THIS KEYBOARD DRAWS A TOTAL BLANK
 I
type faster than I can write using a pen. I know this because after
handwriting a few paragraphs, I had to stop because my hand became
tired. Evidently writing is no different than any other physical
activity. If you don't do it for a while, you have to build back up
to it.
Now while I can type fairly quickly, I know I could type even faster
if I took the time to learn how to touch type. I donąt feel too
singled out because I see others like me using their thumbs and the
first three fingers of each hand. And also like me, they have to
look at the keyboard. Yes, I know where every key is located but I
still have to look at it. Which brings me to an interesting solution
I recently discovered. What would happen if the keyboard didn't have
the letters printed on the key caps? That's the idea behind the very
cool looking " Das Keyboard Model S Ultimate" from Metadot
Corporation.
The Model S Ultimate is a gorgeous jet black, matt-finish enhanced
104 or 105-key layout that sports a non-reflective finish that gives
it an eerie appearance that I found to be strangely attractive. But
what makes it truly look bizarre is the lack of lettering on the key
caps. All of them are totally blank. The idea, according to the
company is that the lack of key identification gives you nothing to
look at while typing thus your brain will quickly adapt and memorize
the key positions. Supposedly if you keep doing that, you'll find
yourself typing a lot faster and with a lot more accuracy. Metadot
says that slow typing people almost double their speed and those who
type quickly become blazing fast. It's an interesting concept and I
can see how consistent usage of the Model S Ultimate just might do
the trick. Sure beats using a blindfold.
In addition to the blank keys, the Das Keyboard has an additional
feature that again, according to the company will help to increase
your typing speed and accuracy. The keys are individually weighted
and placed into groups. Most keyboards require around 55 grams of
force to depress any key. But the Das Keyboard has five different
levels of force, each of which is located in its own cluster of keys
in different areas on the keyboard. Each grouping ranges from 35 to
80 grams. These correspond to the strength of the finger that
touches the keys. The outer keys that fall under the weaker pinky
and fourth or ring fingers only require 35 grams of pressure to
type. The stronger third and index fingers as well as all of the
numeric keypad keys get 45 grams assigned to their keys. The Shift,
Caps Lock, Tab, Escape, Function and cursor cluster keys require a
stronger 55 grams. And to depress the Space Bar as well as all the
other keys on its row plus the Num Lock key, you'll need a whopping
80 grams of pressure. The result of all this is more comfort for
your hands.
The Das Keyboard requires no software drivers, has 2 USB ports and
works with all computer operating systems including Windows, Linux
and Macintosh. It comes with a matching black cable and blue
function indicator LEDS. By the way they also make models that have
the letters just in case you already know how to touch type and are
looking for a really sweet keyboard. $129.
www.daskeyboard.com
| Craig Crossman is
a McClatchy-Tribune newspaper columnist writing about computers and
technology. He also hosts the nation's longest running nationally syndicated radio talk show on
computers and technology, Computer America, heard on both the Business TalkRadio
Network® and the Lifestyle TalkRadio Network®, weeknights at 10PM Eastern
time. Visit his website at http://www.computeramerica.com |
Jump to:
[ Index of Craig's Columns | Main
Columns Page | Computer America Home Page ]
|
