My mom asked me to get her a new keyboard for her office. I went to Best Buy, and they're all flat. Even the ones with large key travel are flat. This shit's lame. I had to buy the cheapest one and bring one of my own to her office to hide when I was there because I'm a child and want to have things my own way. I had a Model M before it broke, and now I use a combination of old Dell Quietkeys or AT101Ws. The keys are curved so they go with your hands.

Here's what they appear to look like now.

Here's a relatively modern Dell keyboard I see on computers a few years old.

Dell no longer makes this keyboard. HP makes Chiclet keyboards and flat ones. Indeed, the vast majority of computer manufacturers only now make these dumb flat keyboards.

And why are they all black? Since when did that become a good idea? They don't yellow and it hides some dirt, but a lot of us are using our keyboards in darkened rooms and white keys with dark legends are much easier to see.

And why did we get rid of the modifier keys being a different color?

The different color modifier keys are a huge help in the darkened environments, and also, it helps you see where you are on the keyboard at a glance. Many of us no longer need that, but it helps. Like with the F keys!

And what happened to that nice recessed part of Caps Lock? I typo caps lock sometimes on keyboards. Didn't used to happen with that caps lock.

As a Windows user, I think I can confidently say that in terms of general use keyboards, we've gone way downhill since the late nineties, when the Windows key became basically universal. And that Windows key is super useful. Since then, I think every major keyboard trend has been crap, except for backlighting. That stuff is great.

I even have modern mechanical keyboards, and they're good (they feel nice and have curved keys), but all the keys are the same dumb color, they don't have the nice caps lock, etc. You have to order a special key set for them. And I haven't found one that just models the way keyboards used to look! Goddammit!

I'm actually really interested in this: ErgoDox EZ

They are pretty expensive though; I wish I could just try one out for a month or so.

The bottoms of keyboards suck now, too! They have tiny little height adjusters and no cable channel! If your desk set up won't work with the cable on the right, well too bad, cause that's where that crap's going.

Look at the bottom of this keyboard.

I can put the cable through the right, left, or middle, and I have two height adjustments. On a personal level, I'd like the option of making my keyboard height adjusters the size of football uprights, but the option's there! And it feels like in general the older ones would go higher.

Now look at the bottom of this keyboard which I got bundled with something.

The worst part is that the height adjusters are long enough, they just go so far back that they barely adjust the height at all.

I would, but I don't type correctly. I type with four fingers. I hit the spacebar with my left pointer, shift with my right pinky, and type the letters with my first two fingers on my right hand and the pointer on my left. Hence, ergonomic keyboards don't work for me, and since I annoyingly type at around 90 WPM with my dumb way of typing, I haven't bothered learning the correct way.

That said, there are modern keyboards that do exactly what I want.

Unicomp is a company in Lexington, KY iirc, and they bought Lexmark's keyboard division. They currently make Model Ms. They have them with Windows keys, buckling springs, the old setup, everything. Made in America, and they only cost $84. As for why I don't buy one, that's a bit of dough I ain't got.

http://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/UNI044A

That's like a baby's toy!

It's official. You've been in the running for a while, but you are now the weirdest person I know.

This is the only keyboard I've used for years.

http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-Natural-Ergonomic-Keyboard-4000/dp/B000A6PPOK

I've been going for Microsoft's keyboards lately, myself too. Almost all of them still have the curve, recessed Caps Lock and somewhat good lifters.

Right now, I'm using a Wireless Comfort 5000. Not perfect, but pretty good. Both the Caps Lock and Windows key have recesses so you can feel them and every key bezels down. Combined with their various different sizes, you can usually feel if you're on the right one or not.

I used to be a crack shot at this.

I'm not a fan of Microsoft, never have been, but there are two things I give them solid credit for: The XBox, and the Ergo 4000. I type for a living (or used to) and I've used that keyboard for 6 years now. It actually bugs me that some keyboards (especially mechanical ones) that I'd like to try are not ergonomic. On top of that, most don't slop down as they go towards the "top" row. That's stupid. How many people rest with their wrists bent up? No one. Anyway, the Ergo 4000 is the best comprise of "Good Keyboard" with "Decent Price".

On a related note, I also have near zero respect for Dell. Except for their Monitors. Damn good monitors.

I type with four fingers. I hit the spacebar with my left pointer, shift with my right pinky, and type the letters with my first two fingers on my right hand and the pointer on my left.

dafuq? how? I just tried to do it this way and my wife thought I was having a stroke.

I own an IBM Model M which I obtained by happenstance long before I had any idea what it was. Can confirm it is the best keyboard ever. Speaking of which:

http://www.unicomp.com/

Apparently these guys are still producing keyboards under the original Model M design!

Edit: Sigh, I didn't read the whole thread before posting this. But in my defense, your original post really didn't sound like you knew about them.

You're right. I hit the spacebar with my right pointer. I made a mistake while typing. You should see how I type in bed. I'll tape it.

I am recording myself type right now while lying down in bed. I use my left thumb in bed instead of my left pointer.

On a related note, I also have near zero respect for Dell. Except for their Monitors. Damn good monitors.

When I bought my new computer, I had simple requirements for my keyboard: Standby button, Volume control, numpad, and proper arrow-keys (not the squished kind).

This was the only one I could find that met those requirements, and it was a really decent price.

proper arrow-keys (not the squished kind).

Seriously, what the hell is up with, HP? Who honestly thought those are a good idea?

proper arrow-keys (not the squished kind).

Seriously, what the hell is up with, HP? Who honestly thought those are a good idea?

The first manufacturer I remember seeing using that design was Apple. I think other companies are aping it from them.

...and it would seem that they're still not satisfied.

proper arrow-keys (not the squished kind).

Seriously, what the hell is up with, HP? Who honestly thought those are a good idea?

The first manufacturer I remember seeing using that design was Apple. I think other companies are aping it from them.

...and it would seem that they're still not satisfied.

Because, obviously, you never need to use the up/down keys.

That bottom picture makes me sad. :(

On a related note, I also have near zero respect for Dell. Except for their Monitors. Damn good monitors.

When I bought my new computer, I had simple requirements for my keyboard: Standby button, Volume control, numpad, and proper arrow-keys (not the squished kind).

This was the only one I could find that met those requirements, and it was a really decent price.

At least, I love the ones they shipped with new PCs before they switched to the chicklet style keys a few years ago. They're still no match for the Model M, but they've got good, chunky keys, good travel, and, if you angrily smash your fist into one, the keys explode off of the thing in a very satisfying way and are really easy to just pop back on :)

-Disciple

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I'm actually laughing out loud at work watching that. Kudos for originality :)

If you grew up not trusting computers you can't pick up, this is essentially the Apple equivalent of that idea: http://matias.ca

EDIT: http://www.matias.ca/tactilepro/

shader: Rose Gold

Pft. Not that thing; the Tactile Pro.

That's like people that use the claw grip on a controller, but about one million times more screwed up.

How did you start typing like that? Genuinely curious how that habit even forms.

I like flat keyboards. The first keyboard funk posted a picture of looks great.

I used the Apple bluetooth keyboard for years, like the one you just linked.

Currently my only computer is a Surface Pro 4, and I use the keyboard cover and actually find it really comfortable.

I use both but the ergonomic ones are better for your physiology. Been using them for 20 years.

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No way! Tell me more! Video?

And thus, the weirdest sub-genre of videos began.

"Let's type! with Funkmon"

I broke my right hand once and only had use of two fingers. At this time, I also used a mouse left handed, but don't continue doing that. So I'm not sure.

I had zero training on a computer in school and didn't have one at home until about 1997...but it was a beast. Pentium 2 at 300 MHz, 4 MB 3d card, 21" monitor at 1600x1200, 96 megs of RAM, 12 GB hard drive, sound blaster with 5.1 speakers. I still use those speakers. My dad never let me use that PC though.

My only experience was playing games at my friends houses. Quake, Marathon, Doom, very occasionally other crap. I got my own computer in 2003, when I found out the video card in the family PC (which at that time was even lamer) wasn't good enough to play the videos on HBO in high res.

So that is about the time I really learned the ins and outs, and I was in high school. By that time, my dumb typing had already developed.

Short answer: that's what you get with zero training.

The tab key on the number pad! Alps switches! $159 Canadian is like $34 USD. I love this keyboard.

Have you tried the normal ones?

Fair enough! If you can knock out 90 wpm like that, then good on ya! I don't type that fast with a normal technique.

If it doesn't go CLACK CLACK CLACK when you type, you're not using a real keyboard. Give me a great big one from the 1970's that's designed for NASA and will last for 10,000 years when properly disposed of.

I would say product of your time, if you didn't start using keyboards until after the flat/mushy style had become popular. You probably just haven't used a proper keyboard yet, or at least not enough to acclimate. I can use a chiclet style or flat/mushy keyboard if I have to (and I actually own an Apple Bluetooth chiclet keyboard, probably one of the best examples of that style), but in a direct comparison they make it too easy to hit the wrong keys, or not hit a key at all. They're just barely above a touchscreen in terms of useful tactile sensation.

Something like a Model M that has clearly defined sharp edges on each key, and makes a physically detectable click when a key registers, is just more accurate. None of this means that modern keyboards can't be used reasonably well, but when you're used to something that gives feedback and then are forced to use something else, it just isn't as good.

Think of what happens when the vibration feedback on a controller stops working. This'll depend on the game somewhat, but in a lot of cases you might find yourself not performing as well. I would find it virtually impossible to play Forza without vibration feedback.

Or, since I know you're a car person, imagine driving on a track in a car that REALLY lacks steering feedback. Perhaps a pickup truck, or a Mark VI Golf. Yes, you COULD drive them. But you wouldn't want to, once you had felt something better. :)

TL;DR

I don't think it's really about comfort, exactly. More about how well it works. Also as Funk complained, keyboards used to have both visual and tactile ways of distinguishing special keys, and getting rid of that is in NO way a good thing, except possibly aesthetics, which is a stupid reason to do anything to a keyboard. It's a tool, not a fashion accessory.

Basically, as far as I notice, I alternate between my thumbs for the space bar and mostly use my pointers to type, with the middle finger rarely coming into play. Right pinky goes to the Enter key and right Shift, left pinky to left Shift and Control.

Most keyboards I use have rounded edges on the keys, so rolling the fingers between letters actually works. Dunno my wpp, but it's faster than quite a few people I know.

I'll get you a video when I figure out how to actually film it. If only I had that amazing VR setup Raga posted... ;p

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I use my index fingers for typing, right pinky for shift/enter/backspace, right thumb for the space bar. Also, while typing this, I realized I use my left middle finger for some of the left-most keys. What the fuck am I doing.

One of my coworkers was trying to explain to me what ASMR is and showed me this video.

What the hell? Does this mean I'm a workaholic?

One of my coworkers was trying to explain to me what ASMR is and showed me this video.

My wife LOVES ASMR. She watches a couple videos every night before bed. It doesn't seem to effect me as strongly as it hits some people, but I still find it soothing AF :)

That may be relaxing on the ears, but it most certainly is NOT relaxing on my eyes/psyche/OCD to see someone typing that way.

In general, ASMR videos trigger a visceral reaction in me, one of frustration. I hate them. I hate those types of sounds. I hate how people talk in haul videos, I hate the quiet sounds of typing, I hate the sound of pen dragging along paper, it's all immensely frustrating. I just want the sound to stop.

.....I just want the sound to stop.

???

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I've tried quite a few ASMR videos just to see what the hell everyone is talking about all the time.

I've never been anything other than annoyed by the sounds I'm hearing during an ASMR video.

WTF even is this? I'm seriously afraid to Google it.

Unlike most things on the Internet, it's not sexual. As far as I know at least.

I've tried quite a few ASMR videos just to see what the hell everyone is talking about all the time.

I've never been anything other than annoyed by the sounds I'm hearing during an ASMR video.

I've been hearing about it for a while, but never actually watched/listened to any of the videos. I only made it about a minute into that keyboarding one before I got so uncomfortable I had to close the video. That soft whispery voice seems to scratch at the end of every one of my nerves at once.

-Disciple

Unlike most things on the Internet, it's not sexual. As far as I know at least.

I think you might be surprised. I mean, I've not seen it first hand, nor even heard about it, but there surely have to be some ASMR videos with sexual overtones.

I wouldn't be surprised at all if it were sexual for some people. Pretty much everything around turns someone on.

My coworkers boyfriend swears up and down its not sexual in any way. But who knows

Oh, there are definitely some sexual ones around, but they mostly focus on hypnosis-enhanced ASMR as opposed to pure ASMR. Unfortunately, never worked on me, so it was mostly wasted time.

Here is a pretty good intro to asmr & binaural audio recordings.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd5i7TlpzCk

Thanks, that was fascinating!