Introduction - Revision history

Quarzac: /* Mechanical Switches */

2012-08-12T02:15:32Z

‎Mechanical Switches

Quarzac: /* More commonly used terms */

2012-08-12T02:15:21Z

‎More commonly used terms

Mkawa: /* Mechanical Switches */

2012-08-03T05:32:00Z

‎Mechanical Switches

Mkawa: /* Mechanical Switches */

2012-08-03T05:30:44Z

‎Mechanical Switches

Mkawa: /* Asking Questions */

2012-08-03T05:29:05Z

‎Asking Questions

Mkawa: /* Asking Questions */

2012-08-03T05:28:26Z

‎Asking Questions

Sth: changed from rd to rdoms as rubber dome by itself has nothing to do with the electrical operation

2012-07-31T05:18:20Z

changed from rd to rdoms as rubber dome by itself has nothing to do with the electrical operation

Mkawa: /* Rubber Domes */

2012-07-31T04:29:32Z

‎Rubber Domes

Mkawa: /* Keyboards */

2012-07-31T04:29:00Z

‎Keyboards

Mkawa: /* GEEKHACK */

2012-07-31T04:28:20Z

‎GEEKHACK

@@ Line 29: / Line 29: @@
 * 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.
+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.

← Older revision		Revision as of 02:15, 12 August 2012
Line 35:		Line 35:
	=== More commonly used terms ===		=== More commonly used terms ===

−	[[KeyboardGlossary]]
		+	[[Keyboard Glossary]]

	== The Geekhack Community ==		== The Geekhack Community ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:32, 3 August 2012
Line 32:		Line 32:

	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.		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 ===
		+
		+	[[KeyboardGlossary]]

	== The Geekhack Community ==		== The Geekhack Community ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:30, 3 August 2012
Line 30:		Line 30:

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

	== The Geekhack Community ==		== The Geekhack Community ==

@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 == Asking Questions ==
-Have a question? [http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=31.0 ask it!]
+Have a question? [http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=31.0 Ask it!]
 == Making Stuff! ==

← Older revision		Revision as of 05:28, 3 August 2012
Line 35:		Line 35:

	== Asking Questions ==		== Asking Questions ==
		+
		+	Have a question? [http://geekhack.org/index.php?board=31.0 ask it!]

	== Making Stuff! ==		== Making Stuff! ==

@@ Line 7: / Line 7: @@
 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 Domes ==
+== 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 "rubber dome" 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.
+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).

@@ Line 5: / Line 5: @@
 == Keyboards ==
-At present, the majority of discussions on [http://www.geekhack.org GeekHack] center around mechanical keyboards.  The term "mechancial" 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.
+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 Domes ==

@@ Line 1: / Line 1: @@
 == 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]].
+[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)