Author Topic: Mechanical Keyboards...an option?  (Read 2826 times)

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Offline Moleboy

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Mechanical Keyboards...an option?
« on: Mon, 28 November 2011, 11:22:27 »
My mother is heavily Arthritic and as of recently, has been diagnosed with Parkinsons. She spends a lot of her time emailing through her computer in her room, and I was wondering if my sibs and I got her a mechanical keyboard, it might make typing that much easier? The cherry's with the least amount of force required, etc. Since, as I understand, you don't need to "bottom out", wouldn't they be a lot easier? It may seem trivial, but life is getting hard for her, and this is one thing we can do (if it's a good idea).

Offline trax

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Mechanical Keyboards...an option?
« Reply #1 on: Mon, 28 November 2011, 11:43:17 »
Doesn't Parkinsons make your hands shake? I'd take a heavy board...

EDIT: Seems like Arthritic makes your hands stiff and hard to press keys.

MX Reds are very light, 45g (while a regular rubber dome/scissor keyboard is like ~70g).
« Last Edit: Mon, 28 November 2011, 11:53:10 by trax »
Switches tried so far
Cherry MX Red Blue Black Clear
ALPS White Black (fake)Blue
Montereys
ACER
White Black
Futaba
Buckling Sprin

Offline Moleboy

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Mechanical Keyboards...an option?
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 28 November 2011, 11:57:57 »
Not only her hands but her entire body shakes. She's getting a two stage brain surgery that theoretically will stop the shaking, which is why the issue shouldn't be as applicable to a keyboard soon. I'll look into mx reds, but I'm still a bit confused on buckling springs x.x I really want to understand, though I'm not sure I do quite yet.

I appreciate everyone's help so far, I really do. :)

--Sam

Offline itlnstln

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Mechanical Keyboards...an option?
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 28 November 2011, 12:06:18 »
If she does have shaking, MX reds will be a problem with their light activation.  I second the Buckling Spring suggestion.  The feedback alone would be worthwhile, but the firmer switch will prevent accidental key presses.


Offline slueth

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Mechanical Keyboards...an option?
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 28 November 2011, 12:13:50 »
Is she having problems with a regular keyboard(accidental keypresses), if not reds are light and easy to type with.  If she is accidentally hitting keys on a rubber dome, I would go for Buckling springs too.  You should get one from unicomp, they make great buckling spring keyboards and have really good customer support so you can ask them these questions.

Offline REVENGE

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Mechanical Keyboards...an option?
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 28 November 2011, 14:43:48 »
I don't know what your mom uses, but my mom uses a Razer BlackWidow. Reminds her of the good ol' clicky keyboard days, apparently.

If you REALLY want to  piss her off, get her the TIPRO Anti-Spasm Keyboard!


-I'm joking, but the Anti-Spasm Keyboard is real: http://keyboardporn.com/mx-switch/tipro-anti-spasm-keyboard/
And I lied, it has stabilizers. This would be a last resort for someone who suffers from severe shaking or tremors.
« Last Edit: Mon, 28 November 2011, 14:48:58 by REVENGE »
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Offline fohat.digs

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Mechanical Keyboards...an option?
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 28 November 2011, 15:19:48 »
This is kind of shameless, but I have a keyboard on sale on ebay right now that really is good for this situation.

It has been discussed to absurd lengths on this forum, but it is a nice light keyboard with very large key caps (full 1" pitch) and white simplified Alps that register nicely when they connect. The layout is strange, and I would not use it myself, nor would any touch typist, but for your situation it might be just the ticket.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270824320226?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Contact me through the forum and you can have it shipped domestic for $27.65
« Last Edit: Mon, 28 November 2011, 15:35:20 by fohat.digs »
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Offline N8N

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Mechanical Keyboards...an option?
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 28 November 2011, 15:35:34 »
I too am guessing that something uber-tactile is probably appropriate, I'm thinking buckling springs, blues, or Alps (even though I really don't like them.)  Do you have any mechanical switch boards that she could try before you buy something?  Browns, blues, or reds might be too light for someone with Parkinson's, but then again if the blues turn out to not be too light she might find them useful.
Filco Majestouch-2 with Cherry Corp. doubleshot keys - Leopold Tenkeyless Tactile Force with Wyse doubleshots - Silicon Graphics 9500900 - WASD V1 - IBM Model M 52G9658 - Noppoo Choc Pro with Cherry lasered PBT keycaps - Wyse 900866-01 - Cherry G80-8200LPBUS/07 - Dell AT101W - several Cherry G81s (future doubleshot donors) (order of current preference) (dang I have too many keyboards, I really only need two)

Offline dorkvader

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Mechanical Keyboards...an option?
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 28 November 2011, 22:32:04 »
Quote from: fohat.digs;460199
This is kind of shameless, but I have a keyboard on sale on ebay right now that really is good for this situation.

It has been discussed to absurd lengths on this forum, but it is a nice light keyboard with very large key caps (full 1" pitch) and white simplified Alps that register nicely when they connect. The layout is strange, and I would not use it myself, nor would any touch typist, but for your situation it might be just the ticket.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/270824320226?ssPageName=STRK:MESELX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1555.l2649

Contact me through the forum and you can have it shipped domestic for $27.65

I was going to recommend your keyboard, but you beat me to it.

Anyway, It's something to consider. I'd say either this or a BS would be best.