From technology to politics to video games; these are the random thoughts of a geek with too much time on his hands
Ooooh, pretty lights....
Published on August 20, 2007 By Zoomba In WinCustomize News

We skin a lot of things here.  We skin the UI, icons, backgrounds, cursors, media players and more.  But one thing I bet most of us don't spend much time customizing is our keyboard.  Look down at your fingers right now.  My bet is you've got a pretty boring beige (or maybe) black keyboard that doesn't come packed with too many features or many options to play with.  Well, in a day and age where people are even creating crazy PC mouse mods, the keyboard represents possibly the last hold-out against variety.

Well, there was the Optimus Keyboard, but who can afford that?  It costs more than my current PC, and while it's cool, it's not THAT cool.

The folks at CoolBuzz found out about a lower-cost, more visually pleasing, LED keyboard pair that just went on sale from a company called Luxeed.  You can either get a keyboard where the keys are a rainbow of colors, or one that just illuminates the writing on regular black keys.  It all depends on your style.  Check out the link below for specs, prices and where to buy

Today's cool bit of news comes from community veteran, ZubaZ


Comments
on Aug 20, 2007
I can't imagine any person wanting to make their keyboard brighter. The people who don't have all the key places memorized are people who wouldn't want to spend money on a brighter board, and anyone who has them memorized doesn't want to waste money on such a trinket.
on Aug 20, 2007
I can't imagine any person wanting to make their keyboard brighter.
I can't imagine people wanting any other skin than Luna.

I liked the black keys that lit up onKeypress best.

Check out the video
on Aug 20, 2007
      

Hey, I skin my keyboards all the time! I'm currently using the Logitech Cordless MX Duo, but the skin I use is from Viziflex Seels Inc.

You can pour hot coffee on my board or laugh so hard til you spit your drink out, it won't touch my keys!

Keyboards are measured by key stroke life, 25 - 50,000 strokes is the common. But there is no company out there who will reface a worn keyboard key.

You go to Viziflex and give them your FCC ID on the bottom of your board and they will cut you out a sweet skin that will allow to pound on your board all day, but you won't wear out the key's face!

The average price for a skin, $15 bucks! Not too bad considering your keys with virtually last forever!

They even cut out the multi-media center built into my board including the volume knob!

Well, I know this isn't what you guys were talking about, but I had to share it anyway!

There's more than one way to skin a board!

Cp

    
on Aug 20, 2007
I can't imagine any person wanting to make their keyboard brighter. The people who don't have all the key places memorized are people who wouldn't want to spend money on a brighter board, and anyone who has them memorized doesn't want to waste money on such a trinket.


I can't believe there are still people who don't realize that there are those of us who see the world and live their lives differently than they do.
on Aug 20, 2007
I want one - or two -   
on Aug 20, 2007
Looks cool,but I'm still holding out for that programmable led board...that dosnt cost more than my pc,monitor,car...  
on Aug 20, 2007
Looks cool,but I'm still holding out for that programmable led board...that dosnt cost more than my pc,monitor,car...


True dat.

Today's $1,500 LED keyboard is next year's "comes free with every PC!" gizmo. Yay technology curve!
on Aug 20, 2007
Unless I can change my "W" to a little penishead, I'm not interested.   


/ hoping someone gets it
on Aug 20, 2007
The black looks OK, but the white/transperant looks to much like a toy. I'm waiting on this from Microsoft for my home PC and use a Logitech 3200 at work, both not only look good but add more features to the board and are more comfortable
on Aug 20, 2007
I like my G15 just fine.($38.00 + shipping on E-Bay.)
Hey nicksick, I don't think it was a waste of money. But then I have money to waste.
on Aug 20, 2007
Sounds interesting. A backlit keyboard has helped with my work PowerBook in dark rooms. I'm designing a new system for myself now, and was just considering keyboards and mice. I prefer Logitech and was looking at Logitech's website when I saw Zoomba's post.

I wouldn't be interested in colors, just trying to approximate 6500K white. OTOH, I might make the 'F' and 'J' keys a color like a pastel blue.

So thanks, Zoomba, for what is for me a very timely post!
on Aug 22, 2007
Many times I type in the dark as the kids are sleeping, and the light keeps them up. LEDs would be great, not for $1500, though!

Saran wrap keeps the chili and onions out of the keyboard just fine.