Unicomp website now in the early 2000s!!!

[7bit]

Unicomp got rid of their 1990s website and now uses a revolutionary 2000s webdesign!!!

---> http://pckeyboard.com/ <----

[Grond]

This is not really a new story. But I guess you can't put the words "new" and "unicomp" together in the same sentence!

[7bit]

At least the last time I've visited their website it looked like in 1995, or earlier.
Now it is like 2005, or earlier.

[glossywhite]

They sell keyboards, not sports cars. It doesn't even matter, because word of mouth means that they'll continue selling them, and the website is functional... at least it's not taking 30s to load, pulling in 100 different ad banners from external sites and loading pointless javascript code.

It looks like their products: Simple, robust and functional. Everything else is gilding the lily.




If you want to see a really crappy site, who, by self-admission, haven't updated their code since the 1990s, try:

http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/threads.php

They still use table-based layout

[Grond]

Yes, it looks like their products: from another decade.
Don't get me wrong, I think it's great that they keep producing their classic models. And they offer a certain amount of customization, and will sell you a full keycaps set for 20$. What other company does that? I wish they could keep doing this AND offer some newer models too, though. Think of a BS keyboard with optional tracktpoint in a Filco-like form factor, for example. Not to mention a tenkeyless version. Or hardware programmability. Or a wireless keyboard that doesn't look like this:

They could innovate without losing their legacy, but they don't really seem to try. They content with surviving. I think it's a shame.

[kbdfr]

If you want to see a really crappy site, who, by self-admission, haven't updated their code since the 1990s, try:

http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/threads.php

Not sure what is supposed to be "crappy" there. Simple, functional design, and It seems to work perfectly.

They still use table-based layout

I must admit I don't know what "table-based layout" is, and what's so about it.

But please allow me to quote the wikipedia article Seven deadly sins:
Pride [...] is considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins, and the source of the others. It is identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to acknowledge the good work of others [...]. Dante's definition was "love of self perverted to hatred and contempt for one's neighbour."

Oh... http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2071

[glossywhite]

If you want to see a really crappy site, who, by self-admission, haven't updated their code since the 1990s, try:

http://forums.thinkbroadband.com/threads.php

Not sure what is supposed to be "crappy" there. Simple, functional design, and It seems to work perfectly.

They still use table-based layout

I must admit I don't know what "table-based layout" is, and what's so about it.

But please allow me to quote the wikipedia article Seven deadly sins:
Pride [...] is considered the original and most serious of the seven deadly sins, and the source of the others. It is identified as a desire to be more important or attractive than others, failing to acknowledge the good work of others [...]. Dante's definition was "love of self perverted to hatred and contempt for one's neighbour."

Oh... http://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=2071

Yep, you got me on the pride one :p

Table-based layout? Google it.

[kbdfr]

[...] Table-based layout? Google it.

Why should I? You are the one who expresses contempt about it.

Instead, please explain why other methods/procedures/whatever are better, focusing your explanation on the site you name "crappy" because it uses it (remember, it works perfectly).

[Gilgam]

Table designing a website is using table formatting code to design the whole "mise en page" of a website.

It was the best way to design websites until some years ago, but has many flaws.
Table designing website is now a sin punished by the use of IE6 for one month

http://openweb.eu.org/ for your french side
or
http://www.alistapart.com/

[7bit]

I just wanted to poke a bit of fun out of Unicomp being behind the times, not starting the battleground of a flamewar about webdesign.

Their previous website just worked, but the new one works just bnetter and has got (by early 2000s standards) better product pictures.

But to be honest, we don't need their product pictures as we know alrady how their keyboards look from any angle, inside and outside.

[Charlie_Brown_MX]

They could innovate without losing their legacy, but they don't really seem to try. They content with surviving. I think it's a shame.

They *could* innovate, but each innovation carries with it a very real dollar cost which has to be recouped through sales. That’s far from guaranteed to happen, especially when dealing with such a niche, geek market. Geeks are simultaneously a great and a terrible customer base. They’re incredibly loyal, and appreciate quality and reliability, but they will also demand the world, and then flake out and refuse to buy the product you make to their specs because the meta key doesn’t have *exactly* the right Tux logo on it.

For a small company like Unicomp, that probably doesn’t have a lot of cash in the bank to soak up market failures, that’s a hell of a risk to take. Would you risk bankrupting yourself, and making all your employees redundant, to try and innovate?

[kbdfr]

Table designing a website is using table formatting code to design the whole "mise en page" of a website.

I know

But what is about it when a website which still does use it functions without any flaws?

Laughing about it is like pointing your finger at someone: "look, he still rides a bike and doesn't even have a car!" when he just doesn't need a car.
I can find nothing ridiculous about using "old" technologies where they are fully functional.

I just wanted to poke a bit of fun out of Unicomp being behind the times, not starting the battleground of a flamewar about webdesign.

Spaßverderber

[ripster]

Where's the Unicomp Mini Petition thread?

[Gilgam]

I just wanted to poke a bit of fun out of Unicomp being behind the times, not starting the battleground of a flamewar about webdesign.

Their previous website just worked, but the new one works just bnetter and has got (by early 2000s standards) better product pictures.

But to be honest, we don't need their product pictures as we know alrady how their keyboards look from any angle, inside and outside.

Honestly their websites suck.
You can design something nice and functionnal without eye-candy and flashy design.
If they want to sell more keyboards, they could have consider designing something a little bit nicer. Keyboards enthusiasts know their keyboards, and most love them.
But if i were a noob, such a website will make me flee...
What a pity because they are very nice to deal with.

[1391401]

Let's face it, their website isn't anything to write home about. Yes, it's functional and gets the job done, but for shoppers who aren't personally familiar with their products and have heard how great buckling springs are, it could act as a potential turn-off. Would it really be that difficult to come up with something a bit more professional and reflects their legacy of quality?

[glossywhite]

Wow, this is a site full of those quick to judge. It's a website, and it is how they like it. If you have issues with it, contact them, and suggest a makeover plan.

I am sure they're well aware it could be "better". Maybe they like it like this? Who's to dictate, in the same vein as who's to say that my rather rash criticism of thinkbroadband forums design was fair or really that important?

It's time to let go. They like it obviously, so move on and be content that it's not your site, and were it, you'd do a "better" job.

[Trent]

Why purchase an imitator when you can buy the original “Model M”. We have produced the buckling spring “Click” keyboard for IBM and thousands of discriminating users worldwide for 15 years….

discriminating users

>>this forum
>> + geekhack
Ouch

[1391401]

Wow, this is a site full of those quick to judge. It's a website, and it is how they like it. If you have issues with it, contact them, and suggest a makeover plan.

If I thought they'd listen and let me, I'd offer my assistance with the redesign myself.

I am sure they're well aware it could be "better". Maybe they like it like this?

And maybe some companies simply don't put much emphasis or importance on creating a website that's comparable with the quality associated with other companies in their field? Some companies simply don't have a firm grasp of effective marketing, regardless whether their product is lightening in a bottle.

Who's to dictate

The market.

They like it obviously, so move on and be content that it's not your site, and were it, you'd do a "better" job.

I don't know whether they like it or not. Perhaps that's the best they could come up with. However, Unicomp has been struggling in recent years, and I can't speak for anyone else but my criticisms come from a place of concern (for their survival as a company) rather than criticism for its own sake.

[Charlie_Brown_MX]

If I thought they'd listen and let me, I'd offer my assistance with the redesign myself.

“If I thought they’d listen…” That’s a great Get Out of Jail Free card. If you are genuinely interested in helping them redesign it, there’s nothing to stop you from putting together a single-page prototype and then sending it to them. All you’d lose is some time, and, even if they reject it, you could always use any resulting work in your portfolio.

In short: put up, or shut up.

[1391401]

If I thought they'd listen and let me, I'd offer my assistance with the redesign myself.

“If I thought they’d listen…” That’s a great Get Out of Jail Free card. If you are genuinely interested in helping them redesign it, there’s nothing to stop you from putting together a single-page prototype and then sending it to them. All you’d lose is some time, and, even if they reject it, you could always use any resulting work in your portfolio.

In short: put up, or shut up.

Applying your logic in a wider circle, I'd probably be out of a day job, that is since you apparently think I should sit around all day building unsolicited prototypes for companies that I feel could use a helping hand in the marketing department yet exhibit no general indication of interest.

[Grond]

I think that a person who's not familiar whit their products may get confused with the way they're presented on their website. This is also because of the products names. One would assume that Ultra Classic, Endura Pro and Space Saver M are completely different and unrelated keyboards, right? Instead it's the same one with different options: windows keycaps, mac keycaps, trackpoint. Of course if you read the description it becomes clear, but it may be confusing at a first glance.

[Charlie_Brown_MX]

Applying your logic in a wider circle, I'd probably be out of a day job, that is since you apparently think I should sit around all day building unsolicited prototypes for companies that I feel could use a helping hand in the marketing department yet exhibit no general indication of interest.

We’re not talking about a wider circle here: we’re talking specifically about Unicomp. Nowhere in my post did I suggest you should “sit around all day building unsolicited prototypes”. I suggested you build *one* unsolicited prototype, for *one* company, *one* time. That is not the same thing.

If you were genuinely concerned about Unicomp’s continued survival, and felt you had the skills to help them, you’d spend a few — ten, at most? — hours putting together a simple prototype and offering it to them. They seem like a friendly, decent company, and I imagine they would reward you somehow if they thought your help had been valulable. Offering them a prototype for consideration is not the same as implementing a top-to-bottom redesign pro bono.

[1391401]

We’re not talking about a wider circle here: we’re talking specifically about Unicomp. Nowhere in my post did I suggest you should “sit around all day building unsolicited prototypes”. I suggested you build *one* unsolicited prototype, for *one* company, *one* time. That is not the same thing.

Firstly, it's about being consistent, and if you're consistent then why should your logic apply solely to Unicomp? What makes Unicomp any different than any other company I care about? If I were going to start building prototypes for one company, I may as well do it for all of them, that is if I wanted to be consistent. Why limit it just to companies, though?

Musically speaking, I also care about a lot of older bands that have struggled to sell albums in recent years, but being involved in audio and music production, I suppose I could work up some songs that I think might sell records for them, too. If I had some reason to believe that some of those bands would listen, I might give it a shot, but I'm not about to start donating my time on a whim. If that's your logic then whatever works for you.

If you were genuinely concerned about Unicomp’s continued survival, and felt you had the skills to help them, you’d spend a few — ten, at most? — hours putting together a simple prototype and offering it to them.

In other words, donate my time on a whim. If a company whose survival I care about actually demonstrated some outward signs of external interest (looking for web designer, web assistance needed) I might enquire. Otherwise your logic is impractical, albeit you're entitled to it.

[7bit]

Unicomp has got exactly 2 kinds of customers:
-Industrial businesses which need special purpose keyboards
-Us

Guess for whom they did the website...

It is fully sufficient for everybody who will ever buy their products.

[itlnstln]

Unicomp has got exactly 2 kinds of customers:
-Industrial businesses which need special purpose keyboards
-Us

Guess for whom they did the website...

It is fully sufficient for everybody who will ever buy their products.

/Thread

[1391401]

Unicomp has got exactly 2 kinds of customers:
-Industrial businesses which need special purpose keyboards
-Us

Guess for whom they did the website...

It is fully sufficient for everybody who will ever buy their products.

In NPR's report on Unicomp, Martin Kaste stated:

"[...] like other American manufacturers, Unicomp has retreated to niche markets. It makes customized keyboards for banks, hospitals, even tire shops. But in the last few months those big customers have stopped buying."

And

"Since the start of the year (Neil) Muyskens (founder of Unicomp) has laid off a third of his workforce and things look grim. Still, he's got the pocket protector optimism of an old school IBMer. He says he wants to engineer his way out of this by selling more customized keyboards to individuals, say the gamers who want their flame thrower keys positioned just so."

[glossywhite]

Unicomp has got exactly 2 kinds of customers:
-Industrial businesses which need special purpose keyboards
-Us

Guess for whom they did the website...

It is fully sufficient for everybody who will ever buy their products.

It's more than enough for industry, I agree.

If you can do a better keyboard and a better site to match, let's see it...

[7bit]

/Thread

/Thread
/Thread
/Thread!!!!

[Ascaii]

Unicomp has got exactly 2 kinds of customers:
-Industrial businesses which need special purpose keyboards
-Us

Guess for whom they did the website...

It is fully sufficient for everybody who will ever buy their products.

In NPR's report on Unicomp, Martin Kaste stated:

"[...] like other American manufacturers, Unicomp has retreated to niche markets. It makes customized keyboards for banks, hospitals, even tire shops. But in the last few months those big customers have stopped buying."

And

"Since the start of the year (Neil) Muyskens (founder of Unicomp) has laid off a third of his workforce and things look grim. Still, he's got the pocket protector optimism of an old school IBMer. He says he wants to engineer his way out of this by selling more customized keyboards to individuals, say the gamers who want their flame thrower keys positioned just so."

Actually...xnay on the /thread, this is serious business folks!
Another reminder for everyone to sign on for the Unicomp SSK...we don't want these guys going belly-up!

[Ascaii]

What exactly is the point of your apology if you continue spamming in random threads like this. Your posts give NOTHING to the community.

On another note: 16.25 posts per day? You are posting more then the top 5 contributors on this entire forum do in a single day, with the exception that your posts lack content. Stop spamming. We introduced the report button for people like you^^.