Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!sundc!pitstop!sun!amdcad!ames!ucbcad!ucbvax!hoser.berkeley.edu!bryce
From: bryce@hoser.berkeley.edu (Bryce Nesbitt)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: Keyboards
Message-ID: <21397@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU>
Date: Fri, 23-Oct-87 01:19:29 EST
Article-I.D.: ucbvax.21397
Posted: Fri Oct 23 01:19:29 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 25-Oct-87 13:28:09 EST
References: <4313@zen.berkeley.edu> <16251@amdahl.amdahl.com> <2059@tekig4.TEK.COM> <2574@cbmvax.UUCP>
Sender: usenet@ucbvax.BERKELEY.EDU
Lines: 97
Keywords: cursor pencil, ergonomics
Summary: hack slash, add

In article <2574@cbmvax.UUCP> grr@cbmvax.UUCP (George Robbins) writes:
>In article <2059@tekig4.TEK.COM> brianr@tekig4.UUCP (Brian Rhodefer) writes:
>> On the subject of cursor key arrangement [I like]:
>>      ______
>>      |  ^ |
>>  ____|____|_____
>> |  < |HOME| >  |
>> |____|____|____|
>>      |  V |
>>      |____|
>
>Ah, I *looks* convienient... ...but it isn't so good when you want plant
>your hand over it and do repeated cursor manipulations....
>The middle finger doesn't like to bend back to the cursor down key, causing
>this to be tagged as anti-ergonomic.  The A1000 cross arrangment is even
>worse in this respect (opinion) since it seems hard to even figure out which
>fingers to use.

*But* with the A1000 star pad one can devote a finger for each direction...
_no_ lag for changing direction.  Place the thumb on the down arrow, middle
finger on up.  Now two more fingers will be perfectly positioned for left and
right, with only the little finger hanging loose.

Compare that to the A500:
      ______
      |  ^ |
 _____|____|_____
 |  < |  V | >  |
 |____|____|____|

Just try to put your hand on it so no finger travel is needed!

[Disclaimer: Keyboards are a religious topic... the squeemish are advised to
hit 'n' now!]

Better is this:
      ______
      |  ^ |
 _____|____|_____
 |  < |    | >  |
 |____|  V |____|
      |    |
      |____|	How's that for the best of both worlds?


I like both the A1000 and A500 keyboards.  The A2000 keyboard, on the
other hand... well... ick!  USE THE A500 KEYBOARD OR BETTER, PLEASE!  
(More details as to why the A2000's keyboard is inadequate are available
on request)


>> Also, I have to know:  The so-called "pencil holder" on the
>> A1000's keyboard is actually a place to put [function key templates,
>> isn't it?]
>
>I've heard claims to this effect, and it's no doubt true.

'Tis true!

The keyboard templates all still work on the A500, a little lip to keep
the card from sliding into the keys would help.  (Same time as the extra
right hand keyboard standoff goes in, right George? :-)

>CONFESSION:  I don't use any of those silly keys off the main keypad!  I mean,
>I even type control/h for backspace.  The only things causing me distress are
>the escape key, which I'd rather have where the ~` key is and the caps lock
>key which is a worthless anachronism.

Ahah! You obviously want a copy of my keymap which reverses the two! 1/2 :-)

When it works, the A1000 keyboard betwixt my fingers has another very nice
feature:
         _____________________________________________
	|					      |
	|_____________________________________________|
	                |    |    |
			|____|____|

Yup! you are not seeing things... two extra keys in easy reach of the 
thumbs.  Press the left and the right hand traces out a cursor pad.  Press
the right and the opposite hand traces out a numeric pad.  ALL WITHOUT
MOVING YOUR HAND FROM HOME ROW... EVER.

If "back space" "del" and "help" get tossed in somewhere the entire east end
of the keyboard will become redundant.  *Thats* what I call ergonomics.


Now, shall we have a serious talk about redesigning the A2000's keyboard? :-|

>George Robbins

|\ /|  . Ack! (NAK, SOH, EOT)
{o O} . bryce@hoser.berkeley.EDU -or- ucbvax!hoser!bryce
 (")	"...the Amiga talks to you in either a male or female voice.
  U	You can perfect stand-up routines, learn longfellow, practice
Poe -even study French"  -Amiga Advertising, 1985  (Americans in France
speaking with an Amiga accent :-)