New Zboard coming in time for expansion
by Mike Schramm 
Oct 5th 2006 at 12:26AM
WorldofWar.net has posted info and pictures of the new Burning Crusade Zboard, the customizable, changeable keyboard from Ideazon.There is currently a WoW set out for their keyboard, which consists of a removable plate of keys that you can change out for whatever you're doing-- they have different boards for different games, and I believe I've even seen an Office version floating around somewhere. The Burning Crusade version is supposed to be updated with special PVP and raid functions, although I'm sure either the WoW or the BC board could be used to play the game, before or after the expansion.
Personally, I prefer a standard keyboard and number pad, and haven't seen a good reason to switch to something like the Zboard-- I'd rather get used to the normal configuration rather than use a custom keyboard that I might not always have around. But if you're a Zboard user, or you just can't figure out how to hotkey /raid chat to one of your buttons, the Zboard might be just for you.
Filed under: Items, Tricks, Odds and ends, Add-Ons
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Windshadow Oct 5th 2006 2:25AM
Well Mike as one of the worlds worst typists and spellers gadgets like this make my time playing games a LOT more fun... but there is a chance at some good news for folks at my skill level...
Mac Users have a chance at using the Z-Board now that Ken the man behind Controller Mate 4
at orderedbytes.com
is looking at getting it to work on OS-X in this application also has got the only driver for Intel macs that will run the Belkin N52 game pad now that Belkin has stopped updating their software for it... in addition he has whipped up some WoW keys for Controller Mate 4 to show how to do it even though he does not play WoW himself... his support of his innovative product is first rate as you can see from his WoW N52 thread here in his support forum
http://www.orderedbytes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=127
and the best part? the Belkin Mac Software did not provide for the sharing of keyset files but Controller Mate 4 does so if you have a killer keyset for a marksman spec hunter you can share it! Someone has a keyset up for a Priest already and it is for someone that also uses Discord Bars.
http://www.frenchguys.com/tmp/myCM_n52file.cmate
and this is what he says about his keyset
Start Quote from edasque in this thread
http://www.orderedbytes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=89
*****************
Feel free to grab it there. It's a WoW mapping file (and the keys I map are probably completely different from what you want to do. Also it doesn't use the mode changing (3 leds) at all because the basic mode gives me enough keys. But it might be a start for you.
I'll add a bit on information to my previous post so you can decipher the mapping better.
• The red key is Alt. So I can casts spells (I play a priest) on myself easily
• The scroll wheel...scrolls.
• The direction pad actually acts as 4 "emergency" keys displayed in cross shape on my Wow UI. They do fade, fear, desperate prayer and something else. They're the get out of trouble keys.
• The keyboard keys beyond QWEASD (which are directions, and strafe) are mapped to different spells.
I actually changed my UI so that it looked like a nostromo layout with Discord Bars. It is very effective. I am not sure which class you're looking to play wiht it but with my healers, my Nostromo bar changed from offensive spells to healing spells depending on who my target is (Discord Bard magic here). I find this is the best set up for me.
Because of that I have 2x8 spells keys immediately accessible without having to change "mode" on the n52. It's effectively Wow's UI bars that change.
Is this is unclear, let me know, I can put some screenshots up and explain further.
End Quote *****************
I have No connection with his outfit except as a happy user
Cheers
Windy
Shadowbrand Oct 5th 2006 3:47AM
I have used both the ZBoard and the ZBoard MERC for playing WoW and the MERC is the best keyboard I've used for playing games ever, the extra FPS-controls and the hot-key arrangements make playing WoW much easier and helps with your response times.
I can recommend them to anyone!
Happy ZBoard user
Patrick Oct 5th 2006 9:27AM
3 words:
No Vista Support.
We're in Rc1 now. You would think they would have drivers, but they're taking the line that Vista isn't released yet, so no driver.
Sure, there's a supposed work-around to try to jimmy the drivers in, but with UAC, it's a crap-shoot, one that I could not get to work.
I disconnected it (WoW keyset and all) and put in my closet in favor of a Logitech G15. I can't tell you how much this has made my game better and no headaches Driver works perfectly under Vista. Plus, a handy LCD shows my DPS, Ammo remaining, Durability %, etc. Not to mention the ability to create 0 or more macros in the software that may repeat if desired. 18 Keys on the left that you can bind like Alt-Shift-Q, Alt-Shift-W, etc. Thanks for the XP SP2 support, Ideazon, sorry but I am no longer using your product and cannot recommend it for anyone using Vista.
Tepic Oct 6th 2006 7:31AM
I've been using the Zboard FANG gamepad about 3-4 weeks now and I wouldnt go back. I didnt see a great need for it at first but it was cheap and I liked the idea of having 42 buttons all within reach of a finger without leaving the main WASD keys...
I mainly got it for FPS gaming but I find it great for warcraft. Playing a Shaman has me hitting a lot of buttons and having them so close to the WASD keys does speed up the grind process for me. One of the main benefits has to be setting custom keysets though. The standard keyset will do just fine but you can tailor it to the class you play. I have hunter and shaman specific keysets and use the normal for a few of my alts.
I have a small USB keyboard next to my armchair for typing and use the FANG for all my games now, in fact I find it difficult going back to a keyboard for gaming now. I would say the main plus is ease of use and comfort. It takes a day or two to get used to button positions, and a dual monitor setup certainly helps at first, one for warcraft and the other showing the keyset config.
I did consider the standard Z-board but having the main keys on the right of the keyboard put me off, the MERC looked good aswell but I was happy enough with my current keyboard and didnt need a bulky one, the Fang is basically the MERC with the keyboard cut off and a few buttons better placed and I couldnt be happier with it!