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Blank Keyboards (Das)

maximharper.co.uk

21–30 of 37 posts

Re: Blank Keyboards (Das)

#21

Can anyone speak to the difference in key feel between using one of these and using one of the more traditional modern-day Model M clones (e.g. Unicomp/ http://pckeyboard.com )? I love the idea of getting a mechanical keyboard, but can't shake the feeling that the blank keys is just something of a gimmick.

Mainly I use the blank keys to intimidate people who shouldn't be touching my computer :)

Re: Blank Keyboards (Das)

#23
post #14
post #2

If you want to try this you can go the cheap way and just stick black stickers on your existing keyboard.

Or just stop looking at it. I've never understood this. Why does it need to be blank?

Forced touch-typing really is a useful learning mechanism. I have this experience, and I notice it seems to be true for most people: I know most common keys, but am not aware of the positions of less-common ones even if they are more important. I always look down, for example, when I type a backtick (`) - probably in part because it's in different places on the keyboards on my two laptops and on my own Happy Hacking II (which I love dearly.) "Stop looking at it" isn't as intuitive or simple as it sounds; in practice, I have a feeling pretty much all of us look at the keyboard sometimes, even if we don't realize it.

Re: Blank Keyboards (Das)

#24

Mechanical keyboards are amazing. Typing on one is actually a pleasurable experience. I could go on about the benefits but other people have written guides that are much better than what I could post here. Here is one great guide. http://www.overclock.net/t/491752/mechanical-keyboard-guide What I will say is that for anyone that has a job that involves massive amounts of typing I really recommend you invest in one. I…

Too bad about the gloss on the new Das. I have an older one (second-gen I think) and it has a matte finish. If I could somehow remove the logo and the Num/Caps/Scroll lock icons without messing up the matte finish I would :)

Re: Blank Keyboards (Das)

#25
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Or just stop looking at it. I've never understood this. Why does it need to be blank?

Because you may think you're not looking, but -- unless you're a trained touch-typist -- you actually are looking. Even if only occasionally noticing something in your peripheral field of vision. 'Looking' is not necessarily a conscious act.

I thought we were all trained touch-typists?

How on Earth would we work if we didn't? That'd be like having a workstation with 256MB of ram.

Again - I don't get it. If you look at the keyboard ever, you're Doing It Wrong.

If you don't look at the keyboard, then it doesn't matter if there are letters on it or not.

Buying hardware is not the solution to "I don't know how to touch type".

Re: Blank Keyboards (Das)

#27
post #7

I wish they made tenkeyless. I'm trying to buy a Leopold but stuck in that "Paypal can't ship to a country that isn't the one you live" problem (I want to use a forwarding service).

Check out Geekhack.org or Deskthority.net. You may be able to find a keyboard from a member that's in your country or someone willing to act as a forwarding service.

Re: Blank Keyboards (Das)

#28

Can anyone speak to the difference in key feel between using one of these and using one of the more traditional modern-day Model M clones (e.g. Unicomp/ http://pckeyboard.com )? I love the idea of getting a mechanical keyboard, but can't shake the feeling that the blank keys is just something of a gimmick.

Cherry MX Blue switches are similar in feel to the Model M style buckling spring switches but have I think a slightly shorter travel and require a little less force. Cherry MX Brown switches have a lighter touch and less of a click when the switch activates.

Probably you need to try them out for a while to decide which keys work best for you.

I used a Unicomp keyboard happily for a few years but am most comfortable with an MX Blue keyboard now.

Re: Blank Keyboards (Das)

#29

QUOTE : >"In 2005, in a personal quest to improve his own typing speed and accuracy, Metadot Corporation founder and self-proclaimed “Uber Geek” Daniel Guermeur asked to have a totally blank keyboard created. To his surprise, his typing speed doubled after just a few weeks of use." When reading the history of Das Keyboard I get the feeling that the founder (Daniel Guermeur) felt an increase in typing speed due to the…

When I was about 15, I painted over my key caps with a few coats of acrylic paint to create a blank keyboard, with the same idea - a forcing function to learn to touch-type. It especially prevents you from subconsciously looking down for the occasional key, e.g. the rarer symbol keys.

It didn't hurt that I was using Dvorak layout - the alphabetic keys would be misleading in any case. I chose Dvorak for similar reasons, so that looking would not give any benefit. (I type about 110wpm.)

Re: Blank Keyboards (Das)

#30
post #13

QUOTE : >"In 2005, in a personal quest to improve his own typing speed and accuracy, Metadot Corporation founder and self-proclaimed “Uber Geek” Daniel Guermeur asked to have a totally blank keyboard created. To his surprise, his typing speed doubled after just a few weeks of use." When reading the history of Das Keyboard I get the feeling that the founder (Daniel Guermeur) felt an increase in typing speed due to the…

The only reason I can think of is to confuse your coworkers. Maybe it's to force people to learn to touchtype by going cold turkey on the visual aid? As far I as I can tell it's just an overpriced gimmick.

I think the price is fairly standard for a mechanical keyboard... not that it is cheap.
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