I came on a mission

[metalliqaz]

Hello all,

Professional programmer here.  I don't geek out on keyboards as much as many of you do, but I still like to lust after the pretty gadgets from the far east.

I've switched from lurking to posting in order to accomplish a specific mission.  What I want is a new board for work that is chosen specifically for stylistic value.  I want a conversation starter... an interesting piece of art.  It also has to be good for typing all day.
Right now I'm leaning towards a Poker with bright white otaku keycaps.  I could do the backlit thing, but that feels too flashy.

As for my boards, let me explain...
I have a Leopold tenkeyless with Cherry MX Browns at home.
I also have a Dell Quiet Key.  It puzzles me that they would be so shunned, because if there is a better gaming keyboard for the value, I haven't seen it.
At work I currently have an Evoluent KB-1.  Has anyone used one of these?  UGH.  It is a scissor-style board that is crappy even by laptop standards.
I own a Model M, but that thing is too darn big to be anything but a collector item.

I've always wanted to try a Topre board, but there's no way I'm paying that much just to try it out.

[mkawa]

keycaps are all conversation starters, for one. i had a set of pokers (now they're pures) at work that i have been swapping keycaps on every few weeks. i've explained to my officemates what doubleshots are, engraving, PBT vs ABS, all kinds of crap. for the most part they smile and nod, but they all now "get" that mechanicals feel better to type on and give more tactile variety. (and a few of them are lusting after or have bought mechanicals through me )

[hazeluff]

I suggest a Cherry MX board. If you don't need full layouts, the Mini/Poker layouts is always interesting and "different". And with those get a nice set of keycaps to go with it. I've had many comments on my extremely colorful Choc Mini.

Also welcome to wallet hack. Soon you will be a hobo with a pretty keyboard.

[digi]

Did you just say you like your Dell Quiet Key but have a Leopold with browns at home? eewwwwwwwwwwwww, j/k. Welcome!

[hakujin]

Going by your avatar, ideally you want a HHKB (or use something like xmodmap to get the Sun layout). Welcome!

[hashbaz]

First thing you should be aware of is that a bunch of vim logo keys are currently being produced.  It's too late to buy into the order but you should be able to get your hands on some of the extras later on.

I agree with mkawa and hazeluff that the mini keyboards like the Poker and Pure are great attention getters, especially when paired with a flashy key set like Red Alert or Cream Cheese and Green (search the group buy and classifieds subfora for more info on these).

There is a pink key set taking orders right now if that sounds interesting. Also the Sanctuary set, which uses the font from the  Diablo games.

[metalliqaz]

Did you just say you like your Dell Quiet Key but have a Leopold with browns at home? eewwwwwwwwwwwww, j/k. Welcome!

The Quiet Key is for gaming.  I'm pretty sure that the only reason high-end gaming keyboards have mechanical switches is because enthusiasts like to spend money on expensive things.  When I'm mashing on buttons, I want it to squish just like an Xbox controller.  It was something like $25 and I'm probably coming up on a decade of use.  Not bad

[metalliqaz]

Going by your avatar, ideally you want a HHKB (or use something like xmodmap to get the Sun layout). Welcome!

Haha!  Never in a million years would I get a HHKB.  I'm a windows user, so both the layout and the Fn layer are just completely wrong from my perspective.  Then there's the cost...

I came very close to ordering a Pure or Race but have since backed off that line of thinking.  I honestly think that my Leopold tenkeyless is the best keyboard for me and I realized that the standard layout is valuable for pure programming speed.  If I get the same thing for work then I should be able to really become one with my keystrokes.  My new plan is to get the same thing for work and just customize with some tasteful keycaps.

Towards that end, I bought a Filco MJ2 TKL and a set of Red Alerts.  I think it would be cool to get that case painted too, but we'll see about that.  Metal would be nice...

[hazeluff]

This guy is a true GeekHacker!

More Keyboards!

[hashbaz]

This guy is a true GeekHacker!

Indeed!  It usually takes a lot of time to swallow custom metal case sticker shock.

[metalliqaz]

First thing you should be aware of is that a bunch of vim logo keys are currently being produced.  It's too late to buy into the order but you should be able to get your hands on some of the extras later on.

Yeah, saw that.  The green is a bit ugly, I think. (yes, the official Vim logo is also a bit ugly ) I'll keep an eye out.  It could work with an all-black keyset.

I did play around with some vim labels at WASD.

Didn't come out nice enough to use.

[metalliqaz]

Indeed!  It usually takes a lot of time to swallow custom metal case sticker shock.

Hehe, I said it would be nice, not that I'd pony up the cash!

[hoggy]

If you want the conversations to start with "What's that?!?" then get a Kinesis Advantage.  It's a nice keyboard, too.