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@robpike@hachyderm.io

Post #2939209

2026-04-13 11:09 UTC

When keyboards were made for people who typed for a living, the lettering on the keys was structural, like the words in a Brighton Rock. I suppose that era has passed.

Replies (10)

  • @quite@mstdn.social 2026-04-13 11:17

    @robpike@hachyderm.io like the words in a Brighton Rock, that's an expression i dont understand

    Open ##2939210

  • @gjm@mathstodon.xyz 2026-04-13 11:31

    @robpike@hachyderm.io Still a thing: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Injection_moulding#Multi-shot_moulding

    Open ##2939219

  • @robpike@hachyderm.io Not sure how the lettering has been put on my Unicomp keycaps, but I've used them for *years* with no visible wear. Or indeed any physical change in the keyboard itself. Those things are built like tanks, and still available new. Their new Mini M model in particular looks nice. And I believe you can get Mac style keycaps for them. My own Unicomp sports a custom keycap set they printed for me with actual hyper, super, and meta labels. https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/MINI_M

    Open ##2939221

  • @knapjack@social.vivaldi.net 2026-04-13 14:20

    @robpike@hachyderm.io I do a lot of thrift shopping for old camera gear and I've picked up a couple of old HP calculators along the way. The early keys were double-shot injection molded like a good keyboard, the later ones just painted.

    Open ##2939222

  • @robpike@hachyderm.io I've read all of your books but this is my first time realizing you're British

    Open ##2939223

  • @feoh@oldbytes.space 2026-04-13 14:32

    @robpike@hachyderm.io You've posted a lot about working with Macs and MacOS. They are the worst example of a modern keyboard I can think of. They're made for people who want to look tres chiq in their local coffee shop sipping their mocha latte. Compare and contrast with the keyboard on the 2009 Macbook, which was gorgeous with beautiful key travel, detent and general feel. Apple has made it clear who their customer is, and I would posit that is not us.

    Open ##2939224

  • @jens@social.finkhaeuser.de 2026-04-13 17:27

    @robpike@hachyderm.io Who needs to type when vibe coding rules the world?

    Open ##2939225

  • @le0l@infosec.exchange 2026-04-13 18:03

    @robpike@hachyderm.io Yes, that era passed, but evidences still remain.

    Open ##2939226

  • @woo@fosstodon.org 2026-04-14 10:51

    @robpike@hachyderm.io "Quality in depth" and also "All the way down", like turtles.

    Open ##2939227

  • @mathew@universeodon.com 2026-04-14 16:02

    @robpike@hachyderm.io I strongly recommend Keychron keyboards, which have mechanical switches and double-shot keycaps so the lettering won’t wear off. They also make Mac-native keyboards where everything just works and you have all the usual Mac keys. If you like low profile keyboards, which seems likely if you have an Apple keyboard, then you might like the K1 Max, which is what I have. https://www.keychron.com/collections/low-profile-keyboard-collection/products/keychron-k1-max-qmk-via-wireless-custom-mechanical-keyboard If I were buying one today, I’d also consider the K15 Max with Alice split layout. Open source firmware, and they even publish all the CAD files so people can make or 3D print accessories. https://github.com/Keychron/Keychron-Keyboards-Hardware-Design (I have no commercial relationship with them other than as a customer.) #keyboards

    Open ##2939228