Comment by nucleardog | Hacker News Reader

Comment by nucleardog | Hacker News Reader

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I've got two Model M keyboards at home. I could threaten to beat you with one for disagreeing that it's the best thing ever, knowing full well I could continue writing scathing retorts online with it immediately after, but I won't... Because it's not the best ever /for everyone/.

I have an Apple keyboard at work. I don't love or hate it. I'm indifferent to it. But I can totally understand why it may be the right keyboard for you.

Me? I type significantly faster and with fewer mistakes on my ancient Model M. The biggest factor I can see for me is the huge amount of feedback it provides both tactically and audibly (much to the chagrin of my neighbours, I'm sure). I think it helps my brain keep track of what my fingers are doing with less conscious effort, allowing it to work a few steps ahead of my fingers. I grew up when basically all keyboards were chunky and clicky, so it's probably primarily just what I'm used to.

Different editors for different folks. Different browsers. Different operating systems. Different styles of vehicles and modes of transport. Different clothing choices...

Different keyboards.

Yea! A Model M as close encounter weapon of choice and some older nokia phone models as range weapons. Way to go to win any "fight" in the age of "planned obsolescence".

Btw, could it be the "feedback" those keyboards are providing is helping to balance the forces within hands/fingers an thus help to prevent various issues/strains heavy typing can cause?

I brought my Model M to work. The only problem with the Model M are open offices; thankfully my Chinese office mates are very tolerant to noise (and of noise in general, like cell phones ringing all the time).

The year on mine is 1993, which is when I graduated from high school.

Mine is 1988. I've bought 3 of them in a computer cemetery. You'll take it from my cold dead hands.

You'll take it from my cold dead hands.

... And keep using them.

The hands?

You will apparently have to, since you wont be able to pry them from the keyboard

I've bought 3 of them in a computer cemetery I bet after you pry off the rigor mortis hands, all three still work.

That wasn't necessary. They can be purchased, brand new, from the same factory.

http://pckeyboard.com/page/category/UKBD

You can reduce the noise a lot by damping the echos. Even putting a towel under your keyboard will make it a lot quieter.

  I could threaten to beat you with one for disagreeing that
  it's the best thing ever, knowing full well I could
  continue writing scathing retorts online with it
  immediately after, but I won't... Because it's not the
  best ever /for everyone/.

Uh, you speak as if the Apple aluminum Keyboard wouldn't hurt just as much or be almost as durable :-)

The aluminum keyboard bends easily. Perhaps if you used it edge on, like a sword.

You've thought this through too much for my liking ;)

Using it edge on is painful...

There's a pretty big mass different to account for

Warhammer versus sword, I'd like to see this happen.

I have a Logitech $10 keyboard. I can keep it on my lap when I type.

I wonder how much net gain a better keyboard gives you in terms of time spent getting it, extra money buying it, and time lost on the internet arguing about it, compared to whatever minor time you save from typing slightly faster or making slightly fewer errors.

I'm kidding though, I understand the appeal of having nicer things. But I suppose the reasoning above is why we aren't all typing on dvorak right now.

I think usually the draw of a nicer keyboard, if you do it right, is not in speed but in saving your hands from having serious problems down the road. Problems which could seriously end up costing you tens of thousands of dollars if you type for a living.

Actually that's a good point I haven't considered. Would the keyboard really make that much of a difference though? It's pretty much the same muscle movements with your hand in the same place.

It would probably make a bigger difference if you got something like the Kinesis Advantage Pro.

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