Although it would ordinarily go without saying, I’m typing this post up on a keyboard. While I have been known to write on my phone, rapidly tapping my thumb across a glossy, glassy surface, ever since committing to writing a book (or books, as it turns out), I’ve been smashing my fingers against a keyboard all the way. After about three or so years’ use, firmly comfortable with my keyboard, I decided it was time for an upgrade, which coincided with my birthday wishlist.
Check it out; isn’t it a beauty? It’s the Z6 Punk Pro, which I don’t think even has a brand name. But who needs a recognisable logo, when you have such aesthetics?
Not to objectify my new toy, but it really is a sexy beast. It’s a mechanical keyboard, with each keystroke offering that little bit of resistance and a satisfying click. But with any new sexy beast toy comes a learning curve. At the time of writing, I’ve been typing away on it for two weeks. While I’m growing more and more comfortable with it, my speed and accuracy isn’t quite where it was beforehand. No matter how similar a keyboard may be to what I’m used to, it always takes a little bit of time. But with the extra resistance and those rounded keys, it’s taking a little longer.
As my writing is yet to bring me that Stephen King money, I must unfortunately work a day job. It’s a day job where I get to spend part of my working week from home, using my own keyboard (and mouse, which also received a birthday upgrade to something a little more comfortable, albeit with less outright wow factor), which gives me some extra time to play with the new toy. And yet, while I’m learning the ropes on this new toy, when I must trudge into the office, and use the work supplied (and brand name) keyboard, I find myself at a loss with it. Not only is it boring, but it’s a membrane keyboard with very little key travel. It never lived up to my old keyboard, but now, typing on it feels like pushing pebbles into sludge. My speed and accuracy on that keyboard’s dropped, too, to where it’s worse than on the one I’m learning.
Sure, the argument could be made that a keyboard’s just a keyboard, but when you spend your day job typing, then spend your nights typing, finding a keyboard that works for you really makes a difference. Even if it takes a little while to get used to some slightly different spacing.
TTFN,
wastanley.com 