Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!mailrus!tut.cis.ohio-state.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!portal!cup.portal.com!thad
From: thad@cup.portal.com (Thad P Floryan)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.amiga
Subject: Re: C Ltd Amiga 1000 Keyboard
Message-ID: <17617@cup.portal.com>
Date: 26 Apr 89 07:41:51 GMT
References: <3721@sdsu.UUCP> <17529@cup.portal.com> <44835@tut.cis.ohio-state.edu>
Organization: The Portal System (TM)
Lines: 40

Re: Jeff Martens comments re: my comments about the C.Ltd keyboard.

I sincerely wish it was a joke.  But it's not.  :-(

The actual keyboard is VERY nice.  Keys feel "right" (subjective opinion).
It looks nice, and it the "right" size.  Works on either an A1000 or A/B2000.

I type VERY fast (faster than even our secretaries at the office); been typing
since 2nd grade (close to 50 years ago) and I have very definite and strong
opinions about keyboards.  And the parallelogram bug of the A1000's stock
keyboard bites me every day, so my interest in a replacement keyboard for all
my A1000 systems is a genuine interest.

I was actually using the keyboard in the store and wondered HOW the "FORMAT .."
command got into the line I was typing.  THEN read the C.Ltd instructions and
said "WTF!"

I was still tempted to buy the keyboard and re-re-program the ROM(s) myself
(since I have the equipment attached to one Amiga for just this type of work),
when memories of my previous experiences with C.Ltd over the years surfaced
and soured the deal.

I'm reminded of: "If it ain't broke, don't fix it."  Why they chose to alter
the meaning of crucial keys is beyond comprehension.

And in case people have forgotten the nature of the A1000 keyboard bug to which
I alluded, type (for example) the word "from" VERY quickly; you'll get "frlom".
Note the location of the keys F, R, O and you'll see why the bug is called the
"parallelogram bug."

But, you're correct; I shouldn't have insulted purchasers of the keyboard;
they are but innocent victims.  BUT: anyone who'd buy a replacement keyboard
without trying it out AND reading accompanying instructions deserves what
they get.  :-)

I have subsequently picked up some surplussed Tek 4105 keyboards (the ones
with the JoyDisk in lieu of a joystick or cursor keys) and have "almost" got
them working with one of the lab Amigas.

Thad Floryan [thad@cup.portal.com (OR) ..!sun!portal!cup.portal.com!thad]