My new keyboard

O'Borg · March 07, 2007, 05:01:35 AM

Found a link to The Steampunk Keyboard that would go very well with the Flash Gordon desklamp.
I already have a stock of spare IBM 102key keyboards, if only I had the metalworking tools and skills to go with it.

Blackleaf · March 07, 2007, 07:42:07 AM

I've been looking at this and giving it serious consideration. I don't want to cannibalize my Underwood typewriter though -- so I'd need to find another old typewriter first. Maybe this summer.

Hastur T. Fannon · March 07, 2007, 08:01:12 AM

It's beautiful and makes me want to do some sort of biopunk thing with my Natural keyboard (the curves make it half way there already)

My one criticism is that I'm not quite sure that the felt works for me

fonkaygarry · March 07, 2007, 08:48:53 AM

DO WANT

That is all.

J Arcane · March 07, 2007, 10:29:34 AM

AS pretty as that is, I feel confident in stating that using that thing would annoy the fucking shit out of me.

TonyLB · March 07, 2007, 10:42:09 AM

Yeah, y'know, typing on it might annoy the hell out of me too ... but I think I might be happy to deal with it, because that thing just looks so damn cool. I am a sucker for steam-punk, I'll tell you that.

O'Borg · March 07, 2007, 11:04:42 AM

As fas as the action goes, I've yet to find a better keyboard feel than the original IBM bucking spring like the steampunk keyboard was made from. I also like the IBM has a slightly wider key spacing than most keyboards which means I'm less likely to hit two keys at once.

Biggest problem with the old IBM keyboards is the noise - when you type fast it sounds like you're being strafed by an A10.

Monster Manuel · March 08, 2007, 10:29:23 AM

Quote from: Hastur T. FannonMy one criticism is that I'm not quite sure that the felt works for me

Same here. It's definitely very impressive, but would have been more so if it had gone further with the steampunk elements. Still, you can't deny the guy's skill.

Edit: Somewhat related, I was looking for typewriter sound effects a while back for use while writing. I wanted the bells, carriage returns and the clicking. I never found the sounds, but I think that kind of thing would go with a steampunk keyboard very well, maybe with steam engine sounds, as well.

Werekoala · March 08, 2007, 11:37:46 AM

Quote from: O'BorgBiggest problem with the old IBM keyboards is the noise - when you type fast it sounds like you're being strafed by an A10.

That's a feature, not a bug.

Oh, and they're good improvised bulletproof armor or melee weapons. Possibly both.

James J Skach · March 08, 2007, 11:42:03 AM

Quote from: O'BorgAs fas as the action goes, I've yet to find a better keyboard feel than the original IBM bucking spring like the steampunk keyboard was made from. I also like the IBM has a slightly wider key spacing than most keyboards which means I'm less likely to hit two keys at once.

Biggest problem with the old IBM keyboards is the noise - when you type fast it sounds like you're being strafed by an A10.

You know that's intended? It was designed like that to give the touch typist another chain of sensory feedback that a key was clicked - they knew the didn't miss a letter cause it clicked. If I'm not mistaken, this was due to the loss of the actual sounds of a typewriter as the letter hit the paper.

Can't remember where I read that....

EDIT: Damn you WK...Damn you to hell...

Bramha_Bull · March 18, 2007, 08:54:52 PM

Quote from: Hastur T. FannonMy one criticism is that I'm not quite sure that the felt works for me

That keyboard looks pretty cool, but I also have to agree with you guys on this. I wonder if they could have used a sheet of metal or something with hole machined into it for where the keys go through?