Re: [gentoo-user] Scripting KDE?

[Michael <confabulate@kintzios.com>]

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On Monday, 19 August 2024 00:12:27 BST Dale wrote:
> Michael wrote:
> > On Sunday, 18 August 2024 19:15:32 BST Dale wrote:
> >> Well, there's something different because it "feels" different.  I keep
> >> hitting keys to one side or the other mostly.  The only difference I can
> >> see,  the key caps are shorter than the old Dell QuietKey.  I suspect
> >> the key caps are twice as tall on the old Dell.  Also, the old Dell had
> >> more travel for each key press too.  I've used that old thing for over
> >> 20 years.  My old brain can't learn new tricks.  ROFL
> >> 
> >> I been looking for a keyboard that is like the old Dell QuietKey but
> >> they either ridiculously expensive or are old Dell keyboards with the
> >> PS/2 connector like I already have.  Thought about buying a adapter so I
> >> can use the old Dell.  That would fix the problem.
> >> 
> >> Now that I've proofed this thing half a dozen times and corrected a
> >> bunch of typos, let's hit send.  LOL  If I was a book writer, forget
> >> about it.  I'd retire.  o_-
> >> 
> >> Dale
> >> 
> >> :-)  :-)
> > 
> > I suspect you were used to a membrane keyboard, or if it clickety-clacked
> > noisily a mechanical switch keyboard, with full travel switches.  Now you
> > have bought a low profile scissor switch keyboard, with tactile switches.
> >  The distance between the keys is the same, but the travel and feel is
> > different.
> > 
> > Over time you'd get used to the new switches, which require less effort
> > and
> > force.
> 
> That's likely true.  It does feel weird.  It's not as loud as those
> really old IBM keyboards like from the 80's and 90's.  It made some
> noise just not as much as those.  Sometimes I'm pressing a key and don't
> even know it.

Hmm ... perhaps you haven't bought a tactile keyboard after all?  These kind 
of keyboards provide a tactile bump at ~1/3 of the key travel to let you know 
you've activated a key.  Some have a more distinct feedback bump than others 
and low or especially the ultra-low profile keys with their less than 2mm 
total travel will hit the stop as soon as you press the key past the bump.


> Then I end up with several of the same characters in a row.  

The typing style for low profile keyboards is different to your old keyboard.  
You are not meant to rest your hands/fingers on the keyboard and then jump on 
the keys as if it were a mechanical typewriter.  Instead your fingers are 
meant to float over it.

However, what you're describing is key switch chatter.  Mechanical keyboard 
switches can suffer from this problem.  You depress a key once and once only, 
but it registers multiple inputs.  It can be *very* annoying!  There are some 
fixes for mechanical gaming keyboards, but if you have a new keyboard you'd be 
better off asking to RMA it.

If the chatter is not caused by the keyboard switches, then you could set a 
longer delay in your  Plasma SystemSettings > Input Devices > Keyboard to see 
if this ameliorates the multiple input problem.


> Others times, I hit a key next to the one I want to push.  When
> searching around, I found lots of other posts about people missing those
> old Dell QuietKey keyboards.  I'm not alone. 

We had the old RT7D5JTW Dell keyboards at work.  These were high quality 
keyboards made in Thailand, as opposed to China.  If I recall correctly, they 
had the rubber dome over membrane key switches with a slider mechanism.  
Despite the physical abuse they received by ex-type writer users they survived 
even when the odd cup of tea was spilled over them!  You had to turn them over 
immediately and let them dry overnight.

https://deskthority.net/wiki/Rubber_dome


> It's annoying as heck.  I spend twice as much time correcting typos than
> I do actually typing something in.  My typing was bad enough already.  LOL 

It may be worth heading to a store to try different types of keyboard to find 
the one your fingers like best.

Or, you could buy an adaptor to connect your PS/2 old keyboard to a USB port.  
Careful though, some really cheap PS/2 to USB adaptors are only good for a PS/
2 mouse and won't work with a keyboard.

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