I wasn't sure where the best spot to post this thread would be, so I put it here.

I'm in search of an online retail store that sells computer keyboards that do NOT have any of the following characteristics:

1. Made by Microsoft
2. Made by Dell
3. Logo branding that indicates a specific operating system that it was intended for

Alright, now here are the exceptions:
A generic Linux logo would be okay. For example, if it has Tux on it, that would be fine; if it has the SUSE reptile or the Debian spiral, that would not be fine. If it somehow managed to fit the logo of every single Linux distribution on it, this would be okay, too - as long as none were given "preferential treatment" (id est, bigger logo or separate from the rest).

The standard layout is important; I'm not up to learning Dvorak. It would be okay if it had extra function keys, or lacked a Numeric Keypad; I just need the basics (Main block of keys, arrows, editing/navigation block of keys, Esc, and F1-F12).

Any ideas?


Thanks,
computer_freak_8

It's probably not what you're looking for, but I couldn't resist...
Optimus Maximus OLED keyboard

Another option is to hit the local computer shop. A lot of the low-end cheapy keyboards are plain, with no brand names on them.

Edit: I forgot to mention nail polish remover. You could always just remove the windows logo from a keyboard you liked. These are generally painted on and can be removed quite easily.

Take your choice.....

http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/9836/
http://technabob.com/blog/2008/07/13...faster-typing/

Cherry is supposed to make a keyboard with a linux logo. I do not know if it ever made it to the US. The cheapest solution would be a sticker to place over the windows logo.

They have these great Crayola ones at the local K-Mart. No joke. (But you wouldn't want to use those, since they've got huge keys.) Also, even if you did get a Dvorak keyboard, you could change the layout in your OS and pop off the keys or whatever you need to do. I actually use QWERTY keyboards set to use the Dvorak layout, myself.

That's funny. I can't even count how many people I asked about such a keyboard that did the following:
1. Blank stare (3.243 seconds)
2. Confused look (3.5 seconds)
3. Say "You could just get that Optimus keyboard - it will let you put whatever you want on the keys!"

Uh, yeah. You see, there is this thing called a "reasonable budget"... Any other ideas?

I know they must exist, the closest thing I've found is here, they're what we have on the thin clients at school. They have a little diamond/rhombus shape on the key where the Windows Flag would otherwise go. The price on them ($50) isn't so great, and they're branded with Sun Microsystems - hence, the implication of the Solaris operating system. (The various function keys would be okay, though.)

All the computer shops I know of around here only have ones with that darn ol' flag on it.

Someone did mention painting it, I never thought of fingernail polish remover. On the other hand, the reason (which I realize now that I left out) for wanting such a keyboard is partly to support companies that do not always have to put a specific operating system's mark (that they're a "partner" or such of) on it. I would feel better though, knowing that if it did have an operating system-specific type mark on it, that it stood for more than just one variation. (Hence the reason for Tux or all of the Linux operating system's logos.)

****Edit: You two must have posted as I was typing. The OLED whatever has the following incompatibilities: (From System Requirements) PC with installed OS Windows XP or Vista, with a USB 1.1 (or better 2.0) port; Mac OS X 10.5.1 or higher. Also, the Dvorak keyboard has different symbols per same key, therefore, even if I were to rearrange the keys, the comma and semi-colon (or whatever - I can't remember which) would be on the same key, instead of the colon and semi-colon, comma and double-quote. Honestly, I think the best idea I've seen so far is the Das Ultimate - but I highly doubt I'm going to be able to get away with spending that much on a keyboard. I'm not the best touch-typer either, but this part can be overcome with practice and time.****

Check some pointers here: http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...beast-612995/?

jlinkels

Cherry CyMotion Master Linux. Has a Tux key where the left Windows key is on other keyboards, a @ key where the right Windows key normally is, a nice big Tux above the Esc key, usual multimedia and Internet keys, and extra keys down each side for things like cut, copy, paste, undo, redo, etc. Comes with a copy of SuSE 9.

Take a razor and shave the symbol of the evil empire off that keyboard.

I actually have a M$ brand keyboard. It's not that bad, it works fine.

Microsoft keyboards work well with Linux.
Anyway we are not against M$ hardware, are we? As long as the hardware does not require proprietary software for full functionality, no harm in buying a M$ keyboard.
What say?

http://www.desktoplinux.com/news/NS8233268776.html
Cherry used to make one, they also used to sell tux keys so you could just replace the keycap.
http://blogofwishes.com/weird-things/linux-tux-keys/


Everything seems to be discontinued
I'm not finding anything that is current...


Other people are definitely looking, One guy even whipped out his acrylic paints and painted custom tux logos on the keys.
http://www.ideastorm.com/article/sho...o_Windows_logo

Just find a used IBM 101 keyboard. No Windows keys, clean it, and it will work fine.

Perfect key feel, and that satisfying click.

Yep, I love my old IBM Model M's indestructible beasts. You could bludgeon someone to death with it, then go right back to typing. Hard to find one second hand with all of the key caps though, I get mine from thrift stores and have to combine two or three of them to get a complete one, they aren't gentle with their products. The caps are designed to come off the stems really easily so they can be rearranged easily.

You might look at the Happy Hacker Keyboards. They're really small but we have a few programmers here that seem to really like them.

Here's another option, SIIG MiniTouch Plus. Once again, it's pretty small, but no logos that I can see.

I may have missed it, but I don't think the Razer Tarantula has a Windows logo either.

I use one of these. It is great for what ever os I happen to be working on. I have an switch so I can use one keyboard on mac/windows/linux without a lot of hassle.
http://keyovation.com/c-2-ergonomic-keyboards.aspx
They make a comfortable, adjustable keyboard.