Month: September 2021

Review : Royal Kludge RK61 Mechanical Keyboard

I bought this a while ago (with a decent discount) because I wanted a cheap hot-swappable keyboard to test different types of switches I might want to put in my main keyboard. After using it in anger for a few days while I’ve been off work I actually think it compares very well to more expensive options, and it’s the only 60% I’ve found so far that could maybe replace my Motospeed CK61 as the keyboard I reach for which I want a loud 60% typing experience on my downstairs computer.

A quick web search suggested that this keyboard might be programmable (despite no mention in the manual). After a bit of a trawl through the Royal Kludge website I found a link for the software. It’s Windows only, but I have an old laptop that just runs software for programming keyboards so I was able to install it and make the one tweak that wasn’t already enabled.

All I actually had to change was mapping Caps Lock to F5. With the arrow keys where they are I can use this 60% keyboard with no macropad providing what I’m doing doesn’t require using the forward slash a great deal, and whilst this doesn’t leave me with any more keys to programme, it does mean I can use this for extended periods of time without having to user layers or macropads.

So this keyboard now fulfils all the criteria for my perfect keyboard:

  • 60% UK layout
  • Hot-swappable
  • Programmable

It’s also Bluetooth, which actually makes it better than anything else I have based on those criteria. It’s not as solid as the GMKK, but if I had to use one keyboard forever then I think it would be this one (especially if I needed to travel). It pairs nicely with my iPad, and I have no doubt it will do the same with my laptop and phone (it handles a maximum of three devices, which is probably enough).

I’m currently running this with Kailh Jade Green switches and keycaps which I already had, so it’s definitely been a budget build so far. I suspect more customisation may happen eventually, although I am perfectly happy with this set up for now and very much recommend this keyboard; even to people who are not interested in keyboards and just want a nice typing experience.

Making DVDs from video files

Recently I found myself needing to make a DVD from a recorded stream (of a family funeral that my Mum couldn’t attend because of covid). This is not a task I normally do, and I thought it was worth writing up how I did it in case I ever need to do it again.

Most of these instructions were put together using this wiki page, and assume you are using Ubuntu or some other Debian derivative.

Dependencies

  • ffmpeg
  • dvdauthor
  • mkisofs
  • k3b

The command line stuff

ffmpeg -i video_file_name.mkv -aspect 16:9 -target pal-dvd  -b 1800000 dvd.mpg
dvdauthor -o dvd/ -t dvd.mpg
export VIDEO_FORMAT=PAL
dvdauthor -o dvd/ -T
mkisofs -dvd-video -o dvd.iso dvd/

The GUI stuff

Take dvd.iso and burn it to DVD using K3B (or your burning software of choice – I really should investigate doing this on the command line next time).

Testing

Put the DVD into a normal DVD player and check it plays. The video should load automatically with no menus.

This worked for me. Hopefully if I have to do it again it will be in better circumstances.