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KiiBoom Phantom 81: The Loudly Quiet Keyboard

By Timothy R. Butler | Jan 29, 2025 at 10:39 PM

KiiBoom isn’t exactly a name that rolls off the tongue. The company’s Phantom 81 is what their name is not: smooth, with glossy acrylic keys and custom lubricated switches.

The Social Media Seesaw is Why We Need the Fediverse

By Timothy R. Butler | Jan 15, 2025 at 11:10 PM

Last week, I praised Meta’s move from censoring information to using Community Notes to provide transparent, crowdsourced accountability. This swift reversal is encouraging, but its speed and decisiveness warn of the dangers of centralized social media like Facebook, X and even Bluesky.

The Fourth Generation Matias Tactile Pro Keyboard

By Timothy R. Butler | Dec 18, 2024 at 11:45 PM

Last week, I reviewed the Unicomp New Model M, the torchbearer for a line of keyboards that elicits reverent voices and knowing nods from those who have used one. Cross over to the fruity side of things and there was a similarly admired board, the Apple Extended Keyboard, and a modern continuation, Matias’s Tactile Pro.

The Legend Never Left: The Unicomp New Model M

By Timothy R. Butler | Dec 11, 2024 at 10:57 PM

Longtime keyboard enthusiasts will tell you there is one keyboard that stands above the others: the legendary IBM Model M. Dating to the 1980s, the board is large and loud, beloved for its feel and revered for its reliability. It is peculiar we don’t see more people using them, because here’s a secret: the Model M is still in production.

Intriguing Cyber Monday Deals

By Timothy R. Butler | Dec 02, 2024 at 1:38 PM

There are an overwhelming avalanche of great deals (and not so great ones masked to look great) on any given Cyber Monday, but here are a few of Testy Tim’s standout favorites for 2024.

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OFB's Timothy R. Butler has been being putting gadgets, serious tech and useful bits for around the home to the test for almost two decades. He's testy so you know it passed the test.

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