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From: janet@blic.UUCP
Newsgroups: comp.misc
Subject: Re: Flat Portable Keyboard
Message-ID: <96@blic.BLI.COM>
Date: Fri, 27-Feb-87 13:08:23 EST
Article-I.D.: blic.96
Posted: Fri Feb 27 13:08:23 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 1-Mar-87 14:44:43 EST
References: <275@netxcom.UUCP> <1249@ucbcad.berkeley.edu> <197@osupyr.UUCP> <23@osupyr.UUCP>
Organization: Britton Lee, Los Gatos, CA
Lines: 49
Summary: Data Entry Keyboards




>>> We do have to lose the numeric keypad, or put it above the major keyboard
>>> (rotated maybe?).
>>
>> You can map [it] onto the standard keys [with] a "keypad shift" key .. to
>> the left of the space bar.  (Pity you [can't eliminate] the top row of keys
>> in favor of such a shift system.)  .. [M]oving your left hand off the home
>> position to operate the shift would be less of a hassle than moving your
>> right to a keypad, though it is a weaker mnemonic and might promote typing
>> errors.
>
>That sounds good - I might actually _use_ such a keypad!  The real reason the
>top row can't go away is punctuation (!@#$%^&*()_+~-=`) not numerals; I (and
>I'm sure others) would get upset if those were moved!  However, it might be
>nice to offer a punctuation shift key option _as_well_as_ top row punctuation,
>and provide a programmable keymap for that shift key.  After all, we already
>have talked about a programmable keymap to support QWERTY and DVORAK layouts.


Having started in this industry as a keypunch operator (remember
those?) several (+++) years ago, I have worked with a great
variety of keyboards.

What you're discussing sounds like a Data Entry Keyboard to me
(or a variety thereof).  That's the one with an ALPHA shift on 
the right side of the space bar and a NUM shift on the left.  
The numbers where the NUM shift of the qwerty "m , . j k l u i o" 
keys (1-9 respectively) and the "0" was the NUM shift of the key
above the "o" and to the left.  The ALPHA shift acted as does the
usual SHIFT key does.  

So each key would have 3 shifts (when applicable): uppercase, 
lowercase and numeric

I didn't even start USING numpads until a few years ago; and I
only did then because it was a choice between that or having to
use the numbers across the top row.

Using the NUM shift was much more practical because your hands
never had to leave the "home row" on the main keyboard in order 
to key numbers.

I ran across an old manual for the IBM 37xx (whatever) terminal
a while back.  If I have a chance, I'll dig it up again and
post a keyboard map.

Janet Panighetti