Author Topic: Keyboards: What got you interested? (Read 15405 times)

Morning Song · « **on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 01:43:02 »

I've been lurking around here for a while, finally registered, and i was just wondering... lots of people here (if not everyone!) are keyboard geeks.

For me, it was when i was about 9, and my family got a PS/1 that had what i just discovered was a M2 keyboard, and then a few years later, when i got a secondhand PC AT for my own. (And i swear, the keyboard that came with it had the layout of an XT keyboard, that whole mainkeys-and-numpad-glommed-together look.) I loved the "clanky" sound and feel keyboards.

Then years and years of typing on inferior rubber domes later, i read about the secret behind the clank, and i picked up a Unicomp keyboard (The very one i'm typing this post on, in fact!) And now after reading around here, i'm planning on trying something blue cherry flavored. (Probably one of those filco NKRO boards. I'd looove to be able to hit up-right-space in some old games)

So anyway, that's my story. What's yours?

wellington1869 · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 01:47:59 »

8086 with an original clacky was my first real pc (I confess my dad bought a timex sinclair at some point). It was the keyboard I learned BASIC on in high school. Fast forward 20 years later, I"m cursing a dell rubber dome and wonder if they still make clicky ibm keyboards. One or two google searches later (there were far fewer members when i joined) i'm on this forum.

But to answer your question, what got me interested in keyboards 20 years after the fact, truth be told, I was procrastinating. Had a big paper due. What I need right now is... the right keyboard! Turned into a quest to try out the major switch types for about a year or so.

itlnstln · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 07:36:24 »

I have always been interested in keyboards. In fact, I think the three most important components on a PC are the monitor(s), keyboard and mouse. If you're lacking in one of those three, you are going to have a crappy computing experience no matter what's under the hood of your box.

bigpook · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 07:53:20 »

ditto what itlnstln says. What you touch and look at make up the user experience. I can't remember how I got interested in keyboards. Maybe because what I was using sucked so bad. My first 'real' keyboard was a unicomp customizer. It was like finding the promised land.
When you spend hours in front of a monitor you want the best keyboard and mouse that you can find. Anything less and the experience is ruined.
I don't know how people can spend hours typing on crap keyboards. They must hate their computer experience.

Morning Song · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 09:20:34 »

Quote from: bigpook;176538

I don't know how people can spend hours typing on crap keyboards. They must hate their computer experience.

I figure it must be not knowing any better. If all you've ever had is wonderbread, you just don't realize how much better a good baguette is

I know i went through years and several rubber dome keyboards not knowing what i was missing, before i stumbled onto an article on buckling springs that made me remember how nice it felt (and sounded! The Unicomp is very nice, but it doesn't have that same... ring that my old XT-alike had).

And given how expensive proper mechanical keyboards have gotten, fewer people will probably ever try one and they'll get more expensive and rarer... stupid vicious cycles!

bigpook · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 09:29:30 »

Not knowing any better is probably the most likely reason. At the time, it was for me.
Best Buy/Circuit City sell whatever Logitech and MS have to offer and its all mostly crap.
And who doesn't like all of the blinking lights and extra media buttons? Most users do it seems.
The higher cost of quality keyboards can be a definite turn off for most people. After all, how can something costing 100 dollars be possibly better than my 20 dollar rubber dome special?
From what I have seen, some people spend more money on their mouse than they do on their keyboard. I always found that interesting.
But then again, most users don't care and run whatever they get from Dell/HP/Sony.

waperboy · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 10:36:04 »

It never really occurred to me at all to be picky about keyboards other than that the keys were in the right position. When logi+ms started changing the nav keys around, I was somewhat ired.

Got randomly linked to this site, and it opened up several doors. Got interested in keyboard stuff, started wondering what the heck is wrong with me - I've been programming computers for more than half my 40-year life.

Been a bit picky about mice, though - always preferred ball mice, since they have that mousepad-to-hand feedback. That was mostly for FPS gaming, and as that has deteriorated somewhat I switched to a laser mouse. Still want the mouse to be tiny (using a tiny one made for laptops), since I like to move the mouse using only the tops of my thumb and pinkie...

wellington1869 · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 11:01:20 »

Quote from: ripster;176599

I kinda go through this process of saying "I want the best" when it comes to things I touch and use every day. One day I realized that the keyboard is thing I touch and use the most everyday.

i agree with the 'get the best for stuff you use everyday anyway' rationale. On that basis I finally got a real comforter and ergonomic pillow and been sleeping much better. Cost an arm and a leg but so easy to justify given how much time i spend in bed

Same with couch and tv.

Quote

My wife is THE best too! (this plug for my wife put in for future reference in case her attorney ever gets the judge to allow accessing my Facebook and Geekhack Account). J/K. Dear.

"I spent my life looking for the ideal woman, and when I found her alas! She was looking for the perfect man."

Rajagra · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 11:33:00 »

Last year I spilt coffee in my Logitech G15. Rather than buy a direct replacement I thought I'd do some research and maybe save some money. I ended up here! You can tell how much money I saved by the list below. :doh:

No regrets though. I already had decent screens, mice and PCs, having decent keyboards completes the package.

Fact is a keyboard has to be truly awful before it becomes unusable, and you carry on using bad ones for years unless you are lucky enough to learn better.

Ironically the only unusable keyboard I had in the past was a low-end Cherry about twenty years ago that skipped or repeated keystrokes. I threw that in the bin and refused to touch Cherry boards again. Only now do I realise Cherry makes some of the best boards as well.

Mercen_505 · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 11:37:00 »

I was in 16, I believe, and was in my school's computer lab messing with some shiny new IBM PS/2 computers, and I couldn't believe how insanely awesome the keyboards were (they were M, not M2). I promptly went home and detailed how cool the experience was to my father, who in turn brought home a practically new model M keyboard the very next day. I gurgled with pleasure as I hammered out DOS commands on my new board. Almost twenty years later, I finally retired the board and replaced it with an IBM M13.

Around that time I discovered Geekhack, and the obsession was rekindled.

itlnstln · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 11:39:03 »

Quote from: Mercen_505;176620

I was in 16, I believe, and was in my school's computer lab messing with some shiny new IBM PS/2 computers, and I couldn't believe how insanely awesome the keyboards were (they were M, not M2). I promptly went home and detailed how cool the experience was to my father, who in turn brought home a practically new model M keyboard the very next day. I gurgled with pleasure as I hammered out DOS commands on my new board. Almost twenty years later, I finally retired the board and replaced it with an IBM M13.

Around that time I discovered Geekhack, and the obsession was rekindled.

Epic story. That's pretty awesome.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 14:05:30 »

I always preferred the old IBM keyboards, so when I found one with a trackball in the garbage, I went on the internet to find out some information about it since I'd never seen one before. And, that led me here where some guy wanted one.

microsoft windows · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 14:11:42 »

Hey...that's me!

kishy · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 15:30:08 »

My story is pretty boring...but it too has a bit of nostalgia to it. Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms.

didjamatic · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 15:45:32 »

I got tired of burning through rubber domes every couple of months... I was intrigued by vintage boards that would outlast modern membrane keyboards. Now I change mechanical keyboards every couple of weeks and spend a lot more money.

itlnstln · « **Reply #15 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 15:50:23 »

It's amazing how that works out, isn't it?

kishy · « **Reply #16 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 16:01:58 »

Gotta start doing what I do...

There's a reason I'm thrifty with keyboard money, you know. It has something to do with seeing what happens to people here and saying "LOL I DON'T THINK SO" in my head.

itlnstln · « **Reply #17 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 16:08:51 »

In the past couple of years, I have slowed way down on buying keyboards, and the only one that may be considered an epic fail was the HHKB (and that was only the switches). I sold the majority of my collection, and have made somewhat of a rule for myself about selling unused keyboards when I buy a new one. I have one more keyboard on the "buy-for-sure" list now that I am getting a G80-1863*, but really, there just isn't a whole lot out there that excites me anymore.

*Unless the Miniguru comes out, then it's two more.

wellington1869 · « **Reply #18 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 16:11:59 »

Quote from: itlnstln;176691

In the past couple of years, I have slowed way down on buying keyboards

i slowed so much i went backwards

Quote

I have one more keyboard on the "buy-for-sure" list now that I am getting a G80-1863*, but really, there just isn't a whole lot out there anymore that excites me.

*Unless the Miniguru comes out, then it's two more.

yea, i'd buy lowpo's board too, even with cherries. I hope it comes out. I'd buy a fukka if someone made a controller for it that worked. Thats about it though. I'll probably buy another BS board at some point when i'm bored of domes again. I guess I like variation more than anything.

itlnstln · « **Reply #19 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 16:20:05 »

At this point, I have tried every readily-available switch and have made up my mind on what I would like to use in the long term. I am a little disappointed in the Topres and wish I would have tried one before I got my HHKB, but at least I have tried it and won't be wondering if I would have liked that one better or not. Now, it's time to stockpile G80-1863s.

didjamatic · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 16:28:48 »

Quote from: mercen_505;176620

i was in 16, i believe, and was in my school's computer lab messing with some shiny new ibm ps/2 computers, and i couldn't believe how insanely awesome the keyboards were (they were m, not m2). I promptly went home and detailed how cool the experience was to my father, who in turn brought home a practically new model m keyboard the very next day. I gurgled with pleasure as i hammered out dos commands on my new board. Almost twenty years later, i finally retired the board and replaced it with an ibm m13.

Around that time i discovered geekhack, and the obsession was rekindled.

seriously awesome.

itlnstln · « **Reply #21 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 16:31:01 »

Other than the weight, BS is a truly badass switch. When I was a kid, I could easily tell that Model Ms were something special. I still break out an M from time to time for nostalgia's sake.

keyb_gr · « **Reply #22 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 17:26:34 »

I think it was a keyboard discussion in the German old computer newsgroup (dafc) that got me interested back in 2001, at the tender age of 19. I then bought my first Model M, the blue label one that I'm typing on right now, for the insane sum of 10 DM plus shipping (shipping was a bit more...). A G80 with blues and two more, more expensive and much dirtier grey label Ms would follow within the next year. I was happy with my keyboards for years.

Then, last year, I found this place. It was all downhill from there...

Ironically my daily driver boards still are the classics, even if the G80 underwent a case and keycap swap. I did learn a whole lot though, which has always been the most interesting part about hobbies for me anyway.

bigpook · « **Reply #23 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 18:04:28 »

I started out liking the BS keys, alot. Then went on to try most everything else. Even had a fling with the ALPS ( I still like the black ALPS though ). I think I am down to the HHKB and the IBM/Unicomp. I really like the feel and noise of the BS switches.

Am using a 1391401 currently but I am mousing on the left so the numpad kind of just hangs out over there on the right hand side.

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 18:41:11 »

I actually found geekhack and didn't know it was for keyboards (ripster's posts on the IBM and apple beige patone colours came up; yeah, a lot of the off-topic things here going on).
Then a few months later my school threw out an IBM Model F XT (and I later found a model M being crushed under a microwave), and I was AMAZED. Keyboards with... SPRINGS?!?!
Otherwise my whole life I typed on KB-8923s. Still decent keyboards; vastly inferior to typical rubber domes.

EverythingIBM · « **Reply #25 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 21:58:18 »

Quote from: ripster;176755

Pantone. Not patone.

Potato potata, tomato tamata.

hyperlinked · « **Reply #26 on:** Tue, 27 April 2010, 22:33:53 »

Quote from: EverythingIBM;176756

Potato potata, tomato tamata.

Uh-huh. Go ahead and order your next PC in lavender patone and don't be surprised if they ship you a case of scented rocks.

Morning Song · « **Reply #27 on:** Wed, 28 April 2010, 01:20:22 »

Quote from: hyperlinked;176758

Uh-huh. Go ahead and order your next PC in lavender patone and don't be surprised if they ship you out a case of scented rocks.

Ironically, googling for lavender patone returns almost entirely typoes of pantone

ricercar · « **Reply #28 on:** Wed, 28 April 2010, 19:23:11 »

In 1990 a coworker and I spent a week or so trying to make our Model Ms click without registering a keystroke. Every other keyboard would click without a keystroke registering. Even my Northgate ALPS could click without a keystroke registering. Never a model M.

In 1994 I saw a palette of $14 USD Model Ms, remembered the click experiment, and bought two. One was my daily driver at work until 2003, when a boss asked me to get a quieter keyboard. The other was a daily driver at home until my wife stole it in 2005 or so.

In 2009 I found Geekhack, and decided I might need more than two keyboards.

ricercar · « **Reply #29 on:** Wed, 28 April 2010, 20:20:49 »

Um...

Half-Saint · « **Reply #30 on:** Thu, 29 April 2010, 03:52:43 »

Well, my story begins in 1986 IIRC when my parents bought a new 10MHz Peacock XT. They also bought what I believe was a Cherry or Chicony board with XT layout and excellent clicky switches! My mom worked as a translator and you could hear her typing even behind closed doors!

Years later I got my first 486 and a regular rubber dome board which was already standard by that time. Got used to it eventually and kept on using rubber domes until 2007 when I re-discovered mechanical keyboards. My first was a 1993 Model M which I still consider my primary board. After that, I started hoarding boards although I managed to sell/give away some along the way.

I currently own six board and expecting three more pretty soon. Need to hide them from my gf!

SainT

itlnstln · « **Reply #31 on:** Thu, 29 April 2010, 07:10:13 »

Quote from: ricercar;177115

In 1990 a coworker and I spent a week or so trying to make our Model Ms click without registering a keystroke. Every other keyboard would click without a keystroke registering. Even my Northgate ALPS could click without a keystroke registering. Never a model M.

That's one of the reasons why BS are one of the greatest switches available.

JBert · « **Reply #32 on:** Fri, 30 April 2010, 14:33:10 »

Well, I was in the process of reviewing all kinds of hardware for my first true PC build (or better: the first one where I'd get to handpick the parts) and suddenly read an interesting article on a programming blog I follow: Coding Horror: Have Keyboard, Will Program.

There, Jeff Atwood linked to a blog by Daniel Rutter (or just Dan): IBM Keyboards - The Odyssey Continues. Now this guy is a bit of a connoisseur of IBM keyboards, and he is actually the guy who might have bought the last M15 from Brian (a fact he brags about in "Clicky keyboards again!").

Needless to say, I got seriously interested in mechanicals after that, first by digging up my old keyboard heap with the two G81's in my sig, then the model F XT my dad brought home.

Voixdelion · « **Reply #33 on:** Fri, 30 April 2010, 21:35:57 »

I hadn't really thought about the keyboard thing until recently. Although I had an annoyance with rowing the mouse around that got me looking for a nice large trackball several years ago, the keyboard wasn't an issue until I started making an effort to revisit my writing skills by posting on forum boards with some regularity. Even then it didn't occur to me to invest in a good keyboard, though I had thought that my typing skills had degenerated from lack of use since high school (I graduated in 1990 in the heydey of clickiness and used to be able to dash off an entire essay in one draft during the free period before English class).

I was starting to get REALLY annoyed with all the typos as there got to be more and more things I wanted to post about online and couldn't get to all of them because I wasted a good third of the time fixing errors. I luckily happened across a "Guide to mechanical keyboards" while meandering through the topics at Overclock.net at a time that I had been picturing myself back in that old computer lab merrily clacking away and finally put 2 and 2 together. As soon as I realized the stupid piece of crap was the problem I knew I had to get a better one. After a perusal of the first few pages of the guide (there are like 100 pages of responses now) and being an audiophile I realized I would want something with good audio feedback as well as tactile so I would KNOW a keypress had actuated - just like in the good ol days.

Posted a WTB query in the forum and someone pointed me here, but before I could register here, the next reply told me all I needed to know in that there were limited choices that offered both kinds of feedback. Wouldn't you know it I ended up with a Model M (which is now a fetish) just like the ones back in that lab. Including the one on the way, I have acquired 5 in as many weeks.

Now I just hang around here for the comedy.

Quote from: microsoft windows;176646

I always preferred the old IBM keyboards, so when I found one with a trackball in the garbage, I went on the internet to find out some information about it since I'd never seen one before. And, that led me here where some guy wanted one.

would that have been the M5-1?

After I made up my mind to get one of those (thanks to the input and opines here) I had set my mind to a long search; the general opinion was that it would be hard to find and since I couldn't even google up a price that one had sold for in recent history I figured it might take a while. I put up a WantItNow at ebay despite it not having worked for anything thus far and promptly forgot about it. Oddly enough, less than 36 hrs went by before I got a reply from someone who had googled with the intent to sell and I had it in hand within 5 days.

I had been unsure if I was getting scammed at first since I was expecting it to be a much harder search, but it actually arrived in the best condition out of all the ones I had purchased: completely functional AND clean, properly packaged so that all the keys were still where they should be when I opened it. I take that as a sign from the Universe that I was meant to have it because my writing career is destined for success...:typing:

Voixdelion · « **Reply #34 on:** Fri, 30 April 2010, 21:38:07 »

Quote from: ripster;177666

I like Dan's Data.

We have similar tastes.

Indeed - He is the one who started me thinking about the M5-1 in the first place. Generally enjoy much of what I read there as well as finding it informative - a rare combo.

And as to the "I want the best" concept: Best thing I ever did (and one of the costliest as well) was get a tempur-pedic mattress. Given that every day starts with how I wake up, I thank god for Brookstone having a demo in the mall. Without that, who knows what I might be torturing my body with every night. Some things it does make more sense to consider quality over cost because of the non-monetary toll that is taken otherwise...

Voixdelion · « **Reply #35 on:** Fri, 30 April 2010, 21:48:00 »

Quote from: ripster;177118

i hope after 16 years you've stopped trying make the model m key register without clicking.

bwhahah!!

Quote from: JBert;177576

Well, I was in the process of reviewing all kinds of hardware for my first true PC build (or better: the first one where I'd get to handpick the parts) and suddenly read an interesting article on a programming blog I follow: Coding Horror: Have Keyboard, Will Program.

There, Jeff Atwood linked to a blog by Daniel Rutter (or just Dan): IBM Keyboards - The Odyssey Continues. Now this guy is a bit of a connoisseur of IBM keyboards, and he is actually the guy who might have bought the last M15 from Brian (a fact he brags about in "Clicky keyboards again!").

Needless to say, I got seriously interested in mechanicals after that, first by digging up my old keyboard heap with the two G81's in my sig, then the model F XT my dad brought home.

Jeff Atwood is one of the few folks I've actually contacted via email just to pay a compliment. He actually wrote back too. I am starting to find it rather amazing that even with the GLOBAL scale of places to frequent on the net I find that no matter where I go there seems to a be a familiar circle -- This place thus far has the highest concentration of commonality however. What is that they say, "Great minds think alike"?

Viett · « **Reply #36 on:** Fri, 30 April 2010, 22:23:52 »

Nice avatar, Morning Song. FF6 was always one of my favorites.

I'd say I'm mostly into typing. I was big on Dvorak until just recently, when I permanently switched to Colemak. I guess having a nice keyboard came out of necessity with my love for typing.

Morning Song · « **Reply #37 on:** Fri, 30 April 2010, 23:55:18 »

Quote from: Viett;177721

Nice avatar, Morning Song. FF6 was always one of my favorites.

Thanks!

One of mine too! Though i suppose that's kinda obvious.

Quote

I'd say I'm mostly into typing. I was big on Dvorak until just recently, when I permanently switched to Colemak. I guess having a nice keyboard came out of necessity with my love for typing.

Oooooh, another alternalayout user.

I've used Dvorak for about ten years now. I've heard of Colemak, but i'm not quite sold on it. (Plus, my Unicomp is Dvorak-hardwired, and Dvorak baffles the Sweetheart enough as is!)

And everyone has such neat stories.

It's so nice to find people who like noisy keyboards.

keyb_gr · « **Reply #38 on:** Sat, 01 May 2010, 10:54:46 »

Quote from: ripster;177666

I like Dan's Data.

How could I forget? Still remember reading his first IBM board article back in the day, maybe even before I had my first M. Great guy. Always wanted to drop him a line but never actually got around to doing it.

bhtooefr · « **Reply #39 on:** Mon, 03 May 2010, 08:52:09 »

I would've first found out about Model Ms circa 2004 or 2005. I read about them on Slashdot, decided to get one.

Now, I actually had a Laser board with SMKs at the time, and then remembered its clickiness. (Although, I HATED the layout. I've always been a fan of the Model M 101/104 layout, even long before I knew what the Model M was.) But, I got a real Model M, and the rest is history. Started a forum, OneTrueKeyboard, got almost no posters, and then found Geekhack (I think I was googling for EnduraPro stuff, and found a post of iMav's about it,) and ended up shutting it down. And now, thanks to Geekhack, I've bought an EnduraPro, a Cherry-based board, and hopefully there'll be a 5251 board shipping out today.

TheSoulhunter · « **Reply #40 on:** Tue, 04 May 2010, 09:51:25 »

Quote from: ripster;176599

I kinda go through this process of saying "I want the best" when it comes to things I touch and use every day. One day I realized that the keyboard is thing I touch and use the most everyday.

Same here... *internet high five*
It's that I became rather picky about my purchases:

- Looked for some new 20 Euro ear-buds to replace the old broken ones, ended in getting some Sony MDR7506 monitor cans
- Looked for a 300-500 Euro LCD to replace my aged (too dim) CRT, ended in getting a 24" EIZO
- Looked for a new keyboard to replace my old Logitech one, ended in getting a Filco
- Looked for a DSLR to replace my old bridge, ended in getting a EOS 7D

zXWF · « **Reply #41 on:** Tue, 04 May 2010, 10:58:54 »

This forum, really

Saw a link to this forum from Reddit and lurked here for a while untill I started to really catch on and became aware that the keyboard I own now isn't much to brag about

itlnstln · « **Reply #42 on:** Tue, 04 May 2010, 11:43:10 »

We need a sister site called "Troll Hack." Too bad pretty much all traffic would leave here if that were the case.

washuai · « **Reply #43 on:** Thu, 06 May 2010, 14:47:09 »

I've always cared, but without the means it wasn't a priority to educate myself about whether there were better options available. Even if they were available, they certainly weren't available at a local store where I could get my hands on one - they still aren't.

Unfortunately, the first time I had the opportunity to really do something, I needed a keyboard that day. I went to my nearest Rip Off Shack. I looked over the options and left with a Grandtec Virtually Indestructable Keyboard. This is when it finally mattered, because I finally was making my own financial choice. I'd plunked down $70, which had made me wince. Quiet, ergonomic, clean, spill proof, and portable were the features that had sold me. Soft petability and being able to see its semi-translucent were aesthetic touches that pleased me. I was really happy with it, which unfortunately led to a glowtype purchase, which had a bad layout and a shorter lifespan.

I know silicon boards aren't for everyone. Thankfully they are much cheaper now, so they remain my cheap board of choice. I get to have the "otaku" blank amusement, since I've worn off the lettering, when coworkers approach my board. I wore actual grooves into the keycaps of some of the previous boards, so at the time it was a step up. A silicon board doesn't meet all my needs to be certain, but it still meets needs (quiet, spillproof & easy to clean to avoid allergen build up) that the Topre/Cherry Browns of my better informed preference these days cannot meet to the same degree.

Morning Song · « **Reply #44 on:** Thu, 06 May 2010, 18:29:25 »

Huh, neat. Silicone keyboards are those rollable ones you occasionally see, ne? That makes me wonder if there are any fans out there of thigs like 80's chiclet keyboards, or flat membrane keyboards (asymptotic feedback ftw!), or various other traditionally maligned mechanisms...

kishy · « **Reply #45 on:** Thu, 06 May 2010, 18:56:58 »

News:

Author Topic: Keyboards: What got you interested? (Read 15405 times)