The Very Serious Button is a big red button for your computer, with industrial flavor and a versatile USB interface.

The Very Serious Button works with any application that accepts input from a USB game controller or keyboard. Map it to a keyboard key or joystick button, or have it send a predefined keystroke sequence every time it's pressed (or slapped, or fist-pounded).

The button stores its configuration internally, so after the button is configured using the included utility, it needs no software or special drivers to run on any (modern) operating system.

What you get

(All amounts below include shipping within the US)

A $30 contribution gets you one Very Serious Button. Select a CNC-engraved label plate from these choices:

...or add $5 and specify your own text. 

Early bird special: five units will be available at $24. (SOLD OUT)

All Very Serious Buttons will ship by July 26th, with "early bird" backers receiving their units first.

Other perks

Want to help out, but not looking to blow $30 on a novelty input device? Consider these alternative options starting at a few bucks.

Very Serious Button sticker

A full-color, die-cut, only-ever-so-slightly-offensive vinyl sticker to slap on a binder, laptop lid, or other flat surface.  About 3" high.

A $3 contribution gets you one sticker. Additional stickers can be had for $1.50 each. Stickers will ship within 3 weeks of campaign close.

Dummy button

Fully wireless, unlimited range, no USB port required, never needs sharpening!

A "display model" with no cable or internal electronics. All the visual gag value of a normal Very Serious Button, but without any useful functionality whatsoever. 
(DIYers take note: dummy units do have working switch contacts inside...)

An $16 contribution gets you one dummy button. Add $5 for custom text. Ships by July 12th.

Q&A

• Q: Who are you and what are your qualifications?
  A: I'm Greg, I have a degree in physics, and I make a living developing hardware and software for physics research, including some parts for a certain rather large science machine.
• Q: Why are you doing this?
  A: As a stepping stone to more ambitious projects. The Very Serious Button won't change the world or revolutionize a product category, but it is a means of building relevant experience so as to be better-prepared once an opportunity comes to do so comes along. This project is a sampler plate of marketing, DFM, sourcing, manufacturing and distribution tasks at the right scale to be appropriate to my resources yet still present a challenge. I get experience points, you get a unique and functional gadget -- win-win, right?
• Q: What operating systems will be supported?
  A: The configuration software will work with current versions of Windows, Linux and OS X. Once Very Serious Button is configured, no special software or drivers are required to use it, and it will function with any computer that supports a USB keyboard or game controller.
• Q: What about backers outside the US?
  A: Perks can be shipped to any country in the Universal Postal Union other than Cuba, Iran, North Korea, Somalia, Sudan or Syria. For up to 10 stickers, add US$2 to your pledge to cover additional postage. For a Very Serious Button, add US$10.
• Q: How do I specify my choice of label plate or my text for custom engraving?
  A: At the end of the campaign, backers will receive a link to a web form for this purpose. The form will also provide the opportunity for non-US backers to confirm proper formatting of their shipping addresses.
• Q: Is this thing hackable?
  A: Naturally! For those who like to tinker, the source code for the Very Serious Button firmware as well as the configuration utility will be released under open-source licenses, and it will be possible to re-flash the firmware over the USB interface.
• Q: What if I want more than one perk?
  A: You can hit the "Contribute Now" button again and make a separate contribution (yes, it's a little clumsy).