How about a official geekhack keyboard?

[TheSoulhunter]

I had some correspondence with Costar, and it seems we could get unbranded FILCO boards with MX switches (brown or blue) and N-key rollover for just 50 USD (shipping included if I got it correct). LED color etc. would be to our liking (red, green or blue iirc). Thing is, we have to order 100 boards or more...

So, as they are unbranded anyway, how about a official geekhack keyboard? Read: Ordering 100 boards (I`d suggest blue switches and blue LEDs), adding the geekhack logo in form of a sticker or emblem, and selling em here... Actually I planed to order some on my own, some to keep, some to sell. But I don't have enough money for 100 boards, so I got this idea. What do you think?

[IBI]

Well going for an ISO 105 key layout would make the most sense, as it's a lot easier to ignore a key than to work without one you normally do, but how many of the Americans on here would be happy with a keyboard with a different enter key than they're used to and symmetrical shift keys?

Also, would this be a full sized or tenkeyless board? I know there's a few people on here (including me) who won't touch anything with a numpad, perhaps one of Strongman's left-handed keyboards would be the best compromise? (ideally with the cursor keys block flipped so that delete was closer to the alpha keys). I don't know what the build quality is like on that though.

[Manyak]

I'd be in for a board, and if you are seriously going to do this I bet I could get a few others through some computer forums I visit (if there aren't enough people interested here).

[TheSoulhunter]

Well going for an ISO 105 key layout would make the most sense, as it's a lot easier to ignore a key than to work without one you normally do, but how many of the Americans on here would be happy with a keyboard with a different enter key than they're used to and symmetrical shift keys?

Also, would this be a full sized or tenkeyless board? I know there's a few people on here (including me) who won't touch anything with a numpad, perhaps one of Strongman's left-handed keyboards would be the best compromise? (ideally with the cursor keys block flipped so that delete was closer to the alpha keys). I don't know what the build quality is like on that though.

This offer was for full size + ANSI...
So basically a unbranded Majestouch FKBN104M/EB!

Well, I wouldn't want to be the Geekhacker coordinating all of this - $5,000 buy is some serious money...

Well, of course it could be sold with some win as 50 USD is less than half the price of a regular FKBN104M/EB.
Plus, with the geekhack logo it would be some sort of limited (100 pcs) edition!

...somebody would have to be interested in multiple boards to hit that 100 board minimum (assuming we could agree on the LED color - :fencing:).

Sign me in for 4 or 5 boards, regardless of the LED color (changing the LEDs takes 5-15 mins. depending on your solder iron skills).
But yes, it will be hard to get 100 ppl together :/

Interesting though, blows up my theory of Filco having an exclusive design.

Exclusive? Whats about the ABS board?

[ironcoder]

Yeah but if you can get 25 people to buy 4 it doesn't sound so bad!

[TheSoulhunter]

Oh, something I forgot to mention... We could also get a cheaper variant (25 USD) with white or black ALPS and without N-key rollover. So basically a unbranded ABS M1! =)

[lal]

Not interested in 104/105 key model, only tenkeyless.  Would take two for this price (50$).  I'd prefer logoless.  This would save us from endless discussions about what logo, where to put it et cetera.  Stealth FTW!

[pmyshkin]

But I don't have enough money for 100 boards, so I got this idea.

Does this mean that we would have to give you the money first? No offense intended but from my perspective I have no idea who you are and no guarantee that you won't just run off with the money. Considering elitekeyboards is selling these at $115 a pop, this does sound like one of those too good to be true scams ...

Again, I'm not actively accusing you of trying to scam anyone. I would just need some kind of guarantee to participate in this.

[TheSoulhunter]

Does this mean that we would have to give you the money first? No offense intended but from my perspective I have no idea who you are and no guarantee that you won't just run off with the money. Considering elitekeyboards is selling these at $115 a pop, this does sound like one of those too good to be true scams ...

Again, I'm not actively accusing you of trying to scam anyone. I would just need some kind of guarantee to participate in this.

No, actually I just wanted to share this info and my idea with you...
Imo it would be best if someone trusted like the forum owner (if they are sold here as official geekhack keyboard) or maybe majestouch (he runs elitekeyboards, right?) would do it!?


For the "too good to be true" part:

Something like this is quite normal afaik. Its, Producer -> You -vs- Producer -> Diatec/Filco -> Elitekeyboards -> You...
It`s similar with the tungsten-carbide rings I sell. Imported from china for 3-5 USD, sold for 30+ USD in EU/USA.
In the end its always about finding the original manufacturer of a product and writing a email.
If you don't believe me, feel free to write a email to costar (sales@costar.com.tw) and ask em!

[Hak Foo]

o.O White ALPS?  25 USD?  (NKRO doesn't matter to me as long as it's like 3KRO)

:starts stacking $1 coins:


(strikes what I said here after the OP said basically the same stuff while I was writing it)

(And does the price include postage?  I'd be unsurprised to see that the $25 white-ALPS keyboard exists, but will sit on a dock in Guangdong forever)

It might be an interesting venture for EliteKeyboards-- if they can do it without pissing off Filco, they could offer "Filco-Like Generic" at half the price.

[xsphat]

A logoless tenkeyless with blank keys Filco with blues would be seriously bad ass. You could sell 200 or them today.

[TheSoulhunter]

It might be an interesting venture for EliteKeyboards-- if they can do it without pissing off Filco, they could offer "Filco-Like Generic" at half the price.

Maybe logoless with ALPS + blank keycaps (probably the same price, maybe even cheaper).
Wouldn't "interference" too much with existing Filco products but would be a nice addition to the product list!

[pmyshkin]

Imo it would be best if someone trusted like the forum owner (if they are sold here as official geekhack keyboard) or maybe majestouch (he runs elitekeyboards, right?) would do it!?

That's a good idea.

Now that I look at my previous post it seemed unfairly suspicious. Sorry about that.

I would be in for an unbranded filco. I really don't care about the logo or LED colors.

[iMav]

Although I think a geekhack-branded keyboard would be incredibly cool, there is no way we'd be able to come to a consensus on the switch type, key layout, or even LED color.  (and, as mentioned, many people here prefer tenkeyless)

The beauty of geekhack is that everyone has different tastes, needs, requirements, etc.  If we all could be satified by the same model of keyboard, geekhack could simply be a static link to where to purchase such a 'board.  

Might be a better idea to design some different style geekhack labels for a variety of keyboards, and let the membership "re-brand" their current favorites.

[xsphat]

I'd buy a little Geekhack logo for the bottom left side of my HHKB Pro 2 if it was a perfect fit.

[Hak Foo]

For branding, why not pre-install a red escape key?

[wheel83]

I would buy 1 tenkeyless blue board. And I would use a white, black, or red logo on my keyboards. Thats about it though.

[IBI]

This offer was for full size + ANSI...
So basically a unbranded Majestouch FKBN104M/EB!

I'm sure they'd do any standard layout if you asked, they're already making an EU version of the keyboard for steelseries after all (at least, I assume they are, it never really took off here so it's a little hard to find decent illustrative shots of it). I don't know if the price would go up though.

Apart from the practical reason that ANSI can be mapped onto ISO but ISO won't fit on ANSI, there is also the fact that this costar board is already availible in the ANSI layout while it's only availible with the unpopular linear MXs in ISO. So if you were to get it in ANSI you'd be excluding those who wanted the other layout, whereas if you were to get it in ISO layout those who wanted the ANSI layout could pick up a filco and replace the logo. As geekhack is for discussing and sharing knowledge about good keyboards bringing a good design to those who can't currently get it would be more appropriate for a geekhack keyboard.

(the fact that I'm in the UK has nothing to do with this, honestly! :biggrin:)

I'd buy a little Geekhack logo for the bottom left side of my HHKB Pro 2 if it was a perfect fit.

Actually special edition geekhack replacement windows keys for the more popular keyboards would be pretty cool. I don't know what we'd put on them though, perhaps "I care".

I know what would appeal to the geek half of the audience: Windows keys printed with an image (line drawing) of the keyboard they're attached to, fractal keyboards!

[D-EJ915]

Would the keyboard be black?  Kind of getting tired of all these same-old rebranded costar boards that are all black.  White would be cool or grey like those industrial IBMs, etc.

I'm fine with either 104 or 105 layout...wonder if they could do a combo...104-style enter key with short left shift of 105.  I just hate the big enter key of olde (and on those steelseries ones, what a fail)

[majestouch]

That's a lot of keyboards

This is a fun thread, kind of reminds me of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWymXNPaU7g

[IBI]

This is a fun thread, kind of reminds me of http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JWymXNPaU7g

I think this one would be more appropriate: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AIOqOxI0K_I

[chimera15]

I'm in if it's a black or white alps keyboard with black blank keycaps for the letter keys, and red writing for numbers and function keys. Hehe

If it's $25 I'll take 2 or maybe even 3.  I'll strip em and outfit all my mini's. lol

[itlnstln]

For whatever it's worth, I would take a Cherry brown version with whatever LED color.  I'm not picky.

[iMav]

I'm like iMav, an Air Force brat.

How did you know I was an Air Force brat???  

[iMav]

I had known I mentioned my brief Air Force career (and deployment to the Middle East during the first Gulf War)...I had forgotten I had mentioned anything about being an Air Force brat.

[iMav]

And the tattoos??

Guess I'll have to take away eherzog's webcam again.

[itlnstln]

Guess I'll have to take away eherzog's webcam again.

Again?!?!?

[Mercen_505]

I'd definitely be interested in seeing a full size, ANSI, white alps keyboard.

[o2dazone]

jesus I haven't seen bloodninja chat logs since the AYB meme started gaining speed

[watduzhkstand4]

That sounds great! I don't really care about the LED color but as long as it uses blue cherries then I'm grab one.

[Hak Foo]

I'd be interested in either Blue Cherries or White Alps.  As long as it makes people in the next room know I'm typing.

[majestouch]

As far as I know, Diatec has *many* proprietary FILCO specific processes that make FILCO keyboards unique and are only for Diatec products. If the OP is able to secure the proffered product, the keyboards would more likely resemble current offerings from other manufacturers that sell keyboards with a similar appearance - outside AND inside.

I cannot divulge more than this, but when something sounds too good to be true - buyer beware.

[TheSoulhunter]

Small update:

I asked if they could send me 2 review samples, they agreed.
1x blue Cherrys, 1x with brown Cherrys,
both with N-key rollover, each for 50 USD (shipping included)
I`ll report back when/if they arrive!

[ironcoder]

Somebody could probably make a lot of money renting try-out keyboards. Everybody who doesn't already know the difference between all these boards wants to buy the right one and how can they do that without trying many? You can do research but you have to be lucky. I'm still trying to figure out what I should get.

The shipping would make it not worthwhile though.

[TheSoulhunter]

Samples!!  You must be one smooth talker.

I need a few blue cherry ones!

I used to do that trick with Caig electronic cleaners - they used to send out free samples until they wised up.

Crack those suckers open when you get them - I'm curious what they look like.

Sure thing!

[itlnstln]

Don't mess them up too bad in case you have to send them back.

[Idiot_Hacker]

Can we get purple LEDs?  Also, make sure the LEDs are not blindness-inducing bright LEDs.  I would like the keyboard with blank keys and brown switches

[bhtooefr]

Here's what the Geekhack keyboard should have:

16 Buckling Spring keys
16 Cherry MX Blue keys
16 Cherry MX Brown keys
16 Topre Capacitive keys
16 Alps White keys
16 Alps Black keys

The layout should have half of a numpad.

It should have N-key rollover, and PS/2, USB, and bluetooth connections all in one device.

The case should be 1/3 black, 1/3 white, 1/3 brown.

The keys should be colored in a scheme involving:

16 black blank
16 white blank
16 black black
16 black white
16 white black
16 cream black

There should be the following LED colors:

Caps lock LED: red
Num lock LED: green
Bluetooth LED: blue
Scroll lock LED: purple

There should be a TrackPoint.

Did I miss anything?

[TheSoulhunter]

Here's what the Geekhack keyboard should have:

16 Buckling Spring keys
16 Cherry MX Blue keys
16 Cherry MX Brown keys
16 Topre Capacitive keys
16 Alps White keys
16 Alps Black keys

The layout should have half of a numpad.

It should have N-key rollover, and PS/2, USB, and bluetooth connections all in one device.

The case should be 1/3 black, 1/3 white, 1/3 brown.

The keys should be colored in a scheme involving:

16 black blank
16 white blank
16 black black
16 black white
16 white black
16 cream black

There should be the following LED colors:

Caps lock LED: red
Num lock LED: green
Bluetooth LED: blue
Scroll lock LED: purple

There should be a TrackPoint.

Did I miss anything?

Yeah, a USB hub... ;P

[itlnstln]

Here's what the Geekhack keyboard should have:
 
16 Buckling Spring keys
16 Cherry MX Blue keys
16 Cherry MX Brown keys
16 Topre Capacitive keys
16 Alps White keys
16 Alps Black keys
 
The layout should have half of a numpad.
 
It should have N-key rollover, and PS/2, USB, and bluetooth connections all in one device.
 
The case should be 1/3 black, 1/3 white, 1/3 brown.
 
The keys should be colored in a scheme involving:
 
16 black blank
16 white blank
16 black black
16 black white
16 white black
16 cream black
 
There should be the following LED colors:
 
Caps lock LED: red
Num lock LED: green
Bluetooth LED: blue
Scroll lock LED: purple
 
There should be a TrackPoint.
 
Did I miss anything?

Unfortunately, this is always the problem with these things.  It seems it's better to just get the item/offer the service, and not solicit input.  If you would have just bought either a blue or brown Cherry 'board and offered it, they would have sold.

[Manyak]

Yeah, a USB hub... ;P

I'm pretty sure a couple of kiddies wouldn't mind it having a lotion dispenser either.

[itlnstln]

I'm pretty sure a couple of kiddies wouldn't mind it having a lotion dispenser either.

If you had that, you need a tissue dispenser as well.  Don't do things half-a*s.

[Manyak]

If you had that, you need a tissue dispenser as well.  Don't do things half-a*s.

Even better, have a flush handle on the side so that the keyboard can clean itself off!

[pmyshkin]

Even better, have a flush handle on the side so that the keyboard can clean itself off!

Lotion? Tissues? Flush handles? What are you guys talking about? Please explain, using specific examples if possible.

[zwmalone]

Do you really want specific examples???

[pmyshkin]

Do you really want specific examples???

Yes please. Examples are the best way to learn!

[chimera15]

Here's what the Geekhack keyboard should have:

16 Buckling Spring keys
16 Cherry MX Blue keys
16 Cherry MX Brown keys
16 Topre Capacitive keys
16 Alps White keys
16 Alps Black keys

The layout should have half of a numpad.

It should have N-key rollover, and PS/2, USB, and bluetooth connections all in one device.

The case should be 1/3 black, 1/3 white, 1/3 brown.

The keys should be colored in a scheme involving:

16 black blank
16 white blank
16 black black
16 black white
16 white black
16 cream black

There should be the following LED colors:

Caps lock LED: red
Num lock LED: green
Bluetooth LED: blue
Scroll lock LED: purple

There should be a TrackPoint.

Did I miss anything?

You forgot the cup holder. roflol

[chimera15]

Seriously, I think someone should make a poll or something and see what comes the most popular.

[itlnstln]

Seriously, I think someone should make a poll or something and see what comes the most popular.

This would probably be the best thing to do, but remember, SoulHunter would have to sell at least 100 keyboards.  Hopefully, we can get enough consensus to generate an order.

[Manyak]

This would probably be the best thing to do, but remember, SoulHunter would have to sell at least 100 keyboards.  Hopefully, we can get enough consensus to generate an order.

Well we can always see how many people vote for the same thing, you never know!

[itlnstln]

Some choices would be pretty easy to narrow down like brown or blue Cherry switches.  Others, though, like LED color, might be a little more nebulous.  With LED color, people who didn't get what they want probably would still buy one, but stuff like Tenkeyless or full layout might drive people away.  Me, I wouldn't care if it were tenkeyless or not, but for others, it's a pretty big hang up.

[TheSoulhunter]

Scintillation: Maybe we could get em to add RGB LEDs? >.>

[Hak Foo]

You forgot the cup holder. roflol

Show Image

Show Image

I want a horn here, here and here.  You can never find a horn when you're mad!

[Manyak]

You know that there are dual- and tri- colored LEDs, right? It's some very simple circuitry to just stick a little switch on the back of the keyboard that selects what color you want.

It's even easier to simply replace the LEDs with the color you want (though you may have to add or remove a resistor in to adjust the voltage depending on the color). It's a very easy mod.

[ricercar]

The dual colored LEDs I've played with are all color1 when bias current flows one way and color2 when current is reversed. I suggest for this kind of multi-color LED a switch is not adequate for changing color unless you get creative with a DPDT...

[ricercar]

Here's what the Geekhack keyboard should have:
[snip]
Did I miss anything?

A pony.

[Manyak]

The dual colored LEDs I've played with are all color1 when bias current flows one way and color2 when current is reversed. I suggest for this kind of multi-color LED a switch is not adequate for changing color unless you get creative with a DPDT...

A lot of dual-color LEDs are actually three-prong - the middle one is the ground and depending on which of the other two the current flows through it's a differnt color.

So you'd just need a SPDT switch and very simple wiring.

[bhtooefr]

Or, just get RGB LEDs and call it a day.

[Manyak]

Or, just get RGB LEDs and call it a day.

How do those change color though? By adjusting the voltage (like with a potentiometer)?

Never actually used one in anything.

[TheSoulhunter]

How do those change color though? By adjusting the voltage (like with a potentiometer)?

Never actually used one in anything.

Dunno, but they have 4 pins...

[Manyak]

Dunno, but they have 4 pins...

Show Image

Hrm, I bet they're R-G-B-Ground and the intensity of each is adjusted through a pot.

So you'd have 3 small dials on the back of the keyboard to change LED color....i like!

If we do this I also vote for backlit keys with the Helvetica font (or something simple, not the weird Deck crap), all using RGB LEDs as well....that would be sweet.

[ricercar]

Activity for hard disk and network IO are the best uses I've read for the keyboard LEDs.

Well, at least for the three-in-a-row kind. There's nothing like a Caps Lock LED that's actually under the Caps Lock keycap. It's ill-informed user interaction that places the activity feedback a different location than the actual user activity.

And I have seen those 3-lead LEDs at the parts store. I've never messed with them; typically I'm rewiring a CDRW with a 2-lead 2-color LED.

[pmyshkin]

Customizable RGB LEDs under every key? This thread started as "cheap $60 filco clones" and has now evolved to "optimus maximus price contender." elitekeyboards here I come.

[TheSoulhunter]

From the inside this 3 Costar boards look identical to the Filcos, but on the outside there are some differences...

- No Filco emblem (obviously)
- No coating on the caps/case
- No stickers on the backside
- Different font on the caps (see pictures below)

NKRO seems to work on both, the one with brown Cherrys and the 2 ones with blue Cherrys.
There was no clear-cover in the packages, but cable-straps with Filco logo on it, lol.


Pictures of the caps (Filco on the left, Costar on the right):

[itlnstln]

Awesome, Soulhunter.  Is the printing on the caps still silkscreened, or did they use some other method of putting the lettering on?
 
My vote is for one batch of browns and one of blues in whatever configuration they sent you.  I would like to have a "special" GH 'board or two; the problem is, everyone is going to want something different (as evidenced by the posts above this).

[TheSoulhunter]

Printing technique seems to be the same, or at least very similar...

[kyamei]

Those caps look the same as the ABS M1, not surprisingly.  Case is probably the same too.

[itlnstln]

Those caps look the same as the ABS M1, not surprisingly. Case is probably the same too.

My ABS has printing on the caps that looks like the Filco.  As a matter of fact, my ABS is identical to my Filco other than the logo, cable and the switches.

[kyamei]

I guess they changed it at some point.  My M1 has a different font, no coating on caps, and a textured case.

[watduzhkstand4]

I think lowpoly's board should be the official geekhack keyboard. He is just representing with his masterpiece. (;

[itlnstln]

I might have gotten an earlier model.  I think they made some changes later on for logic purposes, and, maybe, they used a new case and keys in the process.

[TheSoulhunter]

I think Filco needs a bigger legal department.

If someone has the urge give a call to Signature plastics and get a quote for 100 key sets - this link shows the 10 unit quote.  My back of the envelope calculations show about $50 per unit at that volume for dye sublimated.  I'd be interested in  double shot  so  I don't have a clue what that would cost.

I`d be interested in black letters on black caps (similar to the Topre ones)
Because, I'm in love with the "stealth look" but the blank caps I use atm drive my GF insane... :/
Another thing Id like to get -> Filco compatible aluminum (black anodized) caps n casings to bring the "shiny spots" dilemma to an end!

[InSanCen]

As long as it's Mechanical, I'll be up for one of these, providing shipping to the UK won't cost as much as the board again.

PS/2, USB, Brown's, Blue's, Red, blue LED's... whatever...

Just so long as SOMEWHERE it has the GH logo.

[itlnstln]

As long as it's Mechanical, I'll be up for one of these, providing shipping to the UK won't cost as much as the board again.
 
PS/2, USB, Brown's, Blue's, Red, blue LED's... whatever...
 
Just so long as SOMEWHERE it has the GH logo.

 
That's the spirit.

[InSanCen]

Hell, put it underneath, a la IBM Birth Certificate's. IF you like a totally blank keyboard, good to go, and if you want to see the GH logo, it's still there.

[ernestrome]

I'd be interested in one too, pref brown but would buy a blue switch board too. All other details are trivial.

[itlnstln]

I don't think this is happening unless someone truly wants to volunteer to coordinate it. I am now taking one step back as my dear 20yrs of Service Air Force dad taught me.

Ha.  I learned the same thing from my 20-yrs.-of-service USAF dad.  I wouldn't want to deal with this fickle crowd.

[panat000]

are you guys still gonna do this? if yes then I want one and I'll wait for it!

[itlnstln]

Probably not.  We can't seem to get a consensus on what type of keyboard to get.

[itlnstln]

There is something distasteful going on here, but I'm not sure where to start.

[itlnstln]

Speaking of distasteful now that you have a new avatar it's time to eat that Spotted ****.

I'll have to get a new can from the store next time I go.  The can that's in the office isn't mine, and I am not sure how old it is, but I do know that it's at least 2 years old for sure.
 
I know I'm not going to like it, though.  I really don't like currants or pork suet.

[itlnstln]

I think I would rather eat this:
 

[PRISONER 24601]

Cool idea. If this ever happens, I'll be the first to buy one!

[microsoft windows]

A Spam Upside Down Pie?

[clickclack]

Looking into my great glass sphere I predict we end up with a sticker that you could put on your keyboard that says "GeekHack". A nice puffy sticker =P
haahaa


poor Billy, I wonder what he could pitch in heaven.

[itlnstln]

He's probably using KABOOM to clean the pearly gates.

[quadibloc]

It has seemed to me that the HHKB Lite is already sort of the unofficial Geekhack keyboard.

It's a pity that the FKB-82PRO is no longer around, apparently for two reasons: FILCO got out of the programmable keyboard business - and similar non-programmable keyboards do not have as good a layout because of the extra space required by the Windows keys.

[PRISONER 24601]

i propose that the official geekhack keyboard need not be a keyboard at all!

it could be storm windows, a cigar box, or (if we need something with keys) a nice pipe organ.

[ak_nala]

I'll take the pipe organ, please

[msiegel]

I'll take the pipe organ, please

if it comes with E. Power Biggs, make that 2 of them!

[itlnstln]

It doesn't matter, really, what kind of keyboard it is.  Just make sure it comes with a box of condoms for Welly.

[itlnstln]

Source here. Clearly Ebay has looser guidelines than wikipedia.

I like how the title is "Top 100..." and there are 101 entries.  Chuck Norris is that awesome.

[Buckling_Summer]

Chuck Norris wore a Geekhack t-shirt to a leather bar that said "Wanna Switch" and nobody said ANYTHING.

This is fabulous!

[kohan69]

A logoless tenkeyless with blank keys Filco with blues would be seriously bad ass. You could sell 200 or them today.

im down for 2 keyboards: black/dark grey tenkeyless, browns/blues (preferably browns), no logo, but a geekhack sticker decal would be cool and/or Geekhack esc key.

no leds

i want otaku, but if that is unpopular, is it possible to order ( say 25 - im sure there's always interest) blank key kits from them?

[EverythingIBM]

The geekhack keyboard can be a model F with a Model M layout. The LEDs can be orange, and the keyboard itself black (to match the forum scheme) simple!
Ripster can pay for the manufacturing costs.

[Astounding]

A logoless tenkeyless with blank keys Filco with blues would be seriously bad ass. You could sell 200 or them today.

 
This!!!!!!

[keyboardlover]

Wow necroed thread!