Comments on: A Keyboard For Writers

By: Rory Harper

Rory Harper — Mon, 15 Nov 2010 00:09:40 +0000

Glad that you have the best obsession, like me. So — which keyboard, exactly, are you talking about?

I’ve bought some Logitechs for people at work, and they’re decent, but — I’m pretty sure that nothing will pry my Model M away from me.

I do have a collection of about a dozen different boards; always willing to try something new.

By: Laer Carroll

Laer Carroll — Sat, 13 Nov 2010 23:26:34 +0000

I’m also obsessive about keyboards, like the rest of you. And about ten years ago I got to indulge my obsession while working at Boeing. My group did ergonomic studies for all Boeing. That included stuff like pilot seats, C-17 engine repair bays, spacesuit Mark 2 redesign – and keyboards for engineering workstation.

End result, we recommended adopting Logitech keyboards. They addressed all the issues you did.

And this instant I’m typing on one. Not only does it feel good, but the wireless connection (better than any other vendors’) means I can use it anywhere in the room, including my couch. (My computer is connected via HDMI cable to my flat-screen wall-mounted TV.)

By: Gordan Taylor

Gordan Taylor — Sat, 30 Oct 2010 06:49:43 +0000

I am a fan of the model M too. All the other keyboards I’ve tried seem inferior. Typing on a model M right now. Glad to know others out there appreciate good workmanship.

By: Forrest

Forrest — Wed, 28 Oct 2009 04:51:39 +0000

“From what I’ve read, some of the older Macs also had great tactile boards.”

I’ve got 4 1/2 Model M’s, but the Apple Extended II was a terrific bit of kit. It didn’t have click, but boy-howdy did it have thunk.

“…Not that I’ll ever know personally, of course…”

Though you could, with an ADB-PS/2 or ADB-USB adapter.

By: Rory Harper

Rory Harper — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 03:25:27 +0000

Good comments, guys. I will definitely take at least one Model M with me when I head for the rendezvous during the next zombie infestation, for the close-in work that regrettably becomes necessary on occasion.

I’m sure we’ll be able to find some machine guns with which to do comparison tests regarding feel and efficacy at annihilation.

Walter Jon– You should probably put that part about the Model M on the back-cover blurb. You’ll likely get a half a million sales alone from the geeks like me who’ll be unable to resist the need to read more about our beloved boards.

Uh… You can send me the draft of that section now, if you really want to, old and dear friend that you are. Right?

By: Walter Jon Williams

Walter Jon Williams — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 01:22:43 +0000

Funny coincidence. I just put a paean to the IBM Model M in my new novel.

By: Raven Daegmorgan

Raven Daegmorgan — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 07:26:27 +0000

Forget the keyboard…where can I get the cocaine?

Seriously, though, I did own one of those for years. Model from the early 90′s with the big ol’ PS/2 input–but it was missing keys and spiders had taken up residence in it, so I put it out of its long-suffering misery last year.

And you aren’t kidding about being able to brain zombies with it. Or anything else, really. In the post-apocalyptic future, wandering mercenaries will be armed with shotguns and the Model M.

By: Steven Gould

Steven Gould — Wed, 07 Oct 2009 03:54:16 +0000

I am told, by someone who has fired one, that the thomson submachine gun has the sort of well engineered feel of a IMB Selectric as you type and hit the return.

By: nancileigh

nancileigh — Tue, 06 Oct 2009 16:37:56 +0000

I remember the old Selectrics – and how I loved it when they had a correction ribbon! I had to take a typing test where they allowed you to correct – 79 wpm with no (visible) mistakes. I think I’m faster now with way more practice.

However, my co-workers can tell when I’m being particularly vehement in an email – by the sound of my keyboard clicking away.

By: Rory Harper

Rory Harper — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 21:37:50 +0000

From what I’ve read, some of the older Macs also had great tactile boards.

…Not that I’ll ever know personally, of course…

On the Selectric, here you are bringing up an old love affair of mine. Ahhhh, Selectric, I miss you so…Back in the day, those things were magical to type on. I remember when they were the height of advanced office technology. If I remember correctly, they cost more than a fairly hot computer costs these days.

By: Madeleine Robins

Madeleine Robins — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 15:23:04 +0000

My much-reviled Mac keyboard makes noise with each keystroke, and has a nice firm touch to it. Granted, it’s on an older iBook–the keyboard that came with the Spouse’s Bigass Desktop Mac annoys me. Which is why I love my old iBook, and am not in a hurry to destroy it.

If we’re talking old tech–I sometimes miss the satisfying THUNK of the IBM Selectric ball plunking a character down on the page. Not enough to go get an old Selectric, but…that was formative to my typing skills.

By: Rory Harper

Rory Harper — Mon, 05 Oct 2009 00:02:18 +0000

Hey, Ken — You’re exactly right. These are the keyboards that IBM shipped in the tens of thousands with their PC-AT’s and related gear. Back when men were men and mice were for wimps.

I do type about 70 wpm when I’ve got enough caffeine in me, and Dragon couldn’t match that the last time I tried it. Also, I never could make voice recognition work with the constant back-and-forth revision I do as I’m excreting a paragraph. I think I’m just not linear (or organized) enough…

By: Ken Houghton

Ken Houghton — Sun, 04 Oct 2009 22:49:28 +0000

That Model M looks as if it’s the old IBM keyboard from the mid-1980s.

Dragon Naturally Speaking (or Via Voice). Unless you type faster than you talk but slower than you think.