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Hal Snyder of Mark Williams, Co. sent us the following caveat: "We find that about 10% of cheap no-name keyboards do not work in scan code set 3. We are interested in scan code set 3 because only there can you reprogram the keyboard on a per-key basis as to whether keys are make-only, make-break, or autorepeat. It is a big win for international support and for X."
He continues: "Keytronic, Cherry, and Honeywell keyboards, as well as a large number of imports, work fine. My advice is to either buy a respected brand of keyboard, or deal with a vendor who will allow you to return an incompatible keyboard without charge."
Allen Heim <[email protected]> writes: I'm sold on NMB keyboards (http://www.nmbtech.com/), available from Global Computer (http://www.globalcomputer.com/), or at (800) 8-GLOBAL. Their line of mechanical-switch keyboards now have a lifetime warranty, and I've just ordered my second RT-8200 unit. I don't see it listed on their website currently, but I do see their "Windows 95-enhanced" model, the RT-8200W. It's the same thing, but with extra keys (which may be programmable; think of the Emacs "meta" key--could be useful).
In the wake of recent publicity about reprtitive-strain injuries, ergonomic keyboards are becoming increasingly common. One that looks promising to your editor (though I haven't yet used it) is the Marquardt MiniErgo MF2, from Marquardt Switches, Inc.; 2711 Route 20 East, Cazanovia NY 13035, phone (315)-655-8050; suggested list price $170, AT-compatible interface). Michael Scott Shappe <[email protected]> sent me a rave review of the Marquardt after having used it about six months.
The MF2 features a conventional QWERTY layout, but with the right and left halves split apart and rotated about 30 degrees towards each other in a shallow V shape. The theory is that being able to angle your arms inward and your elbows out produces a less stressful typing position.
The MF2 has no keypad, but it does have the standard 12 function keys across the top and arrow keys at the point of the V (meant to be thumb-operated).
I have seen and used a device called the Maltron ergonomic keyboard. This keyboard splits the keys into two main groups, each arranged in a dished hollow. Each hand also has easy access to separate thumb pads of nine keys each; there is one numeric and arrow-key pad in the center of the unit, between the right and left-hand groups. Also, the keys in each group do *not* have the alternate-row staggering of the conventional (Scholes) keyboard; this subtle change reduces torsional stress on the fingers and wrists tremendously.
I found the Maltron easy to use, and regretted having to give it back.
For more details on many ergonomic keyboards and typing-injury issues in general, see Dan Wallach's FAQ on repetitive strain injuries and ergonomic input devices, published monthly in news.answers.