Manufacturer Representation

[itlnstln]

On some other boards I frequent, manufacturers will assign an individual form their respective companies to join boards like ours to represent the company and allow the forum participants to ask questions, complain, allow the company to defend itself, and provide a means for them to provide general communication to the community concerning known issues, upcoming products, requests (more ergo 'boards, please), etc.  With the issues many people here are having with the Das, if they had representation here on GeekHack, we might have better results in getting answers to our questions as well as provide a better method of communication for them to us.  I guess what I am getting at is that I wonder if we should solicit some of these manufacturers, let them know we are here and want to help them (and to help them help us).  Would anybody be interested in doing this, and, if so who should we reach out to?  To start the list of companies, here are a few just off the top of my head:

Enthusiast Companies:
Metadot
Unicomp
Cherry
Topre
CVT
Filco
PFU
Mattias
iOne

Mass Producers:
Microsoft
Logitech
Kensington
Keytronic

[bhtooefr]

Of course, Topre and Filco don't even sell their products in North America (which this forum is centered around, with most members in the US...) and PFU only sells the HHKB Lite, not the Pro that is liked here.

[wellington1869]

good idea.  This will tax iMav's organizational skills for sure, but in a good way

[wellington1869]

Of course, Topre and Filco don't even sell their products in North America (which this forum is centered around, with most members in the US...) and PFU only sells the HHKB Lite, not the Pro that is liked here.

Maybe thats something we can convince them to change...

[bhtooefr]

Just set up a manufacturer forum with subforums for each manufacturer...

(Obviously, for Unicomp, Jim Owens would be the guy to contact...)

[itlnstln]

good idea.  This will tax iMav's organizational skills for sure, but in a good way

I am thinking that iMav could start a Mfr. sub forum or a set of stickies, and we can keep the main forum for general discussion (reps would be allowed to join in, of course).

[lowpoly]

In case someone's not interested, ask them if they have a problem with typing a lot.

[iMav]

Actually, a third to a half of those "enthusiast" companies DO have representation here...however, they choose to be anonymous (at least regarding their affiliation).  They use geekhack to glean feedback regarding their products, but do not wish to make geekhack participation an official "duty".  

(and I certainly respect that)

[wellington1869]

Actually, a third to a half of those "enthusiast" companies DO have representation here...however, they choose to be anonymous (at least regarding their affiliation).  They use geekhack to glean feedback regarding their products, but do not wish to make geekhack participation an official "duty".  

(and I certainly respect that)

I definitely hope our recent comments about unicomp and das are being heard!

[itlnstln]

Actually, a third to a half of those "enthusiast" companies DO have representation here...however, they choose to be anonymous (at least regarding their affiliation).  They use geekhack to glean feedback regarding their products, but do not wish to make geekhack participation an official "duty".  

(and I certainly respect that)

That's a good thing.  I think at least knowing that companies are listening is great.  I would hope that, eventually, some of these folks would want to entertain questions, but at least having them here checking things out is great.  I can also understand where you would not want to get buried in questions in a forum like this as well (I mean, they do have a real job to do).  In a sense, we are all communcating with some of these companies indirectly.

[bhtooefr]

Would these members be OK with you mentioning which companies are represented, or would they rather that be anonymous, too?

[wellington1869]

whats interesting is that on google searches now most searches for "keyboard X review" comes up with geekhack in the top links  SO I imagine its in the interests of all the companies to start listening in on geekhack.

[itlnstln]

Other than some Asian (language) sites, GeekHack is the only English keyboard enthusiast site that I know of.  There are a few general hardware sites that cover keyboards from time to time, but their bar for quality is different, if not lower, than ours.  Many also review keyboards more along the lines of gaming or some other purpose than typing.  On that note, I am going to start reviewing keyboards with an emphasis on their ability to be used as weapons against co-workers.

[bhtooefr]

Make sure you log out of Google, though, if you have a Google account. Search history means that you'll get personalized results that tend to favor your writing style, in my experience. Which usually means you'll get sites that you're on, first.

[wellington1869]

On that note, I am going to start reviewing keyboards with an emphasis on their ability to be used as weapons against co-workers.

Personally I think geekhack should sponser an annual "Fight Club" where two people armed with an Evolution and a Model M face off.  Last one standing wins!

[wellington1869]

Make sure you log out of Google, though, if you have a Google account. Search history means that you'll get personalized results that tend to favor your writing style, in my experience. Which usually means you'll get sites that you're on, first.

good point

[itlnstln]

Personally I think geekhack should sponser an annual "Fight Club" where two people armed with an Evolution and a Model M face off.  Last one standing wins!

I better hit the gym even harder now.  Those keyboards are heavy to swing around.

[Bodibo]

Having manufacturer rooms on the Hexus forums (http://forums.hexus.net/) works very well, for example. There are also reseller rooms, who have special deals for members .

If they just lurk and never say anything, then they will never know the answer to so many questions they want to ask. We can give them direct feedback.

It is win-win for them: they get the info they want, come across as decent companies and have enthusiasts to tell everyone how great they and their products are; and we get direct contact and answers to our questions and problems.

Showing a little interaction and care goes along way.

[iMav]

Would these members be OK with you mentioning which companies are represented, or would they rather that be anonymous, too?

The majority of the ones that us US folks deal with have either registered members or active lurkers.  

I know that you guys would like to get direct interaction with the manufacturers.  The bottom line is, most of those that participate here ALSO are the ones that you can easily email and call directly.  So, open communication is already available.  Just not in an official geekhack-support-forum.  

I think the membership here is good about sharing info they get from these various companies...so I don't see a real glaring need.  (and even if I did, I have no leverage to make them engage in a support forum)

[lowpoly]

I know that you guys would like to get direct interaction with the manufacturers.

It's the internet after all and something like this can totally backfire for a manufacturer. For weird, non-important, unforseeable reasons.

[andb]

Sure it can backfire, but it can also bring great rewards. A company that tries to remain isolated from its market looses an excellent chance to evolve and to engage the market. Its coming to be expected these days that you can easily and directly talk not only to a company but the people inside who can personally answer your questions. I'd be happy to give tons of examples of companies successfully doing this.

I started posting due to the redesign thread, and I think this is an important aspect that should be considered. For the companies to ignore such a great PR opportunity would be unwise. After all the keyboards discussed here are truly specialty items, and who better to help sell than the users themselves.

The user's message here will get out to the public, the question is whether the company will act like an ostrich and stick their heads in a hole, hoping to ignore the threat, or if they'll engage the forum and honestly deal with issues and aim to improve their products and services.

[lowpoly]

I was just pointing out the risks. I suspect that this is one of the main reasons why those that are here prefer to stay undercover. A solution might be - this has been suggested before - individual sub forums for each manufacturer. Then give them moderation rights for their sub forums.

[bhtooefr]

If you give them moderation rights, give them only rights to MOVE threads and posts, NOT delete. Maybe even restrict editing.

See, you don't want manufacturers burying issues.

[iMav]

Just so we don't keep going round and round on this issue.

You guys get representatives from the major manufacturers to "own" a support forum on geekhack and I will gladly set them up.  

[xsphat]

Just so we don't keep going round and round on this issue.

You guys get representatives from the major manufacturers to "own" a support forum on geekhack and I will gladly set them up.  

for a small fee, I hope.

[iMav]

for a small fee, I hope.

Most of them wouldn't do it for free.  No way they pay for the privilege.