New Keyboard and still on Solus

Been sticking with Solus operating system (linux).  The version is up to 3.99, alllllmooostt 4!  It should be incremental and likely not very noticeable.  I believe snap will be a bigger part of the store and open additional possibilities to grab software from other repos.

The only other thing regarding Solus is that they do plan on shifting their UI code base from GTK+ to Qt+ at some point.  I believe the work has already begun.

Keyboard... I love mechanical keyboards!  I have been using an alps-like switch keyboard from Matias for awhile now.  The only problem is you cannot find backlit keys for these switches...  and my room is always so dark it is impossible to see the keys.  I can generally type without looking but sometimes I get shifted and then have a hard time resetting.  With a backlit keyboard that takes a half second and I am back on track.

So... I decided to purchase another Pok3r.  Normally I purchase mechanicals that have the Cherry Brown keys, but this time I decided to try something different.  I have heard a lot of good things about the Cherry RED keys that I went with that.

So far so good.  They  are quieter than the browns, and are linear (smooth stroke from start to finish, no catch to indicate activation).  They have about the same spring rating so the keys to have a bit of firmness to them which I like.  I am often a bottom out typist, even with the browns or alps, but there doesn't seem to be a lot of difference to me in how it has affected my typing speed (which was always abysmal anyway).

I purchased the Pok3r LE which is like the normal Pok3r but MUCH heavier and more solidly built.  Honestly I could use it as a deadly weapon it is so stiff and heavy.  The more robust packaging does cost a little extra.  Most people would probably be better off with a regular Pok3r... The LE also comes with PBT keycaps as opposed to ABS.

I don't know if most people care about the keycaps...  PBT is stiffer and heavier than ABS.  PBT also retains more color over time and does not wear as quickly.  Over time you might notice your ABS keycaps develop a shine (from your fingers smacking/rubbing them constantly).  Because PBT is heavier, it has a slightly deeper tone to it as you type (especially when you bottom out).

I BELIEVE the keycaps are also double shot and PBT for the Pok3r, which also adds to the cost.

Either way, so far it FEELS like it is worth the money and it is barely the tiniest bit louder than my matias quiet click keyboard it is replacing, and it feels pretty good to type on.

Tactile switches (like the Matias alps or Cherry browns) are generally better for typing, while linear switches are generally better for gaming.  Tactile switches often come with a sound indicator... they are called "clicky".  Cherry makes another type of switch called the Cherry Blue which is tactile AND noisy (on purpose).  This click is an audible version of the tactile part of the key press.  Many pure typists like that.

So now, at home, I am using my Cherry Red keys and at work my Cherry Browns.  In storage I have a Cherry Blue and a Matias Alp/quiet keyboard.  I like both of them, especially the Matias, and while the Cherry Blue keyboard has backlighting, the clicky sounds actually drive me a little bonkers.

That's it for now!

Matias Mini Quiet Pro Keyboard

My keyboard arrived the day before Christmas.  It is pretty much the size I expected it to be, a little larger than both my old [broken] HHKB2 Pro and my KB Pure mechanical keyboards, but certainly smaller than a full-size keyboard.  My biggest issue with the size is that if I want to properly position my hands for typing I need to shift over or lose space for my mouse.   This is not an indictment against the keyboard, it's a problem with my own space.

So far I love this keyboard.  It is as quiet as advertised... very quiet for a mechanical keyboard!  Sounds just like the recording on the Matias website.  I've owned Cherry, Topre and Alps keyswitch keyboards and I can safely say that the Topre and Alps are by far preferred (by me) over the Cherry mechanics.  They just feel more natural and the stroke seems smoother.

This particular keyboard DOES have a shorter stroke than the TactilePro and the HHKB2.  I notice it but it isn't terrible or anything like that.  The feedback / pressure is firm but not tiring.  The keys themselves are well arranged and nicely shaped to prevent slippage.  The fact that it is not a compact keyboard means that there are a few more unique keys (that do not require the FN button, and have a typical placement as in a 103-104 key arrangement).  I have used the compact keyboards for years now and it is taking me some time to get used to the location of the ESC, and ~ keys.  I also like having actual arrow keys and the PG UP and PG DN keys... they are more useful than I realized.  But over time I'll get it down.

One thing I miss from my KB Pure is the backlighting... but again it shouldn't be necessary if I allow my hands to remember key positions ... I just have to be sure to start at the F-J keys.

The keyboard construction is SOLID.  It has a heavy feel to it and the shiny black case is strong and probably DOES attract fingerprints... but I work out of a dark closet so it really doesn't weigh heavily on my mind.

It is a wired USB keyboard.  That might bother some people but I believe Matias has other keyboards that are wireless, I like having them wired, it is fine for me.

There isn't much more to say.  If you have tried a TactilePro at an Apple store, or have owned one of the previous incarnations of Matias keyboards I think you will be pleased.  While there is a slight difference in stroke length for the "quiet" aspect of the keyboard, it isn't a painful reduction in stroke, and the fact that the keyboard is virtually silent (compared to other mechanical keyboards).  If you are a bottom-out typer (as I really am myself) the shorter stroke WILL be noticeable, so take that into consideration.  Also, and this really may be all in my head because I don't have any tools to measure it but, they keys seem a little firmer than my TactilePro 2.0.   Again, that is probably just a perception, perhaps because of the shorter stroke?  But it feels like you need to apply an ever so slightly firmer strike.

Well anyway, there you have it.  I am please with my purchase.  They Alps-like switches are smoother and feel more natural to me (whatever that means) and the bonus is this board is quiet.  The laser etched keys won't wear.  Also, if it is still made with the same quality as my (still working) TactilePro 2.0, it will last for many years.

Vortex KBT Pure

My new keyboard arrived today!  Kudos to Tiger Imports for getting it to me in a timely fashion.

Aesthetically speaking the keyboard is rather plain.  It's black and the key lettering is difficult to see in low light without the back lights being active.  Since I don't spend a lot of time staring at my keyboard I don't really care how it looks, it is fine for me.  Black is sleek.

Size-wise, it is comparable to my HHKB Pro 2.  A typical 60% keyboard.  It leaves me plenty of room for my mouse even in my tight work space.

I took it out of the box and noticed there were absolutely no instructions with the keyboard, but Google was my friend and I quickly figured out how to activate the lighting using Fn+B... once back lit, you can immediately recognize most of the other available functions (light adjustment, special keys, etc.)  The keyboard worked immediately with Windows 8, no drivers, nothing required... just plugged it into a USB port and away I typed.

As far as back lighting goes, I have mine at the second dimmest setting... the brightest setting is REALLY bright.  I cannot see myself ever using it.  There are other lighting options as well, for example if you are gaming and want to focus on your WASD keys, there is a setting to only illuminate those keys.  The CAPS LOCK key has an additional LED that lights when you lock your caps.

Noise was a concern as I had heard that Cherry keys were noisy.  I bought the extra o-ring silencers but have not put them on yet because the keyboard is not as noisy as I expected it to be and pulling off key caps scares me.  It's quieter than my old Matias mechanical keyboard.  Perhaps a tad louder than my HHKB Pro, but that is to be expected since they already have a rubber stopper in the domes that cover the mechanics.  There IS an additional click noise in these keys where the key passes the mid/activation point.  It's a soft sound, not annoying.

Unlike my HHKB, the keys are generally exactly where you would expect them to be, and I will have to relearn my CAPS LOCK and CTRL keys.  That is not a big deal and I should figure that out quickly enough.  I am not as comfortable with the FN key.  It's placement could have been better, in a place where your fingers could easily reach and hold.  As it is, it will require me to figure out how to train my hand to use it.  My best bet is to use the thumb on my right hand, since it is next to the space bar.  But doing that limits the rotation of my right hand... but such is life.

I've been typing with a minimal amount of mistakes and my fingers are finding the keys quite nicely!  I am please with that.  Key depression is not too heavy, not too light.  Possibly a little heavier than the Topre keys with a little more travel.  I am a hard typist, so I bottom out a lot... I don't have a gentle touch and perhaps it MIGHT benefit me to apply the o-rings simply to dampen my impacts.  To do that I think I will have to purchase a key remover, I am afraid to remove the keys and break the keyboard... the base of the mechanical keys are connected to the controller board itself.  I need to think about it.

Haven't tried gaming with the board yet.  Having the click mid-depression seems a little weird in that regard but I don't think it will be an issue.  Topre keys do not have any indicator for key activation so I am used to a sort of silent activation.  Again, I don't really think it will be an issue.

So that is it for now.  The keyboard seems solid enough and the arrangement is good and of course the back lighting is great.  Really like the back lighting.