Happy Hacking Keyboard is more than just a tool for typing efficiency. It is a brand that builds community through the enjoyment of intuitive design and an overall premium user experience. Today, we had the great pleasure to talk with partners in crime, Amanda and Rusty about their relationship and their mutual passion for HHKB.
HHKB: Hello Amanda and Rusty, let’s start with having you both introduce yourselves.
Amanda: Hello, my name is Amanda, and I was born and raised in Queens, NY.
Rusty: I am Rusty, and I am originally from Charlotte, NC. We now live in Orlando, Florida.
HHKB: How did you both meet? We would love to hear the story.
Amanda: We met in Queens, NY, in 2011 through our mutual friend Fotini. She told Rusty he should meet her friend Amanda because we shared so many interests, like music and TV shows (LOST, anyone?). Our first date was in Astoria, Queens, during a snowstorm—and of course, it’s New York, so the bars and restaurants were still open.
HHKB: That is super cool! Nothing says romance like a New York snowstorm. So, what is your favorite part about each other?
Amanda: My favorite thing about Rusty is his unwavering support for all my decisions, whether it’s venturing into a new hobby, a fashion phase, or even a collecting spree for something totally materialistic. He’s always there to back me up, no matter what I’m exploring.
Rusty: I love that Amanda is super supportive of my interests and hyper fixations. She is my other half, the rock of my life. I cannot picture my life without her.
HHKB: That is really amazing! Your support for each other and the other person’s interests is great. Moving into your work-life, what professions do you each hold, and how did you get into them
Amanda: I’ve been immersed in e-commerce since 2006, starting my career during a time when online shopping was still a novel and exciting experience. As an older millennial, I’ve had the perspective of growing up without the internet and then witnessing its transformative impact firsthand. This inspired my fascination with the digital space and led to my ongoing career in e-commerce, where I’ve grown alongside the industry. Outside of work, I’m an avid online shopper with an entrepreneurial spirit, always analyzing websites and shopping experiences.
Rusty: I’m an eDiscovery Analyst, processing and reviewing electronic evidence for litigation (think text messages or emails). I was working as a barista when I befriended a regular customer who worked in the industry. In 2006, he brought me onto his team, and although I started with no prior experience, I picked it up quickly. The rest is history.
HHKB: Those are both really interesting professions, especially in our evolving internet-driven world. Do you use your HHKBs for work?
Rusty: We both use HHKB as our daily drivers for work. Our main setups involve laptops docked to monitors. If we had personal desktop computers, we’d absolutely use HHKBs with those as well.
I loved the 60% format and the tactile feel and sound of the Topre electrostatic capacitive switches. - Rusty
HHKB: That is great to hear that HHKB is very useful for work and part of both of your setups, even in professions that aren’t directly programming related. Stepping back a little, who discovered HHKB first, and what got them hooked onto it?
Rusty: I discovered HHKB in 2015 through my good friend Edward. I loved the 60% format and the tactile feel and sound of the Topre electrostatic capacitive switches. The customization options, while limited for Topre users at the time, also drew me in.
HHKB: Wow, so you have been using HHKB for 10 years! How about you Amanda, how did you fall in love with HHKB?
Amanda: Like Rusty, I get hooked on hobbies that refine my daily essentials to align with my personality and style. Since I use a keyboard daily, why not make it a tool that elevates my routine? I think we both love HHKB equally, but Rusty’s deeper knowledge gives him a slight edge.😊
HHKB: That is a great point, and definitely our goal for designing these keyboards. Getting into the details more, what specifically makes HHKB your preferred keyboard?
I work at a fast pace, switching between applications, copying and pasting SKU numbers, writing copy, and managing links. The Control key placement is essential for maintaining speed and precision. - Amanda
Amanda: I work at a fast pace, switching between applications, copying and pasting SKU numbers, writing copy, and managing links. The Control key placement is essential for maintaining speed and precision. As someone who multitasks often, the Delete key is also incredibly convenient for editing. As for the layout, the 60% layout streamlines my workflow by keeping all the essential keys within easy reach. As someone with small hands, I appreciate its ergonomic benefits. And in terms of the arrow keys, I don’t rely heavily on them, but I appreciate their convenient placement when I do need them.
Rusty: The Control and Delete keys are perfectly positioned. I’ve even reprogrammed my laptop keyboard in the BIOS to match the HHKB layout—I refuse to use any other layout. And with the compact layout, I love that my fingers never have to leave the Home Row. It is perfect. Even the arrow keys, I like having them behind the function layer—it’s intuitive and efficient.
HHKB: We are thrilled to hear that the layout helps you both be more productive and efficient while typing. If you had to pick one, what is your favorite part of HHKB?
Rusty: My favorite part is how the rubber domes feel and sound.
Amanda: I love the compact form factor—it’s cute, extremely portable, and the keycap colors are fantastic.
HHKB: Those are both great things. Which HHKBs do you own?
Amanda: Rusty still owns his original HHKB Pro 2, which is in its stock configuration. We both also own and currently use HHKB Professional Classics in Norbauer Heavy Grail housings. Rusty’s keyboard has been modified with variable-weight domes.
HHKB: The Heavy Grails are super pretty. Is there anything you would like to see added?
Rusty: As Amanda mentioned, I modified my HHKB with heavier domes on the modifier keys and medium-weight domes on the alphanumeric keys. It would be great if official Topre domes were available for purchase directly on the HHKB site.
Amanda: For aesthetics, we both love the additional keycaps, like the Sakura and Wasabi sets (which we bought!). It would be amazing to see clear polycarbonate outer cases as an option someday.
HHKB: Both of those additions are really great suggestions. We will definitely have to consider them in future planning. In terms of your desk setups, what other tools do you both use?
Amanda: I’ve been loving my Bose Ultra Open Earbuds. Since Rusty and I share an office—along with having two mischievous cats—noise-canceling headphones aren’t ideal. The open earbuds let me stay aware while still enjoying audio. I also adore my iPad Mini for watching YouTube and reading Substack, and my Kindle, which I customized with photos of our cats, Chika and Mochi.
Rusty: I use a Logitech MX Master 3S mouse. The gesture support and thumb scroll are game-changers.
HHKB: And what do your daily schedules look like?
Amanda: I’m a morning workout person, so my day starts at the gym. Afterward, I feed the cats and make breakfast before diving into work. I aim to finish by 6 p.m., and evenings are for cooking dinner with Rusty and relaxing with TV. Our weekdays are structured, while weekends are for errands and visits to Walt Disney World (we’re annual passholders!).
Rusty: My mornings start with breakfast and making espresso using my manual lever machine—one of my core obsessions. After work, I either hit the gym or play RPGs on my PS5.
HHKB: Those both sound like great routines. And Disney World is definitely a perk of living in Orlando, how fun! What else do you both enjoy doing on your free time?
Amanda: In our free time—especially on weekends—we prioritize slower mornings to recover from the grind of the workweek. Besides visiting Disney, we enjoy exploring other parts of Orlando and neighboring cities in Florida. Whether it’s discovering new places or revisiting our favorite spots, we love making the most of our time together.
HHKB: That is really nice. What shared interests do you both have (besides HHKB)?
Amanda: We’re absolutely cat obsessed and adore our two adorable calico cats Mochi and Chika (@mochiandchika), who we adopted in 2022. We also share a love for coffee, collecting sofubi (soft vinyl toys), taking photos with our Ricoh GR III cameras, exploring Walt Disney World, and watching scary and suspenseful movies and reality TV shows.
HHKB: We will make sure to link that handle so more people can follow your adorable cats! Last question, where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
Amanda: It’s hard to predict, especially since we moved to Orlando just over two years ago. We tend to make spontaneous life decisions. One thing is certain—we’re getting married this year, so we’ll definitely still be married in five years (haha)!
HHKB: That is so exciting! Thank you so much for participating in this interview, and congrats on the wedding!
Be sure to check out Amanda and Rusty’s links below:
- Amanda Instagram: @mandabear
- Rusty Instagram: @rusty.bridges
Note: Information and external links are provided for your convenience and for educational purposes only. PFU America, Inc. makes no representations about the contents, features, or specifications on such third-party sites, software, and/or offerings (collectively “Third-Party Offerings”) and shall not be responsible for any loss or damage that may arise from your use of such Third-Party Offerings.