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This sort of functionality is best with a key reserved for the operating system (or at least the window manager) to use for its own purposes. Since Ctrl, Alt, and Shift mostly belong to applications, a fourth meta key is desirable.

Yep, it's a necessity. I simply could not use a windows computer effectively without the winkey. I rarely use capslock so I remapped it to super using a scancode map in the registry. It's not ideal, but it's a lot cleaner than using hotkey software. Autohotkey goes a long way, but I never got a script working that would map all of the shortcuts I use (specifically win+pause and win+L).

Also, unicomp sells replacement super keys with either an apple or a lunix logo. What I'd really like to see is an advanced keyboard with buckling springs. A usb hub, volume/media controls, and LED backlights would be nice. Deck makes a nice-looking keyboard, but I've heard its cherry switches aren't as good as buckling springs and it doesnt have the rest of the features I am looking for anyway. Does Unicomp license the technology to anyone else?

http://www.tg3electronics.com/ should be able to help you. I don't know if they stock exactly the model pictured, the picture isn't good enough to say; but their Deck Legend Fire model looks pretty seriously similar.

I'm surprised to see no one commending the Deck keyboards (Mac + Win flavors): they use Cherry microswitches, have bright backlighting, a solid feel, and an "artsy" key font. 102-key and 82-key versions. I love my "Toxic Green" Legend (102-key) model. http://www.deckkeyboards.com/

Try this: http://www.deckkeyboards.com/boards.php

Personally, I want to know what the fuck gamers are doing to their stuff where they need reinforced steel and a mouse with it's own CPU.

I don't know about the mouse, but a heavy keyboard with mechanical switches is nicer to use IMO. Weight keeps it from shifting around and the switches are more durable. If the keys are properly formed, using some kind of infused plastic rather than the surface printed labels then they won't tend to have the labels wear off either.

For this particular keyboard though I don't quite see the point. For the same price range you can get the same thing plus backlighting: Deck. The Deck is the same thing mechanically, has keys that don't wear, and is fully backlit. Of course it dosen't come with that mouse or that huge wristpad (seriously that's the biggest freaking wristpad I've ever seen).

I used to use a Deck keyboard; they've got a good heft, and though the keys aren't sitting on mechanical switches, they still have a nice solid action and a good sound...

Just a correction - Deck boards do use mechanical switches, that's one of their major selling points (other than the backlighting). What the deck switches don't have is the clicky tactile feedback, they use linear Cherry MX switches (which do make some noise). I've got one, and you can definitely hear when someone types on it.

The switch information on the deck switches:

What kind of key switches are used in Deck keyboards?

Forum discussion on tactile mod to a deck

Cherry MX switch

I used to use a Deck keyboard; they've got a good heft, and though the keys aren't sitting on mechanical switches, they still have a nice solid action and a good sound...

Just a correction - Deck boards do use mechanical switches, that's one of their major selling points (other than the backlighting). What the deck switches don't have is the clicky tactile feedback, they use linear Cherry MX switches (which do make some noise). I've got one, and you can definitely hear when someone types on it.

The switch information on the deck switches:

What kind of key switches are used in Deck keyboards?

Forum discussion on tactile mod to a deck

Cherry MX switch

Way ahead of you...Check this one: Das Keyboard. When I hit a coding run, people come from down the hall to see where the hell all the noise is coming from. The blank keys are also good for the whole alpha geek thing, and forget having your boss ever try to type anything on your keyboard.

I used to use a Deck keyboard; they've got a good heft, and though the keys aren't sitting on mechanical switches, they still have a nice solid action and a good sound, but the backlit keyboards have exactly the opposite effect on bystanders...People always want to type on your keyboard, and if that irritates you (as it does me) it's a bad choice to have one sitting around.

For me, at least;

The IBM DisplayWriter http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/vintage/vintage_4506VV9006.htmlkeyboard; excellent click, long travel, just about the best ever. Too bad you could only run MS-DOS 2.1 from 8" floppies on it... And the keyboard was repairable, though I think the key modules were like $8 each in 1989. And you can still gethttp://cgi.ebay.com/Digital-2683239-IBM-Displaywriter-Keyboard-630X-91-XX24_W0QQitemZ190174698129QQcmdZViewItem one!

I like my Deck 82http://www.deckkeyboards.com/boards.php a lot. Nice keys, no click, but the lighting is superb. Save that skull-and-crossbones keycap!

And of course the IBM Model M Space Saverhttp://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/categories.main/parentcat/9242, which I carried with me from one site to another for 8 years or so, changing cables, and saving space in those damned rack-mount keyboard shelves with no room for anything else but an M and a trackball. grrr... I gave mine away, and I miss it...

More? I didn't name all the best did I?

harrr. My captcha is 'entered'. cute.

A lot of people dislike the MacBook keyboards.

Yeah. I have a Macbook pro, almost a $3000 computer; and the keyboard is terrible. As is the one-button trackpad. I love OSX, but I'm afraid the physical design of the Mac keyboards is just pitiful, totally focused on looks and not usability. I've got a full-size Mac keyboard at my desktop on my Mac Mini, that's a much better keyboard — full numeric keypad, better key travel — but it still isn't even close to the best keyboards out there which have positive tactile feedback, illumination (though my MBP has KB illumination, which I appreciate), and ergonomic curves. Hey, but my Mac keyboard is white. [cough].

This is compounded by the OS's taking over all the function keys. For a *nix-based OS, this is a pretty inconvenient and poorly thought-out choice. And it isn't all that easy to get the FKeys to behave properly in a terminal; I'm not sure why, but some keys just don't want to come "unstuck" from the OS.

Oh well. There are some third-party Mac keyboards out there already; hopefully this latest back-to-the-chiclet-past effort from Apple will encourage others to make some really good Mac keyboards.

I've heard they're good quality: Deck keyboards.

My keyboard will make him die!

For what it's worth, I have the red one so it doesn't interfere with my sleepy-time too much, and the shockingly bright blue power LED on my computer case is crudely covered with yellow paper and clear tape so that it does not wake me up for 15 minutes any time I happen to look at it.

But LEDs are cooooooool, and I won't pretend otherwise.

Deck Keyboards use a microswitch with gold contacts. They're USB, and available with or without a numeric keypad (or you can also get their separate numeric keypad). All the keys are individually lighted, and the company sells different parts so you can mod them.

The company is part of TG3 (the company that makes the keyboards used in police cars), so you know their boards can take a real beating.

I second the priority about investing in a good keyboard. After killing 2 Apple keyboards in 1 year (it was just a little beer! damn...), I recently requested an ice blue Deck keyboard for my birthday, and got it. (Yes, I am a Mac gamer. The few, the proud...) Pretty badass, and rugged as heck. Check the specs on the website. I don't believe it's a buckling-spring-type, but it feels right/smooth/solid to me, and that's enough.

Only issue (from a Mac/OS X perspective) is that the command key is essentially the top-right key, unless you remap it to the control or alt key, but that's also problematic (because then the control or alt/option key will be at the top right...). No matter, because it glows blue, and I like pretty colors ;) /damn mac users