German company GMK does MX 2shots

[mintberryminuscrunch]

Much more likely that they are moogle kits.
Can't image that they are willing to front tens of thousands of euros

Most of what I can see is single unit keys though.

You are right. And there is a = key visible. So likely a sample/prototype showing that they can do entire sets now..

[IvanIvanovich]

Not to worry. I don't really care what vendors are doing and still fully intend to try and organize group buys including multiple languages.

[zulios]

No, I am not surprised that ISO will be not included in a vendors selection. I am surprised that vendors now going for their own full keycap sets without having community involved. Never seen that before and think thats a bad development for everybody (not only for the ISO friends).

It is, but well that's business logic related. If they communicate about the price they pay people could complain about margins or just think they could go the GB route and pay less. Also, it means revealing to your growing number of concurrents what you are planning to invest in. They could take the short route and get them before you do, hence vampirising the demand.

What I'm more afraid of is that some resellers could keep a close look on the community but without actively participating in it. By doing so they could easily determine the most profitable GBs to keep covering most of the demand, preventing from doing more runs that could help getting non ANSI users what they need. This would force the community in producing new ideas constantly, and resellers would just need to pick them up and profit.

From an ethical point of view I prefer to see GBs run by members for members, but it's easy to say for me since I don't run them myself. I seriously think a good solution would be to create a keyboard dedicated non-profit organization with local antennas. I would love to participate in a french one, sadly I am lacking time to build that project up at the moment.

[dirge]

lysol thanks for keeping morale high for iso sets

zulios, if someone comes forward with a dolch set, I'd like to think people would boycott... however you know the temptation of getting something straight away or waiting would soon kill that off for most ansi users.

[zulios]

Honestly I don't see a valid reason for most users to go the GB route if a reseller can offer the same.

However, it would be easy to set up something that could make people change their mind. For example, organizing a random draw for a CC. One full set bought before the order is placed = 1 chance to win, thus people only aiming for leftovers are out and price reduction / MOQ is easier to reach. Total cost : $20, not a big deal among the number of participants in a GB. That's just a thought but something on that line would appeal to people and make a difference.

[BimboBB]

Its not only because of ISO layouts, there also a lot of other layouts out there (G80-1800, 7bit, profosist etc.) which requires special extra keys which you most probably wont get when keycaps are handled by business logic related vendors who of course just go straight for the core standard layout. So imho this vendor business will also limit the choices of any ANSI user. Just keep that in mind when celebrating any reseller.

Also great to read that lysol still keen for a community groupbuy. \o/ But i am still worry about the vendors, as every standard set they bring out will reduce the demand for participating in the community gb's. Having in mind the already high MOQ's of GMK that might be a problem.

I dont want/cant tell people how they should run their business. Just want to express my concerns in that matter.

[IvanIvanovich]

I have several problem with a certain vendor how they are going about things, but no need to really go into all that.
Sure vendor may please some people than use standard US layout, but for everyone else groupbuy will still make more sense even if you can't have instant gratification. It still remain to be seen if they will carry 1.5 mods, 1.75 shits, etc, etc that many people will need regardless of language issue.
300 set is not outside the possibility since I have already done it once, so no need to call doom. The biggest thing we need to do is find even more support outside of our tiny keyboard forums for French, Spanish, Italian, and so on to get there easier and insure they don't end up dropped. There are many other MX user that might never have considered aftermarket caps that we could draw in.

[mintberryminuscrunch]

With the vendors on these forums you pay more, and still don't get your stuff instantly, because they aren't pre produced /bought...
And it is less flexible because of the profit margins etc. . So definitely group buys are the way to go for me.

[zulios]

Lysol, BimboBB you are both right I didn't think about all these special layouts (although I'm using a tipro... ). Especially with the compact board trend and all the custom boards upcoming this is going to be a growing concern for people.

@Lysol : I agree we could do it if we can convince the masses on major local forums and regroup language kits. We'll see once we get there, great job so far

[asura]

1.75 shits

*'snigger

[mintberryminuscrunch]

A logical step might be to try to get retailers like keyboardco on board since they have access to a lot of eu customers that never even heard of double shots etc...

[IvanIvanovich]

Started IC for full sets at GH, will copy it over to DT eventually but feel free to cast your votes from there in the mean time.