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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?"
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 ;)
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.
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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.
Thats what you want.
PERFECT.
Avant Prime
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
Wrong, I have one of these things. When I reboot my computer (I was running an unstable kernel for a while so this happened often) the keyboard went to a mode where it sent something other than the F key codes unless you press the f-lock button. Each F key has something printed on it, (eg: undo) presumably with windows (and thier driver) you would press that button and have the action taken. I know of no way to disable this.
I am not sure if these are available in the US, but I can definitely recommend Cherry's G81-3000 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.
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.
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?
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.
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.
They're not necessarily useless... I've got a Microsoft internet keyboard (I think that's what it's called). Not particularly nice in the way of action, but it's got 19 extra buttons (along with the usual windows keys). I've now got F1-F30, and a lot of tasks are made much nicer, just because of the shortcuts. I can touch one set of 8 buttons and instantly move to different workspaces, and can move windows between them by holding shift and hitting it. I have a number of quickload buttons - F13 is an Eterm, etcetc.. I can get at some things that are a pain to do with the mouse as well - opening up the sawfish root menu, for example, or pausing xmms. It's really quite nice to have the extra buttons, as long as they don't get in the way of the normal ones.
Now, if only the keys worked better... but they're not too bad.
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
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.
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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!
I've not come across a better keyboard to type on than the current white "Apple Keyboard". While that's a completely subjective judgment that won't apply to everyone, it's a good simple and pretty minimalist keyboard. A better action than the pro keyboards, with a good feel, and just seems to have the right balance between extreme click and soft mush.
pictures of the thing are here
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.