Illuminated Keyboards

[xmastree]

Anybody got any recommendations?

Why are they mostly blue? (http://images.google.com.ph/images?q=illuminated+keyboard) page after page after page of blue keyboards...

My guess is that it's since red LEDs have been around for a long time, but blue ones are a more recent development, we associate blue with modern technology.

However, in low light, red light doesn't dazzle as much which would make it a more practical choice for a keyboard to be used in the dark. Also, I find it easier to focus on a red light source rather than blue one. That could be my eyes though.

I really like the saitek eclipse (http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/prod/eclipse.htm)
http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/images/product/pcp/eclipse.jpg
but it's blue, and it's USB (why?).

So, I'm looking for a red illuminated keyboard, but I don't want one with the whole key lit up, like this:
http://img.villagephotos.com/p/2004-9/836322/handlered.jpg
Just the legend, like this:
http://test.maximumpc.com/images/deck_keys.jpg
but that's not a standard layout, and the transparent case is cheesy.

So, any suggestions?

Oh, and it must be quiet too, not like this clackety thing I'm using now.

[mistic]

Or go cheap, as I did, learn to type 'blind' :-)

[prizrak]

Illuminated kbds aren't fun, alluminum is where it's at! Blue is the new black so to speak, cellphones, watches, kbds, state notification LEDs are mostly blue. I can't give you much guidance but I like mistic's idea, I think you will get tired of having the light source right under your monitor. You could try Apple kbds they should work fine on x86 PCs (once I tried did) and since they do make a PowerBook with illuminated kbd I think they might have regular once with illumination and they aren't blue they are silverish (the lights)

[erikpiper]

Saitec eclipse comes in red and blue! :confused:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823175104

[angkor]

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/

Now there's illumination you can actually use....well in 2006 you can. Don't know if it supports linux in any way though.

cool gadget nonetheless....:D

[prizrak]

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/

Now there's illumination you can actually use....well in 2006 you can. Don't know if it supports linux in any way though.

cool gadget nonetheless....:D
Dude that's nuts

[Sheinar]

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/
I've been waiting for that for about a year already. Can't wait till it's actually out on the market. If they ever actually get round to releasing it that is.

[xmastree]

Saitec eclipse comes in red and blue! :confused:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16823175104

Hmm, so it does... I wonder why you have to go here (http://store.yahoo.com/saitekusa/pcgake.html) to see it. I'd basically decided against that one, as I really wanted red.

Thanks for the heads-up. :D

[23meg]

I use a small (laptop sized) Witkey one, which is blue only. I think the reason blue is usually preferred is that it's a cool color that implies calmness in the dark, whereas red implies danger among other things.

[fuscia]

get one of these. you can use it for all your keyboards. just tilt it forward on your head.

http://www.akrondesign.com/foundation/images/items/plasticminer.jpg

[MetalMusicAddict]

Don't know if it supports linux in any way though.

Taken from interview HERE (http://primotechnology.com/index.php?art=articles/0705/optimus/index.htm).

PT: How is the display of characters handled? Does the board come equipped with built in icons? Are packages downloaded over time?

AL: We've thought about the first "open-source keyboard". There will be an SDK and some user "keyboard studio" application which will allow keyboard to be customized for any mode or application in any way imaginable, from DVORAK to arranging letters in alphabetical order.

Also:

PT: Any word on Windows, Mac OS, and Linux compatibility?

AL: I see no reason to make keyboard OS-dependant. As you can see from the current layout we have enough keys for Win or Mac control keys. As well, we made the keyboard several keys larger than usual QWERTY to comfortable fit all the Cyrillic letters (there are 33 of them).


I dont care what this thing costs when it comes out. I will buy it.

Optimus Keyboard (http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/)
http://primotechnology.com/articles/0705/optimus/wholes.jpg (http://primotechnology.com/articles/0705/optimus/wholeb.jpg)
(Click for larger image)

[arcanistherogue]

Yes, so will I. Also, even if they didn't support multiple OSes, it is such a cool gadget that the linux geeks will be all over it in seconds.

[Bandit]

Carefule getting a aluminum keyboards. I bought one for my wife that has the alluminated keys. Great typoing keyboard, but some how she touched it the other day and it shocked her (like very strong static charge). When it did somehow it fried her motherboard. I have yet figured out why when the aluminum should not be touching anything that should carry a charge back to the mobo. But it did...
So if you get one make shure it good high density plastic.
Cheers,
Joey

[xmastree]

get one of these. you can use it for all your keyboards. just tilt it forward on your head.

:p :p :p :p :p :p

I've used these before:
http://www.wdrake.com/images/us/local/products/detail/p108253b.jpg
Very useful, but not very cool...

[earobinson]

I have been thinking of getting one of these http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/essential.htm
http://www.kinesis-ergo.com/images/kb_essential720x446.jpg
to bad it has any hot keys, anyone know of a better one?

Right now i have this one http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/CA/EN,CRID=2166,CONTENTID=6006 and I love the forwards and backwards btns for music.
http://www.logitech.com/lang/images/0/824.gif

OP if you think im stealing your thread pleas say so and ill remove this post.

oh ya check this out http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/72e2/images/
http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/products/additional/large/deck_keyboard-fire.jpg
http://www.thinkgeek.com/images/action/large/2111269.jpg

EDIT: dam the keyboard you found is the same one :(

[xmastree]

OP if you think im stealing your thread please say so and ill remove this post.No sweat, this is a community forum, and we're talking about keyboards. :D
Talking of which, my current one (focus FK-8000) doesn't even have any windows keys. The numeric pad doubles as a calculator, LCD display above it. I'll miss that if I do get a new one. It also has sentimental value, being the only remaining component of my first computer. :cry:

I repaired this recently, the numeric 0/Ins didn't work so well, so I swapped the switch for one i don't use much (F12).

4665

<nostalgia> Ahh, they don't make them like that any more </nostalgia> :-({|=

What I won't miss is the noise.

[rooster]

http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/
Don't know if it supports linux in any way though.


At the answers (http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/answers/) it states, that it will be compatible to all OS and there will be a SDK for it...

Rooster

[angkor]

I dont care what this thing costs when it comes out. I will buy it.

me too! :)

[xmastree]

It also states that it will cost less than a good mobile phone...

So I reckon US$300-400. :shock:

[red_Marvin]

If I'll ever get that keyboard I'll make a minesweeper game that uses it!:D

[BSDFreak]

I use a small (laptop sized) Witkey one, which is blue only. I think the reason blue is usually preferred is that it's a cool color that implies calmness in the dark, whereas red implies danger among other things.

I know a lot about colors and their effects (ex girlfriend was a designer) and blue doesn't instill calmness at all, actually, it's the most stressful of all colors next to red, green being the most soothing color of all.

[BSDFreak]

Taken from interview HERE (http://primotechnology.com/index.php?art=articles/0705/optimus/index.htm).


Also:



I dont care what this thing costs when it comes out. I will buy it.

Optimus Keyboard (http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/)
http://primotechnology.com/articles/0705/optimus/wholes.jpg (http://primotechnology.com/articles/0705/optimus/wholeb.jpg)
(Click for larger image)

So will i, i may not even use it but i do support the idea.

[23meg]

I know a lot about colors and their effects (ex girlfriend was a designer) and blue doesn't instill calmness at all, actually, it's the most stressful of all colors next to red, green being the most soothing color of all.
Wrong; it's on the cold end of the color temperature spectrum, and does imply low energy and calmness. So does green, but putting blue next to red would be like putting white next to black in the grayscale spectrum.

[BSDFreak]

Wrong; it's on the cold end of the color temperature spectrum, and does imply low energy and calmness. So does green, but putting blue next to red would be like putting white next to black in the grayscale spectrum.

I'm repeating what i learned from someone who does it for a living, if i am wrong, she is wrong and general design is wrong.

It has absolutely nothing to do with temperature, for ages people believed that white was a soothing color (yes i do know that it's not really a color), it's not, in fact next to red and blue, it's the third most stressful color which is why you'll see people wearing green in hospitals nowadays and the lack of colors other than green or a combination of green and grey in hospitals.

You want a soothing color, stay away from blue, red, yellow, white or any combination except green or deep purple.

[23meg]

Upon your insisting let me say that I do professional photography and design and I too know what I'm talking about. Blue and similar colors with a strong blue component do imply calmness; I suggest you do some searches on the net and learn for yourself why. This is the general psychological explanation though; colors may have very different associations in different cultures, which at times override the generally accepted norms of human psychology.

BTW, I'm not talking about temperature but color temperature, which you may look up in wikipedia or elsewhere if you're curious. Also note that people do wear blue in hospitals as well.

[BSDFreak]

Upon your insisting let me say that I do professional photography and design and I too know what I'm talking about. Blue and similar colors with a strong blue component do imply calmness; I suggest you do some searches on the net and learn for yourself why. This is the general psychological explanation though; colors may have very different associations in different cultures, which at times override the generally accepted norms of human psychology.

BTW, I'm not talking about temperature but color temperature, which you may look up in wikipedia or elsewhere if you're curious. Also note that people do wear blue in hospitals as well.

You know what, as you treat me as an idiot "i'n not talking about temperature" i'll treat you like one, fair enough?

I am telling you that you are wrong and i am right in this case and if you really want to insist you chould take it up with those making this the general rule.

As a photographer you know **** about anything color wise, as a designer you don't know much either, i am talking about the existing studies followed by those who are what you and me are not, IOW "in the know" of these things, your claims **** me off because you are spouting them as if you knew while i am using a reference from the beginning of the argument.

Hows about the color scale of forbidden colors in hospitals (seen anything blue in a hopsital lately, no? guess why)

1.red
2.blue
3.white if not in a combination
4.yellow

and so on and so forth.

/discussion

[prizrak]

I concur blue is considered to be a calm color, however it is also a cold color. Cold in this case means indifferent, while it doesn't induce stress it also doesn't make you feel "at home" so to speak.

[angkor]

You know what, as you treat me as an idiot "i'n not talking about temperature" i'll treat you like one, fair enough?

I am telling you that you are wrong and i am right in this case and if you really want to insist you chould take it up with those making this the general rule.

As a photographer you know **** about anything color wise, as a designer you don't know much either, i am talking about the existing studies followed by those who are what you and me are not, IOW "in the know" of these things, your claims **** me off because you are spouting them as if you knew while i am using a reference from the beginning of the argument.

Hows about the color scale of forbidden colors in hospitals (seen anything blue in a hopsital lately, no? guess why)

1.red
2.blue
3.white if not in a combination
4.yellow

and so on and so forth.

/discussion

No need for all the hostility BSDFreak, nobody is dissing your ex-gf, she's just not an authority on the matter and she's plain wrong in this case....get over it. Furthermore, nobody is treating you like an idiot, you're just acting like one. ;)

From Wikipedia:
(almost as accurate as the Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v438/n7070/full/438900a.html)

"Color consultants claim hues in the red area of color are typically viewed as "warm" while those in the blue and green range are typically viewed as "cool". Reds are also viewed as active and exciting, while the blues and greens are viewed as soothing and passive. Physiological tests have revealed similar responses. It's claimed that red hues increase bodily tension and stimulate the autonomic nervous system, while "cool" hues release tension."

full text: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_psychology

The reason why blue isn't as frequently used in hospitals as green (it is used though) is probably because green is considered to help the healing process, and blue is more passive than green. If a patient is too passive, it doesn't help the process of recovery. But to say blue is a stressful color is just pure BS.

Anyhow, nobody can be certain about the effect of different colors on the human psyche since this science is still young. For now science concludes that blue, like green is a soothing and relaxing color. They are after all part of the same side of the spectrum. I think they're right. I can hardly imagine you get "stressed" when looking at a clear blue sky, I sure as hell don't. :)

[ПОПТОНЖ]

Ever wonder why fast food joints are always filled with shades of red, yellow and brown?

Also, blue skies are not even similar to blue lights and (especially) blue leds. Frankly, I hate the color blue and always have.

[majikstreet]

There are a LOT of people in hospitals wearing blue scrubs... you'll have to trust me on that one :)

[23meg]

You know what, as you treat me as an idiot "i'n not talking about temperature" i'll treat you like one, fair enough?Well, I just thought you might have missed the exact thing I was talking about, since you said
It has absolutely nothing to do with temperatureI'm not treating you as an idiot; I guess you've never been treated as an idiot.


I am telling you that you are wrong and i am right in this case and if you really want to insist you chould take it up with those making this the general rule.
And I'm telling you that I am right and your ex-girlfriend is wrong in that blue isn't a calm color. She's right about green; she's just wrong about blue. And I find it better to learn things for myself rather than base my knowledge on someone else's without questioning it; I just happened to suggest the same to you. Since when is it rude to tell someone to do a search for something?


As a photographer you know **** about anything color wise, as a designer you don't know much either, i am talking about the existing studies followed by those who are what you and me are not, IOW "in the know" of these things, your claims **** me off because you are spouting them as if you knew while i am using a reference from the beginning of the argument.Well, since I don't know your your ex-girlfriend and I know you only by a few paragraphs you've written, I have no way of judging how much you know about photography or design, so I'm not going to speculate about how well any of you know these things in general, and I won't insult you based on that, but I know very well for myself that blue is a soothing color and the person you're referencing is just wrong about this. That's all I've been saying.


Hows about the color scale of forbidden colors in hospitals (seen anything blue in a hopsital lately, no? guess why)

1.red
2.blue
3.white if not in a combination
4.yellow
I swear I saw lots of doctors wearing light blue. I bet most people have and there's no point in discussing this. I saw lots with green as well. Actually, white as well, but I know white is a bad choice.

(apologies for the off topic conversation)

[prizrak]

I like black and silver personally, all other color suck by default :)

[erikpiper]

When the optimus comes Iout, I will buy it within two months. And I will learn how to program it in linux, and make a bunch of layouts.

Firefox layout?? Using function keys as forward/back etc- Hmm!

[sethmahoney]

I just gotta say, this argument is one of the most insane (and, hey, entertaining) ones I've come across in a long time. Keep up the good work! (BTW, this whole "colors do X" nonsense is just that - as pointed out earlier, its all relative to a given culture and its systems of signification.)

Also, yeah, the Optimus keyboard is damn sexy. But not as sexy as a spelunking hat.

[rooster]

If I'll ever get that keyboard I'll make a minesweeper game that uses it!:D
That would be nice to see!

And imagine a force-feedback keyboard - when you hit a mine it vibrates :rolleyes:

[mcduck]

That would be nice to see!

And imagine a force-feedback keyboard - when you hit a mine it vibrates :rolleyes:
Yes, and in racing game when you damage your left fron tire the left arrow key woul become harder to push ;) (And in Windows, your keyboard would automaticly press enter to accept Sony's license agreements etc ;) )

I'd love to have Optimus, and the minesweeper is a great idea that I'd like to see in reality some day.

Anyway, here's the most stupid illuminated keyboard I've seen this far:
http://www.verkkokauppa.com/productimages/orig/25336_01.jpg
It must be very helpful to have a light in your kb when that it has no letters printed. At least it's easy to find in the dark :D

[xmastree]

Yeah, well it's my thread, my keyboard, and I want a red one! :p

Not because red is more stressful, or blue more relaxing, or any of that.
I just find it easier to focus on a red light source than a blue or green one.
Somebody said it may be due to being slightly short sighted.

I remember a long time ago, at a concert. The lights lighting up the band were constantly changing colour. Whenever they were in red I could see them much more clearly.

Also, it's proven that red doesn't spoil one's night vision, making it better for use in the dark.

[benplaut]

d00d. g3t g00d 1ig|-|9+i|\|9!!!11111!!

seriously. no lighted keyboard is as good for your eyes as a simple desk light :|

'tis why Thinklight is better than Macbright

[SteelValor]

get one of these. you can use it for all your keyboards. just tilt it forward on your head.

http://www.akrondesign.com/foundation/images/items/plasticminer.jpg


lmfao This thread is over!

I own the Saitek blue one but rarely use it. I'll probably get the Optimus once it's released.

[xmastree]

lmfao This thread is over!Not quite...


I own the Saitek blue one but rarely use it.Why is that? Why do you rarely use it? Before I splash out on one I would like to know what users don't like about it.

[SteelValor]

I just meant the lights. I don't use the lights all that often, but I use that keyboard for everything. Best keyboard I've gamed with ... ever!

[BSDFreak]

No need for all the hostility BSDFreak, nobody is dissing your ex-gf, she's just not an authority on the matter and she's plain wrong in this case....get over it. Furthermore, nobody is treating you like an idiot, you're just acting like one. ;)

From Wikipedia:
(almost as accurate as the Encyclopedia Britannica, http://www.nature.com/nature/journal/v438/n7070/full/438900a.html)

"Color consultants claim hues in the red area of color are typically viewed as "warm" while those in the blue and green range are typically viewed as "cool". Reds are also viewed as active and exciting, while the blues and greens are viewed as soothing and passive. Physiological tests have revealed similar responses. It's claimed that red hues increase bodily tension and stimulate the autonomic nervous system, while "cool" hues release tension."

full text: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Color_psychology

The reason why blue isn't as frequently used in hospitals as green (it is used though) is probably because green is considered to help the healing process, and blue is more passive than green. If a patient is too passive, it doesn't help the process of recovery. But to say blue is a stressful color is just pure BS.

Anyhow, nobody can be certain about the effect of different colors on the human psyche since this science is still young. For now science concludes that blue, like green is a soothing and relaxing color. They are after all part of the same side of the spectrum. I think they're right. I can hardly imagine you get "stressed" when looking at a clear blue sky, I sure as hell don't. :)

Ok, and that is why you'll see everyone in a hospital wearing light green, because it is NOT the most soothing color of all.

Blue is one of the most stressful colors, next to red it IS the most stressful color, you are not completly stupid i am sure, google works even for the you, search for the topic, you WILL find studies on it.

I do not insist on this just to insist on this, and to be entirely honest i would LOVE to tell my ex GF that she was wrong on this too, it's just that we have had this argument and even *I* who would refuse proof not from a source that isn't completely safe was proven wrong about this.

Realize that not ONCE have i stated that blue is the most stressful color of all colors, next to red it is, i have said that and it is true.

[BSDFreak]

Well, I just thought you might have missed the exact thing I was talking about, since you said I'm not treating you as an idiot; I guess you've never been treated as an idiot.

I made one statement, i said you are treating me like an idiot, you got even that wrong and put a *not* in there. How about this, take it and shove it where the sun doesn't shine, does that help?


And I'm telling you that I am right and your ex-girlfriend is wrong in that blue isn't a calm color. She's right about green; she's just wrong about blue. And I find it better to learn things for myself rather than base my knowledge on someone else's without questioning it; I just happened to suggest the same to you. Since when is it rude to tell someone to do a search for something?

No, but going all out and saying *wrong* is downright rude if you are not offering anything but your own experience, see *wrong* with a link that goes to anything but wiki is ok, but just plain *wrong* is downright rude.


Well, since I don't know your your ex-girlfriend and I know you only by a few paragraphs you've written, I have no way of judging how much you know about photography or design, so I'm not going to speculate about how well any of you know these things in general, and I won't insult you based on that, but I know very well for myself that blue is a soothing color and the person you're referencing is just wrong about this. That's all I've been saying.
I swear I saw lots of doctors wearing light blue. I bet most people have and there's no point in discussing this. I saw lots with green as well. Actually, white as well, but I know white is a bad choice.

And you don't know me, and i don't know you... Yeah, doctors will wear light blue, ONLY in the damn hospital you were visiting, in EVERY other hospital you will not see ANYTHING in any shade of blue, but you WILL see combinations of white and you WILL see that every doctor, every nurse except in the ER is wearing green. (and HERE you can dispute me all you like since i do work in the field, you are wrong, plain wrong and nothing but wrong).


(apologies for the off topic conversation)

Off topic how? It is VERY on topic in this thread.

[welsh_spud]

IMO, the stress/relaxtion related to colours can be down the persons past experiences. Some of you may have heard about a Russian Doctor called Pavlov. He conducted an experiment where every time he fed his dogs, he would blow a whistel (or ring a bell, whatever). After a while, every time Pavlov blew the whistel the dogs would begin to salivate.

You may be wondering what this has to do with calm colours. Well, take for example if you worked in an office and all the ****** work was done on blue coloured paper, and all the easy/fun work was done on say pink. Your brain would begin to associate those colours with the feelings you have at the time.

Colours/Stress is totally cultural bassed IMO, take for example in China where red is not so much a stressful colour, but a very positive hue. Even the money is coloured red.

Whether or not applicable in this discussion, I feel its an interesting side note

[BSDFreak]

IMO, the stress/relaxtion related to colours can be down the persons past experiences. Some of you may have heard about a Russian Doctor called Pavlov. He conducted an experiment where every time he fed his dogs, he would blow a whistel (or ring a bell, whatever). After a while, every time Pavlov blew the whistel the dogs would begin to salivate.

You may be wondering what this has to do with calm colours. Well, take for example if you worked in an office and all the ****** work was done on blue coloured paper, and all the easy/fun work was done on say pink. Your brain would begin to associate those colours with the feelings you have at the time.

Colours/Stress is totally cultural bassed IMO, take for example in China where red is not so much a stressful colour, but a very positive hue. Even the money is coloured red.

Whether or not applicable in this discussion, I feel its an interesting side note

VERY good point, and defiently applicable to this discussion.

It's also been up for discussion, since people who spend a lot of time in hospitals react to the very colors of our clothes, however, it's up to the designers of our clothes and rooms.

[23meg]

I made one statement, i said you are treating me like an idiot, you got even that wrong and put a *not* in there. How about this, take it and shove it where the sun doesn't shine, does that help?
I didn't get it wrong; YOU got it wrong. Read the post again. I did not say "..since you said I'm not treating you as an idiot..", I quoted what you said in between, and you seem to be deliberately ignoring that or not even taking time to read what's written carefully. And then you keep insulting...


No, but going all out and saying *wrong* is downright rude if you are not offering anything but your own experience, see *wrong* with a link that goes to anything but wiki is ok, but just plain *wrong* is downright rude.
Saying "you are wrong" cannot be rude in any civil discussion, online or not. I'm not basing things on my experience but my knowledge in my profession, whereas you are basing yours on that of someone else noone knows here. Saying "you're wrong, I know what I'm talking about, do a google search or look it up in wikipedia" isn't rude, it just can't be, especially where the person saying this is agreeing partially with you and shows respect to your opinion. We don't need to reinvent 'net etiquette; I haven't said anything rude at all, this isn't up for debate.


And you don't know me, and i don't know you... Yeah, doctors will wear light blue, ONLY in the damn hospital you were visiting, in EVERY other hospital you will not see ANYTHING in any shade of blue
Maybe in the damn hospital that majikstreet was visiting too?


There are a LOT of people in hospitals wearing blue scrubs... you'll have to trust me on that oneAnd maybe one more damn hospital.. Or maybe a few more damn ones.. whatever; all I said is that doctors do wear blue in hospitals as well as green. I didn't comment further on whether this is right or wrong; I merely mentioned an observation.


Off topic how? It is VERY on topic in this thread.I felt the need to apologise to the original poster since I'm discussing colors in his thread where he wanted to discuss illuminated keyboards, and getting insulted, and having to reply.

[prizrak]

I made one statement, i said you are treating me like an idiot, you got even that wrong and put a *not* in there. How about this, take it and shove it where the sun doesn't shine, does that help?



No, but going all out and saying *wrong* is downright rude if you are not offering anything but your own experience, see *wrong* with a link that goes to anything but wiki is ok, but just plain *wrong* is downright rude.



And you don't know me, and i don't know you... Yeah, doctors will wear light blue, ONLY in the damn hospital you were visiting, in EVERY other hospital you will not see ANYTHING in any shade of blue, but you WILL see combinations of white and you WILL see that every doctor, every nurse except in the ER is wearing green. (and HERE you can dispute me all you like since i do work in the field, you are wrong, plain wrong and nothing but wrong).



Off topic how? It is VERY on topic in this thread.

I seen many doctors in many different hospitals wear light blue, if you are not from the states it could be different in your country because of the culture. Blue is definetly not a stressful color, it is not a calming color though especially not the LED blue which is quite a "hard" color.

[prizrak]

IMO, the stress/relaxtion related to colours can be down the persons past experiences. Some of you may have heard about a Russian Doctor called Pavlov. He conducted an experiment where every time he fed his dogs, he would blow a whistel (or ring a bell, whatever). After a while, every time Pavlov blew the whistel the dogs would begin to salivate.

You may be wondering what this has to do with calm colours. Well, take for example if you worked in an office and all the ****** work was done on blue coloured paper, and all the easy/fun work was done on say pink. Your brain would begin to associate those colours with the feelings you have at the time.

Colours/Stress is totally cultural bassed IMO, take for example in China where red is not so much a stressful colour, but a very positive hue. Even the money is coloured red.

Whether or not applicable in this discussion, I feel its an interesting side note

Actually to add to that, the Chinese consider white a color of mourning while the entire West as well as Russia considers black to be such a color.

[BSDFreak]

I seen many doctors in many different hospitals wear light blue, if you are not from the states it could be different in your country because of the culture. Blue is definetly not a stressful color, it is not a calming color though especially not the LED blue which is quite a "hard" color.

*sigh* Ok, i am saying it is, you are saying it isn't, provide a link, i have worked in hospitals all over the world and i have YET to see anyone dressed in anything but light green.

Blue is the second most stressful color there is.

I'll clarify myself.... Since the Swedish flag is mostly blue it was adopted as somthing we might use as a symbol except for one fact, we were TOLD that the color blue was a BAD choice because next to red it is the most stressful color of all.

[BSDFreak]

Actually to add to that, the Chinese consider white a color of mourning while the entire West as well as Russia considers black to be such a color.

And if someone close to you were to die in Europe you would wear what color? (the answer is, it doesn't matter as long as your tie is white)

[23meg]

Colours/Stress is totally cultural bassed IMO, take for example in China where red is not so much a stressful colour, but a very positive hue. Even the money is coloured red.

Right, I wouldn't say totally, but cultures do have their effects; I'd said something along those lines back in this post (http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=599341&postcount=25) as well, which may have gone unnoticed.

[BSDFreak]

I didn't get it wrong; YOU got it wrong. Read the post again. I did not say "..since you said I'm not treating you as an idiot..", I quoted what you said in between, and you seem to be deliberately ignoring that or not even taking time to read what's written carefully. And then you keep insulting...

No, you quoted me and interjected a *not*, seriously man...


Saying "you are wrong" cannot be rude in any civil discussion, online or not. I'm not basing things on my experience but my knowledge in my profession, whereas you are basing yours on that of someone else noone knows here. Saying "you're wrong, I know what I'm talking about, do a google search or look it up in wikipedia" isn't rude, it just can't be, especially where the person saying this is agreeing partially with you and shows respect to your opinion. We don't need to reinvent 'net etiquette; I haven't said anything rude at all, this isn't up for debate.

Yet you didn't do that, a "no, i believe you are wrong" is quite different than a "Wrong;".



Maybe in the damn hospital that majikstreet was visiting too?
And maybe one more damn hospital.. Or maybe a few more damn ones.. whatever; all I said is that doctors do wear blue in hospitals as well as green. I didn't comment further on whether this is right or wrong; I merely mentioned an observation.

Let me say this, if there are STILL hospitals where they wear light blue, after all that mess, then they could quite possibly even get sued because it is AGAINST better knowledge.


I felt the need to apologise to the original poster since I'm discussing colors in his thread where he wanted to discuss illuminated keyboards, and getting insulted, and having to reply.

I don't apologize much but i will do so to the original poster and also to you for harsh words.

Or i could just shorten this post down to "Wrong;" cuz that wouldn't be rude at all.

[welsh_spud]

I suppose it is logical that red can be a stressful colour. Blood>Red>Danger>Death>

EDIT: BSDFreak, is it me or isn't your post count going up?

[BSDFreak]

I suppose it is logical that red can be a stressful colour. Blood>Red>Danger>Death>

EDIT: BSDFreak, is it me or isn't your post count going up?

I think i figured that out, i made one post outside of this pastime forum and that is probably why. ;)

I commonly just make bug trails on mailing lists which is why.

And yes you are quite right, if you ever see a sign for a quick exit, it will be green because that is a safe exit, if you ever see a sign for a fire extinguisher (sp?) then it will be red because it is going to be used towards danger.

[23meg]

No, you quoted me and interjected a *not*, seriously man...Do not insist on this any further; you got it wrong, and then insulted me for getting you wrong. Read the post. Here it is, it's crystal clear: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=600072&postcount=31 . There's a BSDFreak quote in between, and just before that I'm saying "..since you said", which means I'm about to quote you before continuing.

Yet you didn't do that, a "no, i believe you are wrong" is quite different than a "Wrong;".I did, and when talking about proven scientific facts it's quite OK not to start every sentence with "I believe".

[BSDFreak]

Do not insist on this any further; you got it wrong, and then insulted me for getting you wrong. Read the post. Here it is, it's crystal clear: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=600072&postcount=31 . There's a BSDFreak quote in between, and just before that I'm saying "..since you said", which means I'm about to quote you before continuing.
I did, and when talking about proven scientific facts it's quite OK not to start every sentence with "I believe".

1. Yeah, well without posting any facts.

2. You are inherently dishonest by doing what you did, i will not respond to you again.

[BSDFreak]

Do not insist on this any further; you got it wrong, and then insulted me for getting you wrong. Read the post. Here it is, it's crystal clear: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php?p=600072&postcount=31 . There's a BSDFreak quote in between, and just before that I'm saying "..since you said", which means I'm about to quote you before continuing.
I did, and when talking about proven scientific facts it's quite OK not to start every sentence with "I believe".

Just a FYI, your edit (twice edited because you were to stupid to even be dishonest enoug the first time.) and removal is noted.

Yeah, he did remove a post of mine and he did edit his, dishonesty is something he apparently enjoys in a debate.

And scientific facts are commonly backed up, IOW, back it up or shut it up.

[23meg]

I didn't post facts and I don't have to; I did suggest you to do a search for them, and I stated the reason for this:

And I find it better to learn things for myself rather than base my knowledge on someone else's without questioning it; I just happened to suggest the same to you. Since when is it rude to tell someone to do a search for something?

Just a FYI, your edit (twice edited because you were to stupid to even be dishonest enoug the first time.) and removal is noted.
What removal? Dishonest for doing what? My post is there for all to see; I've edited it 4 days ago (as can be seen at the bottom), the day I'd written it, to correct a few errors just after posting.

Yeah, he did remove a post of mine
Umm, I'm not a moderator and I can't remove posts. You're making every effort to make yourself look bad where you could have chosen to engage in a civil discussion without insulting anyone or quoting them with things that they haven't said, which can be seen as dishonesty if it's not a misunderstanding, and it seems it wasn't, since you didn't just say "oh sorry I got that wrong" but insisted with accusing me of "interjecting" someting into my original statement.

[prizrak]

*sigh* Ok, i am saying it is, you are saying it isn't, provide a link, i have worked in hospitals all over the world and i have YET to see anyone dressed in anything but light green.

Blue is the second most stressful color there is.

I'll clarify myself.... Since the Swedish flag is mostly blue it was adopted as somthing we might use as a symbol except for one fact, we were TOLD that the color blue was a BAD choice because next to red it is the most stressful color of all.
http://www.mistupid.com/psych/color.htm
It also contains the explanation of why green is used in hospitals, it promotes healing. Blue does not HOWEVER it doesn't stress you out.


And if someone close to you were to die in Europe you would wear what color? (the answer is, it doesn't matter as long as your tie is white)
That is weird and something I didn't know, in the US, Russian, Hebrew, and Mongoloid tradition black is the color of mourning (those are the ones I *know* for sure about). It doesn't even matter what are the actual colors though, the point was to illustrate a difference between cultures and the meaning their response to colors.

[zenwhen]

Alright, this little quarrel has got to stop. 23meg cannot edit or delete your posts, BSDFreak. Give that line up. He doesn't have the ability with his account.

Neither of you have linked to anything that resembles scientific proof of anything, though I don't see 23meg claiming to be backed by any real studies. BSDFreak, "my girlfriend says this, so it is a fact" is a weak argument that combined with your attitude, ignited this little round of "you're wrong and I'm right" crap in this thread.

Discussion of what you have personally seen in hospitals and unsupported statements about national flags with no link to proof that what you are saying is true are a waste of database space on these forums.

If you must debate... keep it civil, keep it factual, or keep it off these forums.

[matthew]

*sigh* Ok, i am saying it is, you are saying it isn't, provide a link, i have worked in hospitals all over the world and i have YET to see anyone dressed in anything but light green. Stanford Medical Center provides all employees with five sets of hospital issued scrubs (clothes). All of them are blue.

http://www-med.stanford.edu/shs/update/archives/dec2001/scrubs.html

EDIT: additions
The above was on the first page of my Google search. Keywords: hospital blue scrubs

So was a really nice wiki page here describing color trends in use in hospital clothing among other things...
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scrubs

Some hospitals use scrub color as a way of quickly identifying a staff member's department, e.g. light blue for Surgery, pink or lavender for Labor and Delivery, dark green or dark blue for Emergency, and so forth.
EDIT2: Thought I would add some pictures
http://www.coremedicalgroup.com/pix/sm_scrubs.jpghttp://www.medicalwear.com/ciel1.jpghttp://i.b5z.net/i/u/1446207/i/102.jpg

EDIT3: I felt a compelling urge to add more evidence...
http://www.cottonuniformsandscrubs.com/thumbnail.asp?offset=0&deep=1&cid=306 Here's a page showing all sorts of colors and patterns!

http://www.perfectscrubs.com/images/solid-nursing-scrubs.jpg Look, red!!!

Okay, I'm done. I just can't stand arrogance coupled with ignorance and felt a need to contribute something substantial to this discussion...let's return to the keyboard topic as that was far more interesting anyway.

[ПОПТОНЖ]

http://www.ubuntuforums.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=4868&stc=1&d=1135754093

[KiwiNZ]

I agree with zenwhen.

lets play nice or I will reach for my big box of locks .

Thanks

[briancurtin]

i have worked in hospitals all over the world and i have YET to see anyone dressed in anything but light green.
i was just in a hospital about every day for the last 2 weeks visiting my mother, and actually rarely saw light green. i can really only remember a few people in light green, and they were maintenance workers. i saw mostly light blue, and some nurses had white scrub shirts on with designs on them (but they were mainly white dominated).

i think light green was the least common color i saw

[briancurtin]

the optimus keyboard may have a release date finally. who knows if its actually true, or what the cost may be, but more speculation is rising:
article: http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/01/11/2321240
optimus site: http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/

[Baptiste]

Physically speaking the eyes see better the blue in the night than the red. That's why the colors are more blue in the night than red. I hope that this comment will help you.

However choose a red keyboard if you want to feel as in a submarine or in a aircraft! :D

Nota : On my HP laptop the lights are blue too!

[xmastree]

Physically speaking the eyes see better the blue in the night than the red.Mine don't. :confused:
Although I suppose that depends on what you mean by 'better'. A blue light would probably be more noticable, making it a better choice for things like emergency vehicles, a red light would be easier to see in detail. For something which you need to actually look at rather than just see, I think red is better since a blue light source always seems more blurred.

But that's my eyes, which aren't perfect.

A typical example, last night I was following a motorbike, which had some decorative LEDs on the rear licence plate. They alternated between red and blue. When they were red, they were clear but when blue they turned into stars due to my eyes' inability to focus on them.

That's why I want a red keyboard rather than a blue one.

[MetalMusicAddict]

the optimus keyboard may have a release date finally. who knows if its actually true, or what the cost may be, but more speculation is rising:
article: http://hardware.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=06/01/11/2321240
optimus site: http://www.artlebedev.com/portfolio/optimus/
OH WHAT A GREAT DAY! Im Sooooo buyin one. To bad I think it will be awhile before it works nice in Linux.

[Bandit]

Think the optimus keyboard should work fine under linux.
They even state that the software for it will be open source (which doesnt mean linux directly), but with amule and few other icons showing on the keys that lets me belive that they just might.
Cheers,
Bandit

[MetalMusicAddict]

Oh yea. I think it will work fine but I think it will be awhile before apps fully recognize the keyboard. Or maybe a app to configure it to work with with others. I dont think that will be out for launch. Just the SDK.

[stz184]

I am going to buy Easy Touch Iliuminated keyboard (http://www.easy-touch.com/EN/products/computers_products/p25369/et-997_introvert_usb_/)
Does someone have it? I am not sure is this keyboard is Ubuntu compatible.
If it's not, recommend me another cheap iliuminated keyboard.
10x in advance

[zakany]

Illuminated keyboards predominately use blue LEDs because they are currently considered cool. Red and green are both a bit retro right now.

On the topic of color psychology, using three unverified sources on the Internets indicates that blue is calming. Of course, this has no bearing on using a blue illuminated keyboard in a darkened room in front of a monitor.

I use a Logitech G15 on my gaming iron. Personally, I think the illumination helps me find the keys, not read them. I don't read the keys normally, anyway - I just know where they are in relaiton to one another and type.