Just making a guess here, but I'll bet the pad printing is less likely to wear off if it's off to one corner. Modern keyboards ARE junky. I'll bet you can't find any modern example of a double-shot molded keytop keyboard. --- Sark &lt;ian_primus(a)yahoo.com&gt; wrote: > Ever notice that on modern keyboards, the letters on > the keys are not > in the middle of the key? They are off to the left. > This is something > that has always kind of annoyed me. I like the way > the older keyboards > were made, like on the VT100 terminal. Not only did > they have real > switches and a great feel, but the letters were > right there in the > middle of the key, where they should be. Not only > that, but the labels > on these old keyboards actually went all the way > through the key - it > was made of two different colors of plastic. This > way, the letters > wouldn't wear off. It's obvious why they changed the > key switches - to > make the keyboard cheaper. That and some people are > weird and don't > like the wonderful sounds that the older keyboards > made. (I hate quiet > keyboards...) But why were the letters moved? Was > this cheaper or > easier? Or did Apple suddenly do it and then > everyone else followed > suit? <grin> Does anyone know what computer started > using this style > of keycap labeling? > > Just curious. > > Ian Primus > ian_primus(a)yahoo.com >

The only thing I might run into is contact bounce. I don't know if there is anything in a USB keyboard to deal with this, as I don't think membrane keyboards have quite the problem with contact bounce as mechanical switches do. Any ideas?

On Sun, 24 Nov 2002, Sark wrote: I know Mr. Duell may not like my suggestion... but why not just find yourself an IBM PS/2 'clicky' keyboard and use that, plugged into the PS/2 keyboard port on the back of your computer? Or are you unlucky enough to have a machine that doesn't have a PS/2 keyboard connection? Sure, it's not the same as the keyboard on, say, and ADM-3A, but it's 'more authentic' than modern keyboards. Of course, sometimes I like the fact that my keyboard is fairly quiet when I'm typing on it. It may still be louder than my other machines in the room, but it's nowhere near as obnoxious as a 'real' keybard. Pat -- Purdue Universtiy ITAP/RCS Information Technology at Purdue Research Computing and Storage http://www-rcd.cc.purdue.edu

I'm a fellow Mac user, but this seems a bit disgusting. :-P Can't you get an ADB-to-USB converter instead and use a *proper* keyboard like those lovely Extended Keyboard IIs? ;-)

I know Mr. Duell may not like my suggestion... but why not just find yourself an IBM PS/2 'clicky' keyboard and use that, plugged into the PS/2 keyboard port on the back of your computer? Or are you unlucky enough to have a machine that doesn't have a PS/2 keyboard connection? Sure, it's not the same as the keyboard on, say, and ADM-3A, but it's 'more authentic' than modern keyboards.

I've been using a Dell keyboard that acts like it's full of microswitches - very nice.

Tony Duell wrote: I've been using a Dell keyboard that acts like it's full of microswitches - very nice. At the moment I'm using a BTC (Taiwanese) keyboard with a gap between the T-Y, G-H and B-N key pairs. Oh, and it's got a Synaptics Touchpad fitted. Nice keyboard, but it's a bit too, er... QUIET! I want an IBM PS/2 full-of-microswitches really-clicky real-dream-to-use keyboard!!! Anyone feel like parting with one? At this point I don't even give a damn if I have to pull the thing apart and fix it myself - I want a clicky keyboard :-) :-)