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From: jbs@mit-eddie.UUCP (Jeff Siegal)
Newsgroups: net.info-terms
Subject: Re: vt220 keyboard replacement?
Message-ID: <1074@mit-eddie.UUCP>
Date: Tue, 28-Jan-86 19:30:34 EST
Article-I.D.: mit-eddi.1074
Posted: Tue Jan 28 19:30:34 1986
Date-Received: Thu, 30-Jan-86 05:04:17 EST
References: <6900002@datacube.UUCP>
Reply-To: jbs@mit-eddie.UUCP (Jeff Siegal)
Organization: MIT, Cambridge, MA
Lines: 38

In article <6900002@datacube.UUCP> berger@datacube.UUCP writes:
>
>Anyone know of a plug in replacement for vt220 terminal keyboards?
>
>The vt220 is a wonderful terminal, the problem is the brain-damaged
>keyboard. It is allegedly ergonomic, but I think they used extra-terrestrials
>for the metric studies!
>
>No, I'm not interested in other terminals that emulate vt220's but have
>different keyboards.  I want a keyboard that will plug into a DEC vt220
>where the DEC keyboard plugs in.
>
>This new keyboard should correct the insane placement of the 
>important keys used in editing:
>* The "Compose Key" could be removed or put on that useless top row.
>* Put the LOCK key somewhere that is not between my pinky and the control key.
>* Make the control key bigger.
>* Put the Escape Key back where it belongs, to the left of the 1 key.
>* Bring back the backspace and linefeed keys.
>
>Who are these people who must be so out of touch with reality to create
>such an impractical keyboard?  Why hasn't DEC at least brought out an 
>optional keyboard that corrects these errors?

It is supposedly a creation of the ISO, or some similar international
(or possibly just European) standards association.  

Rumor has it that DEC is about to release a new terminal (VT221?????) 
which has a keyboard with the (mis)features you request.  It is intended
to provide an easier replacement for VT100's.

Since, the current keyboard is available separately, perhaps the new one
will be as well, and perhaps it will be plug-compatible with the current
keyboard.

Jeff Siegal - MIT EECS (jbs@mit-eddie.UUCP or jbs@EDDIT.MIT.EDU)