I've also already had trouble connecting my [Bose SoundLink headphones](https://www.bose.com/en_us/support/products/bose_headphones_support/bose_around_ear_headphones_support/soundlink-around-ear-wireless-headphones-ii.html) correctly via Bluetooth. On my Surface Laptop, it registered as two separate devices - "Stereo Headphones" and "Headset" - which allowed me to use them as both the primary audio output _and_ the primary audio input. For whatever reason, I have been unable to accomplish such a simultaneous connection on this machine: I can either connect them as headphones or as a headset, but not both. [This video](https://youtu.be/55yn-zF_dZY) provided some help - I know now that I have to open Sound Settings and manually connect the headphones every time I re-connect them. Hopefully, I'll figure out another solution soon. @@ -47,4 +44,6 @@ After returning to the order invoice hours later for this post, I got curious en To hell with that keyboard! Now I am immensely curious as to what I'll be receiving in the mail this coming **Monday**, the **7th**. -https://poll.fm/10603399 +[**Take my Display Resolution Poll**](https://poll.fm/10603399) + +#hardware #meta \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/import/wtf/2020-09-20-varmilo-va108m-mechanical-keyboard.md b/import/wtf/2020-09-20-varmilo-va108m-mechanical-keyboard.md index 45be1789..1202225a 100644 --- a/import/wtf/2020-09-20-varmilo-va108m-mechanical-keyboard.md +++ b/import/wtf/2020-09-20-varmilo-va108m-mechanical-keyboard.md @@ -1,15 +1,12 @@ ---- -title: "Varmilo VA108M" -date: "2020-09-20" ---- +# Varmilo VA108M + + Yes, I bought a mechanical keyboard. It occurred to me that folks who spend a lot of time doing things that require tools - _professionals_, artisans, craftsmen, etc. - usually seek out the best possible quality offerings of those tools. Even if they're just 5% better than the average alternatives and cost twice as much, when one uses them for hours every day, the last bit of refinement pays off very quickly. Considering how much typing I've done in the past 5-10 years, I find it a bit silly that I hadn't before thought to optimize the hardware I've used to do so. Now that I've put at least some thought into designing the space in which I work and [gone back to school](https://www.davidblue.wtf/college-return/), I've also invested in bettering the thing my hands actually touch the most. ##### Actually... Before I go on, [here is the link](https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:497d6e70-60df-4087-a3e5-af91077bec15https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:497d6e70-60df-4087-a3e5-af91077bec15) to the Varmilo VA108M User Manual/Guide/Reference in English in case that's what you came looking for. (I had difficulty finding it, too.) -[Varmilo VA108M User Manual](https://www.davidblue.wtf/wp-content/uploads/Varmilo-VA108M-User-Manual.pdf)[Download](https://www.davidblue.wtf/wp-content/uploads/Varmilo-VA108M-User-Manual.pdf) - -I suppose I've let myself be blinded to the advantages of a mechanical keyboard by the _gaemer_ stigma that surrounds them. This time, I believe I began by simply inputting something like "best keyboard for typing" into a search engine, which returns plenty of iffy results, naturally, but among them was [a list from _Wirecutter_](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-mechanical-keyboards/) - whom I trust, more or less - of "Best Mechanical Keyboards 2020." Also included were posts in the [r/MechanicalKeyboards subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/), which I _actually fucking joined_\[efn\_note\]Yes, I have actually been using the Read It website in the past 18 months or so, which anyone who's known me at all would find unbelievable. I don't know if I'll write about it in the future, so I'll just say I've unblocked it within my psyche largely because it's no longer horrendous to look at.\[/efn\_note\] (but promise never to mention again outside of this post.) Uncovering my eyes, I found a ridiculously-extensive community message board and [Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki), which is undoubtedly the most extensive resource on the subject to be found, anywhere. Though I did place a time limit on myself for any research of 15 minutes, in retrospect, I suppose I also had some criteria, which I assume - if you're still reading - you might be interested in: +I suppose I've let myself be blinded to the advantages of a mechanical keyboard by the _gaemer_ stigma that surrounds them. This time, I believe I began by simply inputting something like "best keyboard for typing" into a search engine, which returns plenty of iffy results, naturally, but among them was [a list from _Wirecutter_](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-mechanical-keyboards/) - whom I trust, more or less - of "Best Mechanical Keyboards 2020." Also included were posts in the [r/MechanicalKeyboards subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/), which I _actually fucking joined_[^1] (but promise never to mention again outside of this post.) Uncovering my eyes, I found a ridiculously-extensive community message board and [Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki), which is undoubtedly the most extensive resource on the subject to be found, anywhere. Though I did place a time limit on myself for any research of 15 minutes, in retrospect, I suppose I also had some criteria, which I assume - if you're still reading - you might be interested in: - **WIRED** as fuck. Bluetooth can _fuck off_. - "Full" keyboard, for the same reason I'd never spend any money on a piano with any less than 88 keys. @@ -21,26 +18,22 @@ I suppose I've let myself be blinded to the advantages of a mechanical keyboard Immediately, it was overwhelmingly clear that my choice must also have _The Cherry_... The Cherries... The "Cherry MX Switches," whatever they are. _Any_ of even the most skimmy reading up on the subject will lead you to this conclusion. That addressed, I arrived upon three considerations: the [Ducky One 2](https://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/Ducky-One2-RGB-TKL), [Das Keyboard Model S Professional](https://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-professional/), and [Varmilo VA87M](http://blog.piaw.net/2017/12/review-varmilo-va87m-wired-keyboard.html). - + -Layout of the VA108M seen from above. +*Layout of the VA108M seen from above.* As good as the idea of something as German as the Das Keyboard sounded, I hate the way it looks, and the Ducky seemed to take itself too seriously (despite its brand name.) The VA87M seemed to be ideal if it was full-sized. I searched for the equivalent, [found the VA108M](http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2855), and bought one immediately. Specifically... -**SKU** - -[VA108MP2W/LLK22W](http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2855) - -**Switches** +| **SKU** | [VA108MP2W/LLK22W](http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2855) | +| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | +| **Switches** | Cherry MX Silent Red[^2] | +| **Dimensions** | 5.39″ x 17.41″ x 1.30″ | +| **Cord Length** | 60 Inches | -Cherry MX Silent Red\[efn\_note\]I remain genuinely confused as to why the color of the switches matters, considering they are only visible when the keycaps have been removed.\[/efn\_note\] - -**Dimensions** - -5.39" x 17.41" x 1.30" +I've already written more than I ever wanted to, but let me just say that I love everything about the thing - the particular set of special keys, the way it feels & sounds, and that its heft prevents it from moving around - and I hope to keep it forever. As I said on the photographs I posted to social media, **I promise to never bring this or any other mechanical keyboard up ever again** unless asked about it. -**Cord Length** +[1] Yes, I have actually been using the Read It website in the past 18 months or so, which anyone who’s known me at all would find unbelievable. I don’t know if I’ll write about it in the future, so I’ll just say I’ve unblocked it within my psyche largely because it’s no longer horrendous to look at. -60 Inches +[2] I remain genuinely confused as to why the color of the switches matters, considering they are only visible when the keycaps have been removed. -I've already written more than I ever wanted to, but let me just say that I love everything about the thing - the particular set of special keys, the way it feels & sounds, and that its heft prevents it from moving around - and I hope to keep it forever. As I said on the photographs I posted to social media, **I promise to never bring this or any other mechanical keyboard up ever again** unless asked about it. +#hardware \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/import/wtf/2020-09-24-redirection-wordpress-plugin.md b/import/wtf/2020-09-24-redirection-wordpress-plugin.md index 112212e9..bf3403f4 100644 --- a/import/wtf/2020-09-24-redirection-wordpress-plugin.md +++ b/import/wtf/2020-09-24-redirection-wordpress-plugin.md @@ -3,6 +3,8 @@ title: "John Godley's Redirection" date: "2020-09-24" --- +## Can you believe it? A WordPress plugin so clever, it’s actually worth writing about. + I can't say I've ever been compelled to write about something so seemingly petty as a WordPress plugin, before, but Automatic's own John Godley once upon a time created a plugin that now represents a large contributor to WordPress' whole value as a CMS, personally. It's called **[Redirection](https://redirection.me/)**, and it allows the user to point any ole' directory off their domain to point to any _other_ URL, anywhere on the web. (For instance, [davidblue.wtf/**facebook**](https://davidblue.wtf/facebook) will send you directly to my Facebook profile.)  @@ -35,3 +37,5 @@ For ye who would seek functionality _beyond_ simple redirects, Redirection offer Also included is **404 error tracking**, native **Apache server compatibility**, **customizable per-user permissions**, **import/export**, and **[Search Regex](https://searchregex.com/) integration**. Regarding pricing, Godley has this to say: "Yes, it’s really free. There’s no premium version and no need to pay money to get access to features. This is a dedicated redirect management plugin." My take? 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attempt to fix a Windows Insider Build issue led to soft-bricking my Surface Laptop 2. + +I finally did it, ladies and gentlemen... I managed to break the Windows installation on my [Microsoft Surface Laptop 2](https://www.davidblue.wtf/t/surface/) to such an extent that it has been unrecoverable. I am currently borrowing my mother's MacBook Pro and waiting on a Windows 10 installation .ISO file to download so that I can hope to mount it correctly on the last, shitty USB thumb drive I still have lying around. + + + +*YEAH, THAT'S RIGHT BITCH.* + +I now suspect I began down this path a few months ago when I discovered [Windows Insider Channels](https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2020/06/15/introducing-windows-insider-channels/) and rejoiced... As I've discovered that one can relatively easily find a beta version of virtually _any_ piece of software, it's become a bit of a habit for me. More or less unconsciously, I’ve ended up with an application library full of _Developer Beta_ and _Nightly_ _Build_\-type shit. I don't think there was/is a single web browser installed on that machine that is not the given entity's "Developer Edition" which - considering most of the regular installs allow you to opt into dev tools, anyway - seem like they might be redundant. I don't particularly care, anymore - I mostly just love their icons. [Firefox Developer Edition](https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/developer/)'s logo is a blue Firefox(!,) [Edge Chromium Dev](https://www.microsoftedgeinsider.com/en-us/download)'s is... more interesting than the regular version. [Google Chrome Canary](https://www.google.com/chrome/canary/)'s icon is a surprisingly-tasteful variation of the company's usually-horrendous color palette. + +What I'm trying to say is... I have continued upon this habit of opting for unstable versions of software in a sort of defiance against the common sense notion that relying upon them is generally a _bad idea_.[^1] I suppose I was just **waiting to experience any consequences** from such a decision, and well... Here they are! + +It all began when my Surface's integrated webcam became invisible to all applications that used a video input - including Microsoft's own Camera app and OBS. It showed up in Device Manger, where I did the generally-recommended troubleshooting task of uninstalling it completely (including its drivers) and rebooting to force Windows to reinstall it. It did so successfully every time, to no effect on the original issue. I also went into the Surface's BIOS menu, where its hardware devices are explicitly listed, and disabled/re-enabled the camera, to no effect. Normally, the absence of a webcam function would be more or less irrelevant to my day-to-day workflow, but now that [I'm partaking in "virtual" college courses](https://www.davidblue.wtf/college-return/), at least one of my professors has pressured me to appear _on cam_ as soon as possible. + +On Sunday night, I decided to revisit the problem with greater commitment, diving into a variety of deeper troubleshooting steps which I do not recall. The crucial one, though, was my decision to use the System File Checker tool ``(sfc /scannow)`` with the added instruction to _fix_ whatever errors it found.[^2] This drove my dearest little laptop into a cycle of self-diagnoses which results in an option screen including "Reset PC." After trying virtually every other option, I decided to try resetting, only to be met with connectivity error messages after pursuing the "Install via Network" option, leaving the use of a bootable Windows 10 recovery USB as my only choice, in theory. + +Another problem now arose: my mother's MacBook Pro is the only other machine I have any sort of access to at the moment, and MacOS no longer supports the creation of such a bootable USB for Windows via the Boot Camp Utility any longer. Nevertheless, I tried to make one by downloading the correct OS ISO and mounting it via UNetbootin, which didn't work. I then called [Columbia Computer Center](https://www.colcomputers.com/), who very generously agreed to make one for me and only charge me for the drive itself ($10!) + +Unfortunately, that one hasn't worked either, so I'm afraid I'm just going to have to take the thing to them... [Stay tuned](https://www.davidblue.wtf/t/surface/) for the Final Verdict. + +[1] This is why I’ve always downloaded the developer iOS beta releases on my actual, daily driver handset. + +[2] I’m pretty sure it was “-f” but I’m not going to do the research to verify that… Sorry! + +#software \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/posts/hp-envy-desktop.md b/posts/hp-envy-desktop.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..a6f204bc --- /dev/null +++ b/posts/hp-envy-desktop.md @@ -0,0 +1,49 @@ +# I Bought a Desktop + + + +## I bought a desktop tower for the first time since 2010 and spent an embarrassingly long time struggling with Bluetooth shit. + +As with my [entire history](https://bilge.world/hp-spectre-x360-review) of computer purchases, my acquisition of an [HP ENVY Desktop tower](https://support.hp.com/us-en/document/c06443577), today, was last-minute, ill-informed, and certainly irrational. You "PC master race" folk: please spare me the _dude, you could've just built your own pc so much cheaper_ shit.\[efn\_note\]Or don't. Whatever.\[/efn\_note\] Yes, I realize the sensible course of action would've begun with a two hour trip West to the closest Microcenter, where I'm sure the staff would've made PC shopping an absolute blast and I would've come away with a more powerful, much cheaper machine. However, after I managed to [break Windows](https://www.davidblue.wtf/finally-broke-windows/) on my only machine this weekend (and subsequently failed to reset it,) I was getting especially behind on schoolwork and had _absolutely no desire_ to complete any of it on my iPhone. + +And so... I've just returned from picking up said HP Tower along with a [27" HP LED display](https://store.hp.com/us/en/pdp/hp-27f-27-inch-display#!), and am writing you after having set up the machine physically and installed most of my "essential software" list (at least all that I could remember.) As per my favorite tradition of new computer acquisition, I have named the machine after [Hildur Odegard](https://fortitude.fandom.com/wiki/Hildur_Odegard) from _Fortitude_: + +## "First Impressions" + +It's been exactly 10 years since I last bought a desktop tower - since I first set hands on the Dell XPS Studio desktop with which I would create the majority of my intellectual property - and I was immediately surprised by how much smaller\[efn\_note\]6.12 x 11.93 x 13.28 inches.\[/efn\_note\] and lighter\[efn\_note\]13.12 lbs.\[/efn\_note\] this tower was than my expectations. The display, too, is remarkably light and thin. Rationally, I should not have been surprised by this, but I'm not going to punish myself for continuing to find any sort of magic in technology. + +In the box were a Bluetooth keyboard\[efn\_note\]Specifically, an HP model [4251a-khsap003k](https://fccid.io/EMJKHSA-P003K).\[/efn\_note\] and mouse set - the latter of which I will hopefully never have to use, thanks to my [Logitech G203](https://youtu.be/oIAY1-aW8Es) - and was perplexed by the process of how to pair the former with the tower while it was in setup mode for far too long. I was just about to give up entirely when I revisited the packaging and noticed what I'd previously assumed was an anti-theft device, but was actually the fucking dongle for the pair. I continue to despise Bluetooth peripherals, obviously, but the multimedia function keys of the product led to some important realizations: I now had reason to use Windows Desktop Switching _and_ have a calculator application again! However, I have yet to figure out how to alter the Function key's behavior (I'm not even sure it's possible:) in order to input **Alt+F4**, I have to input **Fn+Alt+F4**, which is far too clunky to depend on. The issue did lead to a revelation which I may or may not integrate permanently: I mapped **Alt+F4** to the previously-unused button on the very top of the G203. So far, it's been pretty nifty. + + + +*The HP 4251a-khsap003k included in the box with my new HP desktop.* + +That said, a component of [my](https://www.notion.so/rotund/Desktop-Workspace-d371dd0bac4d415baac734e89db0b93d) [i](https://www.notion.so/rotund/Desktop-Workspace-d371dd0bac4d415baac734e89db0b93d)[ntention](https://www.notion.so/rotund/Desktop-Workspace-d371dd0bac4d415baac734e89db0b93d) to create an intentional, static, upright-sitting desktop workspace included an allotment for a quality mechanical keyboard - my justification was that any professional in a particular craft makes a point to have the best possible tools for the job, so a high-quality keyboard has actually been _very_ long overdue, in my case. So, I sought out [a single _Wirecutter_ rec](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-mechanical-keyboards/)[o](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-mechanical-keyboards/)[mmendations list](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-mechanical-keyboards/) and even attempted to disseminate [r/MechanicalKeyboards](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/).\[efn\_note\]I haven't even started self-harming yet, so my stomach is definitely strengthening!\[/efn\_note\] After a brief jaunt, I concluded that no reasonable person would be able to make heads or tails of the forum or [its seemingly endless wikis](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki/index) without considerable indoctrination so I more or less threw a dart and landed on the [Varmilo VA108M](https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=3504), which I ordered. All I know is that it's fairly highly-reviewed on the marketplaces I checked (though hardly mentioned on the subreddit, actually,) and that it has the _Cherry Switches_, which are... [The good ones](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/comments/d3hmw3/my_new_baby_varmilo_108m_cherry_mx_blues_the/). + +A concern I originally had with taking over the tertiary guest room - by far the smallest allotted living space in the house - as my office was its distance from our wireless router, two floors down. The last time I used the room as a workspace (five years ago,) my old tower's integrated WiFi card often struggled to maintain a reliable connection. The adapter included in this desktop, though, actually managed to clock [the fastest download speed on my SpeedTest.net records](https://www.speedtest.net/result/10021332678) just now. + + + +Somehow, I just managed to clock the [highest download speed on my record](https://www.speedtest.net/result/10021332678) from two floors up! + +## Bad(ish) + +It's almost painful even to write this but... As beautiful as this $250 display is to behold, I've grown accustomed to my [Surface Laptop 2](https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/surface/business/surface-laptop-2)'s **2256 x 1504 13"** display after years of hard, daily use. Apparently, those dimensions mean the little machine's display has a pixel density of **201 Pixels-Per-Inch**. Filling a **27"** display with just **1920 x 1080** means a pixel density of just **81.6 Pixels-Per-Inch**,\[efn\_note\]I suppose I should not have been surprised to immediately discover a [dedicated online tool](https://www.calculatorsoup.com/calculators/technology/ppi-calculator.php) for calculating pixel density.\[/efn\_note\] and the disparity was glaring to my eyes, even from the setup screen. After a few hours of regular use, I'm not sure I notice it anymore, but I suspect I will again when I've got the laptop running again. Please do indicate whether or not you think such a complaint makes me awful in the [Crowdsignal poll](https://poll.fm/10603399) below. + +have I become truly spoiled or is 1080p just... not high enough resolution for a 27" display.
— ※ David Blue ※ (@NeoYokel) September 3, 2020
+ +I've also already had trouble connecting my [Bose SoundLink headphones](https://www.bose.com/en_us/support/products/bose_headphones_support/bose_around_ear_headphones_support/soundlink-around-ear-wireless-headphones-ii.html) correctly via Bluetooth. On my Surface Laptop, it registered as two separate devices - "Stereo Headphones" and "Headset" - which allowed me to use them as both the primary audio output _and_ the primary audio input. For whatever reason, I have been unable to accomplish such a simultaneous connection on this machine: I can either connect them as headphones or as a headset, but not both. [This video](https://youtu.be/55yn-zF_dZY) provided some help - I know now that I have to open Sound Settings and manually connect the headphones every time I re-connect them. Hopefully, I'll figure out another solution soon. + +Returning to the webcam issue: I discovered that absolutely _zero_ local stores keep add-on webcams in stock anymore, which makes sense. I resorted to searching Amazon for webcams and found a gargantuan list of brands I had never heard of. When I filtered by the one I _did_ recognize - Logitech - I saw barely-facelifted versions of the camera my stepdad bought in 2008 and none were in stock. Unwilling to further investigate or research more, I set the price filter for under $40, sorted by customer ratings, and bought the first product which had even remotely legitimate-looking reviews: [this 1080p _thing_](https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B08BQZT4N8/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_asin_title_o01_s00?ie=UTF8&psc=1) branded with "Mersuii." + +After returning to the order invoice hours later for this post, I got curious enough to Google search the company name and discovered a dead-end url, zero Wikipedia page, and [this Trademark registration](https://trademarks.justia.com/863/53/mersuii-86353116.html), on which I spotted some very interesting information. Entered in the second "Goods & Services" row is the following text: + +> Adult sexual stimulation aids, namely, devices for massaging or vibrating external and internal portions of the body, vibrating and non-vibrating reproductions of parts of the male and female anatomies, male sex toys, masturbators, penis pumps, electrical penis cyclone pumps, rings, clamps, stimulators, vibrators, dildos, dongs, butt plugs, anal beads, rings to be worn about the penis; Adult sexual stimulation kit comprised primarily of adult sexual stimulation aids and a workbook +> +> [MERSUii Trademark Registration](https://trademarks.justia.com/863/53/mersuii-86353116.html) - "Goods & Services" + +To hell with that keyboard! Now I am immensely curious as to what I'll be receiving in the mail this coming **Monday**, the **7th**. + +[**Take my Display Resolution Poll**](https://poll.fm/10603399) + +#hardware #meta \ No newline at end of file diff --git a/posts/varmilo-va108m-mechanical-keyboard.md b/posts/varmilo-va108m-mechanical-keyboard.md new file mode 100644 index 00000000..1202225a --- /dev/null +++ b/posts/varmilo-va108m-mechanical-keyboard.md @@ -0,0 +1,39 @@ +# Varmilo VA108M + + + +Yes, I bought a mechanical keyboard. It occurred to me that folks who spend a lot of time doing things that require tools - _professionals_, artisans, craftsmen, etc. - usually seek out the best possible quality offerings of those tools. Even if they're just 5% better than the average alternatives and cost twice as much, when one uses them for hours every day, the last bit of refinement pays off very quickly. Considering how much typing I've done in the past 5-10 years, I find it a bit silly that I hadn't before thought to optimize the hardware I've used to do so. Now that I've put at least some thought into designing the space in which I work and [gone back to school](https://www.davidblue.wtf/college-return/), I've also invested in bettering the thing my hands actually touch the most. + +##### Actually... Before I go on, [here is the link](https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:497d6e70-60df-4087-a3e5-af91077bec15https://documentcloud.adobe.com/link/review?uri=urn:aaid:scds:US:497d6e70-60df-4087-a3e5-af91077bec15) to the Varmilo VA108M User Manual/Guide/Reference in English in case that's what you came looking for. (I had difficulty finding it, too.) + +I suppose I've let myself be blinded to the advantages of a mechanical keyboard by the _gaemer_ stigma that surrounds them. This time, I believe I began by simply inputting something like "best keyboard for typing" into a search engine, which returns plenty of iffy results, naturally, but among them was [a list from _Wirecutter_](https://www.nytimes.com/wirecutter/reviews/our-favorite-mechanical-keyboards/) - whom I trust, more or less - of "Best Mechanical Keyboards 2020." Also included were posts in the [r/MechanicalKeyboards subreddit](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/), which I _actually fucking joined_[^1] (but promise never to mention again outside of this post.) Uncovering my eyes, I found a ridiculously-extensive community message board and [Wiki](https://www.reddit.com/r/MechanicalKeyboards/wiki), which is undoubtedly the most extensive resource on the subject to be found, anywhere. Though I did place a time limit on myself for any research of 15 minutes, in retrospect, I suppose I also had some criteria, which I assume - if you're still reading - you might be interested in: + +- **WIRED** as fuck. Bluetooth can _fuck off_. +- "Full" keyboard, for the same reason I'd never spend any money on a piano with any less than 88 keys. +- At least tolerably tasteful, aesthetically. (Not overwhelmingly embarrassing if someone were to actually see me using it.) +- Cute, ideally. +- No light shows. +- Not "ergonomic." +- Not from Logitech or Microsoft. + +Immediately, it was overwhelmingly clear that my choice must also have _The Cherry_... The Cherries... The "Cherry MX Switches," whatever they are. _Any_ of even the most skimmy reading up on the subject will lead you to this conclusion. That addressed, I arrived upon three considerations: the [Ducky One 2](https://www.duckychannel.com.tw/en/Ducky-One2-RGB-TKL), [Das Keyboard Model S Professional](https://www.daskeyboard.com/model-s-professional/), and [Varmilo VA87M](http://blog.piaw.net/2017/12/review-varmilo-va87m-wired-keyboard.html). + + + +*Layout of the VA108M seen from above.* + +As good as the idea of something as German as the Das Keyboard sounded, I hate the way it looks, and the Ducky seemed to take itself too seriously (despite its brand name.) The VA87M seemed to be ideal if it was full-sized. I searched for the equivalent, [found the VA108M](http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2855), and bought one immediately. Specifically... + +| **SKU** | [VA108MP2W/LLK22W](http://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_detail&p=2855) | +| --------------- | ------------------------------------------------------------ | +| **Switches** | Cherry MX Silent Red[^2] | +| **Dimensions** | 5.39″ x 17.41″ x 1.30″ | +| **Cord Length** | 60 Inches | + +I've already written more than I ever wanted to, but let me just say that I love everything about the thing - the particular set of special keys, the way it feels & sounds, and that its heft prevents it from moving around - and I hope to keep it forever. As I said on the photographs I posted to social media, **I promise to never bring this or any other mechanical keyboard up ever again** unless asked about it. + +[1] Yes, I have actually been using the Read It website in the past 18 months or so, which anyone who’s known me at all would find unbelievable. I don’t know if I’ll write about it in the future, so I’ll just say I’ve unblocked it within my psyche largely because it’s no longer horrendous to look at. + +[2] I remain genuinely confused as to why the color of the switches matters, considering they are only visible when the keycaps have been removed. + +#hardware \ No newline at end of filehave I become truly spoiled or is 1080p just... not high enough resolution for a 27" display.
— ※ David Blue ※ (@NeoYokel) September 3, 2020