Keyboards?

[Zeb_Carter]

For the longest time I have been using Logitechs cheapest keyboard. I have had to replace them at least once a year. But as they only cost about $10 I though what the hell. Of course they have come up in price and are now double the price.
https://assets.logitech.com/assets/65448/3/digital-office-casual-bundle-1.png

I have brought others, yet always went back to the Logitech boards. They were comfortable to work with.

I think I finally found a replacement...
The Redragon K582 SURARA Red LED Backlit Mechanical Gaming Keyboard, 104 Standard Keys - does cost $40 but if it lasts 4 year, what the hell. It has a really nice fell. Although without a palm rest I sometimes press on the ctrl or windows key and go off to somewhere in a document. Sometimes the test disappears. But a quick undo returns everything. It's also a heavy son of bitch. It must weight a good 3 pounds. It doesn't tend to move... anywhere easily.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/61FEOGv5OEL._AC_SL1500_.jpg

What do you use?

 

[NotWise]

What do you use?

I use an IBM keyboard (standard 104) that I bought from a now-defunct electronics chain. I can't remember exactly when -- I think it was before the turn of the century. The keys and the wrist rest originally had a matte finish, but now the well-used keys are burnished to a high polish. Oddly, the letters are still visible.

Zeb, you're picture of the LED keyboard is so wide that it kinda breaks the screen.

 

[litfan10]

https://pisces.bbystatic.com/image2/BestBuy_US/images/products/7332/7332059_sd.jpg

I use a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard and love it. I type faster and have much higher accuracy with it.

One huge thing about it that the top picture doesn't show is how high and arched it is with the padded wrist support at the bottom. My hands fit very comfortably in it.

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/1308/2275/products/B2M-00012-4_large.jpg?v=1471402033

I've been using them for years. I'm on my third one now and the price has dropped significantly over the years from $100 to in the $40s.

slave_ and my son hate it. It's too big and clunky for them.

 

[oggbashan]

I am using a Dell keyboard but I have four other UK ones, some of which have keys with the letters worn off.

I also have a French keyboard - AZERTY - with accents for when I write in French. I bought that for four Euros in a Carrefour in Nord Pas De Calais. It can a pain to reset Windows to accept it.

 

[RejectReality]

I've been using Microsoft keyboards for years, but when I bought the new PC, it came with a branded Cyberpower PC keyboard, and my previous keyboard was on its last legs. I miss my dedicated calculator button, and it took some getting used to, but it does the trick. It was designed with gaming in mind, so when I decide to play something that utilizes keyboard controls, it's nice for that. Also built a little tougher for that reason. We'll see how long it lasts.

It has all of the dedicated multimedia buttons, but I hardly ever use them. The mute button is handy every once in a while. One push instead of clicking the system tray, clicking the sound, and muting.

 

[Privates1stClass]

I'm still using the keyboard that came with the original IBM PC I bought in 1982. The keyboard is a dinosaur, but was built like a tank and still works fine. I had to buy a couple adapters to convert it from the original IBM plug to PS/2 to USB on my current computer.

I like it because when I hit a key, I get a click--not like the mushy keys that came with newer computers I've bought. With the newer keyboards, I never knew if a key I'd hit ever registered with the computer. With this keyboard, I know.

This old IBM keyboard gave me some amusement when I received a "technical support call from Microsoft." The man on the other end of the line had an Indian accent and I could hear a lot of talk on the other end which sounded like a call center. He said "Microsoft" had determined I had a virus on my computer which was interfering with one of Microsoft's file servers. He said he could solve the problem if I followed his instructions.

I said, "All you have to do is block my IP address if it's causing problems with your server."

"Oh, I can't do that. We need to fix your computer from spewing the virus all over the internet," he answered.

I figured I could waste some of his time, so I played along. He said to hit the "Windows key."

I said, "I don't have a "Windows key."

He came back with, "Yes, you should have a 'Windows key." It's on the lower left between the Ctrl and Alt keys and has a Windows logo on it."

"Nope," I said. "It's blank there."

We went back and forth for several minutes with him trying to figure out why I didn't have a Windows key. He finally said, "Let me transfer you to my manager," and a few seconds later I was talking with another man with an Indian accent.

The "manager" asked me to read the label on my keyboard. I replied, "IBM."

"So it's not an Apple?"

"No, it's an IBM keyboard connected to a Dell," I replied. What I didn't tell him was that I was running Linux on my Dell computer.

"Well then," he said. "Hit the 'Windows key.'"

We had the same discussion I'd had with the previous man that there wasn't a "Windows key" on my keyboard. He then gave me a multi-keystroke alternative which emulated the Windows key. What he wanted me to do was to connect to a website to download some software that would let him remotely connect to my computer.

I played dumb and told him I couldn't connect to that web site and wasted about 10 minutes of his time with him telling me each key to hit. At that point, I told him I was on the web site he wanted me to connect to. Then he asked me to click on "Download."

After a couple minutes, he asked, "What does it say on your computer?"

I answered, "It says you are a scammer and a worthless bum."

Then my phone connection went dead.

 

[KeithD]

I use an IBM keyboard (standard 104) that I bought from a now-defunct electronics chain. I can't remember exactly when -- I think it was before the turn of the century. The keys and the wrist rest originally had a matte finish, but now the well-used keys are burnished to a high polish. Oddly, the letters are still visible.

Zeb, you're picture of the LED keyboard is so wide that it kinda breaks the screen.

The E, O, A, S, L, N, M, and comma are all obliterated on my desktop keyword. Oddly enough, they're gone on my laptop keyboard too. (*smile*) Lucky me to have taken touch typing and having kept up with it.

 

[Handley_Page]

I used to love the old IBM PS/2 keyboard; the 'cherry' [clanky] one.
I now have an HP thing. It ain't bad, (key 'feel' is good) and it's fairly heavy,
but it works fine, even if it has loads of buttons I wot not of.

 

[Bramblethorn]

I use cut-down keyboards without the numeric keypad, since it's better for the shoulders to have the mouse in closer. I'm fond of wireless since I move my setup around between sitting and standing modes, or just to work around cats.

At home I had a wireless Apple Magic keyboard, which lasted me twelve years of heavy use with no problems. It still works but it's become a battery-hog - I suspect either there's some current leakage or it's chewing up much more power transmitting than it used to. So I've replaced it with the newer model; if it lasts as long as the old one I'll be very happy.

In the office (back when I went into the office) I had another no-keypad keyboard, but I forget the brand; whatever work decided to pay for.

 

[Blind_Justice]

For the past ten years or so I used an old Logitech keyboard. It had a decent action and good resistance. Sadly, I had worn down the C,B,S and R keys to the point they had holes in them. For the moment I'm using a low-frills Microsoft keyboard I got off amazon for twenty Euros, but I'm thinking about going for a fully mechanical keyboard. Back in the early 90s, I've spent a lot of time on IBM keyboards and I really miss that chunky keypress.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I have a rock-solid IBM keyboard from the 90s on my home PC, and various others which I rotate through as my shoulders or wrists complain. Though most of my writing is done on my mobile with Google Keyboard - my thumb is my most reliable input device and it's easier using that on a phone than a whole keyboard. Shame my work phone and Outlook are such a crap combination.

 

[Zeb_Carter]

I use an IBM keyboard (standard 104) that I bought from a now-defunct electronics chain. I can't remember exactly when -- I think it was before the turn of the century. The keys and the wrist rest originally had a matte finish, but now the well-used keys are burnished to a high polish. Oddly, the letters are still visible.

Zeb, you're picture of the LED keyboard is so wide that it kinda breaks the screen.

Yeah, sorry but I couldn't find a smaller one. On mine it only goes a little over.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

I use a Microsoft ergonomic keyboard and love it. I type faster and have much higher accuracy with it.

One huge thing about it that the top picture doesn't show is how high and arched it is with the padded wrist support at the bottom. My hands fit very comfortably in it.

I've been using them for years. I'm on my third one now and the price has dropped significantly over the years from $100 to in the $40s.

slave_ and my son hate it. It's too big and clunky for them.

This is what I have at work. I LOVE it. When I have to use a computer on the unit (not in my office) and the standard keyboard that comes with those, I actually have to think about where I put my fingers.

I didn't pay for it. I've had it at least three years, and it's going strong. Part of the space bar (where my thumb hits) is polished smooth. And it kinda had a seizure when I spilled some water on it a year or so ago, but as soon as it dried out it was fine.

 

[NotWise]

This is what I have at work. I LOVE it.

I used the Microsoft "Ergonomic Mouse" for a while, and nothing I've used has done more damage to my hand then that "ergonomic" device. As a result, I've never had much interest in their "ergonomic" keyboard.

It's taken several years for the swelling at contact point in my right hand to go down. I use smaller mice now, so that my hand doesn't rest against the mouse. I also switch the mouse from hand-to-hand whenever I find a problem, but that didn't work with their "ergonomic" mouse, because it's asymmetric and shaped to one hand.

I've been away from my office for about a month. That's twice the longest break I've had in thirty five years. My hands feel good. My left shoulder feels better than it has in a long time. With another couple weeks out of the office maybe my joints will be healthy again.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

I used the Microsoft "Ergonomic Mouse" for a while, and nothing I've used has done more damage to my hand then that "ergonomic" device. As a result, I've never had much interest in their "ergonomic" keyboard.

It's taken several years for the swelling at contact point in my right hand to go down. I use smaller mice now, so that my hand doesn't rest against the mouse. I also switch the mouse from hand-to-hand whenever I find a problem, but that didn't work with their "ergonomic" mouse, because it's asymmetric and shaped to one hand.

I've been away from my office for about a month. That's twice the longest break I've had in thirty five years. My hands feel good. My left shoulder feels better than it has in a long time. With another couple weeks out of the office maybe my joints will be healthy again.

I don't have an ergonomic mouse (I don't think, anyway), and I'm ridiculously right handed. Switching to my left hand wouldn't work. I do make sure to keep the mouse close to the keyboard and I type pretty, um, lightly? I guess is the way to put it.

What I really like about the keyboard is that the middle of it (the part that's split along the t-y, g-h, and v-b) is curved, so that I don't have to hold my wrists flat (the index fingers are higher than the pinkie fingers), and that section is angled (which you can see in the picture) so it's more like a straight line from forearm, through palm to fingers (i.e. my hands aren't angled).

I can understand you being gunshy about it, if the other didn't work well at all.

FWIW - when I've had problems with my shoulders, it's because I was resting on my elbows while trying to type, or from holding a heavy screen for a long time. I'm assuming in your quest for relief, you've looked at your chair and desk height too.

But yeah, it sucks to have these repetitive use injuries. They're hard to treat, and it's not like you can just take months off every year to heal up.

 

[NotWise]

FWIW - when I've had problems with my shoulders, it's because I was resting on my elbows while trying to type, or from holding a heavy screen for a long time. I'm assuming in your quest for relief, you've looked at your chair and desk height too.

The problem in my left shoulder came from leaning on my left elbow while working at the computer. I've found a lot of things that help, including standing desks, switching mouse hands, and consciously sitting with my hand in my lap so my shoulder bears no weight. I haven't been able to sustain any of those solutions long enough or consistently enough to get more than a partial recovery.

Staying home has been working well. It's odd, because I spend a lot of time on my computer even at home, but my posture and behavior at home are different. I'm not trapped at the computer. I can get up and do something else.

If I've ever had an ergonomic problem with the keyboard, then it's been swamped by other issues.

 

[ladidai]

Corsair K70 with Cherry MX Red switches. Paid $110 for it in 2013 and it's been worth every cent. I'll never go back to a cheap membrane keyboard.

 

[litfan10]

I used the Microsoft "Ergonomic Mouse" for a while, and nothing I've used has done more damage to my hand then that "ergonomic" device. As a result, I've never had much interest in their "ergonomic" keyboard.

It's taken several years for the swelling at contact point in my right hand to go down. I use smaller mice now, so that my hand doesn't rest against the mouse. I also switch the mouse from hand-to-hand whenever I find a problem, but that didn't work with their "ergonomic" mouse, because it's asymmetric and shaped to one hand.

I've been away from my office for about a month. That's twice the longest break I've had in thirty five years. My hands feel good. My left shoulder feels better than it has in a long time. With another couple weeks out of the office maybe my joints will be healthy again.

Never had the ergonomic mouse either.

 

[BelleCanzuto]

The problem in my left shoulder came from leaning on my left elbow while working at the computer.

~snip~

If I've ever had an ergonomic problem with the keyboard, then it's been swamped by other issues.

I pull the keyboard close to the edge of the desk, so that my elbows are hanging out in space. The height of the ergonomic keyboard also helps, just because my hands are higher. I do try to be conscious of my posture, sitting back in the chair.

But, almost all of what I'm doing at the computer is typing, which necessarily needs both hands. It would probably be different if I was using the mouse to draw or do schematics. And my computer desk is just for the computer, I have a real desk that I use when I'm on the phone and taking notes freehand.

It still sucks. I think offices aren't really meant for people. When my dad was still working, he actually wound up with a pinched nerve in his neck from a repetitive use injury. The outside of his left hand went numb, and he eventually (reluctantly, cuz you can't tell my dad anything) went to physical therapy, and that helped.

 

[litfan10]

This is what I have at work. I LOVE it. When I have to use a computer on the unit (not in my office) and the standard keyboard that comes with those, I actually have to think about where I put my fingers.

I didn't pay for it. I've had it at least three years, and it's going strong. Part of the space bar (where my thumb hits) is polished smooth. And it kinda had a seizure when I spilled some water on it a year or so ago, but as soon as it dried out it was fine.

Yeah, I didn't have one at work either and found I was slower and got achy in my shoulders after a couple hours where I could go all day at home with no problem. I even had a better chair at work.

 

[Bramblethorn]

It's taken several years for the swelling at contact point in my right hand to go down. I use smaller mice now, so that my hand doesn't rest against the mouse. I also switch the mouse from hand-to-hand whenever I find a problem, but that didn't work with their "ergonomic" mouse, because it's asymmetric and shaped to one hand.

My ergo guy recommended a vertical mouse: https://evoluent.com/products/vm4r/

Some people never get used to them, but I'm fond of mine. It's easier on the wrist, and with the sensitivity up high I barely use my wrist at all - almost all the movement comes from my fingers.

Plus, nobody wants to swipe it, because they don't know how to use it

 

[jaF0]

One thought on the baclit KBs. They keys are clear plastic with a dark coating cut out for the characters. When you begin to wear them out, rather than the characters disappearing and leaving darkness as with a normal KB, the dark coating wears off and leaves the extra back light showing through. I don't type near as much as many of you, but my space bar and 'O" keys are beginning to show extra light.

 

[Kumquatqueen]

I use a Logitech ergonomic mouse, without a trackball - I can't use a normal size mouse even for 5 minutes. I now have a stash of them thanks to persuading work I always need a backup, and their excellent customer support sending me one free when one broke.

Meanwhile I need a better chair to work from home...

 

[Zeb_Carter]

Mice? Way back when... sometime in in last year of the last century, I found the Logitech G518 gaming mouse. It was great. It had on flaw, the cord going into the mouse. The wires in there would break. I had four of them before the quit making them.

Then Logitech came out with the G500s gaming mouse. What a nice mouse. I can change the weight of it and it has a back and forward button. Along with buttons to change the dpi settings. Really, nice.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/41EEnvJ01UL._AC_.jpg

If you look it up on amazon you will see it now retails for $187 as I think they have been discontinued by Logitech. I got mine for a measly $40 bucks back when.

It would appear that there is newer model of mine... for $50. The G502.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon.com/images/I/518dbmHOhRL._AC_SL1000_.jpg

 

[jaF0]

https://assets.logitech.com/assets/32954/4/logitech-wireless-trackball-m570.png

:tup: