Hullo! (a brief greeting and one question)

[shmibs]

so i stumbled across this site a couple of months ago, and you people have got me hooked X_X

this HHKB is the best thing that has ever happened to my programming work flow. it's not all that good for games, though, so i think i'm ready to start looking around for a second board. does anyone have any suggestions for compact cherry red boards that have lots of potential for custom cap purtiness? should i be looking for a different type of switch instead?

[Linkbane]

Well, for gaming, assuming that you don't use the numpad or would prefer the mouse being closer for the numpad, I would suggest the Quickfire Rapid, which simply has the numpad removed, or any of its TKL brothers. Leopold is a well-known and nice board, according to what I've seen of pictures from them.
For gaming, generally the preferred switches are MX Red or Black, based on the pressure that you like from the keys. Browns work quite well, and Blues are usually more typing-reserved.

[skuko]

get a TKL filco with reds and don't look back

also, welcome to wallethack.

[Linkbane]

You want his first keyboard and for gaming to be a Filco?
Come on, go easy on his wallet. It needs some lubrication before the dollars start flowing.
But of course, the Filco is a great keyboard and if you want to get it, it's a great choice.

[SnareSpectre]

I can't recommend the Quickfire Rapid enough. It is SUCH a solid board, and at such an amazing price. Although I haven't tried an insane amount of boards, the QFR exceeded my expectations significantly, and I can't possibly imagine what a board that costs twice as much has to offer over it, with the exception of PBT keycaps.

For gaming, generally the preferred switches are MX Red or Black, based on the pressure that you like from the keys. Browns work quite well, and Blues are usually more typing-reserved.

Linkbane is correct about the "general perception" of the keyswitch types, but I disagree that specific switches are better for different utilities. My first keyboard choice had MX Blacks because I heard they were "great for gaming," but I was extremely disappointed. I returned it and went for a QFR with blues, and instantly felt right at home. I play both Starcraft 2 and Black Ops 2 and prefer blues for both, despite it not being a "gaming" switch per se.

Find a way to try out the switch types if at all possible (although most are not readily available) - in my opinion, switches are more suited to the user, not the utility.

[shmibs]

You want his first keyboard and for gaming to be a Filco?
Come on, go easy on his wallet. It needs some lubrication before the dollars start flowing.
But of course, the Filco is a great keyboard and if you want to get it, it's a great choice.

the self-advertising on the quickfire is so loud and those filcos look so nice, though...

Linkbane is correct about the "general perception" of the keyswitch types, but I disagree that specific switches are better for different utilities. My first keyboard choice had MX Blacks because I heard they were "great for gaming," but I was extremely disappointed. I returned it and went for a QFR with blues, and instantly felt right at home. I play both Starcraft 2 and Black Ops 2 and prefer blues for both, despite it not being a "gaming" switch per se.

Find a way to try out the switch types if at all possible (although most are not readily available) - in my opinion, switches are more suited to the user, not the utility.

the only two things i really care about for this would be "quiet" and "easy to press" (no strain from extended keypresses), both of which it sounds like reds are good for.

so, filco tkl with red switches it is!

* shmibs moves to press a "place order" button, stops, checks a bank account balance first.

...next month 

[Linkbane]

Linkbane is correct about the "general perception" of the keyswitch types, but I disagree that specific switches are better for different utilities. My first keyboard choice had MX Blacks because I heard they were "great for gaming," but I was extremely disappointed. I returned it and went for a QFR with blues, and instantly felt right at home. I play both Starcraft 2 and Black Ops 2 and prefer blues for both, despite it not being a "gaming" switch per se.

Find a way to try out the switch types if at all possible (although most are not readily available) - in my opinion, switches are more suited to the user, not the utility.

the only two things i really care about for this would be "quiet" and "easy to press" (no strain from extended keypresses), both of which it sounds like reds are good for.

so, filco tkl with red switches it is!

* shmibs moves to press a "place order" button, stops, checks a bank account balance first.

...next month 

I agree, some just really like using one type of switch for every application. I personally would think that MX Black switches are the absolute worst, and I know that many just love gaming on Blues. I meant that most like Reds, as I do, and that most like Blues for typing, but I still find Reds very comfortable and lovely to use (albeit inferior in accuracy and speed).

So, great choice in the Filco and have fun with your new keyboard, rich first poster!