"Here's a new keyboard that meets most of your specific requirements!"
She* said.
"You should order it."
She said.
"Little did she know the yak-shaving, can of worms, mountain of complications cascade that would ensue".
[ * She is me.
Boyf needed a new PC keyboard and between USB standards/power outputs, exotic Linux requirements, macro/keybindings, and uhm copious KVM usage - things got real messy real fast.. ]
Wow I forgot I had ordered this! Two volumes (plus extras) of Shift Happens including slip case. Having just flipped through this book already makes me unreasonably happy! #keyboards#ComputingHistory#ShiftHappens
I'm a keyboard shortcut gal myself. Developers, please don't think we're all mouse/trackpad fans. Gotta use them sometimes, but when my fingers leave the keys, things get slower. Give me the combos please.
Thinking about my Kinesis Advantage360 (dunno why 🤷♀️) and how i really do prefer its physical aspects to those of the MoErgo Glove80, but it's just unusable to me without an escape key‡. So, I wondered about just adding a single key macropad in the appropriate corner. Then I wondered how hard it would be to make one.
This thread is ONLY to talk about Keyboards, Notes, Maps and Music Players. I add video Music Players because probably some people want to know about good FOSS alternatives....
are there 60% #keyboards with cherry mx browns (or equivalent)?
Thinking about replacing my current, I think it's a razer blackwidow. with my stream deck and CATS I could use the extra space and I'm not very impressed by the MX red...like, switches in it. I like knowing when it's actuated
I just love the freedom to work on @zenitizer from anywhere! And since my new #keyboard, the #Dygma Defy is fully wireless, I can now even have a proper ergonomic "desk setup" wherever I am 🤓 Absolutely loving this keyboard and so far and cannot imagine going back after using it for a couple weeks now ⌨️ #remotework#desksetup#desksetups#indiedev#keyboards
As always, the awesome folks over at Redragon sent me their Dharma Pro K556 Aluminum keyboard to use and review. This is a keyboard I was very excited to get since it’s a full sized, 104-key layout keyboard which is something I really need and enjoy since I work and game from the same PC.
The Redragon Dharma Pro K556 has a minimalist design, with a metal top and side plates, and a plastic bottom frame. The keys are floating over the top plate, which gives the keyboard a sleek look and makes it easy to clean. The keyboard is also quite heavy and sturdy, which adds to its durability and stability. The Redragon logo is displayed on a metal badge above the 10-keys, and there are four rubber feet on the bottom to prevent the keyboard from sliding.
The keyboard has a standard 104-key layout, with the right Windows key replaced by an FN key that allows access to additional functions, such as media controls, lighting modes, and macro recording. The keyboard also supports full N-key rollover and anti-ghosting, which means that every key press will be registered accurately, even when multiple keys are pressed simultaneously.
https://www.seerofsouls.com/wp-content/themes/groovy/assets/images/transparent.gifThe keyboard comes with Redragon’s own mechanical red switches, which are similar to Cherry MX switches. The switches are hot-swappable, which means that they can be easily replaced without soldering, either for customization or repair. The keyboard also comes with a switch puller and a keycap puller, which are useful tools for swapping switches and keycaps. The switches are available in different colors, each with a different feel and sound. The red switches are linear and quiet, the brown switches are tactile and quiet, the blue switches are tactile and clicky, and the black switches are linear and heavy.
The keycaps are made of ABS plastic, with double-shot injection molding, which means that the legends are part of the keycap and will not fade or wear off. The keycaps have a standard font and size, and are compatible with most aftermarket keycaps. The keycaps also have a slight curve and texture, which makes them comfortable to type on.
Wireless And Wired Connectivity
The keyboard supports three modes of connectivity: Bluetooth, 2.4 GHz wireless, and USB-C wired. The keyboard can be paired with up to three Bluetooth devices, and can switch between them with a simple key combination. The Bluetooth mode works with most devices that support Bluetooth, such as laptops, tablets, smartphones, and consoles. The 2.4 GHz wireless mode works with a USB-A dongle that can be stored inside the keyboard when not in use. The 2.4 GHz wireless mode has a lower latency and higher stability than the Bluetooth mode, and is ideal for gaming. The USB-C wired mode works with a braided cable that can be plugged into any USB port. The USB-C wired mode has the lowest latency and the highest reliability, and also charges the keyboard’s battery.
https://www.seerofsouls.com/wp-content/themes/groovy/assets/images/transparent.gifThe keyboard has a built-in 1600 mAh lithium battery, which can last for up to 50 hours with the RGB lighting on, and up to 150 hours with the RGB lighting off. The battery life depends on the usage and the brightness of the lighting. I managed to get right about 48 hours with RGB enabled.
The keyboard also has a battery indicator on the top right corner, which shows the battery level with four LED lights. The keyboard can be used while charging, and it takes about 4 hours to fully charge the battery.
RGB Lighting And Software
The keyboard has per-key RGB lighting, which means that each key can be customized with a different color and effect. The keyboard has 18 preset lighting modes, which can be accessed and adjusted with the FN key and the arrow keys. The keyboard also has a music mode, which makes the lighting react to the sound of the music or the game. The keyboard also has a game mode, which disables the Windows key and other keys that might interfere with gaming.
https://www.seerofsouls.com/wp-content/themes/groovy/assets/images/transparent.gifThe keyboard can be further customized with the Redragon software, which can be downloaded from the Redragon website. The software allows the user to create and save custom lighting profiles, assign macros and shortcuts to any key, and adjust the keyboard settings, such as the polling rate, the debounce time, and the sleep mode. The software is easy to use and has a user-friendly interface.
Pros And Cons
The Redragon Dharma Pro K556 keyboard is a great choice for gamers and typists who are looking for a wireless, mechanical, RGB keyboard that offers a lot of features and performance for a reasonable price. Here are some of the pros and cons of this keyboard:
<strong>Pros</strong>Wireless and wired connectivity optionsHot-swappable mechanical switchesPer-key RGB lightingFull N-key rollover and anti-ghostingDurable and sturdy build qualityLong battery lifeCustomizable software<strong>Cons</strong>Heavy and bulkyNo wrist rest or dedicated media keysSoftware only works in wired mode
Discount Code
Thanks to the awesome folks over at Redragon for allowing me to review this product and others that they have sent over in the past. They have also provided me with a special URL that anyone can use to save a total of 10% off of your entire purchase across their site. So if you’re interested in purchasing the Redragon Dharma Pro K556 Aluminum keyboard, or any of their products, you can click this link: Save 10% On Your Entire Order. I believe if you don’t click the link, you can always manually input DECRYPTED as the code during check out.
Final Thoughts
The Redragon Dharma Pro K556 keyboard is a versatile and powerful keyboard that can satisfy the needs and preferences of most users. It has a minimalist and elegant design, a solid and durable build quality, a wireless and wired connectivity options, a hot-swappable mechanical switches, a per-key RGB lighting, a full N-key rollover and anti-ghosting, a long battery life, and a customizable software. It is also reasonably priced at $79.99 currently directly from Redragon, compared to other similar keyboards on the market. Overall, the Redragon Dharma Pro K556 keyboard is a great value for money, and a worthy addition to any gaming or typing setup.
Mechanical keyboards are popular with geeks because they can be customized with a variety of switches and keycaps. But have you ever seen a mechanical keyboard that can fold? Well, you will today because I’m going to tell you about the RK Royal Kludge RK925 folding mechanical keyboard. It’s certainly something different than what you will normally see when it comes to a mechanical keyboard.
The Royal Kludge RK925 is a foldable mechanical keyboard that can be either wired or wireless, depending on your preference. Don’t take the Kludge part of the name in a bad way here, as it’s not meant as if it’s an ill-assorted collection of parts assembled to fulfill a particular purpose.
https://www.seerofsouls.com/wp-content/themes/groovy/assets/images/transparent.gifAs you can see it’s definitely a foldable keyboard. But what’s different about the Royal Kludge RK925 it folds horizontally instead of vertically like most foldable keyboards you see will do. This truly sets it apart right from the start in my opinion.
Unfortunately once it’s folded in half, there is no locking mechanism or anything similar to keep it folder. You have to rely on the way you store it in your bag or whatever. There is however a velvet pouch for the folded keyboard to fit in, so that does keep it from coming unfolded if you store it in that.
Another thing that most gamers, among others, will appreciate about the RK925 is that it’s what they call a 60% keyboard with only 68 mechanical backlit keys.
Along the top edge of the Royal Kludge RK925 is where you will find the power switch, the USB-C charging/connectivity port and the foldout phone/tablet holder if you wish to use it with a mobile device. One neat thing is, the RK925 can be paired with up to 3 different devices using Bluetooth 5.1.
The foldout phone/tablet holder is very sturdy and has no issues at all. It will even work with cases, depending on their thickness of course. I personally used it with an iPhone 12 Pro and a Pixel 6 Pro while on vacation in Las Vegas.
This keyboard uses low profile white switches that have a 12mm height and a 1.4mm distance to actuation.
The double shot ABS keycaps have a very shallow concave shape but they are full-size keys allowing typing to feel roomy and comfortable. Being a mechanical keyboard, typing on it results in a pleasant clickity clackity. I found the volume of the clicking and clacking to be fine for my ears but if you work in a quiet office, you might bother others.
The backlight is bright but not too bright. It can be completely turned off or you can switch it to a ‘breathing’ mode where it will fade in and out.
It has a 600mAh battery that will give you up to 200 hours of nonstop typing with the backlight off and is fully recharged in 2-3 hours.
Note that this keyboard seems to automatically time out and go into power savings mode after about a minute. So if you come back to your desk and start typing, you might lose a stroke or two before you notice.
One thing to note is that the RK925 does not include a Mac mode so using it with a Macbook Pro or something similar works, but you won’t be able to do the special key combos using the OPTION and CMD keys unfortunately. If you can live without those special key combos, then using it with a Macbook or anything similar should work without any other issues.
Discount Code
Thanks to the awesome folks over at Royal Kludge for allowing me to review this product and others that they have sent over in the past. They have also provided me with a special URL that anyone can use to save a total of 10% off of your entire purchase across their site. So if you’re interested in purchasing the RK Royal Kludge RK925 folding mechanical keyboard, or any of their products, you can enter code DECRYPTED to Save 10% On Your Entire Order.
Final Thoughts
It’s nice to see a company that makes normal every day products come up with something different and do it differently than you would expect. The Royal Kludge RK925 does exactly that while maintaining the ability to work as expected. It’s very well made, sturdy, solid, portable and affordable.
If you’re looking for or in the need of a keyboard you can easily take with you but not have all the bulkiness of a regular keyboard, then this is certainly one product you should take a look at. Throw in that the price is only $79.99 if you buy directly from RK Royal Kludge.
Been putting this off for a few days, but here goes nothing. #intro#introduction
My name is Kaylie, though many just call me Fox. I’m a 36 going on 13 year old trans girl originally from the desert now residing in the Midwest with my girlfriend Wednesday and our three cats, Mia, Nala and Harley.
This account is my alt, with my main being found at @LavenderPawprints. Expect some cross posting between the two, with longer posts coming from this one thanks to the much larger character limitations. Also expect this one to be somewhat more personal at times.
I’m #autistic,, #VisuallyImpaired, hard of hearing, struggle with mental health and a bunch of other little things, but I prefer not to have my worth weighed out by the extensiveness of my disability and challenge list. To me, life is life and we all godda make the best of what we got.
So what are my interests?
Well, I’m a #musician who writes and records my own #music. I play mostly #guitars, #synths and #keyboards, but can hold my own with other things like percussions and the like. I can’t really play any wind instruments though. I done smoked too much in my time. :P
I also love reading and writing, mostly fantacy and science-fiction, but will read just about anything if it’s something that sounds good.
Academically, I study generative #AI as well as #Elementary#education. I’m a strong supporter of #YouthRights and #YouthLiberation and believe with all my heart that kids are an oppressed minority who deserve to be able to show us all that they are capable of much more than just being those tag-alongs that so many parents treat them as. #Unschooling is a very valid form of education that doesn’t oppress youths but gives them the freedom to choose their own path and inform themselves through self-directed learning and play. Trust me, I can wax poetic about this stuff for hours. 😊
Though I don’t have kids myself, something that causes a lot of emotional distress to me, I’m still a supporter of #GentleParenting and live the #youthLiberationist ethics in practice. Kids, to me are as equal as anyone else. The only thing that separates us is lived experience and age.
I’m also a casual #PC#gamer who has considered streaming on and off for a while but has never actually done so. I play with a lot of emulators too and love reliving the old days. #retro
I do make some #AIArt from time-to-time using Stable Diffusion, though admittedly I haven’t been as active on that front lately due to mental health burnout.
Also love #anime, #cartoons, #TV when I actually have the money to pay for streaming services, and #movies are fun too when the #ADHD allows me to sit still long enough to get through one.
Other things that matter to me are making and keeping real #friendships. I’d rather have a few really solid people to call family than have a bunch of people who aren’t as in it for good as me.
I’m also a #stoner and am very pro #420, like my #Vodka and #RedBulls from time-to-time, and I’m a recovering addict who has over six years clean from most things that nearly claimed my life. I fully appreciate the struggles of #DrugAddiction, and will always listen to anyone who may be struggling or who needs someone who understands. #YourNotAlone
I judge absolutely no one for anything beyond observable behavior. I mean that too. I don’t judge anyone anything.
Am a #tea drinker and #coffee lover, I love #cooking, and I’m always doing experimental mad scientist things in the kitchen.
I also identify as a long-time #furry, though the community has grown stagnant, too commercialized and for public consumption in recent years. Some would probably say that my whiskers are grey, for all the time I’ve been around in one form or another. That’s to say, I’ve seen a lot in the furry fandom, and where it’s at now just makes me sad because it’s not like it used to be.
Otherwise, anything you may wish to know is always a DM away. I’m very approachable, or at least I try to be. The only dumb questions are the ones you don’t ask. As such, I invite your curiosity.
When it comes to using a PC or even a laptop, most everyone wants speakers to be able to listen to music, videos or just sound in general. There are certainly millions of options out there to choose from which means you can get something cheap, expensive, large, small or whatever.
Thanks to the awesome folks over at RedragonShop, I was sent over a set of their Redragon Anvil GS520 computer speakers. The question is, for the price of $39.99 how do these speakers deliver when it comes to sound as that’s obviously the most important feature when it comes to a set of speakers.
Specifications
<strong>Package Size</strong>: 7.48 x 6.69 x 4.33 inches<strong>Item Weight</strong>: 1.98 pounds<strong>2.0 Channel Stereo</strong>: Yes<strong>3.5mm Mic/Headset Jack</strong>: Yes<strong>RGB LED Backlit</strong>: Yes<strong>Power Consumption</strong>: 5W x 2
Features
Classic design and simple structure2.0 Channel stereo speakersAdopted low-voltage digital power for crystal clear soundMaximum Power of 5W x 2RGB lighting with touch control
The Redragon Anvil GS520 are very lightweight and are the usual plug and play set of speakers. They plug into an AC outlet on the wall or a power strip, then plug into the back of the PC. There are no drivers or anything else which makes them easy to use on a PC, laptop or anything that has a 3.5mm jack.
The speakers have control buttons for both volume up and volume down. Simply press the + sign to turn up the volume and press the – to turn it down. My one complaint here is that I wish they were either touch capacitive or it was a volume knob. Having actual buttons that get pushed seem a bit old school, but it works nonetheless.
https://www.seerofsouls.com/wp-content/themes/groovy/assets/images/transparent.gifSince the Redragon Anvil GS520 comes with RGB lighting, there is a button on the top of the right speaker that allows you to change the colors between 6 different settings. Simple press of the button changes the color and again, there’s no special software that’s needed for the RGB lighting.
As is the case with any speaker review, the question asked most is all about sound quality. So where does the Redragon Anvil GS520 stand in that department you ask?
Let me start off by saying, these aren’t Bose speakers by any means, which is what I’ve used for the past 6 – 7 years on my PC. But that doesn’t mean they aren’t good.
As stated originally, these speakers currently cost $39.99 so they are what you obviously call affordable speakers. For me, I tested them on my daily PC when viewing Twitch streams, watching YouTube and listening to Spotify.
Sound quality was clear and crisp, even when turned all the way up, though turning speakers all the way up isn’t something I normally do and certainly don’t suggest.
When listening to music that had a bit of bass to it, the bass came through the speakers very well. It wasn’t overpowering or under impressive in any way. The bass didn’t override the lows and highs or anything similar and kept the listening experience ideal.
Throw in the fact that the speakers do have RGB lighting is an extra bonus in my book. As we all know, RGB is something that a lot of people enjoy and want, and while it’s certainly not going to light up a room, it gives a nice touch to the speakers as they sit on your desk or table or whatever you might use.
Discount Code
Thanks to the awesome folks over at Redragon for allowing me to review this product and others that they have sent over in the past. They have also provided me with a special URL that anyone can use to save a total of 10% off of your entire purchase across their site. So if you’re interested in purchasing the Redragon Anvil GS520, or any of their products, you can click this link: Save 10% On Your Entire Order. I believe if you don’t click the link, you can always manually input DECRYPTED as the code during check out.
The good folks over at Redragonshop have sent me the Caraxes Pro SE K644 65% keyboard to review. If smaller keyboards are your thing, then keep reading for the details on this keyboard.
The Redragon Caraxes Pro SE K644 is a great 65% mechanical keyboard that offers a lot of features for a very reasonable price. It is hot-swappable, so you can easily change the switches to your liking. It also has RGB backlighting, and it can be connected via wired, Bluetooth, or 2.4GHz wireless.
The Caraxes Pro is made of high-quality materials, and it feels very sturdy. The keycaps are well-made, and they have a nice texture. The switches are Outemu Reds, which are linear and quiet. They are perfect for gaming or typing. The Caraxes Pro SE K644 has a lot of features that make it a great choice for gamers. It has a fast response time, and it is very responsive. It also has N-key rollover, so you can press any number of keys at the same time without any ghosting.
Bluetooth/2.4Ghz/Wired 3-Mode100% Hot-Swap SocketFree-Mod Plate Mounted PCBNo drivers required for RGB lighting controlHot-Swappable Quiet Red Linear SwitchCreative 1.2X Larger Size Keycaps
Pros And Cons
<strong>Pros</strong>Hot-swappable switchesRGB BacklightingWired, Bluetooth, and 2.4GHz wireless connectivitySturdy build qualityWell-made keycapsLinear and quiet Outemu Reds switchesFast response timeN-key rolloverQuiet typing<strong>Cons</strong>No wrist rest included
The Redragon Caraxes Pro SE K644 is also a great choice for typists. The keys are very smooth to type on, and they have a good amount of travel. The keyboard is also very quiet, so you won’t disturb anyone else in the room.
There’s a wireless mini USB receiver for desktops and laptops and Bluetooth v5.0/V3.0 for various handhelds and laptops. With its onboard rechargeable battery, you won’t need to worry about replacing the cells when the power is low. And if you still do, you can instantly switch to USB-C wired connection which will recharge those batteries while you continue gaming. And what’s even crazier are the hotkeys that light up the entire top row of keys to indicate the battery level from 10% to 100%.
Keeping ergonomics for gaming on the highest priority, the Caraxes features hot-swappable linear RED mechanical switches that can not only support OUTEMU, but all 3/5-pin switches on the market. Thanks to the unique and exclusive structure design of the key sockets, switch mounting/swapping is now a lot easier, and there’s lower key wobbling too. Backlit with individual 16.8m RGB LEDs which are controlled by Redragon’s proprietary software, and the unique combination of cream, grey, and orange keys, this keyboard can instantly turn heads around, while you keep them engrossed in your key skills.
Battery Life
Battery life is decently good from my experience. Redragon states that if you use backlighting you’ll get 30 hours of battery life and 120 hours of battery life if you don’t use backlighting. I only tested it with backlighting on and the battery life was slightly better than they stated as I managed to get 32 hours of battery life on two different occasions.
To check to see how much battery life is left, Redragon offers a quick and easy way for you to check by simply pressing the FN + Space buttons at the same time. This will light up the number row according to how much charge is left. If the 1 and 2 numbers are the only ones lit up, then it’s low battery life. If all numbers are lit up, then you have a full charge. You can look at the images below to understand better how it works.
Thanks to the awesome folks over at Redragon for allowing me to review this product and others that they have sent over in the past. They have also provided me with a special URL that anyone can use to save a total of 10% off of your entire purchase across their site. So if you’re interested in purchasing the Redragon Caraxes 644 Pro SE, or any of their products, you can click this link: Save 10% On Your Entire Order. I believe if you don’t click the link, you can always manually input DECRYPTED as the code during check out.
Final Thoughts
If the smaller sized keyboard is your thing, then the Redragon Caraxes Pro SE K644 is definitely something for you to look into. It’s quiet, it’s comfortable to use and is priced very reasonably at only $59.99. Throw in that you can save 10% off by using the code above, then you’re getting a great deal on a great keyboard.
“A new ergonomic keyboard that’s very exciting” is apparently on the way, too.
It's even a good sign that this image depicting my favorite (badly Photoshopped) Sculpt Ergo keyboard was apparently supplied by Incase, suggesting that they'll be making more of them as well.
Preparing a megathread about android FOSS apps - Part Four (Keyboards, Notes, Maps and Music Players)
This thread is ONLY to talk about Keyboards, Notes, Maps and Music Players. I add video Music Players because probably some people want to know about good FOSS alternatives....