Morning Discussion

The last thing you want on a Tuesday is to be reminded how far away Friday is. Fortunately, that Nick Breckon, he's a beam of sunshine, a gift that keeps on giving--he'd never dream of tainting Tuesdays like that. No sir. No way. Wait, he already did. Jerk.

On the plus side, we've got the Fringe season finale tonight, and a day full of potential before that. Who knows what mysteries today will bring, or resolve? Maybe both!

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
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    May 12, 2009 7:17 AM

    Lots of threads around here for gaming mice.

    Whats the hotness for keyboards?

    I've been using MS Natural Multimedia v1.0 for at least 7 years. I liked it so much I bought a 2nd for work. But I just noticed that my work one is really starting to creak, and the one at home is probably worse off since the letters are mostly worn off on the left side. I just never hear the sound since I have headphones on.

    I don't need a split keyboard, but these have been really comfortable with the reverse slant and the curved wrist rest.

    I looked at the G15 and the Tarantula but $100+ seems like a lot. Is it worth it?

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      May 12, 2009 7:19 AM

      [deleted]

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      May 12, 2009 7:19 AM

      [deleted]

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      May 12, 2009 7:19 AM

      The Tarantula is well worth the dough. It's a sturdy keyboard that allows for up to 10 simultaneous key presses. Most keyboards only allow for 3 simultaneous keypresses at once after which you get the beep of death, and your whole computer locks up for a split second. Not cool.

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        May 12, 2009 7:29 AM

        How's the wrist comfort? I'm using this now http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/images/K50-00100.jpg

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          May 12, 2009 8:16 AM

          Not bad, and I have wrist problems (I'm wearing a brace right now on my right wrist). One thing I did to really help my ergonomics was buy a small desk from Ikea with adjustable legs. I then adjusted the legs so that I have a downward slope and an optimal ergonomic configuration (you can find an ergonomic guide online). The main thing to be concerned about is proper posture, especially with your arm level.

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        May 12, 2009 7:29 AM

        [deleted]

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          May 12, 2009 7:34 AM

          I think the point is it's not transmitting all the keypresses at once.

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            May 12, 2009 7:36 AM

            [deleted]

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              May 12, 2009 7:38 AM

              unpossible you press and hold 3 keys and all 3 are typing at once? or just the last one. Even having a KB that allows for 10 keypresses can't be testing on a web page edit box. You will only see one input.

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        May 12, 2009 7:43 AM

        Does the Tarantula come in a non-FAIL layout?

        I'm talking about the WRONG, PERVERTED, DEMONIC AND FUCKING UNACCEPTABLE way it has the cursor keys and the home/end/etc. blocks rearranged compared to what they always were until this RETARDED trend started happening a few years ago. I've tried using those keyboards and I just cannot get used to is, especially when I move back and forth between them and PROPER, RIGHTEOUS, GOD-GIVEN keyboard layouts.

        http://www.amazon.co.uk/exec/obidos/ASIN/B001CIRL5G/interactiveda3077-21 <-- WRONG

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          May 12, 2009 7:46 AM

          this isn't new. I've been using the FAT DELETE home block for what.... 10 years now? I'm fine with it. I can use either. The cursor keys look fine.

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            May 12, 2009 7:50 AM

            It was wrong when it started and it's still wrong now. One day there will be a war between these two camps! ...Still, seems like a nice keyboard if you're into that deviancy.

            I see Razor have some other keyboards with the Jesus-approved layout, though, so that's okay I guess. Looks like the other models only have anti-ghosting around the WASD block but that's probably enough for most gamers.

            Strange that the Tarantula has a light accessory that seems to be some raised-up thing that clips on. Wonder why they didn't make the keyboard backlit?

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              May 12, 2009 7:59 AM

              I think it's backlit, the light is an accessory (extra money not included). I don't see the point. The other Razer keyboards dont have the programmable keys on the left side. those look very handy.

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              May 12, 2009 8:01 AM

              also, the first time I got a KB with the fat delete I was like OMG ABOMINATION. but it's so common now and I do use delete more than the other keys. I always hate accidentally hitting insert so I kinda like it being moved.

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                May 12, 2009 8:02 AM

                Yeah, same here. I didn't like it at first, but I got used to it rather quickly, and I've done a bit of coding with Visual C++, word processing, etc.

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                May 12, 2009 8:06 AM

                Having the cursor keys under where Ctrl should be makes me feel like a cripple due to the precarious position it puts my pinky in.

                It's also really akward to type Ctrl-Left using just the right hand, which I realised I do constantly.

                It really got my goat, I tells ya!

                My biggest question is why? Why did they feel the need to make this change after so long? Just to shave off one key width's worth of plastic? It's mental.

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          May 12, 2009 8:09 AM

          If that's not your thing, then you don't have to buy the keyboard. It's really not that big of a deal once you get used to it.

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            May 12, 2009 2:07 PM

            True, but what *is* a big deal is when you go to a computer shop and those fucked-up keyboards are all they have, unless you just want a bog-standard 108 key piece of shit without so much as pause and volume controls. (Not that I use them much anymore but they're useful in games.)

            If the wrongness was just a choice then it'd be cool but the last few times I've been shopping for a keyboard I had to search really hard to find one with the standard layout.

            I guess the new shit is becoming the standard. :-/ But not on any office PC I've seen, which for me made the idea of getting used to the layout horrible. I don't want to use one layout at home and another at work.

            I'll compromise with the layout on a laptop but that's about it. I see no valid reason for the desktop keyboard layout to have changed like that just to make the del key bigger (I push E a lot, let's make that key bigger too!) and make the keyboard 1 button thinner. It's gratuitous and dumb that they changed things.

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          May 12, 2009 8:12 AM

          Preach it brother!

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        May 12, 2009 7:56 AM

        all keyboards allow for at least 4 key presses at a time.

        a + shift + ctrl + alt = save for web in photoshop

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          May 12, 2009 8:01 AM

          Depending on the circuitry, certain key combos won't work. With the same keyboard, try A + shift + w + r (crouching, moving, and reloading in CS:S). I'll tell you one thing: I couldn't do that with a ton of keyboards. I even bought this nice $40 HP keyboard and could barely do a thing with it. I had to give it away to someone who only does Office apps. Long story short, I spent the extra dough on the Tarantula and am VERY happy with it.

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          May 12, 2009 8:11 AM

          I think that's only when you count modifier keys (shift, etc.). Many are limited to three regular keys at a time.

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        May 12, 2009 7:59 AM

        you've had to press 10 simultaneous keys before?

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          May 12, 2009 8:03 AM

          No, but I sure as hell have gotten close, and guess what -- a normal run of the mill keyboard won't do that.

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          May 12, 2009 8:09 AM

          I used to run into issues in Descent with some keyboards and my key bindings. (Regularly strafing in three dimensions at once, plus trying to select weapons or whatever.)

          That doesn't need 10 keys, and it is okay on most keyboards most of the time, but it does screw up sometimes.

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          May 12, 2009 8:32 AM

          [deleted]

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      May 12, 2009 7:20 AM

      I love my g15

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        May 12, 2009 7:31 AM

        Ditto. Such a good keyboard. I feel helpless when typing on a keyboard without a backlight and a clock now.

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          May 12, 2009 8:09 AM

          I have a 1st gen G15. You know what my favorite part is? The volume control wheel. I've actually been looking for a narrower keyboard, since I don't really use the special keys or the LCD, but finding one with a rotating volume control wheel/knob is tough.

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            May 12, 2009 8:15 AM

            That MS Sidewinder X6 has a wheel I think.

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              May 12, 2009 8:21 AM

              Yeah, I was just looking at that. It looks like it has two. One is for LED brightness. The other is presumably a volume control?

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            May 12, 2009 9:50 AM

            I'll second the love for the wheel. Easy, tactile volume control is the bomb.

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      May 12, 2009 7:23 AM

      My next desktop keyboard will probably be a cheap low-profile one, ideally with no numpad. I don't think I've ever seen a keyboard with a gimmick that actually adds value. It just has to feel right, and I've grown to really like the keyboard on my last gen MBP, so I just want a laptop style keyboard.

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      May 12, 2009 7:26 AM

      anyone try the G19? http://gear.ign.com/articles/942/942482p1.html

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      May 12, 2009 7:28 AM

      I just saw the G19. That's hot

      200 bones o_O

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      May 12, 2009 7:30 AM

      Customizer 104 Black USB. There is no other option.

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      May 12, 2009 7:32 AM

      [deleted]

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        May 12, 2009 8:12 AM

        h0 jeah, Tarantula buddies unite!!

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      May 12, 2009 7:34 AM

      the power glove.

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      May 12, 2009 7:35 AM

      and who need all that stuff anyway.. i play QL with a touch screen monitor

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      May 12, 2009 7:36 AM

      It's been said before, but I have to say it again. I love the new Apple aluminium keyboard. I like it so much I bought a second one for work. After typing on it for a while, I was hooked. The low travel keys and slim design are a lot more comfortable than anything else I've ever used.

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        May 12, 2009 7:40 AM

        I agree they feel great for typing, but I couldn't see playing Q3 or something twitch on it.

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          May 12, 2009 11:10 AM

          why not? it works really, really well for that purpose

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      May 12, 2009 7:38 AM

      [deleted]

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      May 12, 2009 7:48 AM

      logitech g15.

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      May 12, 2009 8:10 AM

      dear god i need a new keyboard badly. it "ghosts" (i think thats the term) so badly, i cant press more than 3-4 keys at once without them not responding

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      May 12, 2009 8:15 AM

      Get a first gem g15. Razer makes garbage

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        May 12, 2009 8:28 AM

        UR FACE MAKES GARBAGE. where would you get a gen one? those has a crazy number of program keys

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      May 12, 2009 8:40 AM

      Microsoft Natural Ergo Keyboard 4000

      http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000A6PPOK

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        May 12, 2009 10:20 AM

        I also use this, its super comfy.

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          May 12, 2009 10:39 AM

          that's basically 1 step up from what I use now, but as much as I like to type on it, it's not the best game KB.

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      May 12, 2009 8:54 AM

      MS Sidewinder keyboard. Great layout, detachable numeric pad, proper delete key, non tiny arrow keys.

      Logitech keyboards have nice feel but their layouts are just awful.

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      May 12, 2009 9:49 AM

      I like my G15. Wished the per-key LEDs were brighter, and the LCD screen is gimmicky but I enjoy it.

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      May 12, 2009 10:50 AM

      My favorite keyboard of all time: Logitech Illuminated Keyboard
      http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16823126043

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      May 12, 2009 10:50 AM

      Are there any new options for those that already have an awesome wireless mouse (g7) and want a wireless keyboard that just uses a simple USB dongle separately and not in some shitty combo pack? That expensive logitech one always looked nice, but the price was ridiculous.

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      May 12, 2009 10:55 AM

      if you are going to spend 100+ on a keyboard, get a deck legend. 50 million stroke switches, solid metal backboard, individually backlit keys. I've had mine for almost 5 years now and it's as good as the day i bought it.

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        May 12, 2009 11:06 AM

        it's not my intention to spend 100 bucks, but to get macro keys on the left side it seems to be the only way.

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          May 12, 2009 2:18 PM

          You should be able to find a Logitech G15 on sale for less than that. I think I got one for $50 or less months ago.

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