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Have Keyboards Gone Crazy?
Ethelthefrog asks: "My office keyboard recently failed and I am attempting to choose a replacement. Unfortunately, Logitech, who make keyboards with an action I really like, seem to have gone crazy. They have trademarked their worst features: Zero Degree Tilt(tm) means I have to reach uncomfortably far for the number keys and their horrific 'Enhanced Function Keys' means I now need to engage a shift-lock type function just to get at F1-F12. Are there any geek-friendly keyboards out there that combine decent action with just the keys I need to hack and no more?"
I hate liberals. If you are a liberal, do not reply.
Alot of these new keyboards have just alot of useless keys, same goes for mouse's
"WebTV: bringing the Internet into the shallow end of the gene pool since 1995" - Martin Bishop
Cherry keyboards, by far the best keyboards in the world... Ever since I've used my first spacesaver, I've never wanted anything else... good firm action, not one of those "touch me even the slightest bit, and I'll crap out a bunch of keystrokes for ya"-type keyboards... But I guess if you like the way a logitech keyboard types... you might disagree with me on this one ;)
there are more keyboard manufactures than just Logitech. Why not try someone else?
Despite it's naff name, the Happy Hacker keyboard is quite good. It's small as well as having the Control and Caps Lock keys in the correct place. It still doesn't beat the Sun Type 5 keyboard, but I don't know if you can connect one of them to a PC.
Chris
If you used it, you would notice this article:
3 2247&mode=thread&tid=126&tid=146&tid=156&tid=9 9
http://ask.slashdot.org/article.pl?sid=03/09/17/2
It seems like a pretty nice keyboards, and it is only a few spaces down on the ask slashdot page. I am even thinking of buying one.
- - - - - - -
Orppf urp mf y.ppcxn. yflcbi otcnnov C am yflcbi yr n.apb Ekrpatv (Dvorak -> Qwerty)
PCKEyboard, who own the rights to the venerable IBM high-tactile keyboards (aka "the wing of death").
They also have myriad options and some extremely programmable/configurable keyboards.
I've been quite happy with my Happy Hacking keyboard for several years.
The Control key is in the right place, it doesn't hog the desk the way those big 105 key monster do.
The emphasis is on being compact, though, so be warned that getting function keys requires a 2-key combination, holding down an "Fn" key together with one of the other keys (eg, the numeric 1 becomes F1).
I've been intrigued, but haven't had the courage yet to try out something that looks incredibly efficient (one-handed, Ma!) and good for portable use, too, the Twiddler.
"Provided by the management for your protection."
Sure. First thing comes to mind for me is that you can get decent generic keyboards with all the standard keys and none of the excess for anywhere from $3-15 USD. (I know $3 sounds low, but I had a local computer shop that really was selling decent keyboards and mice that cheap.)
I use an old IBM PS/2 keyboard, with the IBM logo on it and everything. It took me forever to find it but it makes my life wonderful. First of all, it's indestructable. Even after all this time the letters on the keys haven't worn off. It's got a nice tilt to it and I really like the tactile feedback from the keys because they're individually spring loaded, (instead of a plastic membrane). Also, since it's PS/2 I don't use up a USB port just for my keyboard. But the best part is no Windows keys! So when I'm playing quake on a friday afternoon, I don't have to worry about accidently tasking out because I hit the wrong button.
Keyboards have gone way downhill in the last few years because of all the "innovation". Simple is better. I don't need a seperate button on the keyboard for checking my e-mail, opening a web browser, and connecting to the internet. That's just lame.
I like the Keytronic LT Classic II. Just like your basic keyboard (no superfluous or missing keys), except the keys seem to never go dead or even lose their bounce! Lifetime guarantee for $39.00.
I see it's been mentioned further on down the page, but PCKeyboard.com might have just the keyboard you need: The Customizer 101. As the name says, it's only got the 101 keys (no piddly Windows keys here).
It uses buckling spring technology, so it's got that satisfying click-clack feel and will last longer than your next two cars will.
"Max, come over here. French-Canadian bean soup. I want to pay. Let them leave me alone." - Dutch Schultz
I'm not familiar with this particular logitech keyboard ... but in order for the thing to operate as a regular keyboard, they must just be putting something in the driver to make the F-keys behave differently.
If you don't install the custom drivers, I'd assume the thing would work just like any other 101-key keyboard.
Anybody know differently?
IBM Model M is the keyboard of the Gods.
http://www.modelm.org/mboard.html
Viewmate Slim keyboard. All the keys are like a laptop keyboard, you only have to push them 1/2 as far as a regular one. there are tiny function buttons at the top, and your F-keys are directly on top of your number key's. It also has a USB port built into each side, and works great with RedHat 9. I love mine. :)
Keyboard Link
No I didnt spell check this post...
Somebody's selling a brand new Omnikey Ultra on eBay.
Grab one of these, you'll type faster and more accurately. And your neighbors will know every time you press a key.
I might have to find one for myself...I seriously dropped my old Ultra the other day, and I'm having trouble with the up arrow and zero keys. Hope I didn't crack a trace.
...
Thats what you want.
PERFECT.
Avant Prime
Plain and simple. How this got posted to Ask Slashdot, I'll never understand.
... because you just plug it in (it's USB) and it works. You can twat about with getting all the extra keys to do stuff if you like. The only problem that I found with mine was that playing Half-Life in Wine, I couldn't crouch-jump with that keyboard. Going back to my clicky old Dell keyboard solved that.
Most of those stupid function keys are based on the driver.
I use a logitech cordless mouse/kybd combo and also suffered the f-lock combo maddness. However I used the driver for an HP Multimedia keyboard (send me a message and I can send you a copy) and it enables the volume keys and the email button, IM button and a couple others while leaving the Fkeys undisturbed.
Otherwise use the windows default drivers. Win2k and XP default kybd drivers 90% of the time auto recognize the volume controls and sleep buttons.
Boredom's not a burden anyone should bear.
Actually, it's neither micro, nor soft, but it's a mighty fine keyboard. Unfortuanately, it is discontinued, but it was widely available, which is also a plus. I don't know about it's successor, the natural multimedia keyboard, but apart from a lot of colors it looks the same.
Don't go for the natural keyboard elite, as it has the cursor keys in a + configuration, not an inverted T. That's annoying
the pun is mightier than the sword
eBay item 2746828346.
Sure, the bidding ended, but you can make one yourself very easily.
This is a little off topic, but why are PS/2 and other old standards still included on PCs? By including these ancient standards all PC manufactureers are doing is taking away room for USB and Firewire. Think about it - a stock motherboard could have 8 or 10 USB/Firewire ports built in if it wasn't for all the legacy stuff.
Just my 2 cents.
...And when they came for me, there was no one left to speak out for me." - Martin Niemoeller (1892-1984)
I have one of these at home and one at work. I've used dozens of different keyboards, and this is the best I've ever found. I picked it after extensive research and reading of reviews.
It's by Keytronic and it's called the LT Designer (almost the same as LT Classic but w/ more of an angle to it.)
http://www.keytronic.com/home/products/specs/ltdes igner.htm
Good review here
The facts have a liberal bias. --The Daily Show
I am not sure if these are available in the US, but I can definitely recommend Cherry's G81-3000 keyboard.
I have a Happy Hacking Lite2 which is the Happy Hacking keyboard with an inverted-T arrow key layout below the right shift key (the only keys that are not normal size). It's great because I can use it in my keyboard tray and still keep the mouse at keyboard level where it's meant to be ergonomically.
However, I wouldn't recommend it to the question asker because he specifically didn't want to have to do a key combination to do function keys. On this keyboard, Fn+1 = F1. Also, Fn+` = Del which is kind of annoying. Also, I switched the Alt and diamond (really Windows key without the logo) because I thought they were incorrect (simple dip-switch setting) and the Backspace key is labeled Delete so I had to set it to backspace using a dip switch as well.
Nobody can figure out how to log into my machine at work though (Windows 2000): Control next to the A key, the diamond key not key labeled "Alt", and Fn + `, not the key labeled "Delete". Fun!
I don't know if it's legacy now, but the keyboard I use was from a dell server, and it's the best I've seen. Purely standard layout, very deep keys with solid clicking, rather large overall, but just such a serious hacker board.
If Dell doesn't sell those anymore, you could at least get one of their new black "quiet-key" keyboards. Very smooshy, which is alright if you're into that, and very small and lightweight with no extra goofy keys.
It's all going according to
I've been looking for a decent keyboard for months and have yet to find one that is better that the cheapo keyboard I have. I wish there was a company that let you customize the layout and features of a keyboard for a reasonable price. that might be nice, I personally have many complaints with the standard keyboard layout, before I even get to the headaches you speak of.
Pick up a nice old used keyboard. An IBM Model M off eBay will cost you about 15 bucks. Right now, I've got my desktop hooked up to an old SGI keyboard that I picked up at the MIT Swapfest for about 3 or 4 dollars. I love the thing - best feel I've ever seen in a keyboard.
I like the old IBM keyboards (the ones you can beat people with and it'll still be usable). I have a model M keyboard for my home server which is awesome.
:P Otherwise I might use my old keytronics M model lookalike (which sadly isn't even a PS2 model heh :P).
For my desktop I use a keytronics kt2001 keyboard which is very very nice, and has a high enough buffer not to go awry in games even though you use 10 keys at once
Personally, though I've put mine away and now use an IBM Trackpoint II keyboard - it's full-sized, it's black, it has the buckling spring model M mechanism, it has no windows keys, and it has a trackpoint built in (regretably only the 2-button, no z-axis trackpoint II) so I can keep my hands on the keyboard. In conjunction with a USB scroll-mouse, I've found input nerdvana.
-Isaac
I am not a lawyer, and this is not legal advice. For Entertainment Purposes Only.
I was in the same predicament about 2 years ago. I realised I did not like any new keyboards (I particularly HATE "ergonomical" ones). I heard a lot of people were very happy with the IBM type M keyboard.
So I looked for one, and found one for free at my old company (they were throwing it out). I've been using that keyboard for the past 2 years, and it still works as well as when I first got it. Btw, it was manufactured on the 17th of July 1987.
It might be worth looking into one. I got hooked as soon as I started using it.
Seriously, this confuses people, but my _desktop_ PC uses a trackpad. It's built in to the keyboard and it's absolutely fantastic. No more stretching my shoulder all the way out there for the mouse (seriously, hold it there for a minute or so and feel the tension building) and no more reorienting your hands constantly as you move between devices. Plus, once you're past the initial orientation phase and have the speed set right, it's just way better for GUI stuff. No, you can't paint or play Quake with it but I'm not doing them most of the time and for them, I've got mice. Just swap them over.
Made by BTC of Taiwan (http://www.btc.com.tw/). Sadly they don't seem to do them any more but if you ever catch one or something similar, pounce on it! I've got two, one for home and one for the office, and both have surivived 3 years of heavy use without complaint. Honestly, it's a normal desktop keyboard but with a trackpad below the spacebar and I can't imagine going back to anything else now.
Greg
(Inside a nuclear plant)
Aaaarrrggh! Run! The canary has mutated!
I have been using a Goldtouch adjustable keyboard for more than a year and am very happy with it. The only serious annoyance is that they put various locking keys too close to the shift key, so I hit them accidentally.
Incidentally, it's bad for your wrists to put up the little legs under the back corners of most keyboards. You're better off to tilt it away from you, if you can, or at least leave it flat. When your wrists are straight, your fingers curl under.
The Model M is an amazing keyboard. So is the model 42H1292. Both are heavy, and both feature the buckling spring switch under each key principle. Dan (from dansdata.com) reviews them here. He calls 'em "battleship boards", goes into the why they make such great keyboards. It's interesting reading, like pretty much most of what Dan writes.
IBM/Lexmark quit making them a while ago, so they are a little hard to find. He did manage to find a company here in the US that uses IBM's old tooling to manufacture new 42H1292 keyboards. They don't have the IBM logo, but they are apparently functionally identical to the IBMs. They're US$50, however.
I was inches away from buying one of the new units, and decided to do some searching before I threw down a hundred dollars. After some searching, I came across a company called IndexComputer that specializes in older OEM computer parts, specifically IBM parts (if you need port covers or whatever for an old ThinkPad, they're the people to talk to). They sell brand new 42H1292 keyboards for $20.
I bought one a couple weeks ago as a test. It's the real deal. Even smells like a pool toy. I'm using it now, actually. I went back and bought three more for a spare and for a couple other computers I have.
For $20 you can't go wrong with a 42H1292. If you really must have a Model M, IndexComputer sells those as well. They're US$50 though. I don't know if a plug-in cable is worth the extra US$30, but if you really have to get your hands on a true Model M, they're the people to talk to.
-B
Ash and Hickory, straight-grained and true, make excellent bludgeons, dandy for the cudgeling of vegetarians.
A flexible keyboard. It's great for coffee spills or if you happen to drool on it.
:-)
But seriously, no more dirty keys, it's very flat so no RSI, and it's quiet. Good for gaming too
--
It seems like nobody makes a "natural" or "Ergonomic" keyboard with a standard layout anymore.
Microsoft's multimedia keyboards have rearranged/rotated the Delete/End/Home group.
Belkin moved the Delete/End/Home group down to squeeze in PrintScreen/ScrollLock/Pause and replaced those with new power function keys. I didn't think it would matter, but I am constantly hitting Pause when I try to PageUp!
I have an old Logitech with the pipe/backslash in the wrong place, but now the only "natural" type one they make is a wireless with the Delete/End/Home group rotated!
Please, someone tell me, where can I find a Natural keyboard with classic layout? Or should I just stock up on enough discontinued Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pros to last the rest of my life?
You can have my Northgate Omni keyboard when you pry it from my cold dead hands... Got it with my 386, still use it today with one of those 9pin->PS2 adapters.
Don't blame me, I voted for Kodos
I have one of these.
It's zero-force. multi-finger gesture processor, even available in a dvorak layout. It took me, switching from a QWERTY keyboard about two weeks to adapt to the new layout, and really internalize the gestures available.
For those wondering, there are five nipples on each pad to allow your fingers to find home row, and the "all-fingers-down" is interpreted as a resting gesture.
Because the mouse "controls" are available immediately beneather your right (or left, if you so desire) hand, there's no reaching for the mouse/trackball, and no odd angles for your wrist. The "programmers pad" has a number of useful gestures and frequently used symbols available under-hand. Cut-and-paste is like a pinching and releasing motions, save is pulling your fingers together.
The newer firmware (user-upgradable) allows you to define your own gestures, keys, and layouts. The configuration software is Java-based, and it really does Just Work under Linux.
The TouchStream uses the standard USB HID classes, so you don't need custom drivers.
They are expensive, about $330 from FingerWorks, but for me, it has eliminated the tingly sensations after a long day of coding, and everyone who sees it in persons awards it Serious Geek Points. I think that it's a good investment for people whose job is typing code, English, etc.
Not affiliated with FingerWorks, just a very satistfied customer.
Excellent quality keyboards, ONLY the keys that you need. (and I'm not talking about their new big keyboard, I'm talking about their smaller ones)
http://gyration.com/
I really, really like the Belkin Enhanced USB line. They come in black and white, have the aforementioned USB interface, have good key feel (not too loud, but not impossible to press like those &*^#ing "quiet" keyboards), and best of all, put the \ key below Enter, next to Shift, which is As It Should Be. They also print the standard ctrl+ functions on the front of the keys (for example, P has "Print" written on the front of it).
They sell for under $20 in most office supply stores, which is cheap as USB keyboards go.
The keyboard you want is IBM part number 1391401 - this is the original keyboard from the PS/2 era and is built like a Tonka Truck. Weighs about 6lbs, the connection where the cable plugs into the keyboard is an AMP connection (that connection cost more than an entire current day cheapo keyboard) and it doesn't have the goofy Windows key to mess you up by bringing up the Start menu during important Quake / Unreal battles.
Every part of this keyboard was overengineered (remember the case of the original IBM AT computers) and worth every penny of the original list price of $400 (in 1984/1985.)
Don't be afraid to get a used one, it may take some cleaning but it will still be rock solid. If you get one and decide you don't want it, maybe I will take it off your hands in exchange for one of my Logitech OEM ones in the closet.
Glonoinha the MebiByte Slayer
IBM/Lexmark quit making them a while ago, so they are a little hard to find.
I'm sure there are similar stores where you live. Here in Toronto, there's Goodwill (charity run) and Value Village (for profit, but supports charities), as well as ton of other chains and independants. These places resell other people's used stuff. Mostly clothes, but there's always a wall of random technology at these places (phones, stereos, computers, etc.)
There's always a pile of keyboards there, and invariably theres one or two Model M keyboards to be found. I've built a stockpile of over a dozen of them. A few have keycaps missing, but that's why you buy extras! I've never paid more than $2.99 CDN for one, and as you'd expect they're as solid and bulletproof as ever.
Someday I'll put them on eBay. By the way, you can always find them there, too. Just cost you a lot more, though.
Look at the tomato! Isn't it sad? He can't dance! Poor tomato!
I miss my ASR33 keyboard. The keys are round and gray and they make a little 'bzzt' sound when you press them. Also, the keytops have a legend which tells you what the Ctrl-key equivalents are (SOH, ETX, X-OFF, etc.) The keyboard comes with a memory feature: Just push a clear plastic button switch, and all your work will be saved on durable, yellow paper tape. The keyboard comes with a convienient "Line-Off-Local" rotary switch so you can avoid those pesky time-sharing connect time charges. Also, push ^G and there is a soothing "ding" sound made by a real bell, no beeps or boops on this baby!
Here's a hint for anyone that has one of these crapola keyboards, you have to hit some combo of alt-shift-control-space to get the space bar working properly. down with compaq!
Get a used Model M Keyboard . They're built like tanks, and make an extremely satisfying "clickity clackity clackity clickity" sound thanks to those spring-loaded keys. Yowseh. Mine's nearly 10 years old, continuous service. You can program the LEDs if the spirit moves you. Everything is where it is supposed to be, and no annoying "Windows" or "Apple" key. Being mostly metal, the model M is also satisfyingly HEAVY which means they don't scootch around the desk every time the cat cuddles up around one of the cables, pulling the keyboard off the desk and knocking over your coffee cup.
You have the old "IBM" camp of keyboard lovers. They like the "clicky" keyboards. I was one of those for a long long time.
You have the "Keytronics" fans. I've also been a big fan of the high end keytronics keyboards. But my tastes have changed.
I feel in love with the Dell Quietkey keyboards a while ago. They don't seem to last very long, but I love how quiet they are and how the keys feel. The bright side is I'm ordering a lot of Dell PowerEdge machines for clients, so I have a ton of surplus black quietkey keyboards.
Example
My other favorite keyboard right now is the IBM KB-9910. It has a warrantee for something like 10 million keypresses per key. I know I've had it forever, abuse the hell out of it, and gone through 3 quietkeys on my other machine in the time I've had it. That and it just looks so damn cool. It has better tactile response than the Quietkey, but it's not as quiet. You can probably still find these for around 30-35 bucks.
Example
My last favorite keyboard is the only one I'll use in a server room. The BTC 5100c mini in black. These things are awesome. They are built tough, look nice, and feel great. I probably type faster on these than anything else. In fact, I've seriously been considering getting one for my workstation if my 9910 ever dies.
I always get black keyboards because it takes them longer to start looking grungy.
Hope this help!
For every annoying gentoo user, are three even more annoying anti-gentoo crybabies. Take Yosh from #Gimp for example.
The origional IBM PC keyboards, those heavy, rather clunky clickety-click input devices from the 80's and early 90's are, IMHO, the best computer keyboards ever made.
:)
They were designed to have a touch and feel very similar to the IBM Selectric (sp?) typewriters. [Typewriters are an ancient device which uses an ink ribbon and an impact device to print letters on paper.] Well-seasoned executive assistants will tell you that the Selectric's were the best electronic typewriters ever made -- this is due largely to the touch and feel of the keyboard.
The old IBM keyboards were also quite sturdy... I'd say they weighed in at around 5 lbs (2.4 kg) or so. They make handy weapons, too, for pummeling over-zealous managers into submission
You can still find these keyboards at flea markets, computer shows, and on eBay. They'll be used, and you may have to get an adapter from the large DIN plug to PS2. Most of them didn't have the goofy Windows keys either, but who cares?
That failing, your next best bet is to go to your local computer superstore and try out all their keyboards. I personally avoid ones that do not have the standard configuration for the arrow keys and insert/delete.../page down, since that messes with my muscle memory.
Good luck!
...many recommend the MacAlly iKey keyboard as a close replacement.
/ADB adapter and it works like a champ. This keyboard is at least ten years old - they used to come with the $6500 computers.
Why they specify it as a 'mac keyboard' is beyond me - it's a USB keyboard. Maybe if you need Windows keys or something it might be a problem. I use the Apple keyboard on linux via an iMate USB
Fortunately I haven't had to try a MacAlly myself yet as Old Faithful is still going strong, but at least the pipe is nice and fat, where a unix geek needs it to be.
My God, it's Full of Source!
OUTSIDE_IP=$(dig +short my.ip @outsideip.net)
"Mac keyboards" have the ability to turn on the machine. A regular non-Mac-specific keyboard will work with a Mac, but won't be able to turn the machine on from the keyboard.
... SWEET. Never gonna happen, though. *sigh*
Also, some of the key labels & functions are different, though you can work around that.
I'd *love* for PCKeyboards.com to make a classic IBM/Lexmark-style "buckling-spring" keyboard for the Mac that has the power on ability, etc. That would be
I like the happy hacking series of keyboards, aside from the fact that it's too minimal - no F-keys included.
/ de tails&CRID=1767&CONTENTID=6636&countryid=19&langua geid=1
I'm interested in what Logitech will come out with to accompany their bluetooth MX900 mouse (this month).
I'll take a look at Apple's offering (esp. considering you can buy the bluetooth mouse and keyboard seperately, and the keyboard seems quite "slim", and has a good tilt like you ask).
Another entry that is often overlooked because it is marketed towards the Playstation 2 is this one:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products
The solid IBM ps/2's and the Keytronics have been mentioned, but no Fijitsu 4725.
It has a little bit of a stiffer feedback then the Keytronic, slame slant as both the IBM and the Keytronic, and the keys are spaced out extremely well. It's solid and durable although you can't put it trough a dishwasher like the IBM ps/2's.
It's essentially a pure keyboard with the exception of two small windows keys and a window option key between alt and ctrl.
I've used serveral IBM style M's and varied older style Keytronic's and the 4725's since '97.
All nice solid keyboards but personally the 4725 has the right balance in feedback between the two (no heavy clunk or too light typing action)
At $65 cdn (~45 usd?) it's not a bad choice for a solid / reliable keyboard.
--- for more better life.
To be honest I don't mind the "Windows" key. Since I'm still using windows it has one use that I've come to love. Namely, [Windows-e] opens the file manager, and the good one too (the 'windows explorer' not the useless 'my computer' crap).
Other than that though, all the other goofy keys on my new logitech keyboard don't do me much good. The "F-lock" thing that the article poster mentioned is super lame. Every time you reboot the F keys turn in to a bunch of useless function keys until you hit the "F-lock" button. Grr.
i don't like my old sig.
I'm not sure if one's allowed to endorse Microsoft on this site, but my vote goes to Microsoft's Naturale Elite keyboard. I picked one up on eBay with USB converter (in the box with the keyboard) for $25. You may not like natural keyboards, but this is truly an excellent keyboard. You probably wont be able to find one in store. Great board, great value.
"I've got to stop masturbating! It makes me too lazy! Stop it, Albert. Stop it." -- Albert Einstein
I've gotta agree with you. The Model M I am typing on right now is almost 20 years old and the only problem I ever have with it is that the numpad plus key occasionally sticks.
There's no #(*%^&*(#ing windows key. Just the essentials. And the blackslash is in the right place, the main enter key is not oversized, and the backspace is as big as it's supposed to be.
There's also another solution to the twiddler called the GKOS keyboard. The downside is you'll have to make one yourself. It's based on a 6 key chordic keyboard. All alpha-numeric characters use at most 3 keys, and since your fingers never move off the keys you can attain a very fast typing rate.
I'm about to start work on one based on an iPaq PDA with bluetooth and running Linux. The idea is that I'll be able to walk into my office or home and start typing even before I sit down. I'll also be able to access consoles in our computer room just by walking in, (security would of course be tightened).
Clickety key action that gives you the tactile feedback you need to be sure that you actually pressed that key (it's pumped up my typing rate another 10wpm,) it's incredibly durable (to the point where it can be used as a blunt weapon in case of home invasion) and the kind of heavy-duty keyboard we've all wished we had.
It's not Microsoft "ergonomic" so you can cross your hands over each other easily if you need to hit a weird control sequence, the backslash is in the right place (and is full size)--right beneath the Backspace key, both shift keys are full-size, the arrow cluster, the home/insert/etc cluster, the numpad--everything is exactly where you've learned it to be, and are most comfortable with.
The shift keys are full-size too.
I love my Fujitsu. If you're not into ball-keyboards with gel wrist mounts and want something that can take the angriest pounding you can dish out and come back laughing at you, you should get one too.
(My one gripe is that is has three extra, completely unnecessary keys--two Windows keys and a menu key, but they're unobtrusive enough that I've never hit one while playing Unreal Tournament, and that's saying something because my keyboard hand hovers around the Shift-X-A-Z area.)
The Fujistu 4725. Done right. Really.
I prefer to stick with the laptop keyboard, because it frees up some desk space and means one less peripheral to deal with. Where I work, we buy from Gateway. For a few years I had a 9300 Solo. An okay PC with a swank 15" screen.
I loved that keyboard. Butter soft. Almost no resistance in the keys; just enough to spring back up. Nothing like the old IBM keyboards of yore. CLANG-CLACK. CLANG-CLACK.
The warranty ran out on that and I now have some fucking model I despise. The thickness of the laptop means the keys are roughly 1" above the surface that the laptop rests on. I have to really get over the machine to type now. The ergonomics of this thing are the suck. My left wrist rests on the front left corner of the laptop and is getting worn smooth from the contact.
But the worst part about this damned keyboard is the action. You have to put your weight into every keystroke. The keys almost stick to your fingers they're so stiff. It's as if my alter ego called up Gateway and complained about the soft keyboard of the 9300, and Gateway caved. I hate those fucking people for it. I stick pins in little dolls that look like people who like stiff keyboards.
I can't stand IBM keyboards. Let me rephrase that: I fucking hate them. What you call tactile feedback, I call suppressing fire. Before I got my first PC in college, I went to the lab to type my papers. There was one PC that had one of these infernal keyboards and it was always the last one anyone sat at. Never failed that when I showed up to the lab, the only machine open was the one with the clangboard.
It took many years to get over--WHAT? YES, MASTER I'LL DO THY BIDDING!--hrm, get over that keyboard.
Winner of item 2746828346 did not pay
They have bizarre looks (they appear in the Men In Black movie), but they feel great, use your thumbs for enter, space etc. and are fully programmable, so I switched Caps Lock and Escape, because I'm a vi user. And it doesn't have a numeric part, so it's quite small, which leaves your pointing device easily within reach.
8 of 13 people found this answer helpful. Did you?
Since the Apple Extended Keyboard is out of production...
I love that huge oldschool keyboard!... Apple didn't codename it "Nimitz" for nothing!
IBM makes really nice keyboards for their Thinkpads, and also for desktops.
This one has both a Trackpad and a Trackpoint, is black, compact, and has two USB expansion ports. $99
This one is on sale for $38 and has USB ports as well as 15 special-purpose custom-programmable buttons.
Here you have the standard 104-key IBM keyboard in black for $29.
And here you have the whole list!
The larger and the mini..
The mini takes it hands down.. Awesome little thing.
The back of keyboards being higher up is horrid on your hands any ways, a proper keyboard would tilt the OTHER direction! (/. had an article on this quite a few years ago)
People who put the tilty thingy up on every keyboard that they go to drive me nuts, and now some keyboards have a high degree of tilt built in even without the little legs up! Ickies.
Media keys kick ass, the more common ones are standardized under Windows, yah! I don't know which, if any, of the *Nixs have taken it upon themselves to also adopt support, what keys do what is published and all. Very handy, being able to adjust volume remotely[1] in a standardized way, yah!
To fund off any the Zealots right away, the big Mail button in the center of my MS Natural USB keyboard opens up Thunderbird, heh.
[1]Think wireless.
Need help treating your acne? Come here!
But here at work all the boxes have boring 2.99 generic keyboards with no extra functions, a decent tilt and a nice enough feel. The only thing that could improve it is to prise the windows key off. Mind you my keyb at home is a huge ergonomic job and probably the best 10 ive ever spend. Its got no windows key a fantastic feel and the size and shape is great for my huge hands and has encouraged me to type better.
The Pfuca keyboard has full sized keys but combines the special keys with normal keys via a laptop-like "Function" modifier key. Hold Fn-1 for F1, Fn-Backspace for delete, etc. It's faster than moving to the off-home positions once you get used to it.
The Northgate keyboards had the beautiful IBM-like clicky action, only a little firmer. When you get that kind of tactile and audible feedback, you end up typing significantly faster. The switches in the Northgate boards are caled "ALPS switches," and you can find other keyboards that have them as well, but nothing with a layout so efficient as the Happy Hacker!
IBM's model M has THE FUCKING BEST ACTION IN THE WORLD. Plus, they're REALLY cheap - as low as $1 at thrift stores.
My server has a Logitech "Corded Deluxe Access Keyboard", P/N 867091-1100. It has 3 BS buttons but they are out of the way. It also has a nice action.
Give NewEgg's keyboard section a look. They have one for $19 w/ mouse that's called "Logitech Deluxe Desktop (Deluxe Keyboard & S69 Mouse) - OEM." I don't see any BS buttons on it other than the Windows key. If you're like me you glue that bitchin place anyways.
Was with the Xerox 820-II "Information Processor"
The Xerox 820-I ran CP/M, i.e. CP/M-80 and had a big, klunky keyboard.
My favorite keyboard was with the Xerox 820-II - it was reasonably sized (very much a "full-sized" keyboard), but had a great key layout, and great tactile feedback. The xerox 802-II had two processors, and could run CP/M-80,CP/M-86, and MS-DOS.
Sam Nitzberg
IS STILLTHE KING OF THE HILL (yes, it deserves the capital letters). :)
I've found one in the junk depot of my company (what a sin!!!)
It looks to be +- 15 yr. old but it's the smooth n' clicky keyboard that we its fans love.
Also there is a lot of (un)useful goodies.
Hope to gift my son with this same keyboard
My model M at home is a vintage 1984. It costed me 5 CDN$ in a flea market last year. All key are functionnal and it was'nt very dirty when I bought it. I think you are crazy to buy these for 20~50 USD$ when so many just want to be saved from the dumpster.
There where a few dozen for sale, and they where not selling very fast as I could see. If anybody is interested, I could probably grab a few and ship them for a profit. Only drawback : they have a French-canadian layout (qwerty + accent). Let me know if you are interested.
:wq
I think mine has. It keeps swinging itself around by its cord, and screaming, "I'm livin' La Vida Loca!"
--
"Outlook not so good." That magic 8-ball knows everything! I'll ask about Exchange Server next.
I have had that problem before. Don't laugh but i found this really cool small computer shop that sold keyboards for $6.00. They have the works (programmable buttons) but they are cheap. They are made by some Korean Co. and you cannot get them wet :-( if you do pay another 6 and be done with it.
A keyboard is only a peripheral you know.
Sincerely, Czephyr
I use a few keyboards that I like and actually have a couple spare for just the situation you ran into.
My fav by far is the OLD IBM keyboards that actually clicked and you could feel them click. I also keep a couple happy hacker keyboards around for my laptop and other smaller places.
My advise, find a keyborad that you like (it may take some time and/or eBay) then buy a half dozen of them.
-Lord Shadow
I've used a Kinesis (original model) for the past 8 years and can say that it has prolonged my career (pending offshore outsourcing). This ergonomical gem (complete with footpedals) has stopped carpal tunnel symptoms completely, if not reversed progression.
As Charlton Heston would say, "From my cold dead hands".
I've got myself a Toshiba keyboard. Not those internet keyboards - which give problems (even their drivers are not too good and tend to crash Windows).
What I don't like about it is the key placement which doesn't map to a UK or US or any keyboard layout (it has euro, pound and dollar symbols for instance).
I had to download a utility to create a custom keyboard layout. Crazy but true.
SCIREV.NET - fanfics,reviews & more
Just look out for the overpriced keyboard.
The NT Emacs FAQ has a number of simple solutions for generically swapping Ctrl/CapsLock under WinNT/2kXP, either permanently (no driver needed, just a registry hack) or per-user (needs a driver). Go here.
Just check ebay for the IBM model-M keyboards. Or, here's a link to my search. Looks like you can do a "buy it now" option on one of the things for about $15. Cheaper than you can buy a good keyboard new, and given the discussion going on here, it's probably one of the best keyboards to have, if the loud clickiness won't bother people.
~~~~~
Pet Peeve: Perscription drug advertising to the general public.
I, too, use an intellimouse (well, it's an "intellitrackball", actually...). I love the thing, it's totally programable... The only thing I hate about it is the word "Microsoft". Kinda made me feel like I was selling out, but my lousy-$2-came-with-the-computer 2 button thing died (finally!!!), so I had to get something, had no space on my desk, and the M$ thing was the most comfortable one in the store.
~~~~~
Pet Peeve: Perscription drug advertising to the general public.
Anyone use one? I'm considering buying a USB model and would appreciate feedback.
Seems a lot of people are crazy over the IBM Model Ms. But I'd rather not buy a PS/2 keyboard in this day and age, and I like all the utility keys on the Sun. I use my Compose key occasionally and would have nowhere to map it to on the Model M.
"Neque enim lex est aequior ulla, quam necis artifices arte perire sua."
If you're looking for a good keyboard, you can't go wrong with Amazon's $1,000,000 one. Just read the great reviews it got. Quite possibly, the world's great keyboard!
well here's another patent but so what, keep it: ... :)
i'm still waiting for the keyboard that has little blue LEDs under every key and that can change the characters displayed, say from english to chinese characters. i have logitech keyboard with thai characters but sometimes i get korean or japanese customers. fortunaltely the japnese customers know their japanese keyboard by heart so you don't need the characters on the keys
also if the keyboard where made from stone (granit!) and the key bulgy black-rubber keys with buckle spring and the blue LED i'd shell out 100 bucks!
it's still just the keyboard talking to the computer, but the computer isn't talking to the keyboard
This keyboard rocks. I got it from an old PB 486 system. It's small and compact, no Windows keys, and is just plain nice to type on. It fits very well on my desk too (due to the small compactness.)
:/
It's also easy to disassemble and reassemble for cleaning. I've taken it apart a few times to give it a good scrubbing in the sink.
Woo, just looked it up on google, looks like you can still buy these things for $8 or $9. Pretty sweet. It seems the newer versions of the 5130 have the Windows keys
Here's a picture on ebay. Doesn't mention the model number, but it sure looks the same.
-kidlinux.
I like the IBM Space Saver Trackpoint Keyboard. If you don't like the Trackpoint, there is a version with a track pad, and there are several IBM keyboards without pointing devices.
I also like the feel and size of the Happy Hacking keyboards, but prefer the newer layouts of recent PC keyboards (with some remapping) and a built-in pointing device.
If you're the type to drive a McClaren F1, you may want to look at the best keyboard money can buy. It even summons Jesus!
...to the point where it can be used as a blunt weapon in case of home invasion...
Next you'll be seeing a NKA (National Keyboard Association)=P
It's our _right_ to bear arm... er... peripherals!
in girum imus nocte et consumimur igni
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B000050ZRM/ ref%3Dnosim/techbargainscom/104-1304703-5219930
the best keyboard there is. just check out the reviews!
-Tang, it's a kick in the ass.
www.comfortkeyboard.com
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Comment removed based on user account deletion
Foo on you clicky keyboard people - the feedback helps to blow out your fingers. Get a DataHand key"board" and your hands will forgive you for the years of abuse you've heaped on them. I own two and will give them up when you pry them from my cold dead hands.... Currently they're PS/2 USB via a cheapo converter from Fr*'s.
"You might as well get your son a ticket to hell as give him a five string banjo." -unknown minister
See here. These were the keyboards that provided Control and Meta in EMACS, as you can see in the four keys at the bottom.
SAIL (Stanford AI Lab) and the MIT AI Lab both had them, and the displays were 512x512 pixel green-screen displays that were bitmapped frame buffers on a PDP-11, built out of the first Intel 1Kbit semiconductor memory, attached to MIT and SAIL's respective PDP-10s.
I believe the MIT keyboards were slightly different but I can't find a picture of them, just the SAIL version. The keys felt really luxurious. I'm pretty sure the space bar was bigger. The ESC (27) key looked like a little diamond, and the big roundish key in the top left was labeled "ESCAPE" but was a key that went straight to the PDP-11 -- at MIT you could call the elevator to the 8th or 9th floor with ESCAPE E, buzz the 9th-floor door with ESCAPE D, look at a FINGER display of MIT AI with ESCAPE F, or look at someone else's buffer (there were 16, minus one for finger) with ESCAPE n F. The CALL button in the upper right was also for the PDP-11 and you pressed that to attempt to get a frame buffer. Often during the day we couldn't get one, so we had to work at night. The PDP-10 was faster at night anyway...
Well, it's no Type 5.
:: Apple Pro keyboard : Apple Extended Keyboard... or the new IBM keyboards to the Model Ms).
Sun's Type 6 keyboards are quite light and feel rather flimsy compared to to the Type 5 series. If you can find yourself a USB version (designed for the Blade, I believe), it should work out-of-the-box of Linux.
Really, the only thing the Type 6 has going for it is a proper US UNIX layout and USB support.
A recent Apple keyboard is probably a better investment, though you can't get it with a UNIX layout. (And actually, the Type 6 : Type 5
I guess the lesson is that keyboards are getting more crap over time.
extremely satisfying "clickity clackity clackity clickity"
i agree, EXTREMELY satisfying