Work recently provided a TypeMatrix ( www.typematrix.com ) as an 'ergo' keyboard. If you need a small-ish quality keyboard, I really like mine !
Niel Sent from my iPhone > On Nov 25, 2016, at 07:24, M. George <[email protected]> wrote: > > Tim, you bring up a good point about how much time is spent interacting > with the keyboard. Thanks for mentioning the WASD Cherry MX Switch Tester > <http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/index.php/wasd-6-key-cherry-mx-switch-tester.html> > too. > I didn't know that existed. We are getting down into the weeds on keyboard > obsession. I totally understand sticking with your Compaq keyboard too > > I didn't mention the O-rings earlier, but since you brought it up... for > others, it's a whole other level of customizing your keyboard feel. I did > the same thing a few years ago. Researched the O-rings and ended up > installing them on my keyboard pictured in the first post. It's going to > an obsessive level, but you remove all the keys on the keyboard and install > rubber O-rings as the bummer when the key physically bottoms out on the > keyboard. This can also quiet down the sound when using mechanical cherry > MX switches. > > Anyway, maybe too much information on keyboards for most! > > Thanks for jumping in Tim. > > Max NG7M > >> On Fri, Nov 25, 2016 at 6:56 AM, Tim Gennett <[email protected]> wrote: >> >> When I think about how much time we spend in contact with our keyboards, I >> find it surprising how casual we can be when it comes to selecting a >> keyboard. In a contest, I can go for hours without ever touching my >> radios, yet still log hundreds of QSO's just by typing on my keyboard. >> >> Several years ago, I thought I should dig into the subject and see if >> there was a better choice for me than the 1998 Compaq KB-3923 I was using. >> I purchased a WASD Cherry MX Switch Tester from Amazon and that did little >> to help. The tester made it clear that I wanted non-clicky keys, but I was >> unable to make the final call between tactile and non-tactile switches, or >> how much activation force I preferred. Then, when I threw in the effect of >> two different types of o-rings, I was quickly lost in the weeds. Making a >> judgement by pressing on a single key on the tester is clearly NOT the same >> thing as typing at contest speeds on a full size keyboard. >> >> There are a half dozen or so gaming stores in my neck of the woods, but >> they typically don't stock a lot of keyboards, mostly just the game >> cartridges. So these stores were not much help. I checked exhibitors at a >> couple of computers shows but they typically did not have a full range of >> options available to test. >> >> For contesting, I like to mount a macro template to the keyboard, to help >> me find the right key in the heat of battle. There may be better ways to >> do this but my technique requires a flat spot on the top or side of the >> keyboard case. See picture at http://www.k9wx.net/downloads/IMG4799.JPG >> And, because I operate SO2R, I insist on having a Pause key and a >> backslash key. I know I could get around this by using AutoHotKey but I >> want to keep my setup as simple as possible and don't want to add yet >> another piece of software that has to be learned, maintained, and that can >> fail. >> >> Each time I have dug into this, I have always decided to stick with the >> Compaq. But, tomorrow may be different. >> >> Tim K9WX >> >> >> >> >> >> On Fri, Nov 25, 2016 at 7:54 AM, M. George <[email protected]> >> wrote: >> >>> The keyboard is a CM Storm QuickFire Rapid - Tenkeyless Mechanical Gaming >>> Keyboard with Cherry Switches. These are very popular keyboards and are >>> still available in several different models, however there are many other >>> manufacturers that sell the same size / style of keyboard, with or without >>> cherry brand mechanical keys. Search on Amazon as a starting point. >>> >>> If back lighting is important to you, make sure and search for one that >>> has back lighting. Since I bought mine there are some keyboards out there >>> now that let you control the lighting on a key by key basis... Also, know >>> that the mechanical cherry keys have a very distinctive click based on the >>> version of the Cherry switches. Here is a good gaming article that >>> describes the different cherry keys and how each version (color type) is >>> different. i.e. Red, Blue, Brown Cherry switch types >>> <http://lifehacker.com/how-to-choose-the-best-mechanical-keyboard-and-why-you-511140347> >>> . >>> >>> Keyboards with cherry switches won't be inexpensive. Expect to pay >>> $60-$100+ if you want cherry switches in a keyboard. Plus, do the research >>> and know what to expect on the feel and sound of the keys. You might drive >>> your XYL crazy typing on a cherry switch keyboard! ;) >>> >>> Again, other keyboards with the same form factor are out there with the >>> typical contact membrane key style, that is nearly silent... and mushy... >>> however, they can be had for $15-25. >>> >>> Just to be clear, I obviously do not have any vested interest in the >>> cherry switch based keyboards. I just like them and love the tactile feel >>> and positive feedback you get from the keys. The narrow width was critical >>> too in my case... less hand movement between the keyboard at the K-Pod, >>> Paddle and mouse. >>> >>> Max NG7M >>> >>> >>> >>>>> On Fri, Nov 25, 2016 at 4:36 AM, Tim Gennett <[email protected]> wrote: >>>> >>>> What is the make and model of the keyboard? I can't see any brand or >>>> model markings in the pictures. >>>> >>>> Thanks >>>> >>>> Tim K9WX >>>> >>>> >>>> From: "M. George" <[email protected]> >>>>> To: Elecraft Mailer <[email protected]> >>>>> Cc: >>>>> Date: Thu, 24 Nov 2016 12:10:47 -0700 >>>>> Subject: [Elecraft] Narrow Gaming Keyboard and Giant Mouse Pads - K-Pod >>>>> I thought I would share the following. I have been using a narrow >>>> gaming >>>>> keyboard for years now and really like it. It has cherry mechanical >>>> keys >>>>> and nice options on the back lighting. The real reason for the post >>>> here >>>>> is related to my K-Pod and the positioning of the K-Pod in relation to >>>> the >>>>> keyboard in my paddle. Plus, I found these huge mouse pads online for >>>> a >>>>> very reasonable price. They are 32" x 24". I hate table edges >>>> against my >>>>> wrist when keying the paddle and using the mouse, not to mention using >>>> the >>>>> K-Pod as near to the keyboard as possible. I'm pretty happy with the >>>> two >>>>> big mouse pads which solve the movement of the paddle too etc... >>>>> >>>>> The big mouse pads were found on the shopping site that nobody can live >>>>> without these days... search for 'Large gaming mouse pad'. I found >>>> some >>>>> big ones on usual auction site too, but they were wider and not as >>>> deep. >>>>> >>>>> Anyway, here are the pictures if you want to take a look at the layout >>>> with >>>>> the narrow keyboard and the K-Pod / Paddle etc... >>>>> >>>>> http://www.nc7j.com/downloads/NG7M/Elecraft/K-Pod/ >>>>> >>>>> Happy Thanksgiving! >>>>> >>>>> Max NG7M >>>>> >>>>> -- >>>>> M. George >>>> ______________________________________________________________ >>>> Elecraft mailing list >>>> Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft >>>> Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm >>>> Post: mailto:[email protected] >>>> >>>> This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net >>>> Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html >>>> Message delivered to [email protected] >>> >>> >>> >>> >>> -- >>> M. George > > > -- > M. George > ______________________________________________________________ > Elecraft mailing list > Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft > Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm > Post: mailto:[email protected] > > This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net > Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html > Message delivered to [email protected] ______________________________________________________________ Elecraft mailing list Home: http://mailman.qth.net/mailman/listinfo/elecraft Help: http://mailman.qth.net/mmfaq.htm Post: mailto:[email protected] This list hosted by: http://www.qsl.net Please help support this email list: http://www.qsl.net/donate.html Message delivered to [email protected]
