Why, hello there!
I found this forum recently and I have been lurking around without an account for a while now. The problem was solved when I needed to send a personal message to someone.
Either way, I am here now.
And now what I am here for: Keyboards! (sorry, no pics right now. I have no camera at the moment.)
My current driver keyboard: Re-branded Chicony KB-5181
Technically it is an Ultra KB-5181, but it uses Monterey Blues and appears to be almost physically identical to the Chicony KB-5181, so I'm assuming it's a re-brand.
Right now, this is the only keyboard I own. I have used many other mechanical keyboards, my current favorite being the Model F. If you have never used a Model F, think of a Model M. Now make it better! (Lighter keypresses. Even more audible feedback. Yeah! I like that). It is followed up closely by the Model M as I have not found a better buckling spring keyboard yet (aside from the Model F, of course!).
I have also tried a few different variants of the Cherry keyswitch. From what I can tell, blues appear to be my favorite, but there seems to be something lacking with them. I like how the reset point is higher than the activation point, but there is just something about the actuation point that I don't like. It seems too soft. Either there is too little force coming into it or coming out of it, it just doesn't feel like I want it to.
I must have used ALPS as a kid, but I don't remember them. I only remember the keyboards feeling clicky and fun to type on. At the time, I wouldn't have cared about the type of switches they had!
Now, on the topic of ALPS switches, are Monterey Blues an ALPS switch or not? I've been confused as I have been told a few different things. Either way, I'm going to have to live with them until I can get a Model F and Teensy mod it (if it is a 122 key, which I'd prefer anyway considering the modern application of it).
Now, I don't want to sound like I'm begging here (okay, I'm begging, but I don't see a downside to trying!). If you happen to have a 122 key IBM Model F and can send it my way, I'd like that! I'd only be able to pay for shipping, depending on the costs. As a college student, I don't exactly have money to burn. I'd be going more into debt purchasing just about anything that isn't toothpaste or the like. Now, I won't exactly be picky here so if you are generous enough to give me one, I'd take the AT version or maybe even a Model M to satisfy my cravings for a while.
I hope this was a good enough introduction!
~Aer
