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5/7/2022: Lessons learned on replacing a bunch of keyswitches on my keyboard...

Well, I just finished hotswapping some keys on my Velocifire M2 TKL61WS keyboard, but it wasn't without issues. Not only was I not able to replace some keyswtiches due to how hard they were to pull out, it left the "9" key inoperable. So, with this in mind, I have learned a LOT of lessons:

When buying a hotswappable keyboard, DO NOT BUY ANYTHING WITH OUTEMU SOCKETS. Apparently, they're much harder to pull keyswitches out of compared to anything with a standard Cherry MX socket. (Incidentally, Velocifire makes a newer version of my board with Gateron switches instead of Outemu, though I'm not sure if that also changed the sockets too...)
Pulling keycaps? Easy. Pulling keyswitches? HARD. I think I damaged my keyswitch puller!
As cool as using different kinds of switches is, it would be wise to stick with one kind of switch throughout your whole keyboard. The feel will be inconsistent between the keys that way!
I think the "Linear" type of switches are becoming my favorite kind of keyswitch. Might be because of the smoothness of the Outemu Silent Peaches I chose for this project (and the "clear" keyswitch I put on the "FN" key too...)
Despite that though, the Outemu Panda is surprisingly good. (Why must custom keyboards be so expensive to build?!)
"Silent" switches do live up to their name. The new switches are a lot quieter than the old Outemu Browns these things came with! Though they way they work, it does reduce key travel somewhat.

So, future plans for keyboards? Since I made the "9" key inoperable, guess I'm stuck with this thing as a secondary, only to be used with laptops since I have a backup where I can use said key. I might use it mostly as a "game controller" Next mechanical keyboard (assuming I don't go the "build from a barebones" route) will probably be linear switches. If "silent" is an option... it's kind of a debate. The silence is appreciated, but the regular switches just have a more satisfying sound and more key travel. Actually, if I were go go silent, I'm probably just gonna get a membrane board. Not to mention, keyboards with silent switches preinstalled are hard to find. So, yeah, maybe just stick with a standard linear switch keyboard.