All those really sweet compact keyboards are super sexy and I want one. But the ones I like are both:
- very expensive
- have windows exclusive software
I’m not even sure mechanical keyboards are for me, to be honest. I don’t type that much, and the keyboard I have - a Logitech wave ergonomic keyboard - suits me, except for the humongous size and the noise (I do a lot of video calls and it gets distracting to my interlocutors).
From my research, a QMK/VIA 65% keyboard would be ideal. The VIA part would allow me to configure the few extra keys and layouts so I can make the most of the keys I’ll have. And it’s Linux compatible. However, it seems the controllers for VIA keyboards make them significantly more expensive. Then there’s the noise issue. The click clack, while tactile satisfying, is a no go for me.
I went down the rabbit hole and to find something that has a chance of suiting me, the coat quickly balloons above $200, and for something which I don’t know if I’ll like. If at least I knew it wouldn’t be too loud I might justify forming that kind of money.
Is there a keyboard for me? How can I tell if it’s going to be too loud? Or should I just give up that search and go for a normie tenkeyless keyboard?
I think the confusion stems from the fact that you’re not familiar with what an actual unix machine keyboard is. Look at Sun keyboards for one that’s close to the pc style, or at the space cadet for a historically significant albeit a bit extreme one.
I mean its been 30ish years since I used a SUN or DEC system, but I know the key your talking about, what I dont understand is do you just want the key cap, or do you want the functionality of they key?
The functionality is trivial to add. I’d just like the proper keycaps.
I think I’ll just have them custom printed. Super, Hyper and Compose.
Ok, now I am clear, if I see any unix specific key cap sets I will send them over. Sorry for all the confusion.