Author Topic: What keyboard are you using right now? (Read 69592 times)

Korbin · « **Reply #50 on:** Wed, 07 May 2008, 00:42:10 »

Is filco the only keyboards that have the brown stemmed cherry switches?

xsphat · « **Reply #51 on:** Wed, 07 May 2008, 01:57:18 »

Quote from: Korbin;4454

Is filco the only keyboards that have the brown stemmed cherry switches?

I hear the answer to that is no, but I defy you to find one brand new with a US layout. without getting it from Asia.

rnak92a · « **Reply #52 on:** Wed, 07 May 2008, 09:17:22 »

All this Filco chatter piques my curiosity. What's so great about a Filco?

As to what I'm using right now, the keyboard someone will have to pry from my cold, dead hands:

an IBM Model M keyboard. Part #: 1391401; ID #: 2055523; date of manufacture: February 4, 1988. Repaired by Unicomp, Inc. December 2007: replaced backspace buckling spring assembly

Korbin · « **Reply #53 on:** Wed, 07 May 2008, 09:58:05 »

The Filco really has me curious as well. I recently started to love mechanical switches when I bought my Das II keybaord (brings back memories from college) which i use for programming, and I have a Deck and a SteelSeries 7G that I love to use when i play games (the click feels like it slows me down on fast repetitive keystrokes).

Unfortunately, using a clicky mechanical keyboard at work would probably have my co-workers wanting to punch me in the nose so i'm wondering if the brown stemmed switch would be quiet "enough" to use on the job.

I wish i had known about these boards 3 years ago, I would have picked one up when i was in Akiabura (sp?) when i visited japan. Might have to get my brother to try to get one for me. Unless you guys know someplace online i can order one?

xsphat · « **Reply #54 on:** Wed, 07 May 2008, 13:04:50 »

I work in an open office, and I regularly use the Filco with browns and the HHKB Pro2 with no complaints about noise.

And the Filco is built like a tank - it feels more solid than any in my collection - and the browns are so light they couldn't be called tactile by anyone other than Webster ... and yes, I have a Model M to compare it to.

Bluemercury · « **Reply #55 on:** Wed, 07 May 2008, 13:18:45 »

Im using my das keyboard AND my IBM model M5-2 at the same time one is in the usb port and the other in the ps/2 one, still, i just noticed that the ibm is slower at holding pressed the key than the das keyboard for some reason. For example if i press and hold space, it is much slower than the das keyboard....

xsphat · « **Reply #56 on:** Wed, 07 May 2008, 13:24:08 »

Another thing about the Filco I really am into is the key caps they make. They have a little texture on them that make typing even mor comfortable.

Ulysses31 · « **Reply #57 on:** Wed, 07 May 2008, 13:49:03 »

Does this texture wear off much? I've seen some Filcos where the edges of the key-caps look shiny, as if they've had heavy use. I've also seen some that appear to lack that frosted effect completely. The separate Filco numpad doesn't have that matt look.

xsphat · « **Reply #58 on:** Wed, 07 May 2008, 13:58:52 »

I've only had mine for couple months (I think), and I haven't used it straight, so really I can't answer that. But to me is feels like would only after years and years of steady hammering to wear down.

All this written about the filco, on the Macally's white Alps ...

Bluemercury · « **Reply #59 on:** Wed, 07 May 2008, 15:44:55 »

Aparentely it was the fact i had the two keyboards connected that caused the slowness of holding the keys pressed, strange.

xsphat · « **Reply #60 on:** Mon, 12 May 2008, 19:44:35 »

Back on the Filco with brown switches. I love this 'board for fast and accurate typing and high powered stuff.

meltie · « **Reply #61 on:** Mon, 26 May 2008, 15:12:12 »

At home I currently use a Cherry G80-3000 LSMEU (clicky, I reckon these are the ones with blue switches?). For wireless use when sitting on the couch or so I use a Logitech diNovo.

At home I switch keyboards rather frequently, every couple of weeks or so. Otherwise I wouldn't be doing my collection justice I suppose :-)

At work I used a Cherry G80-3000 (linear, are these the brown switches?) until someone from another office on the same floor complained about the noise. That's understandable, especially since I type rather fastly, but the guys in my office who where a whole lot closer didn't mind. Long story short, I switched to a Cherry Evolution Stream at work. That one is really quiet, but not comparable to the G80 series.

xsphat · « **Reply #62 on:** Mon, 26 May 2008, 16:29:54 »

I'm on the SMK88 with Cherry linear switches (black stem) now. I really want to like this keyboard, I always try to, but the switches are so different than everything else I have. The brown stem alternate action switches in my Filco are pretty light, in fact after my stint on the Model M I'm having a real hard time using it. What's even weirder is I don't have any sort of difficulty with the HHKB Pro 2, which has the second lightest switches I own.

I have a feeling this is just a different style of switch that I might like after I get used to it. Longtime members might remember that I've tried to like these black switches before ... so who knows how this will end up.

xsphat · « **Reply #63 on:** Tue, 27 May 2008, 09:03:04 »

So last night I'm typing away on the SMK88 and all is going well and suddenly letters stop appearing on the screen. I ****ed around a bit and figured out that for whatever reason, the keyboard stopped working in mid-sentence. I unplugged it and plugged it back in and it still didn't work. I said F it and plugged in the HHKB Pro 2 which worked like it should.

Later, for ghits and siggles, I hooked the SSMK88 up again and the lights lit and it's worked ever since. All I have to say is WTF?

ashort · « **Reply #64 on:** Tue, 27 May 2008, 10:25:43 »

I have found that with my Tactile Pro 2, sometimes I have to unplug it and plug it in again because sometimes it just quits.

I can't say I've noticed that with my blue-cherry SMK-88.

karlito · « **Reply #65 on:** Tue, 27 May 2008, 16:11:37 »

Quote from: xsphat;4890

So last night I'm typing away on the SMK88 and all is going well and suddenly letters stop appearing on the screen. I ****ed around a bit and figured out that for whatever reason, the keyboard stopped working in mid-sentence. I unplugged it and plugged it back in and it still didn't work. I said F it and plugged in the HHKB Pro 2 which worked like it should.

Later, for ghits and siggles, I hooked the SSMK88 up again and the lights lit and it's worked ever since. All I have to say is WTF?

This happens to me pretty often, the function key gets stuck or something... took me forever to figure that out as i always unplugged and plugged it back in but just try pressing the Fn key and it should work again.

Korbin · « **Reply #66 on:** Tue, 27 May 2008, 20:17:53 »

Well, i just picked up 2 of the keyboards that are talked about a lot on this board. The filco and the HHKB pro 2. I have to say they were totally worth the money and the wait (to get them shipped from japan).

This message board has me totally in love with the mechanical switches.

I did notice something about the brown switches though. For some reason I was expecting a harsher click, obviously not blue stemmed harsh... but something that was a bit more noticeable. I think my filco (FKMB104M) feels extremely close to my steelseries 7G. Both boards have a solid (somewhat) heavy build with a lovely "plastic sliding" sound on the keystrokes. IMO they feel very similar.

Maybe I'm not as "in tuned" as xsphat is with the keystrokes but I think the filco's light keypress pressure (which seems to make the board faster) is the biggest difference when it comes to feeling between the 2 boards. Otherwise, they feel pretty much the same to me.

iMav · « **Reply #67 on:** Tue, 27 May 2008, 20:28:28 »

Thanks for sharing your first experiences with us Korbin. I have never had hands on the brown cherry keyswitches before...it is hard for me to imagine a cherry keyswitch with a lighter feel than the blues (while still providing a "click").

xsphat · « **Reply #68 on:** Tue, 27 May 2008, 21:23:27 »

But the bottom end of the keystroke on the Cherry blacks tightens up like a membrane, is that present on the SteelSeries 7G? Which Filco do you have? You said FKMB104M but that isn't on their site.

Korbin · « **Reply #69 on:** Tue, 27 May 2008, 22:50:47 »

Quote from: xsphat;4902

But the bottom end of the keystroke on the Cherry blacks tightens up like a membrane, is that present on the SteelSeries 7G? Which Filco do you have? You said FKMB104M but that isn't on their site.

I don't bottom out the key on the cherry blacks. But yes you are right, there is a tighter feel at the end of the keystroke. I guess I got use to pushing half way down and coming back up from the cherry blues. Maybe that's why they feel so similar to me (the browns vs the blacks). It may take a little longer time typing on the filco to notice the difference more. Don't get me wrong though, the board is kick ass

You're right xsphat it's the FKB104M (little extra keystroke there).

xsphat · « **Reply #70 on:** Wed, 28 May 2008, 01:05:44 »

I always bottom out, in fact, it's part of the fun for me. But I get what you're saying, and I can see what you mean. Thanks for clarifying, Korbin.

On me now: I wasn't really jiving with the Chery blacks and the SMK88 shut off again, Karlito's Fn key trick didn't work for me, so I'm back home, where it all makes sense again, on the Macally MK96 with it's clicky Alps white stem switches. I still have some of the black keys from my old SMK85 on it. I call them my legacy keys because of how much I learned about writing during the time I owned that 'board and how much I wrote on them.

Watch, I'll end up buying an Avant Prime.

vyshane · « **Reply #71 on:** Thu, 29 May 2008, 09:05:16 »

I've recently discovered this forum while researching my next keyboard purchase. I have to say that this has been a great resource. I've discovered a few new options by reading what you guys have posted.

I'm currently using an SMK-88 (Cherry Blues) at home. I've got the same keyboard at work, which I alternate with a HHK Lite 2.

Currently saving up for a HHK Pro 2

I spend most of my time in Vim, and I love the HHK layout.

iMav · « **Reply #72 on:** Thu, 29 May 2008, 09:47:37 »

Quote from: vyshane;4941

I'm currently using an SMK-88 (Cherry Blues) at home.

If only I knew how rare these would become when I first bought mind.

I assume you've had your two for a while? (or have you found a new source for blue-cherry-equipped-SMK-88's?)

BTW...welcome to geekhack!

vyshane · « **Reply #73 on:** Tue, 03 June 2008, 19:49:42 »

Quote from: iMav;4942

If only I knew how rare these would become when I first bought mind.

I assume you've had your two for a while? (or have you found a new source for blue-cherry-equipped-SMK-88's?)

BTW...welcome to geekhack!

I've had them for a little more than a year now. Ordered both at the same time

Eclairz · « **Reply #74 on:** Wed, 04 June 2008, 12:50:54 »

Currently mainly using my G80-3000 clicky cherry blue GB format keyboard, But modified with steelseries 6g key caps, now I have a 3 toned keyboard which makes it slightly easier to find non alpha-numeric keys, due to the extra height of steel series keys and because of colour difference. I do feel though the taller keys are slightly more wobbly though, but during normal typing I can't tell that much difference.

My list of keyboards are slowly growing, i've just got the G84-4100, but don't like the US style layout of the longer left shift, but otherwise handles ok, I missed the noise of my blue cherries too much though and didn't enjoy the short travel as much as with my macally icekeys

Here's some pics of my cherry

xsphat · « **Reply #75 on:** Wed, 04 June 2008, 13:05:22 »

Eclairz, I like the look of the 'board, nice. Did you have the Steelseries 6G or did you buy them separately?

Eclairz · « **Reply #76 on:** Wed, 04 June 2008, 13:59:55 »

I bought them separately, but I got the steelkeys 6g at a bargain price off Ebay for £30 compared to new prices of £60+. It is used but keys still work fine. I much prefer blue cherry switches though so i've stuck the keys onto my g80-3000.

The black cherry steelkeys is now relegated to quiet keyboard + gaming keyboard for when I actually need silence or when i need n-key rollover (not often at all).

My layout is mainly for my own uses, I also considered laying out the keyboard so i can set left hand to only touch one colour of keys and the other hand to touch the other colour, as I am not a touch typist by trade so I don't follow rules to improve my typing.
As i said though the main colour keying is used to distinguish alphanumeric key from punchuation and function keys, as this is the main time when i do have to look away from the screen.

edit:
I bought the steelkeys 6g after i bought the g80-3000, but sometimes i wonder why i did so as I am very happy with the blue cherrys, the noise is a tiny bit excessive though so I am limited where i can use this keyboard.

xsphat · « **Reply #77 on:** Wed, 04 June 2008, 15:03:21 »

I am thinking about getting the Das III and swapping some of the Filco (if it doesn't sell) keys with the Das keys. I think it would look pretty cool on both 'boards. A blank Filco would be pretty pimp ...

Eclairz · « **Reply #78 on:** Wed, 04 June 2008, 17:16:16 »

I was also considering Das Keyboards, so i can slowly blank out my keyboard until i become a consumate touch typist. But if I could get some of those special x-keys relegendable key caps that would be ideal.

http://xkeys.com/accessories/keycaps.php

I think i'll wait until the new Das 3 Keyboard with usb hub will come out before spending any more money on blue cherrys.

xsphat · « **Reply #79 on:** Wed, 09 July 2008, 03:08:54 »

I'm back on the Northgate as my daily board. I just can't be off these clicky Alps for very long. And this Northgate feels so nice ...

2097 · « **Reply #80 on:** Fri, 18 July 2008, 14:41:53 »

I use the HHKB Professional 2, White, Blank, American Dvorak layout (with the numbers numbered 1-9).

I have delete set to delete (btw if you want to set delete to backspace, you can still use fn+` to mean delete), the left small modifier key to super (manages my window manager), the left bigger modifier key to alt (used as meta in emacs and other programs), the right bigger modifier key to altgr for some extra characters and the right smaller modifier key I hardly ever use. I've mapped some weird stuff to scrolllock, pause and printscreen, as well.

I like this keyboard very, very much. I only wish it didn't have the logo down in the right corner.

Korbin · « **Reply #81 on:** Fri, 18 July 2008, 14:48:13 »

Quote from: 2097;6677

I use the HHKB Professional 2, White, Blank, American Dvorak layout (with the numbers numbered 1-9).

I have delete set to delete (btw if you want to set delete to backspace, you can still use fn+` to mean delete), the left small modifier key to super (manages my window manager), the left bigger modifier key to alt (used as meta in emacs and other programs), the right bigger modifier key to altgr for some extra characters and the right smaller modifier key I hardly ever use. I've mapped some weird stuff to scrolllock, pause and printscreen, as well.

I like this keyboard very, very much. I only wish it didn't have the logo down in the right corner.

Nice! Another Dvorak user. Dvorak + HHKB = ultimate programming key layout

xsphat · « **Reply #82 on:** Sat, 19 July 2008, 00:41:15 »

I'm back on the HHKB Pro2 full time at home. I just can't quit this keyboard, it positively rocks. Still have the HHKB Lite 1 at work, still like that one a lot too. The keys are nice and light even though it's a rubber dome deal, and the layout is fantastic. I guess I got lucky because others here say that the Lite 1 feels like poo, and the Lite 2 I had, well, you can read how I felt about that one in the wiki.

Bluemercury · « **Reply #83 on:** Sat, 19 July 2008, 13:36:36 »

Quote from: Korbin;6679

Nice! Another Dvorak user. Dvorak + HHKB = ultimate programming key layout

Whats a dvorak?

Ulysses31 · « **Reply #84 on:** Sat, 19 July 2008, 13:39:48 »

I think he's one of the characters on Star Trek >_>.

xsphat · « **Reply #85 on:** Sat, 19 July 2008, 14:50:52 »

Hahahahahahahahahaha!!

xsphat · « **Reply #86 on:** Sat, 19 July 2008, 14:52:18 »

Bluemercury, you need to use Google and Wikipedia more often. The answers to all your questions await you ...

bhtooefr · « **Reply #87 on:** Sat, 19 July 2008, 15:06:08 »

A Dvorak is an irrelevant technology commentator.

Oh, you meant the OTHER Dvorak.

ashort · « **Reply #88 on:** Sat, 19 July 2008, 18:29:44 »

Quote from: Bluemercury;6705

Whats a dvorak?

Composer of the Symphony "From the New World".

Or..."I don't know, what's a Dvorak to you?"

=-D

Korbin · « **Reply #89 on:** Sun, 20 July 2008, 16:36:35 »

Quote from: Bluemercury;6705

Whats a dvorak?

LOL Maybe I should have said American Simplified Layout

. Dvorak_Simplified_Keyboard

Anyway pretty much all major OS's supports it

bigpook · « **Reply #90 on:** Sun, 20 July 2008, 16:38:49 »

Quote from: Korbin;6731

LOL Maybe I should have said American Simplified Layout . Dvorak_Simplified_Keyboard

Anyway pretty much all major OS's supports it

That would take some getting used to. And the Caps Lock key is still in the wrong place.

Korbin · « **Reply #91 on:** Sun, 20 July 2008, 16:51:15 »

Quote from: bigpook;6732

That would take some getting used to. And the Caps Lock key is still in the wrong place.

It took about a week to match the same speed that I was on the QWERTY layout. After that I was typing faster on Dvorak.

bigpook · « **Reply #92 on:** Sun, 20 July 2008, 17:09:57 »

Quote from: Korbin;6736

It took about a week to match the same speed that I was on the QWERTY layout. After that I was typing faster on Dvorak.

I imagine you switch back and forth from qwerty to dvorak?
I have never seen a keyboard with a dvorak layout. I run in small circles, so its not like I see a whole lot anyways.
Overall, I have my home setup, work laptop, and a multitude of customer machines that I touch.
For better or worse, its a qwerty world for me.

Korbin · « **Reply #93 on:** Sun, 20 July 2008, 17:25:28 »

Quote from: bigpook;6740

I imagine you switch back and forth from qwerty to dvorak?
I have never seen a keyboard with a dvorak layout. I run in small circles, so its not like I see a whole lot anyways.
Overall, I have my home setup, work laptop, and a multitude of customer machines that I touch.
For better or worse, its a qwerty world for me.

Not really. My machine at work is set up on Dvorak as well.

You don't need a dvorak keyboard, just go in your regional settings and change the layout. Windows, Linux, Mac, NetBSD, etc all support it. If you are not a touch typist, and you are using a mechanical keyboard... just use a keycap puller an rearrange the keys.

However, if aren't a touch typist, then Dvorak kind of looses it's value of even using it. The advantage of using it is the fact that all the vowels are on the left hand side and only on the home row keys, so you swap hands when typing words to gain additional speed.

Oh, and one of the first mac laptops use to be available in Dvorak.

bigpook · « **Reply #94 on:** Sun, 20 July 2008, 17:49:30 »

I would have a hard time with it. My day to day work has me in front of different machines. To go from dvorak to qwerty and back again, would cause me grief.

Its funny how things work out, once something like qwerty is in place, whole generations have used it. There is a certain amount of inertia that will not be overcome. Even if dvorak is better it simply does not matter. Must--not--mention--windows-- : ) arrgh!
But anyways, go penguins!

Korbin · « **Reply #95 on:** Sun, 20 July 2008, 18:13:44 »

Quote from: bigpook;6745

Its funny how things work out, once something like qwerty is in place, whole generations have used it. There is a certain amount of inertia that will not be overcome. Even if dvorak is better it simply does not matter.

Yep. So true! And Dvorak has been around for 70 years! hah

bigpook · « **Reply #96 on:** Sun, 20 July 2008, 18:17:55 »

Quote from: Korbin;6747

Yep. So true! And Dvorak has been around for 70 years! hah

I had no idea it was around that long. I wonder why it did not become the dominant layout.
Perhaps the qwerty manufacturers paid some money to some politicians, who then orchestrated a negative add campaign and some underhanded tactics to derail the better method...nah, I should google it and find out. Be back soon.

bigpook · « **Reply #97 on:** Sun, 20 July 2008, 18:21:49 »

The full text is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvorak_Simplified_Keyboard

But in a word, its inertia.

Korbin · « **Reply #98 on:** Sun, 20 July 2008, 18:55:50 »

Quote from: bigpook;6749

The full text is here:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dvorak_Simplified_Keyboard

But in a word, its inertia.

Yup. Exactly. Also both windows and mac OS will let you change your key layout on the fly. Once you set it up in the control panel you just hit control + shift to toggle between the two.

bhtooefr · « **Reply #99 on:** Sun, 20 July 2008, 20:08:55 »

But, sometimes security settings don't let you change your keyboard layout...

News:

Author Topic: What keyboard are you using right now? (Read 69592 times)