[..'] objcguy's scribble.

Matias Tactile Pro 3 coming soon

[..'] objcguy — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 00:15:38 +0000

Just got an email from Matias that they’ve posted details on upcoming Tactile Pro 3 keyboard.

Since it’s yet-to-be released product I can’t really tell the build quality or whether the issues that previous versions had are resolved (flimsy lags and ghost keys, to name a few), but I noticed in their product page that Alps mechanical key switches are back (dropping their own replicas used in version 2), and it’s got n-key roll over (finally!).

If you want a decent keyboard with USB 2.0 ports, it seems to be one of the few viable options.

give me a matte screen and old keyboard

[..'] objcguy — Wed, 17 Jun 2009 00:44:22 +0000

Overall, new unibody Macbook Pro is an improvement over pre-unibody models, but keyboard and screen are definitely not.

Since the introduction of unibody Macbook and Macbook Pros, Apple replaced their display with glossy screens. Unlike most people though, I detest reflective screens. If complaining could ever change things, I will happily keep doing it until Apple provides matte for MacBook Pro, at least as an BTO option. Sigh. I’m willing to pay extra for that !! (note: only 17 inch MacBook Pro has this option.)

Also, you might have guessed it if you read my other posts about keyboards, I’m one of the few who care about the quality of keyboard, and while usable, the key switches of pre-unibody MacBook Pros were leaps and bounds better than current one, which is basically the same as that of old white MacBook.

It’s sad to see all those good quality products go the way of the dodo.

Topre RealForce 86 Space Saver (a.k.a. 10-keyless)

[..'] objcguy — Tue, 27 May 2008 01:00:06 +0000

This is it. Actually this is the best keyboard I could get my hands on so far. Chances are you probably have not seen it because it’s only available in Korea for now. I was so lucky that this precious item got just released while I was in Korea for very limited time. In fact I would have not bought Filco Majestouch keyboard at Japan if I knew it was to be released in two weeks. Timing is everything, yes indeed.

Keys have different levels of strength depending on their locations, and the switches are Electric Capacitance ones, which the Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro uses.

Its only, but quite annoying, drawback is its lack of USB port whatsoever. Despite of Its high price (roughly $300), it does not have a USB port. Yeah, truly lame. Or maybe a strategy to force helpless keyboard geeks like to fork out another $300 in a few years down the road…

More pictures (a blog of Korean, there are more photos than letters

New item: Diatec Filco Majestouch FKB104M/EB

[..'] objcguy — Tue, 27 May 2008 00:20:40 +0000

As a clueless keyboard collector wannabe, I couldn’t resist and end up getting Filco Majestouch keyboard from Diatec during my trip to Japan. I feel too lazy to take photos and post, so I just googled it and google answered. This is a quite affordable keyboard ($100 approx.) which uses Brown Keyswitches from Cherry.

Brown switches feels lighter than Black one (linear) and I don’t need clicking sound of Blue one, so this is probably the best bang for the buck keyboard for me. 104 key standard layout, USB ports, nothing more, nothing less.

[self release]

[..'] objcguy — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 22:21:27 +0000

How does it sound working a full time job, volunteer work on weekends and taking a 400 level course in the evening? I thought I could manage, but it only lasted for three months because I couldn’t handle it. It’s now the end of semester and you know what that means.. Well, I just realized I’m not as young and energetic as I used to.

Now since I’m released from my full time job, my long-overdue projects should make some serious progress… hopefully.

Time Machine capacity bug and its workaround.

[..'] objcguy — Sat, 05 Jan 2008 01:07:53 +0000

I found a bug in Time Machine, Apple’s back up solution for mere mortal.

My PowerMac G5 has a 1TB internal drive, so with the help of Boxing day frenzy, I picked up a matching 1TB external hard drive for Time Machine. Unwrapped it, plugged it in, and gave it a go. Both drives have exactly the same storage size; but Time Machine refused to start saying there’s not enough storage. Duh.

Interestingly, when I added half of the contents of the drive to exclusion list, finished the initial back up process, and removed the rest half from the exclusion list, Time Machine backed up the whole drive just fine. Obviously there’s a bug in Time Machine’s necessary storage estimation code, or it’s at least very inaccurate.

I guess this is probably one of the million of blog enties on the internet that complains about various shortcomings of Time Machine, but I just hope that it’s get improved significantly before 10.6, which probably won’t be released within 2 years from now.

GMail now supports imap

[..'] objcguy — Wed, 24 Oct 2007 19:49:47 +0000

A pleasant surprise news this morning. Now gmail supports imap!I was setting up my own mail server just for this, so the timing is almost perfect as well. Of course, Google guys don’t risk the security of their servers, so it’s all thru SSL. Very nice.Time to apt-get –purge remove dovecot.

How do you know compiling from source sucks?

[..'] objcguy — Sat, 09 Jun 2007 09:31:43 +0000

When installing wireshark with MacPorts takes more than 30 min on quad core mac with 2G ram… Give me a break.

Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2

[..'] objcguy — Sat, 26 May 2007 00:08:42 +0000

For most people, keyboards are all the same. For those who massage a keyboard 24x7x365, however, it is one of the most important tools. It should feel right, and work right. And shouldn’t kill your fingers at the end of the day.

Sadly, the quality of consumer electronics is seldom appreciated these days, and computer keyboard is no exception. I seldom find any difference between $10 keyboard and $100 one except funky shapes and silly extra buttons. But there are a few good companies which have managed to survive building quality products.

I’ve been using Matias Tactile Pro keyboard for yeas, which its manufacturer claims is the successor of the legendary Apple Extended Keyboard. But IMHO, it’s close but not quite as good. Its switches are a bit heavier, and thus a bit tiring to type for a long time. Its clicking sound is also a bit louder. Its got a few phantom keys, which are not deal-breakers but annoying at times nonetheless. Yada yada… oh, did I mention its legs are fragile? (their customer service rep will send you spare parts for free without asking though.)

Enters Happy Hacking Keyboard Pro 2.

It uses Electric Capacitance System, which is another kind of key switche (it’s neither Alps, nor Cherry, nor IBM’s famous buckling switch. Of course it’s not the cheap Membrane rubber switch, either). It feels light when I type, yet gives me pleasant, tactile response. Easy on my fingers, joy to use, and pretty too.

One issue with this keyboard is that it has minimal number of keys, forcing its users to adapt to a completely new key layout. But it’s worth learning it because it completely eliminates the need to move your right hand sideways. You know how productive it is if you are a real programmer.

It’s not for everyone. But if you care enough about the quality of your keyboard, and know the productivity improvement of not touching the mouse, you should check this out. It’s price is around $200-250, but I’m a happy customer.

There’s a catch: it’s not available in North America so you can buy one.

HHK Pro 2, Matias Tactile Pro, HHK Lite 2 for Mac (from the top to bottom). The layout of the keyboard should ring a bell if you’re a veteran vi/emacs user.

If you still haven’t noticed, the whole point of this blog is to brag about my new toys… now move along.