A typo in you title??? Are kidding me?

I dunno where you're coming from about the PS/2 bit. My still modern computer has them, as well as the majority of desktops I work with. It might be a legacy port, but it certainly isn't gone.

Fake Klingon language?? If you can speak, write and type in this language how fake can it be? You don't like it because people made it up? People made up english once too. and russian, latin, italian... and the list goes on

Show a little respect or I'll sic my Targ on you

PS/2 - of course. Everyone knows that USB destabilizes the warp field!

This is one of those "high cool factor" gadgets with no practical use in the everyday world (except those who speak Klingon, I suppose). Trekkies will adore it though.

Right! That PS/2 standard keyboard that came with my brand new Vista PC must have been the last of it's kind. LOL

Klingon is actually an official language, but yeah, very bad Photoshop work from Boing Boing...

FAKE!!!!

This is a total photoshop job. You can tell its a fake because the shadows are all wrong.

This is just like a scene from that movie Never Back Down where Max uses Baja's dads computer to send a death threat to Pat Sajak using a wheel of fortune chatroom.

This threat was because Pat stole Max's uncles moped from Del Taco last week in order to satisfy his ever growing drug habits. The message consisted of a stickman with a knife in his head and the words 'you' written above it with an arrow pointing to the stickman.

If its so fake, why does the website for cherry say its currently in stock?

The perfect tool for teaching touch typing! You can't peek!

All languages are made-up (by people). So, there is no such thing as a fake language. If two people can communicate ideas using a language, then that language is real. There are dead languages that have no living speakers, but Klingon is not one of those.

Languages are not made up, but evolve over thousands of years of use.

Things that are made up are done in a short time.

FYI, Klingon is an artificial and / or constructed language (the proper term), like, say, Esperanto or Toki Pona. English, Italian, etc., are classified as "natural languages". As a linguist I can tell you that it is by no means a straight-forward and clear-cut distinction: we still don't know for certain how language(s) came to be, and the question of how much of a natural language is "made up" or constructed is a complex philosophical question (if you try to express yourself in a way that others will understand - is that making up a language? a part of language? should only consciously coined-up words be considered made-up? why?), and many linguists would actually argue that, it being hard to measure the degree to which a language is a native tongue for a person, since we do not really know what it means for a person to be a native speaker of a language (a person growing up with a Czech mother and a British father in America grows up speaking English and only understanding Czech, not being able to speak it - is she a native speaker of Czech? Why? Why not?), one can also argue that an artificial language could work partly or potentially as a natural language (e.g. acquired by children from parents who speak it on a daily basis, where the children become native speakers of the language, and then can pass it to their offspring - would that still make it an artificial language? How about if we did not know its history and were only presented with the hard data of native speakers using it every day?).
Also, if you look up "Klingon language" in Wikipedia, it explains that it is a constructed language right away. There is no such thing as a fake language, not including one's own subjective perception that a language is not good enough to be a language. Stop being ignorant.

ngebbe' tlhIngan Hol 'ej ngo'qu' De'vam. Mr Klingon mughwI' yIlo'Qo', Qapbe'. DaqwIj yIlo'!

This news is old. The keyboard came out in '07. You don't need a special keyboard to write Klingon as it can be written with Romanized characters. The pIqaD on the kayboard looks ok, but there are better fonts out there.

Oh get rid of that link to Mr Klingon's butchered form of tlhIngan Hol. His programs don't translate they encrypt. They don't speak Klingon, they speak his own butchered form that he uses to try and spread his religious retoric.

Check out http://qurgh.wizage.net/php-mughom for a site that gives you plenty of tools to learn the very not-fake Klingon language.

I agree with SYMBOLT, Klingon is a contruted language, but it is not fake.

We made up a language in my Linguistics class for our finals called Zashtash. Completely useless but the other 6 people in class know it too, and we could talk in it, fairly well I might add.

But I do think that this keyboard is for hardcore Trekkies. Now I'm a Trekkie, but I'll freely admist that I've never learned Klingon.

Also, I just helped a friend but a new desktop on Sunday (1-11-09) and it's an HP running Vista and the keyboard and mouse that came with it were PS/2.

Who wrote this crap? "Something no current computers use"?!? I just got a brand new computer less than a month ago. It has PS/2, and the keyboard it came with is a PS/2 keyboard.

The next time you want to cover computer peripherals, please choose a writer who has a clue about computers.

Hey! This is awesome!
I've seen this keyboard on one of the convention place, not sure is on the Sci-Fi,Star Trek, or Computers, etc...

And Daisy, this is not fake...Peace!

Sigh...if this Klingon keyboard is fake, then the universe is a poorer place...

Take it easy people. The review was written by a wifi/bluetooth zealot. You probably know the type. They get their first wireles keyboard & mouse and they embrace the technology like a religious conversion.

I have a modern PC, modern quad core Mac, Apple Xserve and 4 x 24" screens. In order to have all the computers use all the monitors I have to go through KVM boxes which use PS2 connectors for the console mouse and keyboard. Most KVM's still use PS2. Maybe not the little 2 port ones from Radio Shack for the home consumer and their game machine or eMachine for email. But in the professional computer world of rack-mounts computers they are in heavy use.

Dvice: You generally include links to products. Why not this one?

To all the people who could not suppress the urge to fuss over whether PS2 connectors are obsolete, or the intricacies of linguistics when we know the point is that this is funny - you one of the biggest nerds in the world. I say that with affectionate bemusement. So go ahead and correct me, because I actually typed it. duh.

Try being even more smug, obnoxious, condescending, and insulting towards the target audience, Adam; there are still people coming to read this site, and we can't have that, now, can we?

This is semi-cool, but let's face it, it's a human keyboard with Klingon printings (and human numerals!). I want a real Klingon keyboard like they use on Kronos (okay, so it won't plug into either my PS2 or my USB port, but I'm sure Geordie can jury-rig a converter).

fyi, hard cores usually refer to themselves as "Trekkers". Trekkies are considered by hard cores to be groups. How do I know this? My late mother was a BNF-- a Big Name Fan. You can tell by the the thousands of dollars of collectibles I inherited.

I tried to post one message, and lost my connection. I repaired my connection (power cord issue) and tried again to post the same message.

I received a "you've posted too many time" message from y'all.

so, here it is:

With respect to the Klingon keyboard,

Hard Core Star Trek fans refer to themselves as "Trekkers" ; they consider "Trekkies" to be little better than groupies.

How do I know this? My mother was one of the first generation of fans, became a BNF (Big Name Fan) i.e., a fan known to other fan. She also put on several conventions, and helped at many more, including more than one WorldCon, the Occasion ChiliCon, etc.

She left me one of the largest collections of Star Trek memoribilia, and I grew up inside the Star Trek fan elite.

You writer shows not only ignorance, but disdain for a phenomenon that has created an entire industry, not least of which is the one that creates their paycheck.

I find it insulting at the least. If you want to refer to Trek, at least ask a fanboy/fangirl so you get your facts straight instad of depending on an ingnorant, insulting writer. If you don't know anyone, I can refer you to several, and they are much more worth the paycheck than the presumably professional writer you hired who can't be bothered to do some research.

Um....it's just a keyboard with a very small article/review. Let's settle down, m'kay? Maybe some people are taking this a bit too seriously. I mean, I know it's Klingon style, but you aren't Klingon! Therefore, you shouldn't be out for blood over a small review.

The 99.99999999% of the population that won't use this, or 0.00000001% of the population that will, is .67 people.

You paid this guy?
His headline is unprofessional and inconsistent, he didn't do his research (PS/2 and "trekkie vs trekker" researching), his article is written with a distict flavor of disdain for geeks/trekkers/trekkies, and he clearly did not put any effort into it. Obviously he got back to the office, realized he'd slacked off all day, and threw this together in the last fifteen mins. I mean, you do realize it IS only 9 sentences, two paragraphs right? You do realize that even the title is typo'd, he didn't even bother to remain consistent with his all capital first letters.
When you write and article reporting on the news, it's a writers job to remove his own opinions and emotions from the article. We don't care what Adam thinks, this is a tech article, he should be as objective as he can. He left out several important things, the main one being that the position of the lettering is exactly the same as a standard qwerty keyboard, and that simply plugging in said device doesn't actually allow you to type in Klingon lettering, you'll need to install a font pack first. Of course, neither of which will teach YOU how to read and write in Klingon. Which while he links to a translator, is useless in the use of this keyboard. He SHOULD have linked to a Klingon teaching course instead.
Also, he should have mentioned that something that detracts from this keyboard is the fact that even though all the lettering is in Klingon, if you wanted something that seemed "authentic", you'll be saddened to note there is an English word in plain view stamped onto the keyboard. "Cherry". Not to mention that the company did not bother to research and find out the translation on such button's like ESC, and ALT.

He's correct, this keyboard is not a very good "Klingon" keyboard. But his poor reporting skills got in the way. We were so busy noticing that his writing sucks that we didn't even notice the two above technical goofs on the keyboard itself.

Now, it's an online article, we aren't expecting an award winning article. But at least have some pride in your job and not piss on your readers by throwing something together in 15 mins without even researching. As such, of course you aren't going to "fire" this guy, and no-one would want anyone to lose his job in this time, but as reader of your site I do ask that you please talk to him and explain that we, and hopefully you too, demand that he step up his game and earn his paycheck.
Unless of course he doesn't get a paycheck from you.......then we demand you fire him.

To everyone else, let me clarify what has been touched on before.
A Trekker is one who Treks. As in, one who can at times LIVE the life of Star Trek. S/he would go to conventions, dress up as characters/their own created character in uniform etc., become active in the Trek community by posting on forums, playing games, forming fleets for such games and possibly even becoming active in the modding community. A Trekkie will merely enjoy and watch the show.

IMHO, there isn't a correct term - Trekkie and Trekker are both used. At some point, Trekkies were considered to be those who first got turned on to Star Trek through the original series, while Trekkers first got turned on through TNG. However, Trekkie has taken on a negative connotation probably do to its linkage to the ultra-geek stereotype represented in comedy sketches and other film/TV parodies. I was a Trekkie before I ever heard the term Trekker, so that is what I call myself. So, you end up sounding like that ultra-geek stereotype by arguing about what is the "correct" term.

Oh, I forgot to add - I have been to several conventions and own autographed photos and other Star Trek memorabilia. In fact, one of the best things about Las Vegas is Star Trek: The Experience at the Hilton. ;-)

BTW, I had a typo in the previous post (do instead of due).

Oh, I forgot to add - I have been to several conventions and own autographed photos and other Star Trek memorabilia. In fact, one of the best things about Las Vegas is Star Trek: The Experience at the Hilton. ;-)

BTW, I had a typo in the previous post (do instead of due).

Neat tech for collectors and fans, but as S31Ender said, very poor reporting on this, and hell I agree with S31Ender that this seems to have been done in an insane rush by the author.

Now i'll ask the question;
Of all the articles written in DVICE, how did this puny and awfully written article arrive in the weekly newsletter (or at the least mine)?

Here is a little of the history: - the keyboard is not a spoof but a professionally built keyboard manufactured in Auerbach, Germany.

The idea came about from an internal discussion between our Sales and Marketing, Cherry UK was receiving more and more requirements for non-standard language layouts, standard being GB, Spanish, German, EU, French, these included: -

Hungarian
Kazakhstan
Maltese
Faeroe Islands
Swiss layout based on a hybrid French, Italian, German Layout

We were trying to find a way of marketing the fact that Cherry, unlike many of the competition, can produce these emerging country language layouts and in small volumes of one pallet (circa 120 pcs). The technical reason for this is that most Chinese producers will only produce product in container volumes. Cherry laser etches its keyboards using a three head laser, which etches the surface of the keycap plastic and does this in Europe meaning faster lead-times and greater flexibility. The reason for ease of production is that the keycap legends are laser etched using a JPEG template and this can easily be modified to produce any layout keyboard in the world as long as Windows, Mac or Linux can support it.

The technical bit is that the laser burns the surface of the keycap material called Polyoxymethylene (POM) which is commonly known as Delrin - a Dupont brand name, this plastic, when black, turns white when it comes in to contact with the laser thus Cherry are able to easily change the JPEG image in the laser etcher and burn any language layout available.

The outcome of the conversation was we could even do a Klingon layout, we thought this would be a good marketing idea to show our capabilities and may also have a commercially viable product. We chose the NTK model because this keyboard has sold more than 25 Million units globally in multiple applications, in many language variants and is very well tested and respected throughout Europe.

Our latest language layout order was in Estonian for 2,000pcs.

Cherry was formed by Walter Cherry in 1953 and upon his death was passed to his son Peter Cherry. The Corporation had a global turn over of around $400 Million and is split into 3 separate divisions; Automotive, Switches & Controls and Keyboards. The automotive division has the largest turn over boasting 80% of all European cars have "Cherry" within them. The UK operation was started in 1972 and today is a sales and marketing arm of the parent company. Last December 22nd Cherry was sold to ZF an automotive company with a turn over of almost €13 and from then we are officially know as ZF Electronics UK Ltd of with I am the General Manager and company secretary.

The Klingon keyboard is available ex stock from our UK warehouse.

Have a good weekend

Best regards

Michael Groom
ZF Electronics UK ltd
www.cherry.co.uk

ZF turn over is €13 billion.

Just want to comment on the lack of professionalism on this report.

You couldn't write a paragraph with out spitting venom. IF you're a professional or got paid for this then you're a sad man that has to pump himself up by doing this kind "reporting". If you're a blogger expressing an "opinion" obviously this is a niche item and 98% of the people have/or want to spend money on this so just grow up and spare us the chest beating.

If you can find the mr klingon website you should able to find enough tech site to teach you something about modern computers. If your choose to do without a p/s 2 port thats your biz. The lack of a p/s 2 port is a trend on cheaper motherboard but hasn't wiped out the p/s 2 port.

well I didn't mention the typos or poor formating because SH*T happens. I meant to say that 98% don't want to spend money on it but for the people that do want to, its their money and good luck to you.

ZOMG Roflzors. this whole article and most of the comments are epic fail.
By Damien at 8:02 PM ON 01/13/09

"Fake Klingon language?? If you can speak, write and type in this language how fake can it be?"
lawl. pretty fake if the producers of a series made it specifically for that show, it was never intended to be turned into a real language. there are so many ppl flaming on ppl like me on here it makes me actually laugh out loud. most of the people here are huge nerds. I found this by accident.

Gracious response from the man from Cherry, better than the original article deserved.

A note for tlhintoq: KVM switches are so last-century. :) Check out SYNERGY at http://synergy2.sourceforge.net/

"Today is a good day to die.doc"

"There is no such thing as a fake language."

I'd say something that is referred to as a language but isn't actually a language would be a fake language. For example, if I write a SF novel in which the aliens speak Betelgeuzean but don't actually create enough of the language for anyone to be able to have a conversation in it, then Betelgeuzean is a fake language. But in any case, Klingon, by this standard, is not a fake.

thank you

So Horse it's nice to know you have unlimited desktop space so you can have one monitor per machine. The link you posted is for software that only supports keyboard and mouse, how does that replace a KVM, notice the V, switch.