoulda seen her face when she saw how stoked i was about a random ass keyboard at autozone. kind of like........really......a keyboard matt......you're getting excited about a keyboard..... haha. anyways. posted some pictures of it below. crappy cell phone quality but meh.


anyways. was wondering if anyone else had any interesting stories about your friends or family learning about how "into" keyboards you are. or anything along those lines that might be interesting to share.




  ( is it sad i'm checking out the keyboards at all stores now when i'm at the register?? )



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for some reason i spaced out and didn't snap a picture of the bottom of the board tag. dunno why. i did look at it though, hence me knowing it's a g80-8113

[Bird]

My gf was actually excited herself when i bought mine, though she dislikes the sound when trying to sleep (blues). In Germany, at least 50% of all offices and registers are equipped with cherry keyboards. I found myself checking them out aswell

[Playtrumpet]

Family can react by not understanding any justification for spending $100+ for just a keyboard, but friends actually find it very cool. I like to think that there's a good reason intelligent and interesting people are sometimes very interested in keyboards.

[hcry4]

I just like having nice things. Most of them can understand that. I gave two of my Das keyboards to two friends and they seem to enjoy using them.

[Hysteria~]

My parents always tell me that I need to learn how to manage my money because I'm constantly buying "neat old crap".

Edit: What are friends?

[TexasFlood]

Most of my friends don't know, I'm in the closet.  It's like politics/religion, I try not to bring it up but MIGHT if they bring it up first and seem to have the same view I do.  My kids and think I'm weird and have a unless obsession for obsolete stuff.  Maybe, maybe like obsolete stuff like I probably am these days.  My wife wanted me to throw out my Northgate Ultra and I told her "it's a classic, not made any more, worth a lot, I can't throw it out".  With very little delay came back the retort "OK, don't throw it out, sell it, just get rid of it!"  So I, of course, hid it in the same closet I'm in, :wink:

[Mazora]

people at my job think im crazy, yet they all suffer from RSI. I lul at them constantly.
In my life, I've always considered peoples opinion as a "what NOT to do". For example, lets say everyone think China is the market to be into, I would be bearish instantly.

[TexasFlood]

Most of my friends don't know, I'm in the closet.  It's like politics/religion, I try not to bring it up but MIGHT if they bring it up first and seem to have the same view I do.  My kids think I'm weird and have a unless obsession for obsolete stuff.  Maybe, maybe like obsolete stuff like I probably am these days.  My wife wanted me to throw out my Northgate Ultra and I told her "it's a classic, not made any more, worth a lot, I can't throw it out".  With very little delay came back the retort "OK, don't throw it out, sell it, just get rid of it!"  So, of course, I hid it in the same closet I'm in, :wink:

[skyblue]

My friends think it's absurd that I would drop so much money on keyboards (I had some who typed on my browns and said they didn't feel a difference compared to membrane keyboards - they were promptly told to GTFO).

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[N8N]

Your friends apparently don't know how to type without slamming the keys all the way down and probably use two fingers

seriously, I'm not even a big browns fan, but there's still a clear (heh) difference between them and the usual rubber dome stuff.  At least to me...

At some point I will probably stop buying keyboards, but I've been completely ruined by actually having known what a good keyboard felt like...

[Playtrumpet]

I just like having nice things. Most of them can understand that. I gave two of my Das keyboards to two friends and they seem to enjoy using them.

Lucky friends. =P

[theferenc]

I give keyboards to people, too. Gave a Matias to a friend who claimed she didn't like "those old clicky kind" of keyboards, and now I've been told that I can pry it out her cold, dead hands, and where did I get it, so she can order a second to take to work. Converted most of my office to Model Ms the same way.

I get teased for it a lot. It's a running joke that I take baths in them, and swim around in them a la Scrooge McDuck whenever I have the chance. That's usually followed with a "do you have a spare I could borrow for a while, to see if I like it?" I usually get cash or equivalent not long after that. Still get teased, though. That's what friends are for though, right?

[SmallFry]

I was lauging at that avatar too... Great one TexasFlood :laugh:

[godofdeath]

who needs friends

[domin8r]

My girlfriend kinda understands it. At least, she can understand it as a hobby

She even pointed out some keyboards at a flea market a few weeks ago (which were nice Cherry's with doubleshots) and she doesn't complain if I get ANOTHER keyboard.
But then again, I haven't got any real expensive keyboards yet

[SmallFry]

My mom has flipped a couple of times, and I just got into mechanical 'boards... She yelled at me for spending $45 of my birthday money on a 'board (122 key Model M:) I blow it off and tell her that some guys on this forum spend more than $300. She had no counter to that...SmallFry FTW!

[Input Nirvana]

My mom has flipped a couple of times, and I just got into mechanical 'boards... She yelled at me for spending $45 of my birthday money on a 'board (122 key Model M:) I blow it off and tell her that some guys on this forum spend more than $300. She had no counter to that...SmallFry FTW!

Not sure how old you are, but I guess a couple comments like..."I'm not blowing it on drugs and hookers..." or "I'm buying material things that aren't losing value (and could be re-sold)" might go a long way towards calming and showing how reasonable you really are. I mean, unless your mom thinks you should get out more and hookers would be a GOOD thing...

[hyperq]

Many of my friends aren’t into keyboards, yet. I often try to infect them with these points:

* You will make fewer typos with this keyboard.
* Typing on it is clean and crisp. You will love the tactile pleasure.
* It looks so darn nice on the desk, like a piece of art.
* You will use it everyday, and it will outlast your video cards, your PCs, your cameras, and even your car.

To me, the keyboard fetish is the healthiest fetish out there.

[domin8r]

Many of my friends aren’t into keyboards, yet. I often try to infect them with these points:

* You will make fewer typos with this keyboard.
* Typing on it is clean and crisp. You will love the tactile pleasure.
* It looks so darn nice on the desk, like a piece of art.
* You will use it everyday, and it will outlast your video cards, your PCs, your cameras, and even your car.

To me, the keyboard fetish is the healthiest fetish out there.

And it's also pretty easy to convince someone why a REAL proper keyboard is worth it. Just let them type a bit on your mechanical and they understand

[iMav]

My wife and daughter both have full-sized pink Filcos (one with blues, the other with browns)...both with some custom keycaps.

My elder son types on a tenkeyless with browns (decked out with a round 3 standard set + gamer kit).  My youngest son uses a M4.

I've given keyboards as b-day presents before to friends.  Some thought it was a joke gift...but then thanked me later after actually using them.  

[Lanx]

my friends think i'm backwards.
I'm the geek so i know tech above everyone in my circle, but they think it's so weird i'm the only one who needs a hardware keyboard for their smartphone, instead of iphones (i actually might forgo my old droid in favor of a new dual core 4.3in awesomeness)
then they hear (and see my office setup) and go wow that's one weird ass keyboard. Some appreciate the mechanical, others prefer the "beauty" of the slim mac keyboards or whatever. It's their preference they basically "know" if they have any questions on tech they can go ask me and i'll give thema great opinion.

I don't ever force the issue with them, if they're interested in a mech keyboard I loan out my ibm to them (it's big and ugly, and buckling springs, oh joy).

It's a hobby, i spent 4hours with my newest one, modding a nerf gun, they called me a weird ass hick, and are scared when i get a house and need a lawnmower, i'll prolly trick that out or something.

really, it just depends, i have friends who i call have a hobby of fostering huskies, i call it a hobby, cuz i just don't view pets as family members (even though i have a chow for 11 years), but out of all their friends i'm the only one that can play with and control their huskies (huskies if you've ever played with them, sound vicious and this freaks ppl out). They appreciate seeing me, cuz i remind them that there are ppl in the world that have the same interest as you (currently they are ostrasized in their neighborhood cuz they're the only ones with a backyard fence and big dogs).

[mr_a500]

Not sure how old you are, but I guess a couple comments like..."I'm not blowing it on drugs and hookers..." or "I'm buying material things that aren't losing value (and could be re-sold)" might go a long way towards calming and showing how reasonable you really are.

I often spend the money I would normally spend on drugs and hookers on another keyboard instead. (...crazy, I know)

I've given keyboards as b-day presents before to friends.  Some thought it was a joke gift...but then thanked me later after actually using them.  

I tried to give a friend a new-looking, spotless early Model M (with adapter), but he just quickly changed the subject and never mentioned it again. Oh well - his loss. I guess some people just don't care about keyboards for some reason. (bloody weirdos!)

[calavera]

They think it's a waste of money. I can understand why though since I own about a dozen keyboards.

[500_pts]

  ( is it sad i'm checking out the keyboards at all stores now when i'm at the register?? )

this. i judge the register attendants by the crappy rd's, keytronics, cherry pos, or whatever kb's they have. In fact last night i scoped some keytronics at crate & barrel lol

[N8N]

It's a hobby, i spent 4hours with my newest one, modding a nerf gun, they called me a weird ass hick, and are scared when i get a house and need a lawnmower, i'll prolly trick that out or something.

 
Friends don't let friends drive stock!

If you think keyboards are expensive, just get into old cars.  or boats.  or airplanes.  All legal, but huge money pits...

[kaiserreich]

This thread crops up every once in a while, why not sticky it?

[Zhuni]

* Typing on it is clean and crisp. You will love the tactile pleasure.
* It looks so darn nice on the desk, like a piece of art.
* You will use it everyday, and it will outlast your video cards, your PCs, your cameras, and even your car.

 

I use these exact lines to talk about my penis to the ladies.































I dont haz the ladies

[patrickgeekhack]

I don't have many friends in Canada, mainly because I am still new in Canada. My closest friends know I am into keyboards. My coworkers don't understand why I spent so much money on keyboards, except one, who happens to like the blue Cherry.

I try to be "in the closet" with my stuffs, but it's hard with keyboards, because each sounds different from the other, and look different. They notice these things right away. I will never take my Topre to work because they will want to know the price and check on the internet. It's none of their business what I do with my money.

[Lanx]

I try to be "in the closet" with my stuffs, but it's hard with keyboards, because each sounds different from the other, and look different. They notice these things right away. I will never take my Topre to work because they will want to know the price and check on the internet. It's none of their business what I do with my money.

wth? are these gossip girl canadians? why do they care so much? lol,
"hey check out what patrick got"
"OH! real... force" time to google it
"OMG'z!$250 for a keyboard? LULZ"

[patrickgeekhack]

wth? are these gossip girl canadians? why do they care so much? lol,
"hey check out what patrick got"
"OH! real... force" time to google it
"OMG'z!$250 for a keyboard? LULZ"

 
That's pretty much it. I work in a very small department, where until recently, have had only two employees turnover. We are talking about 35-40 years period here, so people tend to know a lot about each other.

[mbc]

i just tell my gf i bought them for 1 Euro on ebay, so its no big deal ... and she never googled Zowie so i'm in the clear^^

[fossala]

My girlfriend told me I was to pessimistic and need to find something I enjoy, I find keyboards now she tells me to shut up .
EDIT: My son does like the "keyboards that go clicky" (he is 4)

[ischeriad]

Last time I was visiting my mother I helped her buying a wireless adapter at the electronics store. As we passed by the keyboards, I pointed out the Razer Blackwidow and made her try it (It is the only mechanical keyboard generally available here, not even mechanical Cherrys although I am in Germany). She admittedly liked the feel of the Cherry blues, but since she doesn't have to type much anymore at her workplace, she does not care much about her keyboard.
Her comment afterwards was something like "you could buy electronic gadgets all day, right?".

[sinis]

Last time I was visiting my mother I helped her buying a wireless adapter at the electronics store. As we passed by the keyboards, I pointed out the Razer Blackwidow and made her try it (It is the only mechanical keyboard generally available here, not even mechanical Cherrys although I am in Germany). She admittedly liked the feel of the Cherry blues, but since she doesn't have to type much anymore at her workplace, she does not care much about her keyboard.
Her comment afterwards was something like "you could buy electronic gadgets all day, right?".

how about ordering one from an online shop, youll get all kind of mech keyboards

[ischeriad]

how about ordering one from an online shop, youll get all kind of mech keyboards

This is right, but it does not make MediaMarkt et al. any more interesting to visit.

[sinis]

This is right, but it does not make MediaMarkt et al. any more interesting to visit.

Oh i find interesting things in electronic markets all day =D

more annoing: it is impossible to find a mech keyboard in a store to touch it. not even a blackwidow.

i emailed an internet store if it is possible to get my hands on some keyboards and send the ones back I do not like. So I wanted to buy only one of it. I know it is european law they must take them all back. But they do not like it. I did not get any answer. So I did not buy one single keyboard from a german shop.

It is stupid, not offering the chance to try out such kind of a device. Service. . .

It leaves the only choice: to buy a keyboard that is of so high quality, that it will be selled further without problems.

That beeing said. I bought a filco.

[ischeriad]

more annoing: it is impossible to find a mech keyboard in a store to touch it. not even a blackwidow.

The Blackwidow seems to be everywhere I look, but just the regular, non-ultimate.

It seems to me that stores are only there to try things out and then buy online. I actually don't like that very much, but the prices are so much higher in-store. My other rather expensive hobby/fetish are headphones and I have to try and compare if I like them. But even that is not easy to do, I don't know how/if they sell any >250€ (or even 100) headphones by strapping them to the wall.

Sorry for OT :music:.

[N8N]

This whole thread has made me think of my grandmother.  She used to be a secretary (I guess the term now is "administrative assistant") and could both take shorthand and touch type.  However, she's never used a computer, despite the suggestions from both me and my cousin that she try it (so we can keep in touch better.)  I have a feeling that I might have to give her either one of my Model Ms or else the Filco w/ clears that I just put together to make her feel at home with a keyboard - she'd probably be horrified at whatever would come with a new PC.

If I ever do get her to drink the PC kool-aid, I'll be sure to let you know what she thinks of the keyboard, and what she thinks of a GOOD keyboard, should I give her one to try.

Which reminds me, I should call my cousin...  but that has nothing to do with keyboards...

[False_Dmitry_II]

Start her on something like linux mint. Much less crap to possibly run into. (especially if you'd be the one who ends up having to fix the blasted thing).

[martinmeijerink]

My wife 'stole' my second TWWWKB (Tenkeyless Winkeyless Wireless Wyse Keyboard: http://geekhack.org/showwiki.php?title=Island:8028&do=comments&page=2), and she prefers the feel of these Cherry MX Blacks to my first (identical) TWWWKB, which also has Cherry MX Blacks...

[cactux]

My friends (boards) are always happy when I bring new friends (boards) at home :plane:

[hoggy]

Mostly, they think I'm a nut...

My gf understands.  Besides, I don't drink much, don't smoke, don't gamble, don't play golf and haven't joined a cult.

[dux]

Well the nurses in my hospital do look a bit surprised when I get excited over an all white modifiers doubleshot Cherry insurance card keyboard. My wife knows I need cheap vintage stuff with around me to stay relaxed. Like this. Friends? Oh, well, I have enough other interests to talk about:)

[Brodie337]

Mostly, they think I'm a nut...

My gf understands.  Besides, I don't drink much, don't smoke, don't gamble, don't play golf and haven't joined a cult.

Geekhack isn't a cult?

[hoggy]

Geekhack isn't a cult?

You might have something there...

[reaper]

So does that make iMav a cult leader?




.... must buy more GH keycaps....

[Backward_Pawn]

I haven't really turned this into a hobby (yet).  My family (and my boss) think I'm crazy for buying one expensive keyboard, but you pay for quality.  Typing on the cheap keyboard at work is a chore, typing at home is fun.  I think most hobbies look crazy from the outside, though.  My mom can't understand why I want to buy a $200 headphone amp that requires assembly when I have a perfectly good speaker amp with a headphone jack...while I think its quite obvious that a speaker amp wasn't made for high quality headphones.

[Backward_Pawn]

You might have something there...

I think it depends on whether you collect keyboards or worship them.

[itlnstln]

I tell people dinner party stories about people that get pissed off about every little keyboard defect.

I hate it when people toast at dinner parties... PING!

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[keyboardlover]

I tell people dinner party stories about people that get pissed off about every little keyboard defect.

They find that more entertaining than keyboards themselves.

They find that entertaining? Sounds like a fun bunch.