Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!ginosko!gem.mps.ohio-state.edu!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!bloom-beacon!think!redsox!campbell From: campbell@redsox.bsw.com (Larry Campbell) Newsgroups: comp.std.misc Subject: Re: User Interface Standards -- *Keyboards!* Message-ID: <801@redsox.bsw.com> Date: 15 Jul 89 19:12:58 GMT References: <115518@sun.Eng.Sun.COM> Reply-To: campbell@redsox.UUCP (Larry Campbell) Organization: The Boston Software Works, Inc. Lines: 12 I think there's no need to standardize on the key placement, labelling, or any other mechanical aspect of the keyboard. What needs standardization is the interface between the keyboard and the outside world. That way I can bring my favorite (Dvorak, DEC, whatever) funky keyboard with me, plug it in, and feel right at home. The dead hand of the market will cause a standard, or at least an equilibrium, to be reached for the physical key placement. But until keyboards are interchangeable, there's no free choice and thus no way for the market to operate. -- Larry Campbell The Boston Software Works, Inc. campbell@bsw.com 120 Fulton Street wjh12!redsox!campbell Boston, MA 02146