Thread: New keyboard does wonders

  1. #1
    Registered User VirtualAce's Avatar
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    New keyboard does wonders

    The fam and I went out tonight and I ended up getting a new keyboard. It feels so nice typing on it that it is motivating me to code just so I can use it. It's sort of like finding that one special pen that writes so smooth you just have to use it.

    You have to enjoy life's little victories.

  2. #2
    Lurking whiteflags's Avatar
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    Related -- I just moved from a roller ball mouse to an optical mouse some months ago. For $7. I wonder why I have not made this change earlier.

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    I know what you mean whiteflags....here at my school you could still find the old ball-mouse in some computer-rooms. Think they have changed it now though but man they were a hassle to use!

    I have the problem that i cant type fast on a normal keyboard any longer or well, im not used to it. Im used to a laptop kind of keyboard with lowprofile keys that you dont press down too much. When i try to type fast on a normal keyboard nowadays i just bump into the side of adjacent keys.

  4. #4
    (?<!re)tired Mario F.'s Avatar
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    My next big move is a cordless mouse.

    What keyboard Bubba? I got a Microsoft Digital Media Keyboard 3000 a couple of months ago. Black (like all microsoft keyboards) to hide the dirt. But the thing that annoyed me about it was that it now doesn't sound as soft and silent as before. Those keys that get used up more often are becoming loud and I could swear, not so soft either.

    I really want a silent and soft keyboard that STAYS a silent and soft keyboard.
    Originally Posted by brewbuck:
    Reimplementing a large system in another language to get a 25% performance boost is nonsense. It would be cheaper to just get a computer which is 25% faster.

  5. #5
    Registered User Sharke's Avatar
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    I know exactly what you mean about getting a new keyboard. For 2 years I've had one of those giant Microsoft ergonomic doobries and it was really starting to get me down firstly because of its size (I have a small desk) and second because it was a dust trap. Could never get it clean and it was making me feel repulsed from my computer area.

    So on impulse I bought one of those small Microsoft Arc keyboards, despite reading mixed reviews. It's about the size of a laptop keyboard with really nice laptop keys that make a nice gentle sound and have good travel. Most of the "extra" keys are accessible from other keys via the function button and the cursor keys are replaced by one mutidirectional key. I didn't lose all of the ergonomic benefits because the two halves are angled away from each other.

    It feels so nice to type on and my computer area is so clean and tidy now, I feel so much more motivated to work.

  6. #6
    spurious conceit MK27's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Mario F. View Post
    My next big move is a cordless mouse.
    These are great. The only problem I have is that the USB antennae (cordless optical MS wheel mouse*) is useless plugged into the back of my case on the floor, so I have to use an extension cable and hang it up somewhere with no serious obstructions in the way. However, this is still less hassle than an actual mouse cord. The battery runs out every month or so.

    One thing I'd recommend trying which I started to do recently is to work standing. None of the jobs I've had before this involved sitting all day, and I don't like it (it's also bad for you). So far this seems to be a really good idea -- I am more attentive and generally feel more lively and alert. Good for the knees and lower back.

    * with a happy face sticker obscuring the logo
    C programming resources:
    GNU C Function and Macro Index -- glibc reference manual
    The C Book -- nice online learner guide
    Current ISO draft standard
    CCAN -- new CPAN like open source library repository
    3 (different) GNU debugger tutorials: #1 -- #2 -- #3
    cpwiki -- our wiki on sourceforge

  7. #7
    Registered User VirtualAce's Avatar
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    Microsoft Digital Media Keyboard 3000
    Same exact one I bought.

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    I am still using a mechanical keyboard from decades ago (literally, with an AT connector. To use it with a laptop I'll have to use an AT->PS2 adapter and a PS2->USB adapter). The kind that is very responsive, and makes A LOT of noise. I believe they actually have springs below every key.

    I type about 10wpm faster on it than any other keyboard. It just feels so much better. Too bad they don't make this kind of keyboards anymore (high cost). I think I still have 2 more salvaged from ancient computers. This one has lasted ~20 years so far? I wouldn't be surprised if 3 can last my whole life. I may never have to switch to new keyboards.

    EDIT: pics (sorry I only have my phone with me). Still works even with all the dust.
    Last edited by cyberfish; 05-20-2010 at 12:25 AM.

  9. #9
    Master Apprentice phantomotap's Avatar
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    cyberfish:

    The epic "Model M" was one great keyboard. This one linked isn't as good, but if you like the clunky resistance of real springs you may want to check it out. My old one sounds almost just like an ancient typewriter I have. ^_^

    Mario F.:

    I've been using a "Kensington SlimBlade" for about a year. I have a pretty reasonable touch speed off it. A few of the keys started making a noticeable "clack" after a few months, but hasn't worsened since. It still sounds better to me than most anything I've used.

    Soma

    Customizer 101

    SlimBlade™ Media Notebook Set - K72279US - Kensington

  10. #10
    (?<!re)tired Mario F.'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Bubba View Post
    Same exact one I bought.
    Then I can surely understand why you are loving it. It's a great keyboard. But I'm afraid you will experience a degradation in quality sometime later. Especially of the spacebar key.

    As always (really, I've been doing this for years now. No joking), I "filled" a complaint to Microsoft. I do like their quiet touch technology (I actually think IBM owns that one). So I'm hoping for them to better it. Currently, it still degrades rapidly on the mostly used keys. Especially the always troublesome spacebar. Granted, I'm a not a gentle typist. I tend to hammer my keys. So, hopefully it will take you longer to experience this.

    Quote Originally Posted by phantomotap View Post
    I've been using a "Kensington SlimBlade" for about a year. I have a pretty reasonable touch speed off it. A few of the keys started making a noticeable "clack" after a few months, but hasn't worsened since. It still sounds better to me than most anything I've used.
    I moved this to my OneNote. Thanks. But I'm unsure...

    I do plan to go wireless on my mouse. But they keyboard, probably not... I really don't want to become battery dependant. I suspect it needs 2 batteries right? Two more for the mouse probably. That's way too much. 4 batteries that will not last me more than 1 month (although I'd expect keyboards to last longer, no?)
    Originally Posted by brewbuck:
    Reimplementing a large system in another language to get a 25% performance boost is nonsense. It would be cheaper to just get a computer which is 25% faster.

  11. #11
    Unregistered User Yarin's Avatar
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    cyberfish, what's the circuit you're working on there?

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    Guest Sebastiani's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by MK27 View Post
    One thing I'd recommend trying which I started to do recently is to work standing. None of the jobs I've had before this involved sitting all day, and I don't like it (it's also bad for you). So far this seems to be a really good idea -- I am more attentive and generally feel more lively and alert. Good for the knees and lower back.
    Heheh, I've been doing that for *years* (in fact, I am standing right now!), and I can't tell you how often I get heckled for that (much less so now, since I telecommute); a lot of folks seem to think that it's wacky, for some reason. But yeah, it's great for the back, burns more calories than sitting, and I have a theory that it also helps with digestion.

    Anyway, back to the topic, these days I use one of those flexible keyboards (same kind of soft silicon used in breast implants, I think) with "low-profile" keys. It makes very little noise, too, which is great for me because I hunt-and-peck (which can be quite noisy on normal keyboards).
    Code:
    #include <cmath>
    #include <complex>
    bool euler_flip(bool value)
    {
        return std::pow
        (
            std::complex<float>(std::exp(1.0)), 
            std::complex<float>(0, 1) 
            * std::complex<float>(std::atan(1.0)
            *(1 << (value + 2)))
        ).real() < 0;
    }

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    Quote Originally Posted by Yarin View Post
    cyberfish, what's the circuit you're working on there?
    My oscilloscope project . Microntroller + parallel ADC (hence the mess of wires) + mux.

    I've since switched to an FPGA, but that circuit is just too pretty to be taken apart.

  14. #14
    Guest Sebastiani's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by cyberfish View Post
    My oscilloscope project . Microntroller + parallel ADC (hence the mess of wires) + mux.

    I've since switched to an FPGA, but that circuit is just too pretty to be taken apart.
    Ha! Nice try - I know a flux capacitor when I see one...
    Code:
    #include <cmath>
    #include <complex>
    bool euler_flip(bool value)
    {
        return std::pow
        (
            std::complex<float>(std::exp(1.0)), 
            std::complex<float>(0, 1) 
            * std::complex<float>(std::atan(1.0)
            *(1 << (value + 2)))
        ).real() < 0;
    }

  15. #15
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    Flux-capacitor? What's that.

    Those electrolytic caps are for the inverter to generate negative voltage for amplifiers by charge pumping (charge the cap up, disconnect, and connect the other way).

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