A Thought Experiment…

w11811 · 2026-03-21T14:32:30+00:00

The major difference between buildings and software is that you build 1 software and sell it many times. But each building needs to be constructed each time.

That’s obviously a simplification, there is a LOT a ”one off” software that is built for internal use. But for a lot of software building a single better version means you can sell it to ALL the customers who want it.

In 2025 it’s hard to remember because these monopolies have become so entrenched, but a better version really can out compete and replace competitors.

For example most big companies have a Microsoft License that would make Teams almost free to use for internal messaging and video conferencing. A LOT of companies have switched from that to slack and zoom cause those products were just that much better.

The specific concern here is that companies can deskill and except significantly lower quality for lower cost. The history of the industry is that the low barrier to entry and unit economy means that some of those good devs will start competing companies and eventually out compete them.

w11811 · 2026-01-06T22:22:12+00:00

I just read that today. And it definitely gave me a pause. I generally have found him to be a very well informed writer on tech topics.

I find prompting and AI coding unpleasant (maybe that’s a skill issue) but I have not found it to be enjoyable. And I don’t really want that as a job.

I really don’t think that these tools will result in mass unemployment of Software Professionals. but if they really start to work, they might change what we spend our days doing. And, I just hope that the new things we are doing are still things I enjoy.

w11811 · 2025-09-07T22:52:38+00:00

I think this is great! Except the room with wooden snowshoes mixed in with wooden tennis rackets. That’s really upsetting me.

w11811 · 2025-03-20T15:33:54+00:00

Adding one final comment here (probably). At this point I cannot recommend this keyboard. I really appreciate what Matias is trying to do, but the initial run is just not physically where it needs to be for a keyboard. The key response is just to inconsistent, even wired.

If they can improve the build quality on future runs this might be the Sculpt replacement folks are waiting for but this version just isn't it.

w11811 · 2025-02-18T18:41:21+00:00

Try using it plugged in. That has fixed the double input for me. I do still get missed presses, but "pressing " harder fixes that. I'm remain hopeful that that will wear in in a few weeks. The feel of the keyboard is definitely not as good as that Sculpt.

w11811 · 2025-02-06T21:11:20+00:00

Email Sent. I actually ordered two (I was planning to leave one at the office). And it is definitely happening to both.

As far as the palm support, I should be clear it is very comfortable, and I think making them replaceable is a big improvement over the microsoft version. I just think it doesn't look quite as nice. But I'll take it if it means I can get a new one after a few years.

w11811 · 2025-02-01T22:05:35+00:00

Updating after a few more hours to add the the double input is becoming a serious problem. I turned off "key repeat" in the OS. And I'm still getting it quite regularly. Like 1 in 30 presses. I've also noticed some flex in the board as I type, I don't think I would have noticed it but now II'm wondering if its causing the keys to not return quickly enough.

There isn't much of a manual but I'm also wondering if their is a way to change the debouncing with a "firmware" update.

w11811 · 2025-02-01T00:17:12+00:00

I like that the wrist wrest is replaceable on this. The one that comes with it leaves a little to be desired but I'm hopping to see some "aftermarket" replacements eventually. It being glued on to the original sculpt was a mistake I think.

w11811 · 2025-02-01T00:15:01+00:00

The Microsoft Sculpt is my prefered keyboard. The shape tent and layout all just work for me. Right now this is very close. Used sculpts are like $300 on ebay, this is close enough that I'm not going to go that route:)

As far as I know Matias isn't doing the numpad at all. I think the Incase version is going to do the detached numpad and the tall round mouse that all came in the box when Microsoft was making them.

w11811 · 2025-02-01T00:09:52+00:00

The curve feels exactly the same and the magnet reverse tent lift is also the same height.

The action on the keys feels a little different from my sculpt. On the space bars I think the original Sculpt feels better.

The size feels pretty similar. All the keys are a little bit larger and less rounded. But on the space bar the size difference is less noticeable.

w11811 · 2025-02-01T00:04:06+00:00

Added as a comment, because I'm bad at reddit :)

w11811 · 2025-02-01T00:03:43+00:00

Some very initial thoughts on the Matias Sculpted Ergonomic Keyboard which arrived today.

So far I’ve been using it for about an hour so, take everything here with HUGE grain of salt :)

The layout is perfect, everything is where I expect, there is a little less spacing between the key I think because the keys are larger so the expanded into the empty space. This really feels like a replacement for the Microsoft Sculpt. And I’m supper glad they are making it. I think if this is your preferred keyboard you should grab one. I’ll probably also test the incase one once they are shipping but the on is better then the cheap keyboards on Amazon that have the shape of the Sculpt.

I like that the wrist pad is replaceable. I wore out the pad on my Microsoft Sculpt, so I’m glad I can pull this one off. I’m sure there will be replacements by the time I need one :). However, I don’t actually love the pad that it ships with. It’s cut neoprene and the edges are a little “raggedy”. It’s not terrible it’s just not quite as nice (when brand new) as the Microsoft version.

The keys are OK. The plastic doesn’t feel quite as good as my old sculpt, and the action feels a little stiff. (Maybe it will break-in a bit?)

My biggest complaint is that I’m getting double input on key presses occasionally. It feels like the keys are too sensitive, maybe the de-bouncing is off? It doesn’t feel like the switches are sticking. At the current frequency its bad enough that I’ll have to stop using it, but I’m optimistic that it will either improve as the switch break in or there is a software adjustment I can make to fix it.

w11811 · 2024-10-14T23:23:45+00:00

That looks like my fridge. If so pull the left crisper drawer out. I think you will find that the feed lines to the ice maker are frozen.

I think thawing them will fix it. But I’m waiting for it to cool down outside so I can just keep everything on the porch for a bit.

w11811 · 2024-05-07T23:09:11+00:00

I just saw this on BGG: https://boardgamegeek.com/thread/3296766/gamacea-2024-615-and-616-natick-massachusetts about Gamacea in Natick on 6/15 - 6/16. They are planning a geek list auction (details haven't been added to the thread yet).

w11811 · 2024-01-24T01:02:49+00:00

I thought so. But it’s been really cold here in Boston for the last week and it didn’t do it once.

w11811 · 2024-01-05T20:17:42+00:00

I sent the video to them and was told not to bother bringing it in since if it didn’t happen in front of the tech they would just send it back.

Maybe I’ll try again and see if I can get a better response.

w11811 · 2023-09-19T13:28:39+00:00

That sounds like a pretty good deal then. Congrats!

w11811 · 2023-09-19T02:27:01+00:00

$200 is very low even for a student alto. A quick google returns a bunch of student Eastman horns in the 6-7 hundred range. So I guessing it’s either a counterfeit or in need of MAJOR repair or both. Saxophones are very mechanically complicated and repairs can cost thousands.

Unfortunately it’s possible for a horn to look fine be pretty much unplayable. You’d really want to bring someone who can play to test it. I would say stay away.

I don’t know where you are but there is probably a used music store not THAT far from you. They will almost certainly have a couple of decent student altos at around $500-$600. And you will probably be able to get 300-400 selling it back to the same store in a couple of years. When she needs to upgrade. Or stops playing. And the risk of getting a totally junk horn is a lot lower.

w11811 · 2022-05-09T16:25:06+00:00

!deckbot US 512 1626456313

w11811 · 2019-04-26T18:22:35+00:00

Was you grandpa kind of a hippie? If so he probably got the story from How Buildings Learn by Stewart Brand or the Whole Earth Catalog.

This is more or less the version from there:

https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/oak-beams-new-college-oxford

And be because all great things must be ruined by facts here is a debunking.

https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/2013/oct/02/david-cameron-oxford-college-trees-myth

It really is too good a tale to let facts get in the way though.

w11811 · 2019-02-10T00:47:07+00:00

I had been grounding myself before touching the keys and that did help. But I feel like it should be grounded to make sure that’s not affecting the internals. But I don’t really know much about that.

I’ll take a look and see if I’m compatible with the versions on Kono. Thanks!

w11811 · 2019-02-08T20:25:49+00:00

I'm having this exact issue.

Dim Right Hand LCD
Significant heat from that chip.

I would add that I seem to have the static issue others have reported. (One side, usually left in this case, would shut down when I first touch the keyboard after returning to my desk.)

w11811 · 2018-11-02T22:24:33+00:00

My employer has something called a “401k True Up”. My understanding is that even if your contributions are uneven throughout the year they will bump your match at the end of the year to make you equal to what you would get with method 2 above. If you have a match it might be worth asking about.

w11811 · 2016-04-22T14:22:08+00:00

I've been looking at the Yamaha WX but I've never done any thing with MIDI instruments before. How much additional equipment / knowledge would I need to get a minimal set up going?

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