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From: ldo@waikato.ac.nz (Lawrence D'Oliveiro, Waikato University)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac.misc
Subject: New keyboard impressions (was Re: More info on the new Macs)
Message-ID: <2066.2725e075@waikato.ac.nz>
Date: 24 Oct 90 05:41:56 GMT
References: <6296@ge-dab.GE.COM> <15317@burdvax.PRC.Unisys.COM> <10806@goofy.Apple.COM>
Organization: University of Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand
Lines: 35

Speaking as a heavy user of the old ADB Standard Keyboard (Function keys?
Who needs function keys...?), here are

* Things I don't like about the new keyboard:

The swapping of caps lock and control, so now you have a tiny control
key and a large caps lock key. Control I use far more heavily
(I log onto a VAX a lot). I hardly ever use caps lock. In fact, I
don't think Mac keyboards should have caps lock (it's a mode, after
all...).

* Things I can't see the reason for:

The extra-wide backslash key at the upper right. I don't think this
is bad, it just looks odd.

Banishing the on button to a remote area at the back. Were too many
people switching their machines on by accident?

* Things I like about the new keyboard:

The slightly wider space bar, created by relocating one key and
widening the whole layout. I like the fact that the actual width
of the keyboard case is the same as it was before.

The new feel--I think this is very nice. It's stiffer at the top
of the key travel, but softer when you hit the bottom. This should
mean that you can type a lot faster with the same amount of pain...

Lawrence D'Oliveiro                       fone: +64-71-562-889
Computer Services Dept                     fax: +64-71-384-066
University of Waikato            electric mail: ldo@waikato.ac.nz
Hamilton, New Zealand    37^ 47' 26" S, 175^ 19' 7" E, GMT+12:00
To someone with a hammer and a screwdriver, every problem looks
like a nail with threads.