keyboard

This past week at the Web 2.0 Expo has been a great chance to meet up with other bloggers and come face to face with some of the companies we write about every day. It's also a great time to see how other people work, as we're all packed into small seats in large auditoriums, or scouring rooms for the last remaining outlet to get the necessary wattage to keep writing.

A side effect of that was seeing our own Caroline McCarthy in action, typing away. In case you're wondering part of the reason she's … Read more

So it finally happened. The "Optimus Maximus"--the most-hyped keyboard of all time--is now for sale to the consuming public as promised. To which we have only one response: ThinkGeek?

We don't have anything against the gadget peddler, mind you--it was just a little surprising to see a $1,589.99 product being sold by a retailer that's better known for such products as USB rocket launchers. On its "What's New" page, for instance, the vaunted Maximus is sandwiched between a "Dueling Space Marines Copter Set" and a pair of "… Read more

Look closely--well, not too closely. That's not one of those roll-up keyboards stuck to the lap of this guy's pants. It's actually sewn into the fabric, creating what designer Erik De Nijs calls the "Beauty and the Geek" jeans, according to GeekAlerts.

Not only that, but this conceptual garment also includes speakers built into the knees, a pocket for mouse storage in the back, and a joystick controller behind the zipper (don't ask). The only thing that's missing is a nocturnal version that glows in the dark.

(Thanks to fellow Craver Natali Del … Read more

If I could remember any, I would begin this post with an anecdote about how wonderful a good memory can be.

Instead, I'll just tell you how to put all your keyboard shortcuts and Windows commands in a text file that you can open quickly via keystrokes, or keep minimized for even faster access. And you can do it all without grabbing your mouse.

Start by finding a list of keyboard shortcuts. The one Microsoft put together works for me. Select all the text on the page from "General keyboard shortcuts" to just above "Other information.&… Read more

Today the 404 boys talk about the new art of reverse airbrushing, filling up an imaginary car with gas, and "Osama, Obama?" on a church sign--Hmmm, which one of these stories isn't in the South? We'll tell you. Also, Allen Stern of CenterNetworks joins us for the podcast for some good old fashioned Internet fun.

Listen now: Download today's podcast

Often when we talk about keyboards it's for some features that are practical but ultimately mundane--until we get to gaming gear, that is, when all bets are off. Case in point: Saitek has released its new "Cyborg Gaming Keyboard," which was first shown at CES in January, and it fully lives up to its name.

The fortified design and accents make the PK17U model looks like a game device in and of itself, or perhaps something from the instrument panels of the Galactica or the Enterprise. Particularly impressive are its backlighting features, which has three colors … Read more

As evidenced by the "Isole" power strip only a few minutes ago, some of the most mundane devices can prove to be the most convenient. So at the risk of inducing narcolepsy among our readers, we herewith offer another boring but (possibly) useful item as a public service.

Kensington's Ci70 keyboard has been outfitted with two USB ports above the keys rather than on the sides or back, which may seem like a small thing but really makes a lot of sense. The position will keep the plugs accessible without having to turn the keyboard around while … Read more

Bored with your stock keyboard? Looking for a handmade computer device that screams "I'm special"? Look no further. Forget functional (you can barely see the labels on the keys) and think pretty--as in pretty expensive. Ranging from $154.80 for a patterned version to an ostentatious $214.21 gold-tinted keyboard, these Japanese-made models from Geekstuff4U are not peripherals you expect to see in your office cubicle. In fact, these aren't even full-sized models and lack the numeric pad. But if your motto is style over function, take a look at these other models on Akihabara News.… Read more

The first application I open and the last one I close each workday is Gmail.

Even though I use the service's labels and filters to sort my mail, I often found myself scrolling through the 600-plus messages in my Gmail in-box to find the one I need.

Then I discovered Gmail's search operators, and my scrolling days were over.

For instance, when I need to find the message from Ellen with the agenda attached, I type from:ellen filename:doc. If I need to find the message I sent my brother Larry about the NCAA basketball tournament pool … Read more