GeekHackWiki - User contributions [en]

GeekHack Staff

2013-01-09T06:16:06Z

Quarzac:

The Mystery Keycap

2012-08-13T06:53:26Z

Quarzac: /* Users */

[[File:Cap.jpg|thumb|200px]]
== Background ==
On July 19th, 2012, Geekhack user [http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=13303 Dorkvader] received an unknown keycap in the mail- there was no return address, only a postmark. As the days dragged on, many other users received these keycaps, some multiples, and all were left pondering where they came from. While several users have been quick to incriminate user [http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=5606 Mkawa], he has vehemently denied all involvement, and one of the members who received a keycap had never given Mkawa his address. Currently, no one is conclusively sure as to who sent the keycaps- the evidence collected is as follows:

== Postmarks ==
The envelopes that were sent to the many Geekhackers were postmarked from several different locations, leading to speculation that more than one member may have been involved in distribution. These various locations were:
{| class="wikitable" width="60%"
| Reno, NV, USA
| Rosemead, CA, USA
| Monterey Park, CA, USA
| Goleta, CA, USA
| Seattle, WA, USA
| New York City, NY, USA
| Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
| South Korea
|}

== Users ==
The users who have received keys are:
* Dorkvader
* Hashbaz
* Ekw808
* Glissant
* WRXChris
* MagicMeatball
* aggiejy (TWO?)
* Taeyoung
* Gimpster
* Metafour
* AKIMbO
* Reaper
* Boost
* mmmty (2?)
* dante
* i3oilermaker
* jpm804
* Jcrouse
* sth

as well as two members of the Korean keyboard enthusiast forum KBDMania.
It's reasonable to say that none of these members were responsible for distribution. Some members received two keys, which lead to some members suggesting that they were a reward for donating to the GH server costs.

== Addressing ==
It is speculated that the distributor is a user who has run multiple group buys, or dealt extensively on the classifieds, as no members were contacted for their address. While this allows many users to be ruled out, with the loss of iTrader feedback from the vB days, cross analysis is no longer plausible.

The Mystery Keycap

2012-08-13T06:52:54Z

Quarzac: /* Postmarks */

[[File:Cap.jpg|thumb|200px]]
== Background ==
On July 19th, 2012, Geekhack user [http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=13303 Dorkvader] received an unknown keycap in the mail- there was no return address, only a postmark. As the days dragged on, many other users received these keycaps, some multiples, and all were left pondering where they came from. While several users have been quick to incriminate user [http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=5606 Mkawa], he has vehemently denied all involvement, and one of the members who received a keycap had never given Mkawa his address. Currently, no one is conclusively sure as to who sent the keycaps- the evidence collected is as follows:

== Postmarks ==
The envelopes that were sent to the many Geekhackers were postmarked from several different locations, leading to speculation that more than one member may have been involved in distribution. These various locations were:
{| class="wikitable" width="60%"
| Reno, NV, USA
| Rosemead, CA, USA
| Monterey Park, CA, USA
| Goleta, CA, USA
| Seattle, WA, USA
| New York City, NY, USA
| Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
| South Korea
|}

== Users ==
The users who received the keys are:
* Dorkvader
* Hashbaz
* Ekw808
* Glissant
* WRXChris
* MagicMeatball
* aggiejy (TWO?)
* Taeyoung
* Gimpster
* Metafour
* AKIMbO
* Reaper
* Boost
* mmmty (2?)
* dante
* i3oilermaker
* jpm804
* Jcrouse
* sth

as well as two members of the Korean keyboard enthusiast forum KBDMania.
It's reasonable to say that none of these members were responsible for distribution. Some members received two keys, which lead to some members suggesting that they were a reward for donating to the GH server costs.

== Addressing ==
It is speculated that the distributor is a user who has run multiple group buys, or dealt extensively on the classifieds, as no members were contacted for their address. While this allows many users to be ruled out, with the loss of iTrader feedback from the vB days, cross analysis is no longer plausible.

The Mystery Keycap

2012-08-13T06:49:57Z

Quarzac: /* Postmarks */

[[File:Cap.jpg|thumb|200px]]
== Background ==
On July 19th, 2012, Geekhack user [http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=13303 Dorkvader] received an unknown keycap in the mail- there was no return address, only a postmark. As the days dragged on, many other users received these keycaps, some multiples, and all were left pondering where they came from. While several users have been quick to incriminate user [http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=5606 Mkawa], he has vehemently denied all involvement, and one of the members who received a keycap had never given Mkawa his address. Currently, no one is conclusively sure as to who sent the keycaps- the evidence collected is as follows:

== Postmarks ==
The envelopes that were sent to the many Geekhackers were postmarked from several different locations, leading to speculation that more than one member may have been involved in distribution. These various locations were:
{| class="wikitable" width="60%"
| Reno, NV, USA
| Rosemead, CA, USA
| Monterey Park, CA, USA
| Goleta, CA, USA
| Seattle, WA, USA
| Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
| South Korea
|}

== Users ==
The users who received the keys are:
* Dorkvader
* Hashbaz
* Ekw808
* Glissant
* WRXChris
* MagicMeatball
* aggiejy (TWO?)
* Taeyoung
* Gimpster
* Metafour
* AKIMbO
* Reaper
* Boost
* mmmty (2?)
* dante
* i3oilermaker
* jpm804
* Jcrouse
* sth

as well as two members of the Korean keyboard enthusiast forum KBDMania.
It's reasonable to say that none of these members were responsible for distribution. Some members received two keys, which lead to some members suggesting that they were a reward for donating to the GH server costs.

== Addressing ==
It is speculated that the distributor is a user who has run multiple group buys, or dealt extensively on the classifieds, as no members were contacted for their address. While this allows many users to be ruled out, with the loss of iTrader feedback from the vB days, cross analysis is no longer plausible.

Keyboard Glossary

2012-08-12T02:31:06Z

Quarzac:

(N|n)KRO, n-key rollover: key rollover is the minimum of the maximum number of simultaneous key presses that can be pressed at any one time and all register on the host computer.

NKRO over USB: the USB HID protocol by default only allows for 6 keypresses to be transmitted at any given time. There are various workarounds for this.

Ghosting:

Keycap stem: The center part of the keycap that allows attachment to a switch stem.

Slider: Synonymous with stem. "Slider" is often seen in reference to Alps switches. Sliders/stems are the component of the keyswitch that moves up and down and is directly responsible for actuation.

Programmability: The ability to assign specific functions to a key on a keyboard. Allows for custom layouts. Seen on many Access-is matrix keyboards, and in limited functionality on many gaming keyboards.

Tactile: A switch that has a distinct snap or bump at the actuation point. For a rough example, a clicky pen is technically a tactile switch. Common examples include Cherry MX Blues, Clears, Whites, Greens, and Browns as well as White, Blue, Cream, and Orange Alps.

Linear: A switch that does not demonstrate any tactility- you get a constant, smooth stroke from it. Examples would be Cherry MX Blacks or Reds, as well as Green Alps.

Clicky: A switch that produces an audible click upon depressing it. Examples include Cherry MX Blues, Whites, Greens and White, Blue, and Orange Alps.

Non-Clicky: Switches that do not produce any additional sound aside from bottoming out and friction. Examples include Cherry MX Browns, Clears, Blacks, and Reds, as well as Cream Alps.

Silent/Silenced: Often seen in reference to specific Topre boards, these are switches that are specifically designed to be quieter than the normal version of the switch.

Mechanical Keyboards

2012-08-12T02:18:53Z

Quarzac: /* Buckling Spring */

==Mechanical Keyboard Guide==

Purpose:
This guide is a starting point for mechanical keyboard information. It is meant to be introductory, not comprehensive in nature, and should serve as a starting point for the beginner.

What is a mechanical keyboard?
Definitions vary, but generally it's every type of keyboard that's not one of the now-common keyboards based on rubber dome or scissor switch technology. Another serviceable definition is: "Any keyboard that incorporates a metal spring".
Most modern mechanical keyboards have keyswitches by Cherry, IBM, Topre, and ALPS. Sometimes, people don't include Topre or some IBM models as "mechanical".

Why mechanical keyboards?
There are various reasons to get a mechanical keyboard. Some will fondly remember using vintage keyboards in their youth. Others use mechanical keyboards for ergonomic reasons. Some enjoy the benefits for gaming. Many people like the great durability and build quality of many mechanical keyboards. There is some evidence that mechanical keyboards are more efficient for typing. Almost everyone prefers the "feel" of a mechanical to rubber dome and scissor switch keyboards.

What makes it a "mechanical" keyswitch?
A keyswitch comprises of a way of making an electrical change when a key is pressed, ans a way of keeping the key in the "up" position. Most keyboards will electrically connect a circuit, allowing current to flow. Some change the capacitance of a matrix.

Most keyboards operate on "rubber dome" technology. The rubber dome provides a spring force, keeping the keycap up and unactivated. Beneath the dome are three sheets of plastic with a conductive layer on them. The outer sheets contain the circuitry, and conductive pads, and the middle separates them, with a gap where the pads are. When the key is pressed, the rubber dome will collapse, and when it's at the very bottom of its travel, (or "bottomed out") it will press the pads on the outer two sheets together creating a circuit. This is detected by the controller, and keypress information is sent to the computer.

A slight variation on this technology is the Scissor switch keyboard, commonly seen in laptops. It does exist on some keyboards intended for desktops, like the new apple aluminum keyboards. Under each key, there are two stabilizers that only allow it to move up and down on one axis. On a rubber dome keyboard, there is usually a piece of plastic with sliders keeping the keys centered on the domes. These make sure even if the key is pressed a little off axis, it will still only move straight, and the keypress will still be made. The scissors save a lot of vertical space, and the full travel of the keyswitch is greatly reduced (often by about half). On a scissor switch keyboard, the rubber domes are often individual -one per key instead of the full-keyboard-sheet of them often used for rubber dome keyboards. Like the rubber dome keyboard, a scissor switch has to be bottomed out to register.

Most mechanical keyboards are designed to register keypresses without bottoming out the switch. This leads to a number of benefits, and is one of the main reasons to use one. There is a great variation in how keypresses are registered without the switch bottoming out. Most rely on metal contacts that activate about halfway. Some detect a magnet moving using the properties of the "hall effect". Others detect a change in capacitance. Keyboards relying on "buckling spring" technology have a spring that will buckle at a specific point, and press a hammer down, either on a membrane or on capacitive sensors.

==Switch Types==

There are four commonly available switch types

=== Cherry MX ===
Cherry MX Cherry is a German maker of keyboards and keyswitches. They have several product lines, and some different keyswitch technologies. Their MX line is very common, especially in modern-mechanical keyboards. The heart of a Cherry MX keyswitch is a spring, and two metal contacts. This specific type of switch is a SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) NO (Normally Open) momentary switch. SPST means there is only one connection to be made, and that one connection is either on or off. NO means that the keyswitch is Normally Open. This means the circuit is kept in the open position, and only closes once the switch has been pressed. A "Momentary" switch is one that must be held down in the closed position. Unlike a light switch, when a momentary switch is released, the circuit will go back to it's normal state. The spring keeps the switch in the NO position.

The spring keeps the switch up in it's normal, open position. When it's pressed, one of the contacts slides on the plastic keystem. As the stem moves down, the contact gets closer to its mate. Eventually, about halfway to the bottom out point, the contact will rest against its mate and no longer move. At this point, the circuit is closed, and the keypress registers. In some cherry MX keyswitches, there is a bit of a "bump" when the circuit is made.

[[Switches:Cherry]]

=== Buckling Spring ===
IBM has a different, and more complicated way of making a keyswitch. They have two types: Buckling spring over membrane (Model M), and Buckling spring capacitive (Model F). In both designs, a round barrel only allows the key to travel up or down. Inside the barrel, a spring connects to the keycap and to a hammer, positioned right over a membrane sheet. This membrane sheet is very similar to ones found in rubber dome keyboards. When the key is pressed, the spring starts to compress, though it's loaded slightly eccentrically (slightly off the center axis). Eventually, the force depressing the spring will cause it to "buckle"or bend sharply outward. When this happens, the spring hits the inside of the barrel, making a noise. Since it's moved so far forward, the hammer it's connected to rotates downward and snaps against the membrane sheet, making a connection. In the similar capacitive version, the hammers are larger, and when they snap down, a change in capacitance is detected.

[[Buckling Springs |Switches: Buckling Springs]]

=== Alps Variants ===
Alps Electric Co. manufactures an array of electrical items including a variety of mechanical switches for keyboards. They are most commonly found in older "vintage" keyboards. There have been may types, styles, and some major design changes over the years. Alps switches are very complicated, and each contains many parts. Even the so-called simplified ALPS keyswitches are more complicated than most. See the ALPS wiki for more information into the function and favours of ALPS.

[[Switches:Alps]]

=== Topre Capacitive RD ===
Rubber Dome Over capacitive These keyswitches, manufactured by Topre, have a normal slider as part of the keycap. They also have a rubber dome that provides the spring force and tactility. These features are very similar to modern rubber dome technology. Under the rubber dome is a spring that is normally cone shaped, but when the dome is compressed, it flattens out into more of a circle shape. As the key is pressed, and the dome collapses, the spring changes the capacitance of the capacitive pads on the PCB beneath it. After it's reached a certain point, there has been enough of a change in capacitance that the keypress is registered. In this design, the dome provides almost all of the force, so some consider these keyboards not to be mechanical.

[[Switches:Topre]]

=== Vintage and Exotic Switches ===
Optical and Hall Effect Keyswitches These are somewhat more rare, and are generally only found in very high-reliability applications. Hall effect keyswitches ahve a spring (or sometimes a rubber dome) holding up the keyswitch, which contains a magnet. When it's pressed, a solid state transistor detects the magnets motion by the "Hall Effect" and registers a keypress.

Optical keyswitches have an infared LED and an infared sensor for each keyswitch. As teh keyswitch gets depressed, the beam of light shining from the LED to the sensor is broken. One optical keyboard, the Datahnd, uses magnets to keep the switches in the open position, though this is not usually the case. Both of these switch types are considered to be very reliable, and are generally also very expensive.

==Comparing Switches==

===Qualitatively===
The Feel
This is a very important aspect of mechanical keyboards. There are some words that are used to describe some specific properties of how a keyswitch is supposed to sound and feel. "Clicky", "Tactile", and "Linear" are common and generally accepted ones. Tactile refers to a switch that has a "tactile point" which is usually close to its activation point. As the switch is depressed, the force required increases. Afterthe tactile point, there is a sharp drop off in this force. This allows the user otfeel when the switch has activated, and should help to prevet bottoming out. A "clicky" switch produces an audible noise (usually a described as a "click" or "clack") at the tactile and activation point. A linear switch is neither clicky or tactile, it is merely the normal spring force increasing linearly as teh switch is depressed.

[[Switches:Vocabulary]]

===Quantitatively===
Force Diagrams and Key Travel
Key travel is the amount of distance the keyswitch travels duting a full stroke, from the very top resting position to the fully bottomed out position. Rubber Dome keyboards usually ave 3-4 mm of travel. Scissor switches are about 2 mm. Mechanical keyboards vary, but usually are 4-6 mm.
Force diagrams show the amount of force involved in pressing a keyswitch. They show both the force necessary to press the key,as well as the force of the return. If a switch has a tactilepoint, it is easy to see on a froce diagram as a hump on the graph. Normally, the switch's activation point is also shown. Generally, a force diagram will show the distance the keyswitch is pressed across the bottom (usually millimeters), and have the activaion force (usually centinewtons) as the vertical axis. Looking at the force diagram, it's relatively easy to see some of the benefots of mechanical keyboards.
Looking at a rubberdome force diagram, it's easy to see where the activation point is: at the very end of the stroke, and thusat higher forces. Most mechanical keyboards have the activation point cloer to the middle of the stroke, and at lesser forces. Often, much more force is appied to the rubber dome keyboard at the bottom out point than is necessary. Ths is because it's difficult to know exactly when the key has been pressed. It is not possible to stop applying force exactly at this point. With teh activation point not at the end of thekeystroke, a usr doesn't have to bottom out all the time. The amount of distance after the activation point is shown on the force diagram. For some switches, a "reset point" is also shown. The key has to be released past this point for the mechanism to reset, and another keypress recognized.

[[Switches:Measurement]]

Mechanical Keyboards

2012-08-12T02:17:10Z

Quarzac: /* Switch Types */

==Mechanical Keyboard Guide==

Purpose:
This guide is a starting point for mechanical keyboard information. It is meant to be introductory, not comprehensive in nature, and should serve as a starting point for the beginner.

What is a mechanical keyboard?
Definitions vary, but generally it's every type of keyboard that's not one of the now-common keyboards based on rubber dome or scissor switch technology. Another serviceable definition is: "Any keyboard that incorporates a metal spring".
Most modern mechanical keyboards have keyswitches by Cherry, IBM, Topre, and ALPS. Sometimes, people don't include Topre or some IBM models as "mechanical".

Why mechanical keyboards?
There are various reasons to get a mechanical keyboard. Some will fondly remember using vintage keyboards in their youth. Others use mechanical keyboards for ergonomic reasons. Some enjoy the benefits for gaming. Many people like the great durability and build quality of many mechanical keyboards. There is some evidence that mechanical keyboards are more efficient for typing. Almost everyone prefers the "feel" of a mechanical to rubber dome and scissor switch keyboards.

What makes it a "mechanical" keyswitch?
A keyswitch comprises of a way of making an electrical change when a key is pressed, ans a way of keeping the key in the "up" position. Most keyboards will electrically connect a circuit, allowing current to flow. Some change the capacitance of a matrix.

Most keyboards operate on "rubber dome" technology. The rubber dome provides a spring force, keeping the keycap up and unactivated. Beneath the dome are three sheets of plastic with a conductive layer on them. The outer sheets contain the circuitry, and conductive pads, and the middle separates them, with a gap where the pads are. When the key is pressed, the rubber dome will collapse, and when it's at the very bottom of its travel, (or "bottomed out") it will press the pads on the outer two sheets together creating a circuit. This is detected by the controller, and keypress information is sent to the computer.

A slight variation on this technology is the Scissor switch keyboard, commonly seen in laptops. It does exist on some keyboards intended for desktops, like the new apple aluminum keyboards. Under each key, there are two stabilizers that only allow it to move up and down on one axis. On a rubber dome keyboard, there is usually a piece of plastic with sliders keeping the keys centered on the domes. These make sure even if the key is pressed a little off axis, it will still only move straight, and the keypress will still be made. The scissors save a lot of vertical space, and the full travel of the keyswitch is greatly reduced (often by about half). On a scissor switch keyboard, the rubber domes are often individual -one per key instead of the full-keyboard-sheet of them often used for rubber dome keyboards. Like the rubber dome keyboard, a scissor switch has to be bottomed out to register.

Most mechanical keyboards are designed to register keypresses without bottoming out the switch. This leads to a number of benefits, and is one of the main reasons to use one. There is a great variation in how keypresses are registered without the switch bottoming out. Most rely on metal contacts that activate about halfway. Some detect a magnet moving using the properties of the "hall effect". Others detect a change in capacitance. Keyboards relying on "buckling spring" technology have a spring that will buckle at a specific point, and press a hammer down, either on a membrane or on capacitive sensors.

==Switch Types==

There are four commonly available switch types

=== Cherry MX ===
Cherry MX Cherry is a German maker of keyboards and keyswitches. They have several product lines, and some different keyswitch technologies. Their MX line is very common, especially in modern-mechanical keyboards. The heart of a Cherry MX keyswitch is a spring, and two metal contacts. This specific type of switch is a SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) NO (Normally Open) momentary switch. SPST means there is only one connection to be made, and that one connection is either on or off. NO means that the keyswitch is Normally Open. This means the circuit is kept in the open position, and only closes once the switch has been pressed. A "Momentary" switch is one that must be held down in the closed position. Unlike a light switch, when a momentary switch is released, the circuit will go back to it's normal state. The spring keeps the switch in the NO position.

The spring keeps the switch up in it's normal, open position. When it's pressed, one of the contacts slides on the plastic keystem. As the stem moves down, the contact gets closer to its mate. Eventually, about halfway to the bottom out point, the contact will rest against its mate and no longer move. At this point, the circuit is closed, and the keypress registers. In some cherry MX keyswitches, there is a bit of a "bump" when the circuit is made.

[[Switches:Cherry]]

=== Buckling Spring ===
Buckling Spring IBM has a different, and more complicated way of making a keyswitch. They have two types: Buckling spring over membrane (Model M), and Buckling spring capacitive (Model F). In both designs, a round barrel only allows the key to travel up or down. Inside the barrel, a spring connects to the keycap and to a hammer, positioned right over a membrane sheet. This membrane sheet is very similar to ones found in rubber dome keyboards. When the key is pressed, the spring starts to compress, though it's loaded slightly eccentrically (slightly off the center axis). Eventually, the force depressing the spring will cause it to "buckle"or bend sharply outward. When this happens, the spring hits the inside of the barrel, making a noise. Since it's moved so far forward, the hammer it's connected to rotates downward and snaps against the membrane sheet, making a connection. In the similar capacitive version, the hammers are larger, and when they snap down, a change in capacitance is detected.

[[Switches:BucklingSpring]]

=== Alps Variants ===
Alps Electric Co. manufactures an array of electrical items including a variety of mechanical switches for keyboards. They are most commonly found in older "vintage" keyboards. There have been may types, styles, and some major design changes over the years. Alps switches are very complicated, and each contains many parts. Even the so-called simplified ALPS keyswitches are more complicated than most. See the ALPS wiki for more information into the function and favours of ALPS.

[[Switches:Alps]]

=== Topre Capacitive RD ===
Rubber Dome Over capacitive These keyswitches, manufactured by Topre, have a normal slider as part of the keycap. They also have a rubber dome that provides the spring force and tactility. These features are very similar to modern rubber dome technology. Under the rubber dome is a spring that is normally cone shaped, but when the dome is compressed, it flattens out into more of a circle shape. As the key is pressed, and the dome collapses, the spring changes the capacitance of the capacitive pads on the PCB beneath it. After it's reached a certain point, there has been enough of a change in capacitance that the keypress is registered. In this design, the dome provides almost all of the force, so some consider these keyboards not to be mechanical.

[[Switches:Topre]]

=== Vintage and Exotic Switches ===
Optical and Hall Effect Keyswitches These are somewhat more rare, and are generally only found in very high-reliability applications. Hall effect keyswitches ahve a spring (or sometimes a rubber dome) holding up the keyswitch, which contains a magnet. When it's pressed, a solid state transistor detects the magnets motion by the "Hall Effect" and registers a keypress.

Optical keyswitches have an infared LED and an infared sensor for each keyswitch. As teh keyswitch gets depressed, the beam of light shining from the LED to the sensor is broken. One optical keyboard, the Datahnd, uses magnets to keep the switches in the open position, though this is not usually the case. Both of these switch types are considered to be very reliable, and are generally also very expensive.

==Comparing Switches==

===Qualitatively===
The Feel
This is a very important aspect of mechanical keyboards. There are some words that are used to describe some specific properties of how a keyswitch is supposed to sound and feel. "Clicky", "Tactile", and "Linear" are common and generally accepted ones. Tactile refers to a switch that has a "tactile point" which is usually close to its activation point. As the switch is depressed, the force required increases. Afterthe tactile point, there is a sharp drop off in this force. This allows the user otfeel when the switch has activated, and should help to prevet bottoming out. A "clicky" switch produces an audible noise (usually a described as a "click" or "clack") at the tactile and activation point. A linear switch is neither clicky or tactile, it is merely the normal spring force increasing linearly as teh switch is depressed.

[[Switches:Vocabulary]]

===Quantitatively===
Force Diagrams and Key Travel
Key travel is the amount of distance the keyswitch travels duting a full stroke, from the very top resting position to the fully bottomed out position. Rubber Dome keyboards usually ave 3-4 mm of travel. Scissor switches are about 2 mm. Mechanical keyboards vary, but usually are 4-6 mm.
Force diagrams show the amount of force involved in pressing a keyswitch. They show both the force necessary to press the key,as well as the force of the return. If a switch has a tactilepoint, it is easy to see on a froce diagram as a hump on the graph. Normally, the switch's activation point is also shown. Generally, a force diagram will show the distance the keyswitch is pressed across the bottom (usually millimeters), and have the activaion force (usually centinewtons) as the vertical axis. Looking at the force diagram, it's relatively easy to see some of the benefots of mechanical keyboards.
Looking at a rubberdome force diagram, it's easy to see where the activation point is: at the very end of the stroke, and thusat higher forces. Most mechanical keyboards have the activation point cloer to the middle of the stroke, and at lesser forces. Often, much more force is appied to the rubber dome keyboard at the bottom out point than is necessary. Ths is because it's difficult to know exactly when the key has been pressed. It is not possible to stop applying force exactly at this point. With teh activation point not at the end of thekeystroke, a usr doesn't have to bottom out all the time. The amount of distance after the activation point is shown on the force diagram. For some switches, a "reset point" is also shown. The key has to be released past this point for the mechanism to reset, and another keypress recognized.

[[Switches:Measurement]]

KeyboardGlossary

2012-08-12T02:16:00Z

Quarzac: Blanked the page

Keyboard Glossary

2012-08-12T02:15:46Z

Quarzac: Created page with "(N|n)KRO, n-key rollover: key rollover is the minimum of the maximum number of simultaneous key presses that can be pressed at any one time and all register on the host comput..."

Introduction

2012-08-12T02:15:32Z

Quarzac: /* Mechanical Switches */

== GEEKHACK ==
[http://www.geekhack.org GeekHack], the forum, was created by [[iMav]] during a particularly harried shopping adventure. It was originally conceived as the answer to a simple question: "why isn't there somewhere I can talk about buying keyboards with other geeks?!". Over the years, it has become '''the''' premiere source of information and discussion about mechanical keyboards and ergonomic input devices. At [[GeekHack]], you'll find the widest spectrum of keyboards and input device enthusiasts and walking encyclopedias in the English speaking world. This expertise spans the gulf between keyboards, mice and ergo accessories made during the initial rise of the microcomputers in the 80s all the way to hardcore gamers looking for the perfect backlit keyboard and LED-screened mouse to match their internally CCFL lit water-cooled rig. However, the deluge of information that [[GeekHack]] initially presents can be imposing to the casual visitor. In this introduction, we seek to provide a basic education in both mechanical keyboard technology and the structure and etiquette of the [[GeekHack Community]].

(gallery of geekhack keys)

== Keyboards ==
At present, the majority of discussions on [http://www.geekhack.org GeekHack] center around mechanical keyboards. The term "mechanical" is used somewhat loosely here. In particular, when we say that a keyboard is "mechanical", what we mean is that each key's switch registers the press of a key to the computer '''before''' the end of its mechanical travel.

== Rubber Dome over Membrane Switch (RDOMS) ==
Then, using this definition, the vast majority of keyboards are '''not''' mechanical. In fact, most keyboards use some variation of the "RDOMS" design, where each key presses down on a sheet of rubber domes. The underside of each dome has a conductive coating on it that contacts a PCB or membrane below when fully depressed. When the PCB or membrane comes into contact with the conductive coating on the underside of the rubber dome, an electrical circuit is completed and the keyboard registers the press of a key.

Hence, the combination of rubber dome and PCB or membrane forms the key switch. The rubber dome itself provides the key's rebound and tactility and the key must be fully depressed for the keystroke to register, meaning that at registration, the force pressing back on a user's finger is equal to the force provided by the finger (generally, this force is large).

(rubber dome animation)
Animation courtesy of Lethal Squirrel

== Scissor Switches ==
There are some variations on this theme, such as the so-called "scissor switch". These are generally used on low-profile keyboards, such as for laptops. Instead of a cylinder to guide the key cap, a plastic scissor-like stabilizer is used. Other than these, a scissor switch keyboard is no different that your typical rubber dome.

(scissor switch animation)
Animation courtesy of Lethal Squirrel

== Mechanical Switches ==
Mechanical keyboards typically employ some type of individual mechanical switch for each key. Some even make use of a rubber dome as part of their mechanism. They provide the following benefits over a typical rubber dome keyboard:

* The switches typically have far superior durability, often rated for 5-10 times the number of keystrokes of most rubber dome keyboards.
* The keystroke is registered well before the key is bottomed-out. This permits touch-typing and generally reduces strain.
* Longer key travel promotes more natural finger movement.
* Many choices in key feel and weight, due to the number of switch types available.

For more about mechanical keyboards, start with the [[Mechanical Keyboards]] article.

Most of all, '''mechanical keyboards feel great''' and can add much needed variety into your life, even or especially if your life largely consists of sitting at a computer otherwise.

=== More commonly used terms ===

[[Keyboard Glossary]]

== The Geekhack Community ==
Is awesome.

== Asking Questions ==

Have a question? [http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=31.0 Ask it!]

We're here to help. We want you to love keyboards as much as we do.

== Making Stuff! ==

== Buying and Selling ==

Introduction

2012-08-12T02:15:21Z

Quarzac: /* More commonly used terms */

== GEEKHACK ==
[http://www.geekhack.org GeekHack], the forum, was created by [[iMav]] during a particularly harried shopping adventure. It was originally conceived as the answer to a simple question: "why isn't there somewhere I can talk about buying keyboards with other geeks?!". Over the years, it has become '''the''' premiere source of information and discussion about mechanical keyboards and ergonomic input devices. At [[GeekHack]], you'll find the widest spectrum of keyboards and input device enthusiasts and walking encyclopedias in the English speaking world. This expertise spans the gulf between keyboards, mice and ergo accessories made during the initial rise of the microcomputers in the 80s all the way to hardcore gamers looking for the perfect backlit keyboard and LED-screened mouse to match their internally CCFL lit water-cooled rig. However, the deluge of information that [[GeekHack]] initially presents can be imposing to the casual visitor. In this introduction, we seek to provide a basic education in both mechanical keyboard technology and the structure and etiquette of the [[GeekHack Community]].

(gallery of geekhack keys)

== Keyboards ==
At present, the majority of discussions on [http://www.geekhack.org GeekHack] center around mechanical keyboards. The term "mechanical" is used somewhat loosely here. In particular, when we say that a keyboard is "mechanical", what we mean is that each key's switch registers the press of a key to the computer '''before''' the end of its mechanical travel.

== Rubber Dome over Membrane Switch (RDOMS) ==
Then, using this definition, the vast majority of keyboards are '''not''' mechanical. In fact, most keyboards use some variation of the "RDOMS" design, where each key presses down on a sheet of rubber domes. The underside of each dome has a conductive coating on it that contacts a PCB or membrane below when fully depressed. When the PCB or membrane comes into contact with the conductive coating on the underside of the rubber dome, an electrical circuit is completed and the keyboard registers the press of a key.

Hence, the combination of rubber dome and PCB or membrane forms the key switch. The rubber dome itself provides the key's rebound and tactility and the key must be fully depressed for the keystroke to register, meaning that at registration, the force pressing back on a user's finger is equal to the force provided by the finger (generally, this force is large).

(rubber dome animation)
Animation courtesy of Lethal Squirrel

== Scissor Switches ==
There are some variations on this theme, such as the so-called "scissor switch". These are generally used on low-profile keyboards, such as for laptops. Instead of a cylinder to guide the key cap, a plastic scissor-like stabilizer is used. Other than these, a scissor switch keyboard is no different that your typical rubber dome.

(scissor switch animation)
Animation courtesy of Lethal Squirrel

== Mechanical Switches ==
Mechanical keyboards typically employ some type of individual mechanical switch for each key. Some even make use of a rubber dome as part of their mechanism. They provide the following benefits over a typical rubber dome keyboard:

* The switches typically have far superior durability, often rated for 5-10 times the number of keystrokes of most rubber dome keyboards.
* The keystroke is registered well before the key is bottomed-out. This permits touch-typing and generally reduces strain.
* Longer key travel promotes more natural finger movement.
* Many choices in key feel and weight, due to the number of switch types available.

For more about mechanical keyboards, start with the [[MechanicalKeyboards]] article.

Most of all, '''mechanical keyboards feel great''' and can add much needed variety into your life, even or especially if your life largely consists of sitting at a computer otherwise.

=== More commonly used terms ===

[[Keyboard Glossary]]

== The Geekhack Community ==
Is awesome.

== Asking Questions ==

Have a question? [http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=31.0 Ask it!]

We're here to help. We want you to love keyboards as much as we do.

== Making Stuff! ==

== Buying and Selling ==

MechanicalKeyboards

2012-08-12T02:14:19Z

Quarzac: Blanked the page

Mechanical Keyboards

2012-08-12T02:12:41Z

Quarzac: Created page with "==Mechanical Keyboard Guide== Purpose: This guide is a starting point for mechanical keyboard information. It is meant to be introductory, not comprehensive in nature, and s..."

==Mechanical Keyboard Guide==

Purpose:
This guide is a starting point for mechanical keyboard information. It is meant to be introductory, not comprehensive in nature, and should serve as a starting point for the beginner.

What is a mechanical keyboard?
Definitions vary, but generally it's every type of keyboard that's not one of the now-common keyboards based on rubber dome or scissor switch technology. Another serviceable definition is: "Any keyboard that incorporates a metal spring".
Most modern mechanical keyboards have keyswitches by Cherry, IBM, Topre, and ALPS. Sometimes, people don't include Topre or some IBM models as "mechanical".

Why mechanical keyboards?
There are various reasons to get a mechanical keyboard. Some will fondly remember using vintage keyboards in their youth. Others use mechanical keyboards for ergonomic reasons. Some enjoy the benefits for gaming. Many people like the great durability and build quality of many mechanical keyboards. There is some evidence that mechanical keyboards are more efficient for typing. Almost everyone prefers the "feel" of a mechanical to rubber dome and scissor switch keyboards.

What makes it a "mechanical" keyswitch?
A keyswitch comprises of a way of making an electrical change when a key is pressed, ans a way of keeping the key in the "up" position. Most keyboards will electrically connect a circuit, allowing current to flow. Some change the capacitance of a matrix.

Most keyboards operate on "rubber dome" technology. The rubber dome provides a spring force, keeping the keycap up and unactivated. Beneath the dome are three sheets of plastic with a conductive layer on them. The outer sheets contain the circuitry, and conductive pads, and the middle separates them, with a gap where the pads are. When the key is pressed, the rubber dome will collapse, and when it's at the very bottom of its travel, (or "bottomed out") it will press the pads on the outer two sheets together creating a circuit. This is detected by the controller, and keypress information is sent to the computer.

A slight variation on this technology is the Scissor switch keyboard, commonly seen in laptops. It does exist on some keyboards intended for desktops, like the new apple aluminum keyboards. Under each key, there are two stabilizers that only allow it to move up and down on one axis. On a rubber dome keyboard, there is usually a piece of plastic with sliders keeping the keys centered on the domes. These make sure even if the key is pressed a little off axis, it will still only move straight, and the keypress will still be made. The scissors save a lot of vertical space, and the full travel of the keyswitch is greatly reduced (often by about half). On a scissor switch keyboard, the rubber domes are often individual -one per key instead of the full-keyboard-sheet of them often used for rubber dome keyboards. Like the rubber dome keyboard, a scissor switch has to be bottomed out to register.

Most mechanical keyboards are designed to register keypresses without bottoming out the switch. This leads to a number of benefits, and is one of the main reasons to use one. There is a great variation in how keypresses are registered without the switch bottoming out. Most rely on metal contacts that activate about halfway. Some detect a magnet moving using the properties of the "hall effect". Others detect a change in capacitance. Keyboards relying on "buckling spring" technology have a spring that will buckle at a specific point, and press a hammer down, either on a membrane or on capacitive sensors.

==Switch Types==

There are four commonly available switch typess

=== Cherry MX ===
Cherry MX Cherry is a German maker of keyboards and keyswitches. They have several product lines, and some different keyswitch technologies. Their MX line is very common, especially in modern-mechanical keyboards. The heart of a Cherry MX keyswitch is a spring, and two metal contacts. This specific type of switch is a SPST (Single Pole Single Throw) NO (Normally Open) momentary switch. SPST means there is only one connection to be made, and that one connection is either on or off. NO means that the keyswitch is Normally Open. This means the circuit is kept in the open position, and only closes once the switch has been pressed. A "Momentary" switch is one that must be held down in the closed position. Unlike a light switch, when a momentary switch is released, the circuit will go back to it's normal state. The spring keeps the switch in the NO position.

The spring keeps the switch up in it's normal, open position. When it's pressed, one of the contacts slides on the plastic keystem. As the stem moves down, the contact gets closer to its mate. Eventually, about halfway to the bottom out point, the contact will rest against its mate and no longer move. At this point, the circuit is closed, and the keypress registers. In some cherry MX keyswitches, there is a bit of a "bump" when the circuit is made.

[[Switches:Cherry]]

=== Buckling Spring ===
Buckling Spring IBM has a different, and more complicated way of making a keyswitch. They have two types: Buckling spring over membrane (Model M), and Buckling spring capacitive (Model F). In both designs, a round barrel only allows the key to travel up or down. Inside the barrel, a spring connects to the keycap and to a hammer, positioned right over a membrane sheet. This membrane sheet is very similar to ones found in rubber dome keyboards. When the key is pressed, the spring starts to compress, though it's loaded slightly eccentrically (slightly off the center axis). Eventually, the force depressing the spring will cause it to "buckle"or bend sharply outward. When this happens, the spring hits the inside of the barrel, making a noise. Since it's moved so far forward, the hammer it's connected to rotates downward and snaps against the membrane sheet, making a connection. In the similar capacitive version, the hammers are larger, and when they snap down, a change in capacitance is detected.

[[Switches:BucklingSpring]]

=== Alps Variants ===
Alps Electric Co. manufactures an array of electrical items including a variety of mechanical switches for keyboards. They are most commonly found in older "vintage" keyboards. There have been may types, styles, and some major design changes over the years. Alps switches are very complicated, and each contains many parts. Even the so-called simplified ALPS keyswitches are more complicated than most. See the ALPS wiki for more information into the function and favours of ALPS.

[[Switches:Alps]]

=== Topre Capacitive RD ===
Rubber Dome Over capacitive These keyswitches, manufactured by Topre, have a normal slider as part of the keycap. They also have a rubber dome that provides the spring force and tactility. These features are very similar to modern rubber dome technology. Under the rubber dome is a spring that is normally cone shaped, but when the dome is compressed, it flattens out into more of a circle shape. As the key is pressed, and the dome collapses, the spring changes the capacitance of the capacitive pads on the PCB beneath it. After it's reached a certain point, there has been enough of a change in capacitance that the keypress is registered. In this design, the dome provides almost all of the force, so some consider these keyboards not to be mechanical.

[[Switches:Topre]]

=== Vintage and Exotic Switches ===
Optical and Hall Effect Keyswitches These are somewhat more rare, and are generally only found in very high-reliability applications. Hall effect keyswitches ahve a spring (or sometimes a rubber dome) holding up the keyswitch, which contains a magnet. When it's pressed, a solid state transistor detects the magnets motion by the "Hall Effect" and registers a keypress.

Optical keyswitches have an infared LED and an infared sensor for each keyswitch. As teh keyswitch gets depressed, the beam of light shining from the LED to the sensor is broken. One optical keyboard, the Datahnd, uses magnets to keep the switches in the open position, though this is not usually the case. Both of these switch types are considered to be very reliable, and are generally also very expensive.

==Comparing Switches==

===Qualitatively===
The Feel
This is a very important aspect of mechanical keyboards. There are some words that are used to describe some specific properties of how a keyswitch is supposed to sound and feel. "Clicky", "Tactile", and "Linear" are common and generally accepted ones. Tactile refers to a switch that has a "tactile point" which is usually close to its activation point. As the switch is depressed, the force required increases. Afterthe tactile point, there is a sharp drop off in this force. This allows the user otfeel when the switch has activated, and should help to prevet bottoming out. A "clicky" switch produces an audible noise (usually a described as a "click" or "clack") at the tactile and activation point. A linear switch is neither clicky or tactile, it is merely the normal spring force increasing linearly as teh switch is depressed.

[[Switches:Vocabulary]]

===Quantitatively===
Force Diagrams and Key Travel
Key travel is the amount of distance the keyswitch travels duting a full stroke, from the very top resting position to the fully bottomed out position. Rubber Dome keyboards usually ave 3-4 mm of travel. Scissor switches are about 2 mm. Mechanical keyboards vary, but usually are 4-6 mm.
Force diagrams show the amount of force involved in pressing a keyswitch. They show both the force necessary to press the key,as well as the force of the return. If a switch has a tactilepoint, it is easy to see on a froce diagram as a hump on the graph. Normally, the switch's activation point is also shown. Generally, a force diagram will show the distance the keyswitch is pressed across the bottom (usually millimeters), and have the activaion force (usually centinewtons) as the vertical axis. Looking at the force diagram, it's relatively easy to see some of the benefots of mechanical keyboards.
Looking at a rubberdome force diagram, it's easy to see where the activation point is: at the very end of the stroke, and thusat higher forces. Most mechanical keyboards have the activation point cloer to the middle of the stroke, and at lesser forces. Often, much more force is appied to the rubber dome keyboard at the bottom out point than is necessary. Ths is because it's difficult to know exactly when the key has been pressed. It is not possible to stop applying force exactly at this point. With teh activation point not at the end of thekeystroke, a usr doesn't have to bottom out all the time. The amount of distance after the activation point is shown on the force diagram. For some switches, a "reset point" is also shown. The key has to be released past this point for the mechanism to reset, and another keypress recognized.

[[Switches:Measurement]]

The Mystery Keycap

2012-08-12T02:06:36Z

Quarzac: Created page with "200px == Background == On July 19th, 2012, Geekhack user [http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=13303 Dorkvader] received an unknown keycap in ..."

[[File:Cap.jpg|thumb|200px]]
== Background ==
On July 19th, 2012, Geekhack user [http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=13303 Dorkvader] received an unknown keycap in the mail- there was no return address, only a postmark. As the days dragged on, many other users received these keycaps, some multiples, and all were left pondering where they came from. While several users have been quick to incriminate user [http://geekhack.org/index.php?action=profile;u=5606 Mkawa], he has vehemently denied all involvement, and one of the members who received a keycap had never given Mkawa his address. Currently, no one is conclusively sure as to who sent the keycaps- the evidence collected is as follows:

== Postmarks ==
The envelopes that were sent to the many Geekhackers were postmarked from several different locations, leading to speculation that more than one member may have been involved in distribution. These various locations were:
{| class="wikitable" width="60%"
| Reno, NV, USA
| Rosemead, CA, USA
| Monterey Park, CA, USA
| Seattle, WA, USA
| Richmond, British Columbia, Canada
| South Korea
|}

== Users ==
The users who received the keys are:
* Dorkvader
* Hashbaz
* Ekw808
* Glissant
* WRXChris
* MagicMeatball
* aggiejy (TWO?)
* Taeyoung
* Gimpster
* Metafour
* AKIMbO
* Reaper
* Boost
* mmmty (2?)
* dante
* i3oilermaker
* jpm804
* Jcrouse

as well as two members of the Korean keyboard enthusiast forum KBDMania.
It's reasonable to say that none of these members were responsible for distribution. Some members received two keys, which lead to some members suggesting that they were a reward for donating to the GH server costs.

== Addressing ==
It is speculated that the distributor is a user who has run multiple group buys, or dealt extensively on the classifieds, as no members were contacted for their address. While this allows many users to be ruled out, with the loss of iTrader feedback from the vB days, cross analysis is no longer plausible.

File:Cap.jpg

2012-08-12T01:48:50Z

Quarzac: The Mystery Keycap (Photo credits to Hashbaz)

The Mystery Keycap
(Photo credits to Hashbaz)

GeekHackWiki

2012-08-11T23:07:38Z

Quarzac: /* Keycap Manufacturing */

This is the wiki portion of [http://www.geekhack.org GeekHack], the premiere english-language resource for mechanical keyboards and related DIY projects on the web. This wiki, combined with the forum, will eventually make it easy to find and digest the collective knowledge of the english-language keyboard community.

== GeekHack ==

* [[Introduction]] - start here!
* [[Geekhack History]]
* [[GeekHack Staff]]
* [[Group Buy|Group Buys]]
* [[Projects]]

== Keyboards ==

* [[Mechanical Keyboards]] - an overview of what it's all about
* [[Cherry MX]] - the venerable Cherry MX switch
* [[Buckling Springs]] - the mechanical keyboard that started it all
* [[Other Switches]] - other common switch types
* [[Key Caps]] - compatibility, stem types, profiles, surface texture and materials
* [[Keyboard Glossary]]

=== Manufacturers ===

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33496.0

=== Vendors ===

http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=51.0

== Mice ==

=== Manufacturers ===

=== Vendors ===

== Making Stuff ==

One of the primary missions of [[GeekHack]] is to push the envelope on small-scale manufacturing. While we tend to focus on keyboards and keycaps, there are some other projects eiher worked on or built up by our members.

For general resources, we maintain the following thread: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33298.0

=== Keycap Manufacturing ===

* [[Keycap Basics]]

* [[Keycap Vendors]]

=== Structural Materials ===

* [[Milling]]

* [[Molding]]

* [[3d Printing]]

=== Electronics ===

* [[Key Switch Matrices]]

* [[LED Matrices]]

* [[Microcontroller Platforms]]

* [[PCB Manufacturing]]

=== Techniques ===

=== Resources ===

== Other Geeky Stuff ==

=== Audio ===

GeekHackWiki

2012-08-11T23:07:24Z

Quarzac: /* Electronics */

This is the wiki portion of [http://www.geekhack.org GeekHack], the premiere english-language resource for mechanical keyboards and related DIY projects on the web. This wiki, combined with the forum, will eventually make it easy to find and digest the collective knowledge of the english-language keyboard community.

== GeekHack ==

* [[Introduction]] - start here!
* [[Geekhack History]]
* [[GeekHack Staff]]
* [[Group Buy|Group Buys]]
* [[Projects]]

== Keyboards ==

* [[Mechanical Keyboards]] - an overview of what it's all about
* [[Cherry MX]] - the venerable Cherry MX switch
* [[Buckling Springs]] - the mechanical keyboard that started it all
* [[Other Switches]] - other common switch types
* [[Key Caps]] - compatibility, stem types, profiles, surface texture and materials
* [[Keyboard Glossary]]

=== Manufacturers ===

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33496.0

=== Vendors ===

http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=51.0

== Mice ==

=== Manufacturers ===

=== Vendors ===

== Making Stuff ==

One of the primary missions of [[GeekHack]] is to push the envelope on small-scale manufacturing. While we tend to focus on keyboards and keycaps, there are some other projects eiher worked on or built up by our members.

For general resources, we maintain the following thread: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33298.0

=== Keycap Manufacturing ===

* [[KeycapBasics]]

* [[KeycapVendors]]

=== Structural Materials ===

* [[Milling]]

* [[Molding]]

* [[3d Printing]]

=== Electronics ===

* [[Key Switch Matrices]]

* [[LED Matrices]]

* [[Microcontroller Platforms]]

* [[PCB Manufacturing]]

=== Techniques ===

=== Resources ===

== Other Geeky Stuff ==

=== Audio ===

GeekHackWiki

2012-08-11T23:07:07Z

Quarzac: /* GeekHack */

This is the wiki portion of [http://www.geekhack.org GeekHack], the premiere english-language resource for mechanical keyboards and related DIY projects on the web. This wiki, combined with the forum, will eventually make it easy to find and digest the collective knowledge of the english-language keyboard community.

== GeekHack ==

* [[Introduction]] - start here!
* [[Geekhack History]]
* [[GeekHack Staff]]
* [[Group Buy|Group Buys]]
* [[Projects]]

== Keyboards ==

* [[Mechanical Keyboards]] - an overview of what it's all about
* [[Cherry MX]] - the venerable Cherry MX switch
* [[Buckling Springs]] - the mechanical keyboard that started it all
* [[Other Switches]] - other common switch types
* [[Key Caps]] - compatibility, stem types, profiles, surface texture and materials
* [[Keyboard Glossary]]

=== Manufacturers ===

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33496.0

=== Vendors ===

http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=51.0

== Mice ==

=== Manufacturers ===

=== Vendors ===

== Making Stuff ==

One of the primary missions of [[GeekHack]] is to push the envelope on small-scale manufacturing. While we tend to focus on keyboards and keycaps, there are some other projects eiher worked on or built up by our members.

For general resources, we maintain the following thread: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33298.0

=== Keycap Manufacturing ===

* [[KeycapBasics]]

* [[KeycapVendors]]

=== Structural Materials ===

* [[Milling]]

* [[Molding]]

* [[3d Printing]]

=== Electronics ===

* [[KeySwitchMatrices]]

* [[LEDMatrices]]

* [[MicrocontrollerPlatforms]]

* [[PCBManufacturing]]

=== Techniques ===

=== Resources ===

== Other Geeky Stuff ==

=== Audio ===

Geekhack History

2012-08-11T23:06:40Z

Quarzac: Created page with "The Mystery Keycap"

[[The Mystery Keycap]]

GeekHackWiki

2012-08-11T22:52:26Z

Quarzac: /* GeekHack */

This is the wiki portion of [http://www.geekhack.org GeekHack], the premiere english-language resource for mechanical keyboards and related DIY projects on the web. This wiki, combined with the forum, will eventually make it easy to find and digest the collective knowledge of the english-language keyboard community.

== GeekHack ==

* [[Introduction]] - start here!
* [[GeekHack Staff]]
* [[Group Buy|Group Buys]]
* [[Projects]]
* [[Geekhack History]]

== Keyboards ==

* [[Mechanical Keyboards]] - an overview of what it's all about
* [[Cherry MX]] - the venerable Cherry MX switch
* [[Buckling Springs]] - the mechanical keyboard that started it all
* [[Other Switches]] - other common switch types
* [[Key Caps]] - compatibility, stem types, profiles, surface texture and materials
* [[Keyboard Glossary]]

=== Manufacturers ===

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33496.0

=== Vendors ===

http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=51.0

== Mice ==

=== Manufacturers ===

=== Vendors ===

== Making Stuff ==

One of the primary missions of [[GeekHack]] is to push the envelope on small-scale manufacturing. While we tend to focus on keyboards and keycaps, there are some other projects eiher worked on or built up by our members.

For general resources, we maintain the following thread: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33298.0

=== Keycap Manufacturing ===

* [[KeycapBasics]]

* [[KeycapVendors]]

=== Structural Materials ===

* [[Milling]]

* [[Molding]]

* [[3d Printing]]

=== Electronics ===

* [[KeySwitchMatrices]]

* [[LEDMatrices]]

* [[MicrocontrollerPlatforms]]

* [[PCBManufacturing]]

=== Techniques ===

=== Resources ===

== Other Geeky Stuff ==

=== Audio ===

GeekHackWiki

2012-08-06T23:52:37Z

Quarzac: /* GeekHack */

This is the wiki portion of [http://www.geekhack.org GeekHack], the premiere english-language resource for mechanical keyboards and related DIY projects on the web. This wiki, combined with the forum, will eventually make it easy to find and digest the collective knowledge of the english-language keyboard community.

== GeekHack ==

* [[Introduction]] - start here!
* [[GeekHack Staff]]
* [[Group Buy|Group Buys]]
* [[Projects]]

== Keyboards ==

* [[Mechanical Keyboards]] - an overview of what it's all about
* [[Cherry MX]] - the venerable Cherry MX switch
* [[Buckling Springs]] - the mechanical keyboard that started it all
* [[Other Switches]] - other common switch types
* [[Key Caps]] - compatibility, stem types, profiles, surface texture and materials
* [[Keyboard Glossary]]

=== Manufacturers ===

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33496.0

=== Vendors ===

http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=51.0

== Mice ==

=== Manufacturers ===

=== Vendors ===

== Making Stuff ==

One of the primary missions of [[GeekHack]] is to push the envelope on small-scale manufacturing. While we tend to focus on keyboards and keycaps, there are some other projects eiher worked on or built up by our members.

For general resources, we maintain the following thread: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33298.0

=== Keycap Manufacturing ===

* [[KeycapBasics]]

* [[KeycapVendors]]

=== Structural Materials ===

* [[Milling]]

* [[Molding]]

* [[3d Printing]]

=== Electronics ===

* [[KeySwitchMatrices]]

* [[LEDMatrices]]

* [[MicrocontrollerPlatforms]]

* [[PCBManufacturing]]

=== Techniques ===

=== Resources ===

== Other Geeky Stuff ==

=== Audio ===

GeekHackWiki

2012-08-06T23:51:58Z

Quarzac: /* Keyboards */

This is the wiki portion of [http://www.geekhack.org GeekHack], the premiere english-language resource for mechanical keyboards and related DIY projects on the web. This wiki, combined with the forum, will eventually make it easy to find and digest the collective knowledge of the english-language keyboard community.

== GeekHack ==

* [[Introduction]] - start here!
* [[GeekHackStaff]]
* [[Group Buy|GroupBuys]]
* [[Projects]]

== Keyboards ==

* [[Mechanical Keyboards]] - an overview of what it's all about
* [[Cherry MX]] - the venerable Cherry MX switch
* [[Buckling Springs]] - the mechanical keyboard that started it all
* [[Other Switches]] - other common switch types
* [[Key Caps]] - compatibility, stem types, profiles, surface texture and materials
* [[Keyboard Glossary]]

=== Manufacturers ===

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33496.0

=== Vendors ===

http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=51.0

== Mice ==

=== Manufacturers ===

=== Vendors ===

== Making Stuff ==

One of the primary missions of [[GeekHack]] is to push the envelope on small-scale manufacturing. While we tend to focus on keyboards and keycaps, there are some other projects eiher worked on or built up by our members.

For general resources, we maintain the following thread: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=33298.0

=== Keycap Manufacturing ===

* [[KeycapBasics]]

* [[KeycapVendors]]

=== Structural Materials ===

* [[Milling]]

* [[Molding]]

* [[3d Printing]]

=== Electronics ===

* [[KeySwitchMatrices]]

* [[LEDMatrices]]

* [[MicrocontrollerPlatforms]]

* [[PCBManufacturing]]

=== Techniques ===

=== Resources ===

== Other Geeky Stuff ==

=== Audio ===