Re: Good keyboard

[Martin Read]

On 14/03/16 00:23, David Niklas wrote:

I was most particularly interested in weather the (clear), cherry key
switches last. No one mentioned them.


Cherry make the explicit, measurable claim that their keyswitches have a 
minimum service life measured in tens of millions of keystrokes. Twenty 
million for the ML-series notebook-profile switches, fifty million for 
the MX-series desktop-profile switches.

Re: Good keyboard

[Gian Uberto Lauri]

> "MR" == Martin Read  writes:

MR> On 14/03/16 00:23, David Niklas wrote:
>> I was most particularly interested in weather the (clear), cherry
>> key switches last. No one mentioned them.

MR> Cherry make the explicit, measurable claim that their keyswitches
MR> have a minimum service life measured in tens of millions of
MR> keystrokes.

And are damn comfortable. Laser etched keycaps wear off much much
further than the keyswitch.

I will try engraved ones or attempt to present my design to "pimp my
keyboard".

-- 
 /\   ___Ubuntu: ancient
/___/\_|_|\_|__|___Gian Uberto Lauri_   African word
  //--\| | \|  |   Integralista GNUslamicomeaning "I can
\/ coltivatore diretto di software   not install
 già sistemista a tempo (altrui) perso...Debian"

Warning: gnome-config-daemon considered more dangerous than GOTO

Re: Good keyboard see url

[Haines Brown]

On Wed, Mar 16, 2016 at 01:00:47AM -0400, doug wrote:
> 
> On 03/13/2016 08:23 PM, David Niklas wrote:
> I just sent a reply about IBM model M. Here's an URL about Clicky
> Keys--the outfit that refurbs them.
> 
> http://www.wired.com/2015/07/meet-master-old-school-clicky-clacky-keyboard/
 
I cannot help but throw a good word in for the old IBM keyboards. Back
in the '90s I bought six of them at $5 each because my experience was
that keyboards don't last. However, only one of the six gave out in the
intervening years, and that was because in an effort to clean one by
pouring in alcohol I managed to dissolve its innards.

I like the positive feedback, although the clicking noise might disturb
others. Being heavy, it stays in place, but I suspect the muscular
effort typing might contribute to carpel tunnel. My keyboards have
circular DIN or PS/2 connectors, significantly different lengths of
cord, some coiled and others straight.

I might mention that Unicomp reproduces the Model M, but with a USB
connector and MS key. It has the same weight and key action, but is a
bit smaller in overall size and is available in black. Unfortunately one
of its keys started to make continual contact, and so I had to put it
aside until I find time for its repair. It may be that the Unicomp
keyboard is of somewhat lesser quality than the old Model M.

Haines Brown

Re: Good keyboard"David Niklas" <do...@mail.com>

[rlharris]

On Sun, March 13, 2016 7:23 pm, David Niklas wrote:
...
> I'm learning dvorak, but the numerals are all in the top bar with the
> punctuation marks, only the home and adjacent rows are changed. Where are
> your numerals? I just type loadkeys dvorak (there are only 3 dvorak
> layouts, dvorak-ASCII, dvorak-Sun, and dvorak on my computer).

This is the numeric (top) row if you install the Classic Dvorak (or Dvorak
Classic) layout in Debian:

shifted:{ & % # ! ( ) @ $ ^ * }
unshifted:  [ 7 5 3 1 9 0 2 4 6 8 ]


Russ

Re: Good keyboard see url

[doug]

On 03/13/2016 08:23 PM, David Niklas wrote:

Sorry for such a late post, I caught the flu and have only now caught up
with my emails. I've included the full quote.

On Sun, 14 Feb 2016 20:34:27 rlhar...@oplink.net wrote:

On Sun, February 14, 2016 7:12 pm, Gary Roach wrote:
...

I've been using a microsoft Ergonomic model 4000 v.1 for years. I
love it. I recently looked around for a replacement ( turned out not
to be the
problem). I found that the newer Microsoft keyboards were garbage in
comparison. The only one that came close was a Fellows for which I
can not remember the model.


snip
I was most particularly interested in weather the (clear), cherry key 
switches last. No one mentioned them. Being able to know what you get 
and improve/repair it is a big attraction of opensource, be it HW or 
SW, at least for me. Thanks, David 
I just sent a reply about IBM model M. Here's an URL about Clicky 
Keys--the outfit that refurbs them.


http://www.wired.com/2015/07/meet-master-old-school-clicky-clacky-keyboard/

Re: Good keyboard

[doug]

On 03/13/2016 08:23 PM, David Niklas wrote:

Sorry for such a late post, I caught the flu and have only now caught up
with my emails. I've included the full quote.

On Sun, 14 Feb 2016 20:34:27 rlhar...@oplink.net wrote:

On Sun, February 14, 2016 7:12 pm, Gary Roach wrote:
...

I've been using a microsoft Ergonomic model 4000 v.1 for years. I
love it. I recently looked around for a replacement ( turned out not
to be the
problem). I found that the newer Microsoft keyboards were garbage in
comparison. The only one that came close was a Fellows for which I
can not remember the model.

I enjoyed using the thin Apple keyboard, but put it away a few years
back when I could not figure out the proper xkb category; but I think I
now know how to specify the keyboard to the Debian installer.


I spend a lot of time on the keyboard and much
prefer the slanted ergonomic layout.

I did not notice any comments on my comparison of a computer keyboard
with
a piano keyboard in this respect; but that also is something to
consider.
Who would suffer from poor "ergonomics" more than would the pianist?


I don't understand the fascination with the Dvorak keyboard. While I
will admit that it is more efficient than the qwerty lay out, this
really will come into play if you can type faster than 150 wpm or so.
Who can?

I like dvorak because it lessens the amount of strain on you, thus you
will be less likely to get corporal tunnel syndrome. I'm young and try to
think ahead.


Perhaps you should consider your definition of efficiency.  I live at
the keyboard, and to me the measure of that which you term "efficiency"
involves consideration of a number of factors, including fatigue,
typographical error rate, and intuitiveness of the layout; the words per
minute count is at the bottom of my list.

To me, one of the greatest benefits of the Dvorak layout comes in entry
of text which incudes numerals.  With the Classic Dvorak layout, the
keystrokes for numerals are instinctive; thus I seldom make an error.

I'm learning dvorak, but the numerals are all in the top bar with the
punctuation marks, only the home and adjacent rows are changed. Where are
your numerals? I just type loadkeys dvorak (there are only 3 dvorak
layouts, dvorak-ASCII, dvorak-Sun, and dvorak on my computer).


Such was not the case forty years ago when I could type 120 wpm on
QWERTY on a manual keybar typewriter.

Wow!


I was most particularly interested in weather the (clear), cherry key
switches last. No one mentioned them.
Being able to know what you get and improve/repair it is a big attraction
of opensource, be it HW or SW, at least for me.

Thanks, David



If you want a keyboard with real switches, look for an old IBM model M.
They're just about indestructible, so one that's 30 years old should still
be working fine. If you can't find one somewhere, an outfit called
clickykeyboards.com refurbs them, as well as manufacturing its own 
versions--

I guess the modern ones would have Windows keys, if that matters to you.
(You can get the left Win key by pushing either ctrl+esc or alt+esc--I 
forget which.)

I use nothing but IBM model M k/bs on three computers at home. Don't use
one at the office, tho--they really are loud! The model M came in different
versions--the standard k/b with insert/home/page-up arrangement to the 
right,

above up/down/left/right arrows, and then a number pad to the right, and a
version without the number pad--good to plug in to a laptop as not being 
so large.

They all have the function keys on top, but I think there might have been an
earlier one with function keys on the left. Don't know if that was 
called an M.
I got all mine back in the 90's at Computer Fairs--which don't exist 
anymore.
They were all "scrapped" from office upgrades, and they all work 
excellently.

So I don't know how old they really are.

--doug

Re: Good keyboard

[David Niklas]

Sorry for such a late post, I caught the flu and have only now caught up
with my emails. I've included the full quote.

On Sun, 14 Feb 2016 20:34:27 rlhar...@oplink.net wrote:
> On Sun, February 14, 2016 7:12 pm, Gary Roach wrote:
> ...
> >> I've been using a microsoft Ergonomic model 4000 v.1 for years. I
> >> love it. I recently looked around for a replacement ( turned out not
> >> to be the
> >> problem). I found that the newer Microsoft keyboards were garbage in
> >> comparison. The only one that came close was a Fellows for which I
> >> can not remember the model.  
> 
> I enjoyed using the thin Apple keyboard, but put it away a few years
> back when I could not figure out the proper xkb category; but I think I
> now know how to specify the keyboard to the Debian installer.
> 
> >> I spend a lot of time on the keyboard and much
> >> prefer the slanted ergonomic layout.  
> 
> I did not notice any comments on my comparison of a computer keyboard
> with
> a piano keyboard in this respect; but that also is something to
> consider.
> Who would suffer from poor "ergonomics" more than would the pianist?
> 
> >> I don't understand the fascination with the Dvorak keyboard. While I
> >> will admit that it is more efficient than the qwerty lay out, this
> >> really will come into play if you can type faster than 150 wpm or so.
> >> Who can?
I like dvorak because it lessens the amount of strain on you, thus you
will be less likely to get corporal tunnel syndrome. I'm young and try to
think ahead.

> Perhaps you should consider your definition of efficiency.  I live at
> the keyboard, and to me the measure of that which you term "efficiency"
> involves consideration of a number of factors, including fatigue,
> typographical error rate, and intuitiveness of the layout; the words per
> minute count is at the bottom of my list.
> 
> To me, one of the greatest benefits of the Dvorak layout comes in entry
> of text which incudes numerals.  With the Classic Dvorak layout, the
> keystrokes for numerals are instinctive; thus I seldom make an error.
I'm learning dvorak, but the numerals are all in the top bar with the
punctuation marks, only the home and adjacent rows are changed. Where are
your numerals? I just type loadkeys dvorak (there are only 3 dvorak
layouts, dvorak-ASCII, dvorak-Sun, and dvorak on my computer).

> Such was not the case forty years ago when I could type 120 wpm on
> QWERTY on a manual keybar typewriter.
Wow!


I was most particularly interested in weather the (clear), cherry key
switches last. No one mentioned them.
Being able to know what you get and improve/repair it is a big attraction
of opensource, be it HW or SW, at least for me.

Thanks, David

Re: Good keyboard

[rlharris]

On Sun, February 14, 2016 7:12 pm, Gary Roach wrote:
...
>> I've been using a microsoft Ergonomic model 4000 v.1 for years. I love
>> it. I recently looked around for a replacement ( turned out not to be the
>> problem). I found that the newer Microsoft keyboards were garbage in
>> comparison. The only one that came close was a Fellows for which I can
>> not remember the model.

I enjoyed using the thin Apple keyboard, but put it away a few years back
when I could not figure out the proper xkb category; but I think I now
know how to specify the keyboard to the Debian installer.

>> I spend a lot of time on the keyboard and much
>> prefer the slanted ergonomic layout.

I did not notice any comments on my comparison of a computer keyboard with
a piano keyboard in this respect; but that also is something to consider. 
Who would suffer from poor "ergonomics" more than would the pianist?

>> I don't understand the fascination with the Dvorak keyboard. While I
>> will admit that it is more efficient than the qwerty lay out, this
>> really will come into play if you can type faster than 150 wpm or so.
>> Who can?

Perhaps you should consider your definition of efficiency.  I live at the
keyboard, and to me the measure of that which you term "efficiency"
involves consideration of a number of factors, including fatigue,
typographical error rate, and intuitiveness of the layout; the words per
minute count is at the bottom of my list.

To me, one of the greatest benefits of the Dvorak layout comes in entry of
text which incudes numerals.  With the Classic Dvorak layout, the
keystrokes for numerals are instinctive; thus I seldom make an error. 
Such was not the case forty years ago when I could type 120 wpm on QWERTY
on a manual keybar typewriter.

Re: Good keyboard

[Gary Roach]

On 02/14/2016 03:16 PM, Gary Roach wrote:

On 02/14/2016 12:33 AM, martin f krafft wrote:
also sprach rlhar...@oplink.net  [2016-02-14 
11:20 +1300]:

For the Dvorak layout, just select the appropriate xkb map
(APPLICATIONS->SETTINGS->KEYBOARD).

Apart from there being no "Applications" menu on my Debian system… ;)


This won't address the issue of having keys labeled physically.
I can touch type, but there are times when I really appreciate to
just being able to hit the key as advertised without having to first
position, gain my bearing, and then move…

I've been using a microsoft Ergonomic model 4000 v.1 for years. I love 
it. I recently looked around for a replacement ( turned out not to be 
the problem). I found that the newer Microsoft keyboards were garbage 
in comparison. The only one that came close was a Fellows for which I 
can not remember the model. I spend a lot of time on the keyboard and 
much prefer the slanted ergonomic layout. It takes some getting used 
to but once you d you will never want to go back to a standard layout. 
I don't understand the fascination with the Dvorák keyboard. While I 
will admit  that it is more efficient than the qwerty lay out, this 
really will come into play if you can type faster than 150 cps or so. 
Who can? Most users are lucky to make 40 cps and if programming even 
slower.


For your consideration.

Gary R



Oops. Corrections. Thats 150 wpm not 150 cps.

Gary R.

Re: Good keyboard

[Gary Roach]

On 02/14/2016 12:33 AM, martin f krafft wrote:

also sprach rlhar...@oplink.net  [2016-02-14 11:20 +1300]:

For the Dvorak layout, just select the appropriate xkb map
(APPLICATIONS->SETTINGS->KEYBOARD).

Apart from there being no "Applications" menu on my Debian system… ;)


This won't address the issue of having keys labeled physically.
I can touch type, but there are times when I really appreciate to
just being able to hit the key as advertised without having to first
position, gain my bearing, and then move…

I've been using a microsoft Ergonomic model 4000 v.1 for years. I love 
it. I recently looked around for a replacement ( turned out not to be 
the problem). I found that the newer Microsoft keyboards were garbage in 
comparison. The only one that came close was a Fellows for which I can 
not remember the model. I spend a lot of time on the keyboard and much 
prefer the slanted ergonomic layout. It takes some getting used to but 
once you d you will never want to go back to a standard layout. I don't 
understand the fascination with the Dvorák keyboard. While I will admit  
that it is more efficient than the qwerty lay out, this really will come 
into play if you can type faster than 150 cps or so. Who can? Most users 
are lucky to make 40 cps and if programming even slower.


For your consideration.

Gary R

Re: Good keyboard

[martin f krafft]

also sprach rlhar...@oplink.net  [2016-02-14 11:20 +1300]:
> For the Dvorak layout, just select the appropriate xkb map
> (APPLICATIONS->SETTINGS->KEYBOARD).

Apart from there being no "Applications" menu on my Debian system… ;)


This won't address the issue of having keys labeled physically.
I can touch type, but there are times when I really appreciate to
just being able to hit the key as advertised without having to first
position, gain my bearing, and then move…

-- 
 .''`.   martin f. krafft  @martinkrafft
: :'  :  proud Debian developer
`. `'`   http://people.debian.org/~madduck
  `-  Debian - when you have better things to do than fixing systems
 
"all i know is that i'm being sued for unfair business
 practices by micro$oft. hello pot? it's kettle on line two."
-- michael robertson


digital_signature_gpg.asc
Description: Digital signature (see http://martin-krafft.net/gpg/sig-policy/999bbcc4/current)

Re: Good keyboard

[Glenn Holmer]

On 02/13/2016 12:47 AM, Patrick Bartek wrote:
> When my last keyboard started failing, I replaced it with

http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/advantage-for-pc-mac/

Worth every penny.

-- 
Glenn Holmer (Linux registered user #16682)
"After the vintage season came the aftermath -- and Cenbe."

Re: Good keyboard

[jdd]

Le 13/02/2016 18:08, Glenn Holmer a écrit :

On 02/13/2016 12:47 AM, Patrick Bartek wrote:

When my last keyboard started failing, I replaced it with


http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/advantage-for-pc-mac/

Worth every penny.


wow... needs some learning, so Dvorak probably better :-)

jdd

Re: Good keyboard

[martin f krafft]

also sprach jdd  [2016-02-14 07:14 +1300]:
> >http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/shop/advantage-for-pc-mac/
> >
> >Worth every penny.
> >
> wow... needs some learning, so Dvorak probably better :-)

You used to be able to get these with Dvorak, not sure if that's
still the case.

I liked the keyboard, but using it for coding, Vim, etc. just wasn't
very easy. The F-keys are unusably small, and to use keys like
Insert/End/Home etc. always requires you to move your hands as
I found it not doable with just the thumbs.

Hth,

-- 
 .''`.   martin f. krafft  @martinkrafft
: :'  :  proud Debian developer
`. `'`   http://people.debian.org/~madduck
  `-  Debian - when you have better things to do than fixing systems
 
don't hate yourself in the morning -- sleep till noon.


digital_signature_gpg.asc
Description: Digital signature (see http://martin-krafft.net/gpg/sig-policy/999bbcc4/current)

Re: Good keyboard

[rlharris]

On Sat, February 13, 2016 2:39 pm, martin f krafft wrote:
> You used to be able to get these with Dvorak, not sure if that's
> still the case.

For the Dvorak layout, just select the appropriate xkb map
(APPLICATIONS->SETTINGS->KEYBOARD).

Several are available; I use and recommend the Classic Dvorak, in which
the numeric row is:

unshifted   [731902468]

shifted {&%#!()@$^*}

Russ

Re: Good keyboard

[Patrick Bartek]

On Sat, 13 Feb 2016, shawn wilson wrote:

> On Feb 11, 2016 1:21 PM, "David Christensen"
>  wrote:
> >
> 
> Thoughts?  Comments?
> >
> 
> I don't have one of those (but I think I'll buy one). Currently I
> swear by my ducky mini (obviously remap caps lock to escape - also, I
> use vim/vim mode so YMMV if you like arrowing around which means it
> also doesn't do well in bios or lilo/grub - has fn arrow but that's
> obviously a PITA). I also have a DasKeyboard but a few keys squeak so
> that's turned into a $100 brick. And I have a Lexmark model M but
> still prefer my ducky due to its size on my desk.

When my last keyboard started failing, I replaced it with a Kensington
Keyboard for Life (K64307A).  Been using it now for 6 years or so.
Maybe longer.  Can't remember exactly.  Still works fine.  Blow it out
weekly, and clean the exterior monthly using 90% isopropyl alcohol.
Just as solid as it was when I bought it. If it ever fails Kensington
replaces it for free. It cost me $15 US IIRC.

FWIW, I do a lot of typing for my business and personal use.  Am even
working on a couple of books. I'm a touch typist. So, I don't pound on
it like it's a manual typewriter, but it does get daily use for
several hours a day. Anyone who spends $100 these days on a keyboard has
got to be nuts whether they think it's worth or not. But it's your
money.

B

Re: Good keyboard

[shawn wilson]

On Feb 11, 2016 1:21 PM, "David Christensen" 
wrote:
>

Thoughts?  Comments?
>

I don't have one of those (but I think I'll buy one). Currently I swear by
my ducky mini (obviously remap caps lock to escape - also, I use vim/vim
mode so YMMV if you like arrowing around which means it also doesn't do
well in bios or lilo/grub - has fn arrow but that's obviously a PITA). I
also have a DasKeyboard but a few keys squeak so that's turned into a $100
brick. And I have a Lexmark model M but still prefer my ducky due to its
size on my desk.

Re: Good keyboard

[Martin Read]

On 11/02/16 18:21, David Christensen wrote:

Does anybody have the CODE 104-Key MX Brown, or something similar?
Thoughts?  Comments?


My Das Keyboard has Cherry MX Brown keyswitches. I find it quite 
pleasant to type on (I type pretty fast), and I can say that while it's 
not silent, it is certainly quieter than the IBM Model M I had on very 
extended loan from a friend.

Re: Good keyboard

[Jonathan Levine]

On 2/11/16, Martin Smith  wrote:
> On 11/02/2016 06:22, rlhar...@oplink.net wrote:

>> The essence of a keyboard is found in the keyswitch -- the plunger and
>> the contacts.
>>
>> A good plunger is not lubricated and does not bind even if the key is
>> struck at an angle.  Any external lubricant eventually wears through.
>>
>> Good contacts do not bounce.
>>
>> Good contacts do not fail because of oxidation or exposure to common
>> atmospheric contaminants such as moisture, ammonia, and oil vapour.
>>
>> Gold is not necessarily the best contact material for very low voltage
>> and
>> current, because oil vapour can form an insulating film (a polymer, if I
>> recall correctly) on gold.  I think that it was Honeywell which published
>> a report on this matter.  For a quality keyswitch, a wiping silver
>> contact may be a better choice.
>
> Rhodium may be better, but probably a lot more expensive, we used it a
> lot in difficult conditions
> at sea and in other dirty environments, even in the 70's it was about 3
> times the price of gold, but reckoned to last for years

The previous thread was a good one - I think I saved it.  I'm typing this on
one of my old clicky IBMs.  Love 'em to death.

Not all keyswitches use(d) electrical contacts.  My first keyboard, back
in the mid-70s, was a surplus item made by Microswitch that used
Hall-effect switches and I had to make my own encoder for.  Not tactile,
but reliable as the day is long, and no debouncing required.  Over the
years I also had a few Keytronics (including one in the Sol) that used
capacitive switches.  Again, not bouncy, but in the long run not reliable
either - as the foam pad between the plunger and the little dielectric pad
aged, the force it contacted the underlying PCB pads with dropped and
it stopped registering the keystrokes.  I've been meaning to look around
again and see if there are still any replacement pads out there for that
thing.

Jonathan

Re: Good keyboard

[Martin Smith]

On 11/02/2016 06:22, rlhar...@oplink.net wrote:

On Wed, February 10, 2016 11:00 pm, David Niklas wrote:

If I'm remembering rightly, a while back (months), there was a
discussion about keyboards. I noticed this one and wanted to know if it

https://www.crowdsupply.com/ugl/ultimate-hacking-keyboard

To add a bit of perspective, can you visualize what such ergonomic design
might do for the piano?

The essence of a keyboard is found in the keyswitch -- the plunger and the
contacts.

A good plunger is not lubricated and does not bind even if the key is
struck at an angle.  Any external lubricant eventually wears through.

Good contacts do not bounce.

Good contacts do not fail because of oxidation or exposure to common
atmospheric contaminants such as moisture, ammonia, and oil vapour.

Gold is not necessarily the best contact material for very low voltage and
current, because oil vapour can form an insulating film (a polymer, if I
recall correctly) on gold.  I think that it was Honeywell which published
a report on this matter.  For a quality keyswitch, a wiping silver contact
may be a better choice.
Rhodium may be better, but probably a lot more expensive, we used it a 
lot in difficult conditions
at sea and in other dirty environments, even in the 70's it was about 3 
times the price of gold,

but reckoned to last for years




Russ

Re: Good keyboard

[Glenn English]

> On Feb 11, 2016, at 11:21 AM, David Christensen  
> wrote:
> 
> Thoughts?  Comments?

Have you looked into a Cherry? They use Cherry switches (surprise). And they're 
quiet until the key hits the bottom, then they make the sound of a key hitting 
the bottom.

There were several models available when I bought mine, but I found one that 
was pretty "vanilla". UBS and (at the time) PS/2 -- they're on PS/2 to USB 
adapters now.

I don't know about key rollover, but I've never had a problem with that (it's 
quite possible that I just type too slowly :-).

They're on all my important machines now, and I love them dearly.

-- 
Glenn English

Re: Good keyboard

[David Christensen]

On 02/10/2016 09:00 PM, David Niklas wrote:

If I'm remembering rightly, a while back (months), there was a
discussion about keyboards.
I noticed this one and wanted to know if it looks good and is worth $220
(the average BK goes for $100, so you can imagine my surprise), I'm
uncertain.
I'm I know that this might be an opinion matter.

https://www.crowdsupply.com/ugl/ultimate-hacking-keyboard

I don't need a new KB now, but the discount that is being offered will not
last forever.


I've just about beat my Dell/ Alps OEM keyboard to death, and have been 
searching for a replacement.  The primary market for high-dollar 
keyboards seems to be gaming.  A secondary is heavy typing (secretary, 
programming).  My interest is the latter, but I do game occasionally.  I 
prefer to keep the noise down.  I like a number pad.  My keyboard, 
mouse, KVM, and older machines use PS/2 cabling and connectors.  I use 
PS/2 to USB adapters on newer machines.  Multi-key rollover through the 
KVM works if the host is PS/2, but fails if the host is USB.



The CODE keyboard looks appealing:

https://codekeyboards.com/


This page discusses the various Cherry key switch colors:


http://www.keyboardco.com/blog/index.php/2012/12/an-introduction-to-cherry-mx-mechanical-switches/


Does anybody have the CODE 104-Key MX Brown, or something similar? 
Thoughts?  Comments?



David

Good keyboard

[David Niklas]

Hello,
If I'm remembering rightly, a while back (months), there was a
discussion about keyboards.
I noticed this one and wanted to know if it looks good and is worth $220
(the average BK goes for $100, so you can imagine my surprise), I'm
uncertain.
I'm I know that this might be an opinion matter.

https://www.crowdsupply.com/ugl/ultimate-hacking-keyboard

I don't need a new KB now, but the discount that is being offered will not
last forever.

Thanks, David

Re: Good keyboard

[rlharris]

On Wed, February 10, 2016 11:00 pm, David Niklas wrote:
> If I'm remembering rightly, a while back (months), there was a
> discussion about keyboards. I noticed this one and wanted to know if it
>
> https://www.crowdsupply.com/ugl/ultimate-hacking-keyboard

To add a bit of perspective, can you visualize what such ergonomic design
might do for the piano?

The essence of a keyboard is found in the keyswitch -- the plunger and the
contacts.

A good plunger is not lubricated and does not bind even if the key is
struck at an angle.  Any external lubricant eventually wears through.

Good contacts do not bounce.

Good contacts do not fail because of oxidation or exposure to common
atmospheric contaminants such as moisture, ammonia, and oil vapour.

Gold is not necessarily the best contact material for very low voltage and
current, because oil vapour can form an insulating film (a polymer, if I
recall correctly) on gold.  I think that it was Honeywell which published
a report on this matter.  For a quality keyswitch, a wiping silver contact
may be a better choice.

Russ