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From: hogan@rosevax.UUCP (Andy Hogan)
Newsgroups: net.micro.mac
Subject: Re: Keyboard Layout
Message-ID: <650@rosevax.UUCP>
Date: Sat, 4-Oct-86 10:21:57 EDT
Article-I.D.: rosevax.650
Posted: Sat Oct  4 10:21:57 1986
Date-Received: Mon, 6-Oct-86 18:50:09 EDT
References: <260@iscuva.UUCP> <884@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Distribution: net
Organization: Rosemount Inc., Eden Prairie, MN
Lines: 45
Summary: Cramps

In article <884@ssc-vax.UUCP>, brian@ssc-vax.UUCP (Brian Fenske) writes:
> > Arrrrrggghhhhhh!  
> > I think I must be a member of the (or a) 'silent majority' when I state
> > that I much prefer the layout of the original Mac keyboard to that
> > abomination placed on the Mac+.  I think the first keyboard is wonderful,
> > 
>      I wouldn't go that far.  See below.
> > 
> 
> No, Jim, you aren't alone.  Since I bought my first Mac two years
> ago, I have always felt that overall it was the best personal
> computer on the market, except for the keyboard.  I'll probably draw
> some fire for saying so but to me the #@% PC has the best FEEL of
> any keyboard I've used, terminals included.  It's LAYOUT and number
> of keys is lousy but the touch is just right.  The Mac's is too
> high, too clunky and (agreeing with Jim) the keys are in the wrong

I'll toss in my two bits in support of Brian and Jim.  I was VERY 
dissapointed in the Mac keyboard.  I was reasonably sure I would be when
I saw (in pictures) that the profile did not conform to the (at that time
new) DIN standard.  Those low-profile keyboards are very comfortable
to type on.

Another point:  are the keys on the Mac keyboard just a tisch closer
together than most?  My hands cramp when I use it for a long period
of time, and I suspect it's because I hold my hands at a sharper angle
to each other than on other keyboards.

I won't say much about key placements, because I don't have a Mac+
keyboard, and my general experience is that changing from one to another
is not too tough (unless you include one Dvorak in the bunch :-) ).
I use three different ones here at work, and the Mac's at home, and 
have very little trouble with all the different key placements.  BTW, the
one I like best is the one I'm using now-- the new 'enhanced' IBM PC
keyboard.  Height, feel, and most key placements are excellent, and I
finally have separate cursor and number keys !!!!!!!  As long as Apple
is admitting the need for MS DOS interfacing, they would do well to
learn a bit about keyboards from big blue, too.


-- 
Notice how they do not so much fly, as plummet. {appropriate head movement}
                                    --Monty Python (Flying Sheep Sketch)
Andy Hogan   Rosemount, Inc.   Mpls MN
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