Discussion:
Looking for a better keyboard than "aluminum"
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Salmon Egg
2010-05-22 18:04:54 UTC
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I have been using the Apple so called aluminum keyboard for several
years now. I like it in almost all ways BUT one. That one way is a
killer.

I have vision difficulty. I rely on touch typing. The keyboard does not
give me the tactile feedback I need in order to stay centered on the
keys. Because of the short stroke required to activate a key, I tend to
make errors by typing adjacent keys in addition to the key I want to
type. For example a t can also include a g or a v with a c.

Although I have difficulty making out the letters on the keys, I can see
where the keys are. If I watch the keyboard while typing, I can center
my fingers on the keys. That is, My touch capability gets me to the key
and my lousy eyes are good enough to center my fingers onto the keys.
Because the flat keys are excessively large and the space between them
small, I difficulty centering upon them when not looking. Old fashioned
typewriter keys were much smaller, and I could tell when I was drifting
off center. There are some keyboards available now with tapered keys
that would give better tactile feedback. They also have large activation
strokes.

So my question is: Do others have similar problems? Does anyone have a
practical solution to my problem? Are there any recommended keyboards?

Bill
--
An old man would be better off never having been born.
polemon
2010-09-16 04:20:37 UTC
Permalink
On Sat, 22 May 2010 11:04:54 -0700
Salmon Egg <***@sbcglobal.net> wrote:

Hi Bill!
Post by Salmon Egg
I have been using the Apple so called aluminum keyboard for several
years now. I like it in almost all ways BUT one. That one way is a
killer.
It's a Mac
Post by Salmon Egg
So my question is: Do others have similar problems? Does anyone have a
practical solution to my problem? Are there any recommended keyboards?
Though I don't have the same probelm that you do, but I might have the
solution anyway.

I use a DAS KEYBOARD ultimate with no key labels. The distinct feature
of the DAS KEYBOARDS, however, is the kind of switches they use under
each key. Those aren't rubber-dome switches like in most keyboards,
but mechanical microswitches, like those found in elektronic appliances
The DAS KEYBOARD uses blue Cherry switches (Cherry key switches are color
coded), they have a resistance of about 60g and and a loud and tactile
"click" as you push them down.

Since you're a Mac user, I'd recommend a modern keyboard, and this is
one. Cherry has a whole line of key switches, the blue switches are
loud and tactile, whereas the brown ones are just tactile and silent
there's plenty of videos on youtube about those keyboards.

This might be of interest for you:
http://elitekeyboards.com/support.php?lang=en

Then, there's also the old IBM Model M keyboards, that use
buckling spring technology. Unicomp make modern buckling spring
keyboards, but I don't know how they'd work with a Mac.

Anyway, I hope this will help.

Cheers,
--polemon

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