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Offline typo

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why no spherical
« on: Sat, 25 May 2013, 05:11:32 »
the only keyboards that come with spherical keys are the most expensive cherry board(deck) and a pretty expensive topre(104ug). I find that this puts the keys closer together. I mean I don't have to stretch my fingers as far. I know a lot of you like it. so why don't a lot of keyboards come this way? you would think they would. since it is cheaper anyways. I think they only need one mold. yet, spherical key sets are appreciated are they not? I did data entry in the 60's and 70's. all the keyboards had spherical keys then. what gives now?
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Offline Halverson

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #1 on: Sat, 25 May 2013, 06:19:57 »
R4 had some spherical love. It'll be my first spherical set and I can't wait to get them. I hope more buys happen for them in the future if they end up being great caps.
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Offline typo

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #2 on: Sat, 25 May 2013, 08:01:54 »
I was wondering why more keyboards do not come with spherical  keycaps as standard. it seems only expensive ones. when in fact I think they are less expensive to manufacture. they seem easier to type on since I do not have to reach as much.
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Offline davkol

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #3 on: Sat, 25 May 2013, 08:31:02 »
Some Fujitsu and Cherry G84 keyboards were sold with spherical caps as well. It usually looks kinda weird. I love my PBT DSA set though.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #4 on: Sat, 25 May 2013, 09:30:02 »
I learned to type on a manual typewriter, where you had to make a sharp downward stabbing stroke with your finger, then withdraw it quickly with a snap of the wrist and recoil.

Striking the key hard enough to make the levers move quickly and smoothly was not easy, and I suspect that the spherical shape was intended as a sort of "socket" which held the fingertip securely in place. In particular, the rise at the back of the key was probably intended to prevent the finger from moving away from the typist.

Since we only "press" keys now, instead of actually "striking" them, the forces involved are far lower.

Why cylindrical vertically instead of horizontally? Just try to imagine it!
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline samwisekoi

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #5 on: Sat, 25 May 2013, 10:15:59 »
Retro DSA was and the upcoming Retro Green (aka Nuclear Data Revival or Cold War Caps) and Retro Blue (aka SA-lectric) will be spherical.  And hopefully awesome.

 - Ron I samwisekoi
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I like keyboards and case modding.  Everything about a computer should be silent -- except the KEYBOARD!

'85 IBM F-122/Soarer Keyboard |  Leopold FC200 TKL (Browns) + GH36 Keypad (Browns/Greens) | GH-122 (Whites/Greens) with Nuclear Data Green keycaps in a Unicomp case

Offline typo

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #6 on: Sat, 25 May 2013, 10:20:32 »
I too had a manual typewriter. did not even have auto carriage return. then selectric. than automation came.....then computers lol. I meant on modern keyboards a flat profile, keys that are all the same height. like dsa. they do have the cup. I now think even though the stepped keys are considered to be more ergonomic the flat profile is easier to type on. since you do not have to move your fingers as far. plus the higher key caps. yeah, I gues more like a selectric. really I think the selectric was easier to type on than most modern boards. it had a great feel. no cherry switch takes that kind of force and does not feel as solid. the flat dsa keys on a modern keyboard bring back some of that feel that I like. it is a good combination with clears or topre 55g.
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Offline CPTBadAss

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #7 on: Sat, 25 May 2013, 10:23:18 »
Hooray! The rumors are true and there will be more DSA sets! Thanks samwisekoi for the info!
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Offline typo

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #8 on: Sat, 25 May 2013, 11:10:55 »
so I take it you guys like them too. so why then do almost no new keyboards come with them? hmm....
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Offline SpAmRaY

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #9 on: Sat, 25 May 2013, 12:26:12 »
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Sat, 25 May 2013, 10:23:18
Hooray! The rumors are true and there will be more DSA sets! Thanks samwisekoi for the info!

Ditto!
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Offline samwisekoi

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #10 on: Sat, 25 May 2013, 13:32:44 »
Quote from: ray4jc on Sat, 25 May 2013, 12:26:12
Quote from: CPTBadAss on Sat, 25 May 2013, 10:23:18
Hooray! The rumors are true and there will be more DSA sets! Thanks samwisekoi for the info!

Ditto!

Read my post more carefully!

 - Ron | samwisekoi
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I like keyboards and case modding.  Everything about a computer should be silent -- except the KEYBOARD!

'85 IBM F-122/Soarer Keyboard |  Leopold FC200 TKL (Browns) + GH36 Keypad (Browns/Greens) | GH-122 (Whites/Greens) with Nuclear Data Green keycaps in a Unicomp case

Offline SmallFry

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #11 on: Sat, 25 May 2013, 13:37:51 »
Quote from: samwisekoi on Sat, 25 May 2013, 10:15:59
Retro DSA was and the upcoming Retro Green (aka Nuclear Data Revival or Cold War Caps) and Retro Blue (aka SA-lectric) will be spherical.  And hopefully awesome.

 - Ron I samwisekoi
I read. :P
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Offline ishtob

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #12 on: Mon, 27 May 2013, 00:56:20 »
:O RETRO GREEN!!!
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Offline typo

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 27 May 2013, 06:59:06 »
guys, you did not really answer my question lol. I know they can be had for custom order caps. I meant why don't many keyboards come with them? I hear they are cheaper(one mold) yet the keyboards I know, deck and topre 105ug are more money. what gives? I suppose it is a niche item most people do not care for and that drives up the price. of course we are not "most people" when it comes to keyboards :)
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 27 May 2013, 08:47:00 »
I have not actually used spherical keys in decades, since the time of the Selectric.

Although I crave a set for my keyboard, perhaps out of curiosity or nostalgia, I have my doubts as to whether they will actually FEEL GOOD in use.

The kind of users who would buy them would also expect the highest standards of quality, which sets the bar higher.
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline typo

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Re: why no spherical
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 27 May 2013, 11:10:10 »
now that I have them again I see part of the reason the selectric was so awesome. the flat keys feel great to me. still, they must have gone to stepped keys because most people think it is better. I would like custom fonts from tg3 but a one off is way too expensive.
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