deskthority

Hello chaps,
Greetings from my new abode, Halle (Saale)

The helpful IT department here want to buy me a new mechanical KB. SO... what should I get? I can't think of anything I really want, that I do not already own.

I have already told them I have my own RF 87u waiting but they think its best they purchase one.
I use the IBM SSK on my home iMac, and a PFU HHKBPro2BT as my travel board.

I have a FILCO with Cherry MX Browns (my wife's old board) but I think I may sell this now...

My ideal would be something TKL, with heavy keys.

Yours,
SY

PS. What a nice problem to have on a Monday afternoon.

I want to have an IT department like yours, damn.

You did not give any price boundary, so I recommend you to get a Model F.

If they are going for it, get a new production Kishsaver F... yeah.

pixelheresy wrote: If they are going for it, get a new production Kishsaver F... yeah.

I second this as well, but you would have to wait several months. If the F spring are too light for you I suppose you could use springs from a Model M.

Link?

I would love for the IT directors in my area to decide that all of their folks needed MKs. I can see a mass order from Unicomp for USB Model M 103s. Would be glorious.

pixelheresy wrote: If they are going for it, get a new production Kishsaver F... yeah.

That's what I was referring to, I omitted to specify exactly what I was talking about (todo: cut the gin). Thanks for the exact pointer. (Y)

0100010 wrote: I would love for the IT directors in my area to decide that all of their folks needed MKs. I can see a mass order from Unicomp for USB Model M 103s. Would be glorious.

Meanwhile, around here, we are all expected to bring our own mouse and keyboard. "Hey, your laptop has an integrated keeb and a touch pad!". And whatever keyboards we may bring MUST be silent (this is an "open office plan", after all).

depletedvespene wrote:

0100010 wrote: I would love for the IT directors in my area to decide that all of their folks needed MKs. I can see a mass order from Unicomp for USB Model M 103s. Would be glorious.

Meanwhile, around here, we are all expected to bring our own mouse and keyboard. "Hey, your laptop has an integrated keeb and a touch pad!". And whatever keyboards we may bring MUST be silent (this is an "open office plan", after all).

If my office imposes that restriction I swear I will bring in a beamspring that dings a bell every time I type

You're tempting me to get a Matias Silent and adding (subreptitiously) a solenoid to it. Then activating it... every now and then... randomly, to make everyone go nuts.

I'd get fired, surely, and would not be able to complain about it.

depletedvespene wrote: Meanwhile, around here, we are all expected to bring our own mouse and keyboard. "Hey, your laptop has an integrated keeb and a touch pad!". And whatever keyboards we may bring MUST be silent (this is an "open office plan", after all).

I work in an open plan, but slightly differently. They have some very standard but ok Logitech wired mice available and droves of flat aluminium Apple keyboards for anyone, but if people want to bring their own, they are free to, so long as the team is cool with it.

Most dev teams have headphones on most of the day, so generally speaking, it isn't a big deal. One team is kind of getting into mech boards (I think I may have contributed to that) and they basically are all sporting Blue switches.

1. IMO, a Model F remake isn't worth getting excited over unless it is using the earlier capacitive buckling spring mechanism. Otherwise it's just a crappy Model M with a different layout.

2. If your coworkers don't have any problem with the noise a buckling spring keyboard makes, then you should feel free to use one at work regardless of the official company policy.

3. OTOH, if your coworkers are bothered by the noise a buckling spring keyboard makes, then you should keep it at home even if the official company policy does not prohibit noisy keyboards.

4. Just have your IT department buy you a RealForce 87U and be done with it.

zslane wrote: 1. IMO, a Model F remake isn't worth getting excited over unless it is using the earlier capacitive buckling spring mechanism. Otherwise it's just a crappy Model M with a different layout.

It is... that's what is exciting. It is basically a true-blue F, in terms of how the barrels/flippers work with a capacitive PCB (and even uses xwhatsit's board as the controller, so it is fully programmable and can be calibrated). Certain clips are metal rather than plastic, etc. Basically they took on the task of making a new production F that would fit the bill for people who would like/buy a Model F and cherish it. I think this is a good strategy, since if you are going to make a 300-400$ keyboard, you want it to last forever and have all the features vintage keyboard hobbyists would want.

zslane wrote: 4. Just have your IT department buy you a RealForce 87U and be done with it.

*IF* you like Topre.

Well, the OP has a Topre at home, so presumably he likes them.

pixelheresy wrote: It is... that's what is exciting. It is basically a true-blue F, in terms of how the barrels/flippers work with a capacitive PCB (and even uses xwhatsit's board as the controller, so it is fully programmable and can be calibrated).

Not as exciting as resurrecting beam spring switches, but okay, at least these buckling spring switches aren't the abominably cheap Model M variety. Pity these are only available in a "saver" model, and not an F122...

Check if Orihalcyon (sp?) still has any original 4704 F107s available.

0100010 wrote: Check if Orihalcyon (sp?) still has any original 4704 F107s available.

Here is one for sale.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Genuine-IBM-Mod ... SwrzdZnuNU

Beamsprings are definitely cool, but I couldn't imagine typing on that tall of a keyboard all day I personally love buckling springs (and heavier switches), so the new Kishsaver is on the "justify buying this to my wife" list.

The Topre crack was just that... a joke. Not my cup of tea, but they are very smooth and nice. I would take it in a heartbeat over basically any other rubber dome and mechanical switches I dislike, like Cherry MX Red or Brown, Cherry ML, etc.

pixelheresy wrote: Beamsprings are definitely cool, but I couldn't imagine typing on that tall of a keyboard all day

You make a good point.

If someone ever does revive beam spring switches (it could happen...who would ever have thought Hall Effect switches would go back into production in this day and age?), we'll just need to invest in fat wrist rests and desktops with recessed wells for the keyboard.

Since you apparently like Topre, and said "My ideal would be something TKL, with heavy keys," I suggest a RF TKL 55g edition.

Thanks chaps. Anyone know of a Realforce dealer shipping to Germany?


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http://www.keyboardco.com/ is shipping to Germany.

teck22 wrote:http://www.keyboardco.com/ is shipping to Germany.

Thx


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Techno Trousers wrote: Since you apparently like Topre, and said "My ideal would be something TKL, with heavy keys," I suggest a RF TKL 55g edition.

Holy shit! 55g is heavy? I guess you have to go as heavy as you can...

55g is nice. I don’t think Topre key switches come in a heavier weight.

So what was the verdict? Did you order something?

Topre 55g uniform. TKL.

Sorry, I made a typo. I opted for the Topre YK2100. It’s a 45g switch but the hipro caps are lovely. Something I’ve wanted for a long time. The full size is annoying as I’m a TKL man but oh well.


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How does the Y2K100 differ from an ordinary 104UG Hi-Pro?