Das Keyboard
Encyclopedia
Das Keyboard is a series of premium computer keyboards
sold by Metadot Corporation, an open source software company located in Austin, Texas. Their most distinctive feature has been the absence of key labels, i.e. the keys themselves are both completely black and blank, thereby supposedly helping to improve touch typing
skills and eliminating the need to rearrange keys for alternate keyboard layout
s. Labeled versions have also been available since 2008. The current iterations employ mechanical keyswitches.
The name uses the German
article das (the neuter
versions of the in German
), thereby simply translating to "The Keyboard". Another reference to the German language is that the keyboard targets “Über
-Geek
s”.
The first iteration ca. 2005 was a black ANSI layout rubber dome keyboard with unlabeled keys in a Model M
-like shape. The now-uncommon shape and claim of individually weighted keyswitches suggest that it was a custom version of a Key Tronic
E03600.
Das Keyboard II, still with blank keys only, was the first to feature mechanical keyswitches (Cherry
MX, blue stem), which increased the keyboard lifespan and improved tactile and audio feedback. According to the manufacturer, it even increases the wit of the disparaging remarks dispatched by 123%. It has been identified as a custom Cherry G80-3000 by case shape, PCB labels and production in the Czech Republic
.
The third iteration in 2008 was the first to be offered in both Ultimate (unlabeled) and Professional (labeled) versions. This USB-only keyboard also offered 6-key rollover capability
(the maximum for a conventional USB HID keyboard), an internal 2-port USB hub and came with a glossy surface. Both 104-key (ANSI) and 105-key layouts (ISO) were offered.
This version was not without its problems, however, as it became known that key transposition errors could occur at high typing speeds. In addition, interoperability issues related to the USB hub were noticed with some systems.
The "Das Keyboard Model S" constitutes the latest addition to the lineup, as of late 2009. It contains revised electronics to address some of the common complaints along with supporting media keys and PS/2 operation. Again, it is shipped in both Ultimate (unlabeled) and Professional (labeled) versions, both 104- and 105-key, with the addition of a labeled Professional Silent model featuring non-clicky but tactile MX brown stem keyswitches. The latter is intended for applications demanding lower noise levels than obtained with the regular clicky MX blue stem switches while retaining a similar tactile characteristic.
First samples showed improvements in areas where the previous model had problems.
Friends and colleagues asked him many times where they could buy a blank keyboard like his, but this was a one-of-a-kind keyboard. After he noticed a wide interest in this blank typing device he decided to launch a new product line focusing exclusively on providing the best quality keyboard equipment available on the market. The first week after the launch of the first Das Keyboard, its website got several million hits and was mentioned numerous blogs and leading newspapers including Slashdot and the New York Times.
Das Keyboard is manufactured by Costar Electronics in Taiwan, R.O.C.
in 2009 in order to promote typing as an important skill.
Computer keyboard
In computing, a keyboard is a typewriter-style keyboard, which uses an arrangement of buttons or keys, to act as mechanical levers or electronic switches...
sold by Metadot Corporation, an open source software company located in Austin, Texas. Their most distinctive feature has been the absence of key labels, i.e. the keys themselves are both completely black and blank, thereby supposedly helping to improve touch typing
Touch typing
Touch typing is typing without using the sense of sight to find the keys. Specifically, a touch typist will know their location on the keyboard through muscle memory. Touch typing typically involves placing the eight fingers in a horizontal row along the middle of the keyboard and having them...
skills and eliminating the need to rearrange keys for alternate keyboard layout
Keyboard layout
A keyboard layout is any specific mechanical, visual, or functional arrangement of the keys, legends, or key–meaning associations of a computer, typewriter, or other typographic keyboard....
s. Labeled versions have also been available since 2008. The current iterations employ mechanical keyswitches.
The name uses the German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
article das (the neuter
Grammatical gender
Grammatical gender is defined linguistically as a system of classes of nouns which trigger specific types of inflections in associated words, such as adjectives, verbs and others. For a system of noun classes to be a gender system, every noun must belong to one of the classes and there should be...
versions of the in German
German language
German is a West Germanic language, related to and classified alongside English and Dutch. With an estimated 90 – 98 million native speakers, German is one of the world's major languages and is the most widely-spoken first language in the European Union....
), thereby simply translating to "The Keyboard". Another reference to the German language is that the keyboard targets “Über
Über
Über comes from the German language. It has one umlaut. It is a cognate of both Latin super and Greek ὑπέρ...
-Geek
Geek
The word geek is a slang term, with different meanings ranging from "a computer expert or enthusiast" to "a carnival performer who performs sensationally morbid or disgusting acts", with a general pejorative meaning of "a peculiar or otherwise dislikable person, esp[ecially] one who is perceived to...
s”.
Das Keyboard products
There have been multiple generations of Das Keyboard:The first iteration ca. 2005 was a black ANSI layout rubber dome keyboard with unlabeled keys in a Model M
Model M Keyboard
The Model M keyboard is a class of computer keyboards manufactured by IBM, Lexmark and Unicomp, starting in 1984. The many different variations of the keyboard have their own distinct characteristics, with the vast majority having a buckling spring key design and many having fully swappable keycaps...
-like shape. The now-uncommon shape and claim of individually weighted keyswitches suggest that it was a custom version of a Key Tronic
Key Tronic
Key Tronic is a computer equipment manufacturer founded in 1969. Its core product group includes keyboards, mice and other input devices. They are considered to be one of the pioneers in ergonomic keyboard design...
E03600.
Das Keyboard II, still with blank keys only, was the first to feature mechanical keyswitches (Cherry
Cherry (keyboards)
ZF Electronics GmbH is a German computer peripheral-device maker. The company has its roots in the USA. They also manufacture a large range of products including sensors, input devices and automotive modules...
MX, blue stem), which increased the keyboard lifespan and improved tactile and audio feedback. According to the manufacturer, it even increases the wit of the disparaging remarks dispatched by 123%. It has been identified as a custom Cherry G80-3000 by case shape, PCB labels and production in the Czech Republic
Czech Republic
The Czech Republic is a landlocked country in Central Europe. The country is bordered by Poland to the northeast, Slovakia to the east, Austria to the south, and Germany to the west and northwest....
.
The third iteration in 2008 was the first to be offered in both Ultimate (unlabeled) and Professional (labeled) versions. This USB-only keyboard also offered 6-key rollover capability
Rollover (key)
Rollover is the ability of a computer keyboard to correctly handle several simultaneous keystrokes.-Normal typing:During normal typing on a conventional computer keyboard, only one key is typically being pressed by the user at any given time; each key is released before the next key is struck. ...
(the maximum for a conventional USB HID keyboard), an internal 2-port USB hub and came with a glossy surface. Both 104-key (ANSI) and 105-key layouts (ISO) were offered.
This version was not without its problems, however, as it became known that key transposition errors could occur at high typing speeds. In addition, interoperability issues related to the USB hub were noticed with some systems.
The "Das Keyboard Model S" constitutes the latest addition to the lineup, as of late 2009. It contains revised electronics to address some of the common complaints along with supporting media keys and PS/2 operation. Again, it is shipped in both Ultimate (unlabeled) and Professional (labeled) versions, both 104- and 105-key, with the addition of a labeled Professional Silent model featuring non-clicky but tactile MX brown stem keyswitches. The latter is intended for applications demanding lower noise levels than obtained with the regular clicky MX blue stem switches while retaining a similar tactile characteristic.
First samples showed improvements in areas where the previous model had problems.
History
The keyboard was designed by Daniel Guermeur, the founder of Metadot Corporation, an open source software company located in Austin, Texas, USA. Daniel Guermeur noticed that hunting and pecking was not very efficient for someone spending most of his days typing on a computer. He was looking for a radical solution which would prevent him from looking at the keys. Thus he had a Chinese factory make his first blank keyboard. After a few seconds of using it, the low-cost, rubber-membrane keyboard was giving atrocious tactile feedback so he decided that blank keys were not enough to type fast; the keyboard component quality was paramount as well. He then had another factory make the best quality keyboard they could deliver and added the blank keys. After few weeks of usage Daniel doubled his typing speed.Friends and colleagues asked him many times where they could buy a blank keyboard like his, but this was a one-of-a-kind keyboard. After he noticed a wide interest in this blank typing device he decided to launch a new product line focusing exclusively on providing the best quality keyboard equipment available on the market. The first week after the launch of the first Das Keyboard, its website got several million hits and was mentioned numerous blogs and leading newspapers including Slashdot and the New York Times.
Das Keyboard is manufactured by Costar Electronics in Taiwan, R.O.C.
Promoting typing skills
Das Keyboard launched the first Ultimate Typing ChampionshipUltimate Typing Championship
The Ultimate Typing Championship is a typing competition designed to identify and award the fastest typists around.-History:The Ultimate Typing Championship was created in order to promote typing and find the fastest typists in USA. Players compete against each other in typing races. Typing races...
in 2009 in order to promote typing as an important skill.
See also
- FrogPad
- Happy Hacking KeyboardHappy Hacking KeyboardThe Happy Hacking Keyboard is a small computer keyboard produced by PFU Limited of Japan, co-developed with Japanese computer pioneer Eiiti Wada...
- Model M keyboardModel M KeyboardThe Model M keyboard is a class of computer keyboards manufactured by IBM, Lexmark and Unicomp, starting in 1984. The many different variations of the keyboard have their own distinct characteristics, with the vast majority having a buckling spring key design and many having fully swappable keycaps...
- Optimus Maximus keyboard
- Touch typingTouch typingTouch typing is typing without using the sense of sight to find the keys. Specifically, a touch typist will know their location on the keyboard through muscle memory. Touch typing typically involves placing the eight fingers in a horizontal row along the middle of the keyboard and having them...
- Keyboard layout changer
External links
- Official Das Keyboard homepage
- The Tech Report: Das Keyboard comparison to the IBM Model M
- Das Keyboard Professional review on Ars Technica
- Das Keyboard review on Maximum PC
- Coverage of Das Keyboard on Slashdot
- Details regarding serious key transposition issue with Das Keyboard III
- Gadget Guys review of Das Keyboard
- Daniel Guermeur reveals that the Das Keyboard III may transpose keystrokes
- Original New York Times article