Keyboard Snob

I don't ask for much, do I?

Layout

I just want a keyboard that has keys laid out nice. I think the Microsoft Curve series gets the right mix of 'angled for hands' but without the stupid "ergonomic" split style.

• http://www.google.com/images?q=microsoft%20curve%202000

...oh while I'm on the topic, and I want a keyboard that doesn't waste space and weight on the numpad. I use it... rarely. But not enough to justify it being there ALL THE TIME.

• http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=topre_keyboards,rftenkeyless&pid=rf_se0500
• http://www.elitekeyboards.com/products.php?sub=leopold,tenkeyless&pid=fc200rtab

...but please, don't swap out the menu or right-meta (windows) key for function, to double-up functions on existing keys. I want multimedia keys, just not the keypad.

Mechanism

...and I want a keyboard that has decent key mechanicals. Buckling spring looks to be the best of the bunch! :)

• http://www.overclock.net/keyboards/491752-mechanical-keyboard-guide.html

Keycaps details

...finally, I want a keyboard that has keytop shape of cylindrical (NOT flat chiclet which is horrid), with deeper cylindrical for the FJ home keys (instead of knobbly bits). I have an old Acer (PS2 era, and it has microswitches) with keytops of this style, and it's a fantastic feel (TODO: get photos :) Spherical keytops would be cool too, but unlikely :)

TL;DR

1. Microsoft Curve layout
2. No keypad, a.k.a. "tenkeyless", but no key substitutions
3. Buckling spring key mechanism
4. Deeply curved FJ keys instead of nubs.

• See: http://www.flickr.com/photos/nemotribble/7773246260/in/photostream/

In conclusion

So will someone make one for me? PLEASE? :)

till then... Das Keyboard professional4 is pretty nice, and this is my mockup of a tenless version:

(based off the daskeyboard 4: http://www.daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4-professional/ , and in contrast with their own tenless variant: http://www.daskeyboard.com/daskeyboard-4C-professional/ )

Appendum

Showstopping design points...

• Chiclet keys. Removing the tactile centering of the key is FAIL
• Coffee. If the keyboard smells like coffee, I wont use it. Anyone who invents plastic made out of coffee beans will earn my eternal loathing
• Meat. If the keyboard is made of meat, I also wont use it, regardless of how clever it's autodynamic reconfigurability is!