Alps Appreciation

[Muirium]

alt + esc or alt + ~ .

Really, are there people who use "]"?

Ah cool thanks, yeah sure I use "]" all the time.

What for?

Command + square brackets is back/forward in history in any good Mac app, so I use them very frequently indeed for that, too.

[Blaise170]

Oh cool I had one of those I salvaged for switches. Mine had yellow alps. I think I pointed this out in the great finds thread.

How much did you pay for it?

$71.

alt + esc or alt + ~ .

Really, are there people who use "]"?

I'm using them right this second.

[Chyros]

I see... That's good to know actually because I thought that they were pretty much useless other than for inventory left/right in Heretic xD .

[scottc]

alt + esc or alt + ~ .

Really, are there people who use "]"?

Ah cool thanks, yeah sure I use "]" all the time.

What for?

Programming! Every day. Several times a day. Several times a minute sometimes.

[pr0ximity]

I'm using them right this second.

Nice! I did a project on Delaunay triangulation when I was in school, lots of fun to see those algorithms run.

Been using my Zenith with SKCL Greens at work lately, interestingly the closing bracket key is larger than the opening bracket. I wouldn't think it would make a difference but for some reason it feels more natural. Maybe something about finishing a thought with a closing bracket and giving that bigger key a good thwack.

Slightly fewer curly braces in python though

[ReleaseCandidate]

I see... That's good to know actually because I thought that they were pretty much useless other than for inventory left/right in Heretic

They (and braces) are the only reasons to use ANSI layout at all.

[amospalla]

I moved several years ago to english keyboard layout for these reasons, Spanish ISO is pure shit when you are doing IT tasks.

[Blaise170]

That Microterm I bought ended up being an amazing keyboard:

[*] New old stock
[*] Alps SKCL Green
[*] Alps SKCL Cream
[*] Dyesub(?) PBT keycaps
[*] PBT Alps-mount Blanks

[Redmaus]

That Microterm I bought ended up being an amazing keyboard:
[*] Alps SKCL Green

I swear I never get green!

Yellow mellow over here!

Can't see the pic though, imgur blocked at my school

[Blaise170]

I swear I never get green!

Yellow mellow over here!

Can't see the pic though, imgur blocked at my school

I've never had Greens before either! By the way, I hosted the image at my old website (from like 10 years ago), so you should be able to see it now.

[Redmaus]

Yeah I can see it now ty

The caps look quite nice. I am glad that you got more than you paid for! Caps look quite nice. Got a bunch of blanks now

[Blaise170]

How can one tell the difference between lasered and dyesub caps anyways? I know they are definitely PBT or POM based on the texture, but don't know what printing method.

[Redmaus]

You should be able to feel lasered somewhat.

[scottc]

It being dyesub should be obvious if you look very closely. Dyesubs will be ever so slightly blurry.

...or very blurry, if they're Unicomps.

[Blaise170]

All of the keysets that I have that I think are dyesub are very light and not dark like doubleshots are. Is that what you mean by blurry?

[Muirium]

No. He means blurry as in blur. They have a softer edge too.

Some dyesubs are DARK and handsome. Seen the caps on an XT? So much more ink than Model Ms.

[Blaise170]

Huh I still can't tell. Of course I don't have anything to compare my keysets to.

[seebart]

Here you go:

Here are the main keycap legend types in macro (my favorite macro is the laser etched SIIG cap):

Worn pad print, Acer 6011:

Spoiler:

Thick pad print, DSI DCK-101B:

Spoiler:

Dyesub, IBM F XT:

Spoiler:

Doubleshot, NEC APC H-412:

Spoiler:

Laser etched, SIIG KB1937:

Spoiler:

[Blaise170]

Haha yeah I know about those but I don't have a microscope or whatever.

[seebart]

Haha yeah I know about those but I don't have a microscope or whatever.

You need a microscope? Just compare your caps to these shots. In good (day)light you should be able to tell with your eyes.

[Hypersphere]

@seebart/ohaimark: Thanks for the intriguing and informative images! Each line in the laser-etched one resembles some sort of biological or nano-fabricated structure. Interesting.

[seebart]

I had nothing to do with it, it's all ohaimark's work. Fine pictures too!

[XMIT]

EXIF data tells me that ohaimark has access to a Sony Alpha a6000 Mirrorless (and who knows what lens). Maybe weigh in the photography gear thread?

[Muirium]

EXIF includes the lens model. On Canon, at least…

[Blaise170]

Speaking of lasered keys... I got an my Avid KB654 today and it has laser etched keys! I can't say I'm a fan though, it feels like typing on sandpaper. I don't think I can give up the "Takebar" though!

[Redmaus]

Holy mother of blur

[seebart]

Holy mother of blur

Yeah really, it's more of a fast paced action shot.

[Blaise170]

Haha my phone doesn't focus in very well at that close of distances.

[ohaimark]

Holy mother of blur

Yeah really, it's more of a fast paced action shot.

No fingers = no action.

[Muirium]

Haha my phone doesn't focus in very well at that close of distances.

Photography protip: look at your pictures after shooting them.