[clug] [OT] quest for keyboards

[Rodney Peters]

On Tuesday 02 Feb 2010 10:04:11 linux-request at lists.samba.org wrote:
> Message: 7
> Date: Tue, 02 Feb 2010 09:30:58 +1100
> From: David Tulloh <david at tulloh.id.au>
> To: Andreas Bauer <baueran at rsise.anu.edu.au>
> Cc: linux at lists.samba.org
> Subject: Re: [clug] [OT] quest for keyboards
> Message-ID: <4B675622.10908 at tulloh.id.au>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=ISO-8859-1; format=flowed
> 
> Andreas Bauer wrote:
> > So, what keyboards can you recommend for someone who types *a lot*,
> > where did you buy yours?  Also, if you do happen to have an old IBM
> > Model M lying around that is unused, I'd be willing to pay a
> > reasonable price for it.
> 
I purchased a couple of Accord ergonomic keyboards over 10 years ago.  Similar 
to T$ Natural, but key feel & price more to my liking.   Might be some old 
stock of them somewhere.

I also have some Belkin Ergoboard pros but find the stiff, short travel keys 
unbearable.  I also prefer a large "enter" key and these don't have same.  
These are also similar in style to the T$ Natural.

> I have used old spring keyboards and my memory is that they were very
>  noisy.
> 
> Personally I switched to using a dvorak keyboard layout many years ago 
> when I was getting slight pains from typing.  That transition made far 
> more difference than changing keyboards ever has.  However it does 
> impact on your productivity in the short term (~2 months) as you relearn 
> how to type.
> 
> I investigated cordless keyboards recently with a preference for 
> bluetooth models.  I ended up with a Logitech Wave keyboard as part of a 
> wave pro mouse, keyboard combo.  It works well for me though there is a 
> slight rearrangement of the home/end keys which I prefer but it makes 
> the work transition a little frustrating.  In general there aren't any 
> good bluetooth keyboards, they all use a usb thing.  The Logitech I 
> chose was one of the few which advertised a decent encryption scheme, I 
> purchased it at the computer fair for well below recommended retail.
> 
I contemplated a base model Logitech wave corded after the last of my Accords 
failed.  Purchased one a couple of weeks ago when Dick Smith had them at $39.  
Not impressed.  The wave form might have some advantage but that is more than 
offset by the lack of separation of left/right halves and insufficient 
vertical/horizontal angulation compared with conventional ergonomic keyboards.

Nevertheless the wave might be a useful transition product for people who have 
flat keyboards.

googling on google.com.au produces quite a few products in the ergonomic 
category, including a vertical and a chorded.  Only 
http://www.stretchnow.com.au have any meeting the original posters price 
criterion of < AUD150.  Anyone have any experience of the Adesso or Fellows ?


Rod