Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!swrinde!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!uwm.edu!ogicse!plains!teskey
From: teskey@plains.UUCP (Vlad The Impaler)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.ibm.pc
Subject: Re: Northgate keyboards
Summary: You have got to be kidding
Keywords: PS/2 Keyboard
Message-ID: <3667@plains.UUCP>
Date: 28 Feb 90 17:19:59 GMT
References: <29183@amdcad.AMD.COM> <19500056@uxh.cso.uiuc.edu> <29255@amdcad.AMD.COM> <53@newave.UUCP>
Reply-To: teskey@plains.UUCP (Vlad The Impaler)
Organization: North Dakota State University, Fargo
Lines: 46

In article <53@newave.UUCP> john@newave.mn.org (John A. Weeks III) writes:
>In article <29255@amdcad.AMD.COM> phil@pepsi.AMD.COM (Phil Ngai) writes:
>> In article <19500056@uxh.cso.uiuc.edu> mead@uxh.cso.uiuc.edu writes:
>> | Which leads me to ask:  What is it that so many of you do with it
>> | that you like it so much?  The "feel" is horrible.
>>
>> It feels great to me (I might even like it better than the IBM,
>> which seems to have too much key travel and force) but keyboards are
>> like editors, they tend to get religious.
>
>Although most people will probably agree that the PS/2 keyboards are
>just about the worst for routine usage.  The "escape" is in the wrong
>place...so I press "~" all the time.  The control key is wrong, the
>"Caps Lock" key is where control is supposed to be, the function keys
>are on the top.
>
>-john-
>

So is it the layout you are complaining about or are you complaining about
the PS/2 keyboard itself?  There is a pretty wide distinction there.  You
have obviously done most of your earlier computing work on the old style 88
key keyboards from an XT or a PC.  Coming from a person that has worked
primarily with 101 Key keyboards.. those 88 key models are a nightmare!  I
don't know who got the idea that the F keys are 'supposed' to be on the left
but I hate having to pull my hands off the keyboard to hit one.  

Anyway.. as far as 101 key keyboards go, if IBM keyboards are so bad, why
is everyone trying to imitate it?  They set the world standard for touch.
They might be just a touch loud for most, but it is a strong, definative
keyboard with no wishy-washy characteristics about it.  With a good firm
feel to it (while still having good travel on each key) you can get great
typing speed without accidentally laaaaaaaayyyyying on a key.  As far as
durability goes, I don't think you could find one that would take more
punishment.  I haven't proven my theory yet, but I think they are
bulletproof.. (kidding.. no flames).  

BTW.. my second favorite keyboard is the ZEOS..

============================================================================
Mark W. Teskey                            

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