Author Topic: Blank Keycaps Learning Curve (Read 6050 times)

kelbear · « **on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 16:23:31 »

I've been dying to get my hands on a set of blank PBT keycaps.. but the only thing that has been holding me back is the thought of having difficulties typing.

I see several GeekHack members posting pictures of keyboards with blank keycaps; so I wanted to ask..how is the learning curve? I would say I can type efficiently without looking at my keys, but its the numbers/symbols that get me--especially passwords.

Just wanted to hear your thoughts!

Thanks

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #1 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 16:25:42 »

Ive been touch typing for a long time and it actually messes me up to look down at my board. I put the Function Caps from a Valentine's Set on my Pure so now when I look at the number row, it has F4 instead of 4 and $. Looking down royally messes with my head but it I look up at my screen again, life is good.

esoomenona · « **Reply #2 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 16:27:08 »

I've posted something similar in another thread, but legends handicap you. You can't learn to touch type with them to the fullest ability. I only learned this by going full blank. DO IT.

Reomero · « **Reply #3 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 18:18:36 »

Personally, I never had a learning curve when I bought a full set of blanks. As I got better at typing over the years, touch typing gradually took over I guess, although my technique seems to be a little odd.

sth · « **Reply #4 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 18:25:42 »

Quote from: kelbear on Sun, 02 June 2013, 16:23:31

it's the numbers/symbols that get me--especially passwords.

this was the hardest part for me too -- i have never been a full on touch typist as far as using all 8 fingers but i don't generally have to look at my keyboard to know what i'm typing at this point. the symbols still get me a bit; sometimes I have to try a few times but generally it gets easier with time

kelske · « **Reply #5 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 18:46:37 »

Plus blanks look absolutely sex.. form > function is worth it if you can touch type

noisyturtle · « **Reply #6 on:** Sun, 02 June 2013, 18:55:12 »

Blanks look pretty, but I still need printed for function keys/layers

elttaboi · « **Reply #7 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 01:24:56 »

Blanks look pretty slick. Especially black on black. I've never tried blanks though, so I couldn't tell you how hard it is. I never look at the keyboard except for finding special characters.

davkol · « **Reply #8 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 08:24:51 »

If you can touch type properly, there's no learning curve. However, I usually prefer to have some legends (even though they don't match the actual layout) or at least differently colored keycaps, when I'm not touch typing, but only pressing discrete keys instead.

badcop · « **Reply #9 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 08:29:39 »

touch typing since i've been 10? and i still dont have symbols down. I know where they are but i cant do it from muscle memory. the best thing i did was add the grey function keys to the top row of my poker. i can instantly find where 5 or 9 is and work from there.

IvanIvanovich · « **Reply #10 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 09:40:47 »

I still seem to forget which is on 67 a lot since I seldom use ^& but otherwise I had no problems. Using blanks for awhile definitely improved my typing for sure though.

baldgye · « **Reply #11 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 09:59:30 »

have to say, due to ANCI set's being more popular on here... I've managed to learn the symbols simply becasue my board is ISO and all of the legends are wrong anyways lol... but those grey caps on the numb row is a really good idea... might have to steal that if I ever go blank!

Hyde · « **Reply #12 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 12:38:23 »

I've tried blanks for a bit. For general typing there is no learning curve. If you can already touch type you can kind of get on it right away. What gets me is the number above alpha keys. Since I mostly use number pad for number, typing numbers/symbols above alpha took a few tries.

Though I've switched back to regular labeled keys since I actually like the look better on my imsto blue letter dyesub (thanks to IvanIvanovich).

While blanks looks nice on certain keyboards, on other keyboards it just feel like they "forgot" to print the labels on the keys. So it's a bit situational.

However I have to say I don't really miss switching back to label keys. While blank keys are cool sometimes it's just annoyance to guess keys. Maybe I haven't use it long enough yet but ultimately I think coloured labeled keys look nicer

longweight · « **Reply #13 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 12:39:25 »

If you are struggling with a password you can always make Chrome show the password as plain text with the inspect element tool.

kelbear · « **Reply #14 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 12:57:43 »

Wow, thanks for the great responses!

So I think the consensus is that blank keys are definitely aesthetically appealing; which is personally the main reason why I'm switching over. Judging by everyone's comments, it seems that blanks are difficult in the beginning but definitely improve over time. As for learning curve, I suppose it all depends on the person. But honestly, I don't think I'll ever get the symbols down.. damn you number row and alphanumeric symbols!

@CPTBadAss: honestly, I wouldn't even consider blank keys if I had the Valentine's keyset.. they're a beauty! The only reason why I'm switching over to blanks is bc the labelling on my original keys are starting to fade.. and that REALLY irks me! SO I figure if I get blank keys, I won't ever have to worry about that

.

@badcop: yeah that's a great idea! I'm planning on colour coding the special keys so that the letters will be one colour and the special keys will be another. BUT I just can't afford that financially at the moment.. sooo, that's a long-term goal haha.

@Hyde: I completely agree. I actually considered on getting engraved keys BUT the thought of having finger grease build up or just gunk in general really turned me off. Despite my clean nature, I think getting things in the keys is inevitable :/. I'm planning on putting black blank keys on my Filco MJ2 so I'm hoping that will look good!

@longweight: Genius! I will do that

longweight · « **Reply #15 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 13:02:05 »

You know how to do it?

ksm123 · « **Reply #16 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 13:20:32 »

Learning curve is quite steep, the first month is terrible, especially if you are a programmer or sysadmin.

I used to touch-type the letters, but I had troubles with numbers and symbols (and I was peeking at the keys). I bought a blank keyboard and left it as my daily driver at my workplace. There was a lot of swearing, but after a month I was able to type (java code) without looking at the keyboard (at work).

Two months later I bought an ergonomic chair (to use at home), now I can rest my head on the headrest, and type anything even tough my position on this chair precludes me from looking at the keyboard.

Three pieces of advice:
Choose one system of typing numbers, and stick with it, do not use a system that assigns 1 and 2 to left pinky in the morning and a system that assigns 1 to pinky and 2 to ring finger later in that day, it confuses everything.
Stick to one layout of symbols, some national charset messes up "symbol row", avoid committing them to your "muscle memory".
Keep labeled keyboard around for entering passwords. Unlocking your domain account can be embarrassing, unlocking your bank account is PITA.

Hyde · « **Reply #17 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 20:56:27 »

Quote from: kelbear on Mon, 03 June 2013, 12:57:43

honestly, I wouldn't even consider blank keys if I had the Valentine's keyset.. they're a beauty! The only reason why I'm switching over to blanks is bc the labelling on my original keys are starting to fade.. and that REALLY irks me! SO I figure if I get blank keys, I won't ever have to worry about that .

lol though the problem with blanks is that the shine will be more noticeable. So either way you might still have to replace keycaps at some point

Though to combat shine I'd suggest get lighter coloured keys. It's a bit less noticeable haha.

CommunistWitchDr · « **Reply #18 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 21:43:55 »

Got a set since my labels were wrong anyway due to switching to colemak. I quite like them. Especially since they don't say anything, and thus can never be incorrect no matter the layout.

davkol · « **Reply #19 on:** Mon, 03 June 2013, 22:53:15 »

Quote from: Hyde on Mon, 03 June 2013, 20:56:27

Quote from: kelbear on Mon, 03 June 2013, 12:57:43
honestly, I wouldn't even consider blank keys if I had the Valentine's keyset.. they're a beauty! The only reason why I'm switching over to blanks is bc the labelling on my original keys are starting to fade.. and that REALLY irks me! SO I figure if I get blank keys, I won't ever have to worry about that .

lol though the problem with blanks is that the shine will be more noticeable. So either way you might still have to replace keycaps at some point

Though to combat shine I'd suggest get lighter coloured keys. It's a bit less noticeable haha.

It doesn't really matter to me as far as looks goes, but they feel terrible to touch. I mean, I have some slightly light-grey shiny PBT keycaps, and although it's barely noticeable unless you look at the keyboard with a light source in the background, it's there. Probably not as sticky as shiny ABS, but still...

elttaboi · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 04 June 2013, 21:45:38 »

Yeah I hate the feel of my shiny abs caps.

0100010 · « **Reply #21 on:** Fri, 07 June 2013, 11:42:55 »

Option 1 - Cold Turkey // this is where you go 100% blank and don't look back, and struggle with the transition.

Option 2 - Progressive Blank // swap the keys you know by heart up front, and slowly replace the remaining printed caps with blanks over time.

Option 3 - Legend // go 100% blank on the board, but keep a printed legend near your monitor, to help you when needed for that rarely used symbol, etc.

POFFINGTON · « **Reply #22 on:** Sun, 09 June 2013, 03:32:10 »

I don't know if this could be a viable option for you as well but how about Black Engraved Keycaps?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/KBC-Black-Engraved-PBT-Cherry-MX-Key-Caps-104-keys-included-/230958957093?pt=PCA_Mice_Trackballs&hash=item35c63a0225

in Dim light they will appear to be blank and if you do look down at your hands you will have to really look to see the letters.

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Author Topic: Blank Keycaps Learning Curve (Read 6050 times)