KTOD - "I can't believe ________ hasn't caught on"

[dante]

I can't believe POM material keycaps haven't caught on.  I've tried all sorts of ABS and PBT and POM feels and sounds absolutely perfect.  There are only a few sources left for this wonderful material and it depresses me that the mechanical keyboard fans of tomorrow may never experience it.

So...

Is there something you're surprised hasn't caught on in the mechanical keyboard world?

[heedpantsnow]

I can't believe programmable function layers haven't caught on. Like the Tex Yoda.  Seems a lot more folks would get them if they could change the layers. If somebody built a nice GUI that would be all the more accessible for the average joe.

I do have to say that I tried POM keycaps several years ago and just can't stand them. They feel slippery and greasy all the time, and I felt PBT had just as great a typing experience without the downsides. Sorry.

[davkol]

Optimized layouts. It doesn't surprise me though, because we live in a world, where MSIE6 was the most widespread web browser *for years*.

[FrostyToast]

Optimized layouts. It doesn't surprise me though, because we live in a world, where MSIE6 was the most widespread web browser *for years*.

Shh. Watch what you say, MS might be lurking on the forums waiting to pounce

[Defect]

ALPS

[davkol]

Optimized layouts. It doesn't surprise me though, because we live in a world, where MSIE6 was the most widespread web browser *for years*.

Shh. Watch what you say, MS might be lurking on the forums waiting to pounce

So what? Their monopoly is almost over (although Apple is yet another abomination) and politicians they've corrupted aren't getting reelected.

It's a matter of principle (path dependency) for the most part though.

[FrostyToast]

Optimized layouts. It doesn't surprise me though, because we live in a world, where MSIE6 was the most widespread web browser *for years*.

Shh. Watch what you say, MS might be lurking on the forums waiting to pounce

So what? Their monopoly is almost over (although Apple is yet another abomination) and politicians they've corrupted aren't getting reelected.

It's a matter of principle (path dependency) for the most part though.

I was referring to MS on the forums...

[davkol]

Ah, the lower case microsoft windows? Isn't he muted these days?

[FoxWolf1]

Integrated pointing devices.

Small integrated displays. I think that people have probably dismissed this as yet another "gaming gimmick" rather than really thinking about what kinds of use it could be put to, especially in non-gaming contexts-- which is where the feature was first seen, anyway.

In fact, now that I think about it, I wonder how many keyboard features that are now marketed as things for gaming were originally designed for office use and seen on high-end office keyboards long before there even was such a thing as a "gaming keyboard"...

[Puddsy]

any standard ALPS layout/stab combo

like **** it's not hard

[TBone]

Stepped caps locks standard on keyboards. I like them so much more. I wish there were more keyboards that could use them.

[CPTBadAss]

What tactical stache said. And Alps switches in general.

[davkol]

Also, Maltron and alikes. It's been around for 30+ years, but still the same niche. Noone even copies it, except Kinesis. Only the new wave of mostly flat split keyboards started by ErgoDox.

[Lastpilot]

More TKL cases? XD

[tp4tissue]

I can't believe you guys are still using keyboards that are all one piece..

[dorkvader]

split spacebars.

There's the erase-eaze, and a compaq with it. IBM wheelwriters & displaywriter sorta. After that, it's only japanese keyboards.

I mean, that's some prime real-estate!

[Puddsy]

oh yeah

and the KUL

[cribbit]

I can't believe tiny spacebars haven't caught on. Especially for 40% and 60% boards where that can give you 3-4 extra keys. Most people only use one of their thumbs for space. And if you do a layout like http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/2e593596fba6092a28f90dd6b8d9a028 then you can move the spacebar over when you need it in a different spot. 2-wide space with 2 switches under it. Might have to do linears for the space bar area switches though.

Also, case materials besides plastic, aluminum and wood.

[Hazel]

I can't believe replacing capslock with backspace hasn't caught on (outside of Colemak users).  Once you get used to it, there's no going back.  Typing is so fluid when you don't have to shift away from the home-row to fix errors!

[Zephitos]

I can't believe tiny spacebars haven't caught on. Especially for 40% and 60% boards where that can give you 3-4 extra keys. Most people only use one of their thumbs for space. And if you do a layout like http://www.keyboard-layout-editor.com/#/layouts/2e593596fba6092a28f90dd6b8d9a028 then you can move the spacebar over when you need it in a different spot. 2-wide space with 2 switches under it. Might have to do linears for the space bar area switches though.

Also, case materials besides plastic, aluminum and wood.

 

it isn't my preference

but amazing idea, very shocking, so minimal awesome key layout

[nubbinator]

Numpads on the left hand side of the keyboard.

[osi]

Numpads on the left hand side
 of the keyboard.

I've been debating doing this. In fact I'll try it out next week!

[Lain1911]

Voice recognition

[cheesedgrate]

Mechanical keyboards at my workplace. I was prepared that my HHKB would bring on a tidal wave of clicking and clacking. The actual results: A coworker who was already into mechs bought a FC660C. I guess you could call that a small victory.

[FrostyToast]

split spacebars.

There's the erase-eaze, and a compaq with it. IBM wheelwriters & displaywriter sorta. After that, it's only japanese keyboards.

I mean, that's some prime real-estate!

I totally agree on this one! The space bar just takes up too much space, and no one uses both thumbs to press down the spacebar!
We need to build a new PCB that supports this and make a GB with included spacebar caps and stabs.

[limitz]

Backlit PBT keycaps.

Only Deck has them and they're in the godawful Renaissance Fair font.

[hwood34]

Backlit PBT keycaps.

Only Deck has them and they're in the godawful Renaissance Fair font.

+1

[Kraksx]

Mechanical keyboards at my workplace. I was prepared that my HHKB would bring on a tidal wave of clicking and clacking. The actual results: A coworker who was already into mechs bought a FC660C. I guess you could call that a small victory.

Baby steps haha

[cribbit]

TKL + keypad rather than fullsize. If you're using your keypad, don't you want to be able to put it wherever?

[rowdy]

TKL + keypad rather than fullsize. If you're using your keypad, don't you want to be able to put it wherever?

There are a few keyboards that have a numpad that can be removed, and some even allow it to be placed on either side of the keyboard.

But I don't think I've seen a package consisting of a TKL keyboard plus a separate matching numpad.  That would be cool!

[davkol]

Like Logitech diNovo?

[Elrick]

Like Logitech diNovo?

Or Microsoft Sidewinder X6 - THE best TKL or Full keyboard, if you want it to be  .

[davkol]

X6 had only detachable numpad, not entirely separate. Azio Levetron or that Mad Catz monstrosity would coult as well, otherwise. It's EOL too, and I found the key profile/spacing somehow hurt my fingers. OTOH Logitech PerfectStroke scissor switches are pretty good.

[Melvang]

• Keyboards that dare to be different.  I want to see something really odd.  Like a modern keyboard with a 10 or hell a 15 unit space bar.
• More alps group buys.
• Engineers that actually fix, work on, and/or replace what they design.
• A gamepad with an analogue joystick like the ones in a console controller instead of the hat switch.

[FourOhFour]

But I don't think I've seen a package consisting of a TKL keyboard plus a separate matching numpad.  That would be cool!

The old Apple Adjustable Keyboard. Ok, it isn't TKL, but close enough... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Apple_Adjustable_Keyboard_M1242_different_views.jpeg

[dorkvader]

• Engineers that actually fix, work on, and/or replace what they design.

They exist. For example, Dad was just in China up to his arms in prototypes that he and the people that work for him designed. He is more of a "hands-on" guy who is happy to take apart the stuff he designs, figure out what's wrong and get it fixed for the next prototype. I imagine there's more.

[cribbit]

• Engineers that actually fix, work on, and/or replace what they design.

You don't know any? I would absolutely love to not be on-call. To just make and push code, and not have to get up at 3am just because some idiot tripped over a power cord somewhere.

[jacobolus]

I can't believe programmable function layers haven't caught on.

Optimized layouts.

ALPS

Integrated pointing devices.

Also, Maltron and alikes.

I can't believe you guys are still using keyboards that are all one piece..

I can't believe tiny spacebars haven't caught on.

split spacebars. [...] I mean, that's some prime real-estate!

Keyboards that dare to be different.
[An] analogue joystick like the ones in a console controller instead of the hat switch.

I agree with all of these. Which is why I plan to try to include them all when making a keyboard for myself.

Also, 3-dimensional trackballs! Abolishing the number / function rows! Moving backspace and enter and right-hand shift to non-braindead positions! Getting rid of caps lock! Lots more thumb keys! Solenoids for extra audio/tactile feedback!

[jacobolus]

[whoops, double post]

[Melvang]

• Engineers that actually fix, work on, and/or replace what they design.

They exist. For example, Dad was just in China up to his arms in prototypes that he and the people that work for him designed. He is more of a "hands-on" guy who is happy to take apart the stuff he designs, figure out what's wrong and get it fixed for the next prototype. I imagine there's more.

I have only met three in real life.  One was on a job at a power house and he wasn't the engineer that designed the equipment, just a company rep.  One is on the job that I work at now, same deal as the first.  And the third is CPTBadAss.

[JPG]

I just can't believe they stopped making the model F. I mean, I understand the fact that later keyboard we more cost effective to make, but I am sure that if they invested more time and money in making the model F easier to produce they could be made for super cheap. And there's so many people using a keyboard all day long, I just can't believe that they all suffer a damn cheap rubber dome all their life!

[osi]

Numpads on the left hand side
 of the keyboard.

I've been debating doing this. In fact I'll try it out next week!

1st day in. Harder to get used to than I thought. I've actually caught myself moving my right hand over to the left side to the 10key--dumbass hehe. I suck at being lefty. Trying for week maybe month.

Reminds me of a time, as a young lad, I thought it would be a good idea to swap my left and right hands while riding a dirt bike... I only tried that one time

[cribbit]

Mandatory computer science education, like we do with reading and writing and math. Especially with the increasing lack of developers, especially talented developers, we should be doing everything we can to increase the labor pool.

[jacobolus]

Numpads on the left hand side of the keyboard.

1st day in. Harder to get used to than I thought. I've actually caught myself moving my right hand over to the left side to the 10key--dumbass hehe. I suck at being lefty. Trying for week maybe month.

Reminds me of a time, as a young lad, I thought it would be a good idea to swap my left and right hands while riding a dirt bike... I only tried that one time

Just moving the numpad and switching hands is really hard, because if your “muscle memory” is based on using your right hand, then you’ll expect to use your index finger for 1, 4, 7, your ring finger for 3, 6, 9, maybe your thumb for 0, your pinky for plus and enter, and so on. But now on your left hand, you suddenly need to use your ring finger for the leftmost column and your index finger for the two columns on the right, and pressing 0 is a big pain. (Question for folks who use a numpad with the left hand: how do you press 0?)

If you mirrored the numpad layout right-to-left in addition to moving it over, then I bet you’d be able to learn to type on it with your left hand relatively easily. That is:


* * *

In general, the standard numpad and phone keypad layouts are really great for typing numbers by pecking with one finger – that’s basically what they were designed for – because they are relatively compact so your one finger doesn’t have to move all that much to reach all the numbers. However, for touch typing, they pretty much suck (in a similar way to the standard Sholes/QWERTY layout for a full keyboard, which was also basically designed for hunt-and-peck usage).

[GSimon]

Mass produced paracord cables for USB/HDMI etc.

[osi]

Numpads on the left hand side of the keyboard.

1st day in. Harder to get used to than I thought. I've actually caught myself moving my right hand over to the left side to the 10key--dumbass hehe. I suck at being lefty. Trying for week maybe month.

Reminds me of a time, as a young lad, I thought it would be a good idea to swap my left and right hands while riding a dirt bike... I only tried that one time

Just moving the numpad and switching hands is really hard, because if your “muscle memory” is based on using your right hand, then you’ll expect to use your index finger for 1, 4, 7, your ring finger for 3, 6, 9, maybe your thumb for 0, your pinky for plus and enter, and so on. But now on your left hand, you suddenly need to use your ring finger for the leftmost column and your index finger for the two columns on the right, and pressing 0 is a big pain. (Question for folks who use a numpad with the left hand: how do you press 0?)

If you mirrored the numpad layout right-to-left in addition to moving it over, then I bet you’d be able to learn to type on it with your left hand relatively easily. That is:

Show Image

* * *

In general, the standard numpad and phone keypad layouts are really great for typing numbers by pecking with one finger – that’s basically what they were designed for – because they are relatively compact so your one finger doesn’t have to move all that much to reach all the numbers. However, for touch typing, they pretty much suck (in a similar way to the standard Sholes/QWERTY layout for a full keyboard, which was also basically designed for hunt-and-peck usage).

The mirror keypad may confuse me more. Slowly but surely, I'm gaining traction with the pad on the left. My num row on the keyboard has become much more familiar than previously this year since getting the hhkb--so I'm not heavily dependent on the pad.

[blackbox]

Mandatory computer science education, like we do with reading and writing and math. Especially with the increasing lack of developers, especially talented developers, we should be doing everything we can to increase the labor pool.

Agreed, Everyone must use a computer sometime in the world we live in.

[Melvang]

Mandatory computer science education, like we do with reading and writing and math. Especially with the increasing lack of developers, especially talented developers, we should be doing everything we can to increase the labor pool.

Agreed, Everyone must use a computer sometime in the world we live in.

Not if you live completely off the grid.  There still is a surprising amount of people that live this way even in the US.

[blackbox]

Mandatory computer science education, like we do with reading and writing and math. Especially with the increasing lack of developers, especially talented developers, we should be doing everything we can to increase the labor pool.

Agreed, Everyone must use a computer sometime in the world we live in.

Not if you live completely off the grid.  There still is a surprising amount of people that live this way even in the US.

True enough, But i still feel there is a need for it.

[8bitderp]

I can't believe POM material keycaps haven't caught on.  I've tried all sorts of ABS and PBT and POM feels and sounds absolutely perfect.  There are only a few sources left for this wonderful material and it depresses me that the mechanical keyboard fans of tomorrow may never experience it.

So...

Is there something you're surprised hasn't caught on in the mechanical keyboard world?

Where do you get POM, i have yet to try PBT myself. I do know that ABS feels very light and grainy to me.