I wasn't much of a keyboard fan until I came along to OCN and got infected with this mechanical keyboard obsession, now I'm an absolute believer and an advocate.<br>

As I've spent my time here I've been thinking about the type of mechanical keyboard that I'd personally want to design, build, and use on a regular basis. From switch to switch, and keyboard to keyboard I've used over the years I've looked back at each one I've used and thought of the features and designs that I liked the best out of it and today I'm putting it all together here for a post about a dream keyboard that frankly, no one is ever going to make.<br>

By no one I really mean something that a company like Razer, Ducky, Corsair, WASD, DASkeyboards, Filco, Rosewill and other large volume manufacturers would never attempt to market or sell in mass production.<br><br>

This keyboard comes from the mind of a 10+year MMORPG player, and more recently a MOBA player(Post League of Legends, currently playing DoTA2), whom also plays lightly Fighting games with a keyboard, and FPS games. No fightstick for me when it comes to my fighters, I prefer the every keypress individual and free of other presses, like you can have with a joystick.<br>

I played in the korean import MMORPG market for years, taking 6 solo world firsts, as well as getting into a guild that at one point ruled the Realm we played on. while I quit some years ago, but I'm awaiting WildStar's release to see if I can't go back into being a high end player, as well as getting into playing MOBA games such as DoTA2. I also played 7 seasons of StarCraft2 and had an average of 85 APM with peaks of 280 APM.(This was before the SC2 APM counter was changed that skewed everyones APM to much higher than before)<br><br>

Alright so meaningless "gamer cred" out of the way, onto the keyboard idea itself, and the design I want.<br>

(Note: I do not know all of the keyboard terminology, so bear with me and forgive me for my ignorance, It's just me trying to express the idea of a keyboard I want in the best way I know possible)<br><br><br><b><i>The key switches.</i></b><br><br>

Buckling Springs<br><br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922595/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="1922595" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922595/flags/LL" style="; width: 160px; height: 120px"></a> <a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922596/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="1922596" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922596/flags/LL" style="; width: 176px; height: 184px"></a><br><br>

Yup, buckling springs, that classic retro switch that is loud, tactile, and feels so good.<br>

I've used rubberdomes. I've used scissorswitches. I've used cherry MX Blues, and Reds, and I've used Buckling springs. I have to say that the Buckling spring keyswitch is my favorite switch for gaming.<br><br>

A lot of people would argue that "Red/Black/Linear is the best gaming switch" and as a person who has grown up and experienced gaming on different platforms and used a PC since windows 3.1 as a small child. I have to personally disagree and argue that every gaming related device that I have used for an input method has been tactile.<br>

From the first keyboards I've ever used as a child on a win3.1 PC to today, my razer naga(and other mice), Razer sabertooth and other wired 360 controllers, my model M, scissorswitch keyboards in my alienware laptops, every keyboard i've ever used on a PC, down to the N64, NES, SNES, GameCube, Wii remotes and Wii Controllers, DS, 3DS, Gameboy classic, Advanced, Micro, to my Rock Band3 Bass, and my friends's Rock Band "real" guitars, so on and so forth.<br><br>

Tactile switches in everything and I the reason for that is really just that the human body responds well to pressure variations and tactility can cause preconditioned actions to be performed automatically. Even the most "clicky" of controllers and input devices, fightsticks. Use tactile response on their keys and joystick.<br><br>

For me the buckling springs are the best switch I've ever put my fingers on, and I deeply wish for a more modernized buckling spring keyboard. I love the tactile, I love the deeper clicky sounds and the hard "clack!" the resistance feels great, although it took some getting used too, and they feel industrial which makes them a pleasure to type with and game with.<br>

My current keyboard, a Unicomp Model M(104 Classic) with all grey keycaps is my gaming keyboard right now.<br>

Not to mention these model Ms and buckling spring keys last for ever and are durable as possible.<br><br><br>

So for me and my dream keyboard, the switch has to be Buckling Springs.<br><br><br><b><i>The Layout</i></b><br><br>

Standard 104 key with a couple of tweaks and an added Fn key. No TKL here, was never a fan much of that. I can totally understand why people like it and I had to get used to a TKL keyboard, but I prefer to have the numberpad.<br><br>

But the changes I would make are a bit for form factor and also functionality.<br>

First things, the F Key row moved to be inline with the numeric row. As an MMORPG player who uses the F1~F5 keybinds quite regularly, I feel like the F key row being segregated and spaced out like it is on standard modern keyboards is a big dampener for an mmorpg player who wants to use single hand keybinds, or non MMORPG mouse oriented keybinds in an MMORPG.<br><br>

The Razer deathstalker has this design, sort of<br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922597/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="1922597" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922597/flags/LL" style="; width: 752px; height: 315px"></a><br><br>

While its Fkeys are moved in line with the standard key area, they are still split up and pushed away from one another. Instead I would prefer them to be more like this Alienware M17X R4 keyboard<br><br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922598/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="1922598" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922598/flags/LL" style="; width: 845px; height: 364px"></a><br><br>

The BlackWidow Ultimate comes pretty close... But still the giant gap between the Escape key and the segregating barrier are a problem.<br><br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922600/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="1922600" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922600/flags/LL" style="; width: 775px; height: 309px"></a><br><br>

Take the F Key design of the Alienware M17X R4 keyboard, but make the Escape and F Key row standard key sizes like the blackwidow and deathstalker.<br>

Take the left side design of the M17X's Fn key (this is actually an important detail), where the FN key and windows key create a distance between the CRTL And ALT key. This key being pushed more towards the area of the thumb of the left hand allows more access to comfortable "Alt" keybinds. Alt1 Alt2 AltF1 so on and so forth. moving the ALT key to a more "easterly" position is a better "gaming" oriented change. Then place the 2nd windows key, alt, dropdown(leftclick) key, right Alt on the other side of the spacebar.<br><br>

Another thing is take the very small spacer between the alphabet key section, Arrow key section and numeric pad section of the of the keyboard. I personally do not like the larger spacers between the keys, there needs to be at least a smalls spacer but nothing wider than the blackwindow's spacer, also the spacer between the arrow keys and numeric pad would be removed.<br>

Move the printscreen, scroll lock, and pausebreak triplicate into the F key row.<br><br>

This change would give a more "MMORPG" player oriented design. Giving the MMO player a larger area of accessible hotkey's without disturbing default and sometimes universal keybinds that MMORPG players are used to.<br>

More key accessability=better MMORPG performance.<br><br>

Another important change towards this keyboard design over a standard keyboard that I want to point out before moving on. The bottom row of keycaps will be slightly canted downward.<br>

A lot of people with ducky keyboards and other cherry keyboards have an issue with the space bar being canted too high and being uncomfortable. A remedy to this is to simply flip the spacebar. I did this with my duckyshine, but i also flipped the entire bottom row of the alphabet section. (arrow keys to numerics are left alone).<br><br>

Refer to this picture:<br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922601/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="1922601" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922601/flags/LL" style="; width: 423px; height: 534px"></a><br><br><b><i>Case, Form Factor and Design</i></b><br><br>

Right now I'm using a big, wide, desks space hogging Model M. I'm not a fan of minimalized and shorn down keyboard cases. However I have a Ducky Shine II 9008(MX Blue), and I do like the slimmer sides.<br><br>

My personal take on form factor is that there should be a bit of a spaced edge at the bottom span of the keyboard, lets call it a trailing edge. An trailing edge similar to the black widow, sloped and a bit and thin, but the black widow's is a bit too long for my preference.<br>

I've noticed that a trailing edge creates an reference for a hand that's placed on the desk(which my hands always are) and reaching upwards for keys. Finding a middle between the the Model M buckling spring and blackwidow trailing edges would be an excellent take. The sides however, thin and clean like the sides of a Ducky Shine.<br><br>

When it comes to overall thickness and design of the keyboard, the size and slope of the Filco Majestic Touch 2 is excellent except that the slope should be a bit more positive. With a thicker leading edge.<br>

However I'm sure there's probably going to be a limitation with buckling springs as the key switch.<br><br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922602/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="1922602" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922602/flags/LL" style="; width: 620px; height: 433px"></a><br><br>

I don't like the idea of using the riser feet on a keyboard, and making the keyboard lay flat on the desk surface, and having a more positive slope is a better design. 4 flat rubbersized no slip feet incontact with the desk surface.<br><br>

As for colors? Does color really matter much? Just a black on black or a black on grey(keys), or perhaps a Purple case with Grey keycaps like this awesome guys ( <a data-huddler-embed="href" href="/u/305642/HPE1000">@HPE1000</a> ) custom job:<br><br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922603/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="1922603" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922603/flags/LL" style="; width: 781px; height: 290px"></a><br><br>

Actually that'd be pretty darn cool.<br><br>

Backlighting? I don't know if thats even possible to do on a buckling spring switch design. If it is, by all means give me RGB, but if not deep purple/lavender LED colors would be awesome, but this isn't really important. Backlighting is fluff, and It's not really needed. Its fun to have, looks pretty, but not required.<br>

However indicator lights? Purple. purple LED is the color to go with. too much red, green, blue, we need more purple.<br><br>

Connectivity? I'd prefer if my keyboards were wired USB, no need for the silly gold plated connect crap. Gold plated pins? sure! the connecter outside? no need.<br><br>

Key Roll over: At least 6 key rollover, at least focused around things like the 1~0, IJKL, WASD QERTYADFZXCVBN keys. For general gaming these keys can be used for fighting games, and RTS combo keys, and not having these keys able to be pressed at least 3~4 at a time and still register would mean me having to pull out my ducky shine again for Tales Runner and all my Fighting games.<br>

NKey/10 Key roll over and a switch on the bottom that switches between 6 and Nkey rollover modes would be a practical idea.<br><br>

Macro keys? I've never used any, i dont think theres a need for them.<br><br>

Media keys? I did mention an Fn Key in the layout. I'd just want a standard media key layout that includes play pause ect. Just like on my ducky shine II<br><br>

Extra keys? On my ducky there's a few extra keys, that i don't think are needed. Just leave the remaining space open for a big logo and indicator lights.<br><br>

Included in the package? A Wire key puller. No need for the WASD extra keys that I see others come with.<br><br>

Price:<br>

Unicomp buckling spring mechanicals are 80$<br>

My ducky Shine MX Blue was 140$<br>

Corsair K70's are 130$<br>

Since this would be a new, and completely unique style of product, I'd personally be willing to pay $140~250$ But a reasonable price would be something around 120~150$ (US Dollars)<br><br>

I think that's about the end of my ideas. If I think of anything else that'd make this a better idea, I'll make an edit. But this is really what I dream of in a keyboard.<br><br><br>

If a keyboard manufacturer comes along and see's this, consider contacting me? Or perhaps building a modernized buckling spring?<br>

I'm not sure who owns the patents and all that legal stuff, but It'd certainly be nice to have a modernized buckling spring. Or at least a keyboard optimized for MMORPG gaming.<br><br>

There's MMORPG mice, but not MMORPG keyboards. We need some MMORPG keyboard love, we're quite a large part of the gaming market.<br><br>

Thanks for reading everyone,<br><br><a class="H-lightbox-open" href="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922605/"><img alt="" class="lightbox-enabled" data-id="1922605" data-type="61" src="http://www.overclock.net/content/type/61/id/1922605/flags/LL" style="; width: 335px; height: 335px"></a><br>

~FranBunnyFFXII