Path: utzoo!attcan!uunet!seismo!sundc!pitstop!sun!oliveb!felix!kehr
From: kehr@felix.UUCP (Shirley Kehr)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.mac
Subject: Re: Datadesk 101
Message-ID: <69741@felix.UUCP>
Date: 14 Nov 88 15:08:33 GMT
References: <454@nikhefk.UUCP>
Sender: daemon@felix.UUCP
Reply-To: kehr@felix.UUCP (Shirley Kehr)
Organization: FileNet Corp., Costa Mesa, CA
Lines: 40

In article <454@nikhefk.UUCP> paulm@nikhefk.UUCP (Paul Molenaar) writes:
>I'm considering buying a Datadesk 101 (ADB) keyboard for my Mac. Despite the
>fact that the 'Cutting Edge' keyboard has a better layout in my point
>of view.
>
>Does anyone know whether the Datadesk is fully compatible with
>the Apple Extended Keyboard? Or does it need special drivers? (I'm
>not very fond of stuff that needs special drivers - too much chance
>of failure when new system versions are released).
>
>Any information is welcome!
>-- 
>        Paul Molenaar

I use the Datadesk keyboard on my 512e at home. I had no problems moving to
Systems 5 and 6 (that I can attribute to the keyboard). I would suggest
that you use QuicKeys to program it rather than the datadesk software. I
did have some interactions with other DAs. (I bought the ADB versions
for a couple of SE's at work and had the same problems. As I recall, I 
could not use datadesk software with the Lookup spelling checker.

After I installed System 5 at work, using the hot key to turn on the
special programming of the keyboard bombed the system. All problems went
away after I threw away their software and just used QuicKeys.

I still have occasional keyboard problems where it appears that the system
thinks I'm holding down the command key. It's not a sticking key, because
this happens without ever having touched the command key.

I would not buy another Datadesk keyboard because it does not have a 
control key. The esc key is hard coded and is the only key you cannot
program. If it has the code you want (I don't know what it is, but I
believe it was intended to be compatible with the DOS escape key), then
you'll do fine.

Even though I like the feel of the Datadesk keyboard better than the Apple
extended K/B, I'll stick with Apple's if I get an ADB machine. It's too
hard to change keyboards between day and night.

Shirley Kehr