Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!ncar!news.miami.edu!mthvax!wb8foz
From: wb8foz@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (David Lesher)
Newsgroups: sci.electronics
Subject: Re: switch in the back (was: Re: VDT Electric Fields)
Message-ID: <1991Feb24.015114.7465@mthvax.cs.miami.edu>
Date: 24 Feb 91 01:51:14 GMT
References: <12438@pucc.Princeton.EDU> <1991Feb13.002236.8087@sj.ate.slb.com> <1991Feb19.232959.28401@zoo.toronto.edu> <1991Feb21.183853.28327@sj.ate.slb.com> <1991Feb22.174257.19533@zoo.toronto.edu> <4472@eastapps.East.Sun.COM> <1991Feb23.231908.1499@zoo.toronto.edu
Reply-To: wb8foz@mthvax.cs.miami.edu (David Lesher)
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Organization: NRK Clinic for habitual NetNews Abusers
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Others said:

>>I've seen advertisements for rear power modules where the user actuator is
>>on the front.  An insulated mechanical linkage (read: long plastic rod) connects
>>to the actual switch in the module.  Dunno how popular they are - anybody
>>out there know?

>Now that you mention it, I've seen those too.  Now *this* is a sensible way
>of dealing with the problem.  I don't think they're in wide use yet; I only
>started seeing those ads recently.


This was the method used by Selectric typewriters for eons. It
definitely has advantages over having the switch up front, but there is
a price to pay - manufacturing costs.

A modern terminal is designed from the ground up to NOT have
unnecessary mechanical parts. After all, Arthur C. Clarke has insisted
for years that the only REAL machines have no moving parts at
all. Those are things that break. Now some are necessary, (If you want
a keyboard that does away with those nasty pieces, I've got a GREAT
deal on leftover PC Junior Chicklet specials :-) but others may not be.

So it boils down to a design decision. Is it worthwhile to add all that
linkage, and move other stuff around to clear that rod, when chances
are the user is so well trained by your competitors that she or he
reaches for the back automatically anyhow? Danged if I know.

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