[IC] Cherry MX LOCK switches

[Muirium]

MXLOCKs!

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Really looking forward to that fundraiser hitting:

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[Broadmonkey]

I'm down for five...maybe.

[scottc]

Oh wow, every time I spend a few hours away from the computer! Thank you to all the new people Will update list now.

Good idea, Muirium! I'll have to work that out.

[solarnz]

I'll take 10.

[GhostofHarry]

im interested too
please add me to the list

[Vierax]

I'm in but not a lot : something like 3 or 4 I guess.

[vsev]

I'll take 2 dozen.

[collector of junk]

I'll have about ten or so

[t!ng]

In order to increase the numbers please show a pic what people are buying.

[scottc]

In order to increase the numbers please show a pic what people are buying.

Good plan. I don't know specifics yet, so I'll grab a few pictures from the wiki.

[Muirium]

I'd put the picture at the top, if I were you (we are visually oriented people) with a description of what an MXLOCK is right above it:

Latching Cherry MX Lock key switch group buy.

http://deskthority.net/wiki/Cherry_MX_Lock

Want keys to stay down when pressed? Like your Caps to really Lock? Then this switch is for you. Cherry's one and only locking MX. It feels linear like an MX black, and features an LED recess like every other MX, but slightly off centre (see the picture). 7bit doesn't sell them because of the 4000 minimum order number, but together we can make it!

[scottc]

Sounds like a plan!

Thanks for all of the contributions and ideas. I still can't think of the "Killer App" to show these off. Any ideas?

[farinasa_]

I'm interested. I would be in for 10-20.

[t!ng]

What will you do with those switches? Any examples?

[Laser]

Hah, i thought of this just now - with these you can have an extra row of (latched) modifiers which you only need to set once (win, alt or ctrl, let's say) before pressing other normal key(s) - a, b, c ... and then you unset your modifiers. You "keep" the ctrl key pressed without actually doing it - basically you turn any modifier into a caps-lock-like functionality.

Other uses:
- latch a special key to generate an infinite string of random letters
- latch a key to generate "lorem ipsum" text
- extra, latched arrow keys could be great for any game in which you have to keep such an arrow pressed at all times
(e.g. in a vertical scrolling shoot'em up game)

But i suppose, with the right firmware, you can simply replace any key that has a "on/off" functionality (caps lock, numlock etc.) with such a key, which would have in this way a visible on/off lock position, instead of a led status. Compact keyboard, no leds, non-windowed keycaps needed.

[GhostofHarry]

Maybe it's because I didn't tell the amount I want and that's why I'm still not yet in the list?

I would get 10 or more depends if my friend wants them

[scottc]

Sorry GhostofHarry, I'm doing it manually and must've missed you!

[adhoc]

Any ideas?

Take coworkers mechanical keyboard home over night, resolder his switches to locks, put it on his table before he comes to work in the morning. Epic troll board.

[scottc]

Any ideas?

Take coworkers mechanical keyboard home over night, resolder his switches to locks, put it on his table before he comes to work in the morning. Epic troll board.

I suggested this on IRC weeks ago!

[Muirium]

I use one MXLOCK as a layer lock key on my homemade 60% already. Most trick! There's much to be said for a mode you can feel by its physical presence right on your keyboard. The latching Alps CAPS LOCK on my Apple Extended II is also a damn nice key, and one I need to learn how to similarly turn to my own purposes via Hasu's ADB converter.

As for using several on a larger MX board than my 60%: I could definitely see a purpose for say 3 in a row above the navigation block for layer control. They appeal to me in very much the same way as having layers for this and that.

[scottc]

That sounds like a good idea on a full-size - you could imagine a latching key with an LED for something like "gaming mode" where you have your Windows keys disabled etc.

[Muirium]

LEDs are indeed well matched with latching switches. Especially if they actually indicate different things just to confuse anyone besides the designer…

[Vierax]

As Muirium or Laser said, my goal is to create a layer lock (Fn Lock) because Tipro programming soft (ChangeMe.exe) doesn't provide this functionality, only "switch up/down to the next layer" which is enough for two layers but not much (you can program 4 with the software)
Another use I thought is an autofire in non subtle shoot'em up or dodge fight with infinite munition ammo (as the classic rapidfire laser/machinegun) but yeah it could be also useful in some games where you need to maintain a press to move forward and you have to travel during a long time (Dear Esther is a huge pain for that)
An MXLock under backspace can be useful too.

[Laser]

Another idea (i admit, 1bit crazy)

1. Implement in the keyboard controller firmware a basic 2-word order based markov-chain algorithm and feed it with everything the user types.
(reference: http://www.cs.bell-labs.com/cm/cs/pearls/sec153.html)

2. press the MX Lock "PSYCHO" key to have the computer spit out any amount of non-random text based on what you typed, using the above algorithm. You'll be literally surprised!

[fifted]

Love the psycho button; I might try implementing that (in software, with AHK) to try it out...

(Note to self: ask matt3o for new PSYCHO/BABBLE legend...)

[GhostofHarry]

Sorry GhostofHarry, I'm doing it manually and must've missed you!

It's ok
As long as you have seen it
thanks a lot!

[Grendel]

Interested in 10.

[imbattable]

I'd take 12.

[Muirium]

4000/25 = 160 switches each now. Keep on coming!

[Laser]

Love the psycho button; I might try implementing that (in software, with AHK) to try it out...

(Note to self: ask matt3o for new PSYCHO/BABBLE legend...)

Ha ha!
It would be even more interesting, if more than one person consistently types at the same keyboard ...