Will having to memorize the keys improve your typing?
Das Keyboard 2 is an enhanced 104-key USB PC keyboard equipped with blank keys mounted on precision, gold-plated mechanical key switches that offer a distinct, tactile click feeling. Accoring to the manufacturer, the blank computer keys will evoke a feel similar to a piano. Following that logic, since users cannot look at the keys while typing, their brains adapt and memorize the key positions, which should result in faster and more accurate typing. In addition to its unique appearance, Das Keyboard 2 was designed to enable users to produce greater speed by providing responsive, tactile feedback. The keyboard’s home keys F and J are shaped with an increased curvature so the user’s index fingers find their home position easily.
I know people who touch-type, but still look at the keyboard for the location of function keys. Can a person memorize every key as well as its shift and alt functions?
“Das Keyboard 2 was designed for really demanding users, people who spend many hours every day in front of a computer,” said Birgit Guermeur, product manager for Das Keyboard. “If typing productivity and comfort matter to you, then this keyboard is for you.” Manufactured by the highly respected Cherry Corporation, Das Keyboard 2 is built from premium mechanical key switch technology and its keys are factory-tested to withstand up to 50 million keystrokes. The keyboard’s gold-plated contacts, arranged crosswise, ensure high contact pressure and low resistance for excellent switching reliability.
I don’t know about this, I’d love to have a well-made keyboard with that nice adjustable keystroke feel that has letters I can see. According to the company, the predecessor was quite popular. Any Das Keyboard 1 users out there who can tell me how much they like it?
I understand the typing advantages of mechanical key switches over rubber domes.. but what’s with the lack of individual lettering on the Das keyboard?
It just seems like a cost-cutting measure by the keyboard maker to not have to print individual specific keys
. . .while ultimately resulting in end users having to really learn how to use the Backspace key and correct typing mistakes over and over again.
If I wanted a blank keyboard, I would just get an IBM model M keyboard with transparent clear plastic key caps.
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/12151
“but what’s with the lack of individual lettering on the Das keyboard?”
Would we have a thread this long if it had lettering?
It’s called style, baby! It’s about being cool to geeks who wear sunglasses when they program. It’s called marketing. It’s called getting free press in forums like this to sell a commodity item at a high price.
Northgate OmniKey 101-n. Best keyboard I ever had.
I’m typing on a Das Keyboard 1 right now. It was a little bit expensive for the novelty, but I like it a lot. It has a very comfortable feel to it, and obviously trains you not to even try to look at the keys.
However, if you just want the feel of the keyboard, then you should know that the Das Keyboard is really just a more expensive OEMed KeyTronic keyboard with blank keys on it. It’s still cool to see the look on people’s faces whenever they have to type on your computer, though.
I’ve also got a Das Keyboard 1. I really like it.
I can already type at like 75-80wpm but like most people I would cheat and look at the number keys (or just avoid them by using the 10-key) and look at the special characters.
I got used to the number keys and special characters after a couple of weeks of using it, and I’ve finally become an officially bad-ass typist. I don’t know if it was worth the $80 I paid for it, but the street cred I get from all the non-computer geeks I work with almost makes it worth it.
If you already know how to type then you’ll get used to it really fast. If you’re a crappy typist, then it will help you learn. And besides…. chicks dig it.
Anyway to block people’s sinatures?
You guys have no restrictions on signature size, so some of them are ridiculously big and annysing as fuck.