"Your Fab Five" Keyboard Contest (Winner Announced)

[seebart]

I'm nominating these to head this off so they will be ineligible

• Star Trek VI Console
  Spoiler:

  

Yours wins for this alone, nothing beats classic 23rd century UI design.

If your going that way you need LCARS terminals from STNG:

lcarswp.gif (80.89 KiB) Viewed 5793 times

TNG_Walldisplay_Corridor3.png (55.94 KiB) Viewed 5793 times

2zfjpr9.jpg (41.64 KiB) Viewed 5793 times

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LCARS#PADD

[emdude]

Mmm, Okudagrams.. I love the in-jokes you can find on them..



Hmm...



I didn't know webwit served aboard the Enterprise...

More of those in-jokes here! http://www.ex-astris-scientia.org/incon ... -jokes.htm

[seebart]

I didn't know webwit served aboard the Enterprise...

Yes he's deep in the core. It's a deep duck core breach.

[Menuhin]

This thread is a delicious keyboard overflowing thread...
I can see that Favorite ⊄ Modern-usable/useful. Just like I can name a certain movie star be my favorite lover, doesn't mean I really know it will work well for me.

Here's my bet of five:

• Northgate Omnikey Ultra
• Symbolics Space cadet Keyboard
• Dolch PAC Keyboard
• IBM Model F Terminal Keyboard 1387033 'Unsaver'
• PFU Fujitsu HHKB Pro 2

Spoiler:

The Xerox 6085 DocuTech Keyboard with pine neon green Alps and the recent NOS Siemens Nixdorf Softkeys CT06-CT07/2 M are quite amazing too. And I discover quite a few amazing keyboards out there from within this thread, e.g. the NEC PC-9801-98-S02, Nixdorf CT11.

[fohat]

This is a difficult conceptual thought process for me. While I could easily pick the 5 favorite keyboards that I own, and the 5 most desired keyboards that I may or will acquire in the not-too-distant future, and 5 keyboards that may or may not exist which would be "near-perfect" (whatever that is), blending those 3 sets into one list is challenging.

Therefore, I will ignore the imaginary and/or non-existant choices and concentrate on the real world.

My favorite keyboard is my ANSI-modded, bolt-added, floss-modded, insulation-padded IBM Model F 122-key terminal keyboard with internal Soarer's Teensy and fixed USB cable.

The very close 2nd place is my newest white/orange-modded Northgate Omnikey 101 with orange springs and tactile leaves in otherwise "like-new" lubed white Alps bodies with stock case and keys.

2 keyboards that I hope/intend to acquire in the near future and which could/should catapult immediately to the top of the list are lot_lizard's M/F (full-sized with Windows keys) to be placed in a new industrial case and black badge from recent group buys here, and XMIT's new Hall Effect keyboard when it becomes available with light springs and tactile switches, which I will upgrade with top-shelf PBT caps.

The last slot is the most mundane - a full-size Realforce with uniform 55g springs and PBT caps. Why do I not own this already? Money. I know that it is a superb product in every way but I want a brand new one and I have simply never had the money together at one time to buy something that I don't really need.

[webwit]

Therefore, I will ignore the imaginary and/or non-existant choices.

The DataHand Spider prototype keyboard. The next gen design before they went bankrupt, according to a former employee. It may or may not exist.

[lot_lizard]

This is a difficult conceptual thought process for me. While I could easily pick the 5 favorite keyboards that I own, and the 5 most desired keyboards that I may or will acquire in the not-too-distant future, and 5 keyboards that may or may not exist which would be "near-perfect" (whatever that is), blending those 3 sets into one list is challenging.

You had perfectly good choices. It is just to an exercise to help us learn a little more about what each of us REALLY find desirable. Struggling to figure out how to answer shows you gave thought, and that is something we learned. I could pick my favorite board pretty easy, but as soon as I had 5, I noticed it painted a pretty good picture of who I was as keyboard junkie. The real vs. fictional bit is really just silliness (painting a picture of my opinion), but didn't want to limit what someone could come up with if it helps reveal your personality.


In the end... the voting will be different spin on what we typically do (because it can be). Hint, it won't be "vote for person X"...

[lot_lizard]

The DataHand Spider prototype keyboard. The next gen design before they went bankrupt, according to a former employee. It may or may not exist.

Were there ever renders or pics of this published?


I know you use the DataHands as part of your integrated chair setup (clever btw). I used the 2nd generation for several weeks (2 months?!?) as a dedicated board to teach myself in the 2000s. I got reasonable at in the end, but the part I struggled with were the special characters. My brain had trouble locating say the '%' symbol on the legends because of how they were presented. The legends were typically even color coded (should have helped me), but it still wasn't something I ever picked up when "looking down at the keys" the times I needed to. I really enjoyed for just basic typing though.

I still have the gen. II set (large palms), but they haven't been out in a while. It would be a fun one for a tour. I think almost everyone would say "no thanks" after using because they wouldn't have for long enough, but it is something if you learn is really quite fascinating. Really think it is was one of those things WAY ahead of its time.

[Muirium]

The Fabulous…

• HHKB Pro 2 Type-S with a Matt3o PBT spacebar on top. My perfect little daily.
• IBM 4704 62 key Kishsaver. The original gangster 60% Model F. Another superb main keyboard.
• Topre Realforce 87U. The 55g version I have is a wonder for tactility. Damped mods, Matt3o spacebar, but otherwise simply stock.
• IBM Model M SSK. Magnificent form factor, definitive layout, the only real upgrade I can think of is putting Model F innards inside…
• And one I don't already have? Symbolics!

Five is a hard number to squeeze my recommendations and dreams inside. But I went with practical boards instead of sky ponies, because I'm one of those weirdoes who still likes to type on everything he has instead of hoarding for hoarding's sake. I haven't progressed all the way to acceptance yet!

[webwit]

Were there ever renders or pics of this published?

I don't think so.

[Phenix]

Can you please post a pic of this DataHand setup?
Im really curious..

[webwit]

[Phenix]

nice, looks strange but at the same time comfy..

[webwit]

I got reasonable at in the end, but the part I struggled with were the special characters. My brain had trouble locating say the '%' symbol on the legends because of how they were presented. The legends were typically even color coded (should have helped me), but it still wasn't something I ever picked up when "looking down at the keys" the times I needed to.

I never used the legends, I found those too crowded, confusing, and it's not good practice to look down while I was learning to touch type it. So I stuck this print-out (with colemak layout) next to my monitor while I was learning it.

Spoiler:

datahand4.jpg (131.52 KiB) Viewed 5594 times

[Muirium]

Fascinating.

[emdude]

That DataHand setup is fascinating indeed. I can only imagine what it must look like in use..

[lot_lizard]

I can only imagine what it must look like in use..

You pretty much nailed it... I did discover with it that my hands don't operate as evenly as I expected. My ring finger on my off-hand was a bit of a limp noodle. With standard key strikes on a conventional keyboard, you have a longer more deliberate motion. With the DH, it became very obvious when you were "not balanced". At least that was my experience...


I did have the to clean them after several weeks of use as well. Not that I eat Cheetos at my desk, but the sensors are based on optics. One key was "flaky" (occasional misses) 4-5 weeks after use for me. A full cleaning corrected the issue. They actually come apart and go back together quite nicely. I really did enjoy my stint with them. You HAVE to dive in though to get over the hurdle. Webwit's chair is a much nicer setup than I had. I still used a conventional mouse

[lot_lizard]

Only a few days left until the "vote off"... if interested, be sure and submit your 5. Again, they can be repeats of various other combinations. They just can't be an exact match across all 5 for anything submitted previously. Also, you are more than welcome to edit previous submissions.

Note... you can submit less than 5 for a valid entry, but your chances of winning decrease

[emdude]

I only had the vaguest idea as to how they worked (one waves around their fingers??), having just seen photos of setups like webwit's, but I just watched a video of them in actual operation; wow, very neat concept indeed.

I understand now how being "unbalanced" with particular digits (like one's pinky fingers) might be an issue in using them proficiently. But the advert I watched says the keys require low actuation force, so I'm guessing at least pressing them would not be an issue..

Also, lateral motion with just the fingers feels very unnatural, but I don't think I am particularly dexterous..

[Darkshado]

Decisions decisions... In no particular order:

• An SSK with a current-gen, genuine three-button TrackPoint.
• An Alps board with quality, Canadian French layout keycaps. - I already have an AEK II with PBT dye-subs in Canadian Multilingual, but those aren't the legends I'm used to. Probably does not exist; unless Dell made an AT102 layout I'm unaware of.
• A COTS ISO TKL Alps-compatible board. KBParadise only makes an ANSI one, Matias has it's "Mini" which doesn't quite fit the bill.
• A 3D printed, custom split ergonomic board along the lines of the Dactyl and the KC80. Tactile switches, MX Clear or Matias Quiet Tactile.
• An ISO M15 might be fun, no evidence they ever made those, but clues point to the matrix supporting the layout.

[fohat]

They just can't be an exact match across all 5 for anything submitted previously.

Why do you prohibit multiple people making the same choices?

If there was a single prize, then the winner could be decided by coin toss.

[citrojohn]

This is a fascinating thread - I got so interested I forgot I hadn't posted mine yet! I've already had a couple of my entries almost displaced... think I might have to try out that M-system.
I'm a sucker for a special-purpose board - or for engineering in defiance of short-term considerations. Hence Topre, IBM and the stranger bits of Cherry's catalogue.

• Topre 200-key board. Proper Japanese legends, coloured keys against a beige case, JIS layout, and it's endearingly huge!
  Spoiler:

  
• IBM 5556-005. A glimpse of an alternate future in which switches were cheaper and input methods harder to program! Also huge... a pattern is emerging here.
  Spoiler:

  
• Cherry G80-3500. Another alternate-future board. If trackpads hadn't been invented we might all be using 3500-like "Mousethings" on our laptops... (OK, we'd actually be using trackballs, but humour me. )
  Spoiler:

  
• Maltron one-hand. So much I'd love to try - the curve, the layout, the thumb cluster. (Davkol's NEC nearly beat it.)
  Spoiler:

  
• RAFI Compudent. Lovely top-hat caps and RAFI-Siemens legends, shine-through lock keys, nice colour scheme (which only improves with yellowing), RAFI switches, and a special use.
  Spoiler:

  

[Menuhin]

The Topre 200-key board is a Godzilla-grade beast!
That IBM (though quite impractical for normal use) let me think that IBM could be not as boring in its old days.

The other three are rare, but similar keyboards are still out there, kind of elusive.

[citrojohn]

The Topre 200-key board is a Godzilla-grade beast!

And that is why you don't use ordinary keyboards around nuclear reactors... they have a habit of mutating. It was just an ordinary Realforce when it left the factory.
Actually, I just looked up Godzilla on Wikipedia:

Godzilla's signature weapon is its "atomic breath," a nuclear blast that it generates inside of its body and unleashes from its jaws in the form of a blue or red radioactive heat ray.

So now we know what the blue and red keys do.

That IBM (though quite impractical for normal use) let me think that IBM could be not as boring in its old days.

It's wonderful how the prospect of a gigantic market can stimulate creativity. Without a functional input method for Chinese something of this sort was necessary. The other 5556s are smaller ones for Japanese, predecessors to 002's desired 5576-003.

The other three are rare, but similar keyboards are still out there, kind of elusive.

In looking for a better photo of the Maltron I found out they can be hired... perhaps I should do it and write a review.

[seebart]

Lovely top-hat caps and RAFI-Siemens legends, shine-through lock keys, nice colour scheme (which only improves with yellowing), RAFI switches, and a special use.

Actually, that's quite true.

[citrojohn]

Lovely top-hat caps and RAFI-Siemens legends, shine-through lock keys, nice colour scheme (which only improves with yellowing), RAFI switches, and a special use.

Actually, that's quite true.

Damn... competition!!
Not that there's likely to be one available for the next decade or so. (The universe has a habit of proving me wrong this year, so I thought I'd encourage it again. )

[kbdfr]

I have not 5 preferred keyboards, but only one which I keep appreciating more and more every day
and which I know has not the slightest chance of winning this contest

[Phenix]

These are 3 boards joined together (tough 2 are the same). Add an numpad and 128key matrix and whatever you have..

-5 entries
-an even larger keyboard

(honestly, I really like the look)

[Halvar]

My list of ideal keyboards:

1) An IBM Model M SSK in good shape

ssk.JPG (249.94 KiB) Viewed 5379 times

2) IBM beamspring 3278A keyboard

3) Monterey K-108 keyboard

Monterey.jpg (78.29 KiB) Viewed 5379 times

4) Symbolics "Space Cadet" Hall effect keyboard

5) And just for the idea: the "Optimus Maximus" board with an OLED display in each key. I have no idea how this feels though, might be crappy rubberdome

[Menuhin]

I have not 5 preferred keyboards, but only one which I keep appreciating more and more every day
and which I know has not the slightest chance of winning this contest

Spoiler:

I know what you'll post, Mr. Tiproman.
Pretty cool actually, it can indeed be a setup for MIDI music enthusiast.

Spoiler:

By the way, are they USB model or PS/2 models?