[ale] Lighted keyboards

[Alex Carver]

On 2020-06-14 14:05, Steve Litt via Ale wrote:
> On Sat, 13 Jun 2020 17:04:58 -0700
> Alex Carver via Ale <ale at ale.org> wrote:
> 
>> Thanks, I'm trying to go towards not clacky.  The CEO of the household
>> complains bitterly about the current clacky keyboard. :)
>  
> I was going to mention that. Last century, and the first four or five
> years of this century, I used genuine IBM clickety clack keyboards,
> which at the time could be bought used for five bucks at computer shows
> and garage sales. The "falling through the ice" feel was definitely
> reassuring: You *knew* you'd hit the key --- you couldn't miss.
> 
> But back in those days I often typed 2000 words per day, and at the end
> of the day my wrists really felt it. Each night I'd slather Ben Gay on
> my wrists, and each morning I'd dread pushing those hugely resisitive
> keys.
> 
> Then I switched to a certain model of, as I remember, Dell, which had
> tactile feedback and some auditory feedback, but didn't require the
> insane force required by the IBM clickety-clacks.
> 
> Now I use some ordinary Logitech keyboard with a fairly light touch and
> a little tactile feedback, and a lot of auditory feedback. I seldom
> type 2000 words per day anymore, so this keyboard is just fine.
> 
> When I used the IBM clickety-clacks, I thought they were the best. When
> I used the softer but feedbacked Dells, I thought those were the best.
> My Logitech isn't half bad. But looking back over 35 years of hard work
> using my own computer, I think the winner was the keyboard on my Kaypro
> 2X.
> 
> The Kaypro 2X computer had an incredibly light touch all the way to the
> bottom, where the key stopped dead in its tracks. If you felt that hard
> landing, you knew you'd registered the letter. And when you hit bottom,
> you heard it. 2000 words per day is 10,000 keystrokes per day, and
> having the Kaypro very light touch (until the bottom) was definitely
> wrist-friendly. I'd say it was the best I ever had.
> 
> If you ever see a 1981-1986 Kaypro computer, check out its keyboard.
> You'll see what I mean.
> 
> Like so many other superior things, the Kaypro keyboard philosophy went
> out of style. I haven't seen anything like it in 30 years. A few of
> today's membrane switches are very light, but they're mushy at the
> bottom, telling you nothing. 
> 
> With optical-sensing keys now a thing, it would be easy to build the
> perfect Kaypro imitation. A light touch spring, engineering to minimize
> friction, a solid metal downward stop, and two optical holes a fraction
> of a millimeter above hard bottom. Key-down vs Key-up is easily
> discerned by which hole fires first.
> 
> Bottom line is this: Those using keyboards for Facebook or to fill in
> web forms can make due with any piece of junk keyboard. Those who type
> a moderate amount will love maximum hit/maximum clack. But for those
> typing enough that wrist pain becomes a problem will gravitate to
> lighter touch, but still sure-fire keyboards. I sure wish somebody
> would make a Kaypro keyboard workalike/feelalike.



I'm currently using an old PS/2 Dell keyboard which is quiet-ish and
tactile but still clicky.  I type a lot nearly every day at around 200
wpm so things get loud.  At work, I've got a slightly softer Dell
keyboard (somewhat newer USB with media controls) and most people don't
notice me typing.  I also had to use one of the standard Dell KB212
keyboards that come standard with some workstations.  These are fully
quiet keys and it was actually very comfortable to use.

Work just sent me a new Dell laptop that had soft scissor keys similar
to the KB212 (but backlit).  While I'm working from home I grabbed an
old Microsoft Media Keyboard 3000 that was in the closet to use so I
could put the laptop elsewhere plugged into the bigger monitors.  That's
also got quiet scissor keys that are comfortable as well even with the
keyboard in a non-optimal location.

So I really don't mind going from clicky to silent keys.