1. The keyboards that came with IBM 3179 terminals. 24 PF keys, Clear key,
Erase to EOF key, backtab key, newline key and enter key, plus numerous
others. I love the feel of the keys. Okay, it had no esc key, the left
shift key was way too small, the < and > were on the same key and that
key was where part of the left shift key should have been. The feel of
the key and having all the keys that should be there(the ESC key wasn't
needed with an IBM mainframe) made up for those deficiencies. I wish I
could strap one of those keyboards to my pc for use with a 3270
emulator.
2. As far as PC keyboards I think the one I have been using for years may
be an IBM Model M that folks have been talking about. It has a feel
very similar to the 3179 keyboards, but no where near as many keys. I
got it back in the 486 days by accident. My previous PC keyboard died.
I stoped by a little computer shop to get a replacement. They were out
of stock but had a used IBM keyboard that they let me borrow until they
got more in. They called when they got more keybaords in. I told them
that I really liked the feel of the loner they gave me and they told me
to keep it. I've been using it ever since until recently.
3. Recently I've reluctantly given my favorite IBM keyboard a break and
have been trying out a Boundless 108 key keyboard. It has a "Do" key
and a "Help" key along with a few extra function keys which make it nice
for telnetting to my VAX from my Linux box. I like all the extra keys
but the feel just isn't the same as the IBM.
Kevin
http://www.RawFedDogs.net
Received on Thu Aug 26 2004 - 17:56:02 BST