Keyboard key labels

From: Sark <ian_primus_at_yahoo.com>
Date: Sat Nov 23 20:26:01 2002

Ever notice that on modern keyboards, the letters on the keys are not
in the middle of the key? They are off to the left. This is something
that has always kind of annoyed me. I like the way the older keyboards
were made, like on the VT100 terminal. Not only did they have real
switches and a great feel, but the letters were right there in the
middle of the key, where they should be. Not only that, but the labels
on these old keyboards actually went all the way through the key - it
was made of two different colors of plastic. This way, the letters
wouldn't wear off. It's obvious why they changed the key switches - to
make the keyboard cheaper. That and some people are weird and don't
like the wonderful sounds that the older keyboards made. (I hate quiet
keyboards...) But why were the letters moved? Was this cheaper or
easier? Or did Apple suddenly do it and then everyone else followed
suit? <grin> Does anyone know what computer started using this style
of keycap labeling?

Just curious.

Ian Primus
ian_primus_at_yahoo.com
Received on Sat Nov 23 2002 - 20:26:01 GMT