Wired media keyboard

You can get replacement key switches. IIRC the Logitech ones used their own brans switches rather than Cheery etc.

E.g. first ones on a search:

Chris

I assume this is for a Windows machine. FYI I have a Linux Mint laptop (the machine could be used for gaming), and although I can get the keys illuminated in blue, I can't get the full spectrum of colours. I would need to run Windows to do that.

It may also be worth spraying switch contact cleaner and lubricant into the switch and working it a number of times. That may remove any crud that has built up, clean the contacts and mechanism and evaporate rapidly leaving a lubricant behind.

I have my laptop dual bootable with either Win10 2019 server or Ubuntu

Yup, good idea!

I have a Logitech G810. There are multiple open source packages that allow you to control keyboard LEDs. I'm using G810-LED. Windows is not needed.

Yep. The G810 driver is available from the Mint repo, but I have a built-in keyboard on my Clevo laptop. I've just checked again (I've had the laptop almost 8 years), and there are now LED drivers for it. Long thread here:

The space bar gets used a lot in gaming. It is conveniently under the left thumb when using WASD keys to move an avatar.

I've never seen the point of illuminated keyboards.

with media

I choose to have one because I computer from a deep armchair with my feet up with the mouse running around on a old recipe book cover on my lap with the keyboard under the screens to the left of me when I am only typing not much text. It isnt that light under there in some situations and the illumination helps.

The other massive advantage of illuminated keyboards is that they have to be double injection moulded and so the letters never wear off.

I have always used my computers at a desk, with the ambient lighting high enough that the screens are not significantly brighter than the background behind them. I also don't look at the keys that much. I don't touch type, but my two typing fingers do seem to know where the keys are most of the time.

Good to hear.

The g810-led scripts are easy to write and you can create some nice effects.

I work in low light. You can create some very attractive lighting effects.

I use shades of blue on Function keys, text keys, arrows, numeric pad, etc. Makes me happy.

Unless your screen is almost black, that can cause eye strain. The monitor and its background should be of similar brightness.

That does seem to be the only purpose for them so far as I can see.

Where I can I set BG to black.

The keyboard may have features besides the LEDs that make it worthwhile. My Logitech G810 is a good example. The lights are for show and working in low light conditions.

Doesn't for me.

Doesn't need to be for me.

The other obvious purpose is that the lettering never wears off because the keytops have to be double injection moulded.

Well, yes. But you can have non illuminated keyboards with that.

The keyboard I am using here has been in daily use since 1989.

Bob Eager snipped-for-privacy@eager.cx wrote

But those are far less common now.

Not all. The spare keyboard that I am currently using has translucent keycaps, fully overprinted black, leaving just the lettering unprinted. It is a temporary replacement for my Ducky mechanical keyboard that my son spilled a drink into.

I have managed to clean and dry the pcb, casing, etc., but one key (despite numerous applications of switch cleaner) is a bit sticky. I must get around to buying a replacement switch and soldering it in.

Although I've just looked and the keyboards seem to be reduced to around