If you mean
very special and specific keys, I guess they rather limit the
sort of software you can run, or at least which will make sensible use of
the keyboard.
I actually did mean that. He's only 14, so he's used to the keyboards
most in use these days, with F1-F12, Insert, Delete, etc. I think he
was fascinated by the differences in the QX-10 keyboard. He had never
seen anything like it.
At the time of the QX10, keyboards with specific keys were relatively
common, I think. I am thinking of the HP9836 keyboard with keys for
'Insert Line'. 'Delete Line', 'Insert Chearcter', 'Delete
Character',
'Continue', etc.
Incidentally, a 'working defintion' for distiguishing between calculators
and computers is that he former are 'key per functiuon' machines. A
machine with a button for 'SIN' is a calculator. One where you have to
spell it out in 3 keystrokes is a computer. There are many machinews
where you do either, but it's still a useful rule...
Your next task is to explain to your son whgat is so odd about the floppy
disk drives in the QX10. No, not that they're 5.25" (which I guess _is_
odd these days).
-tony