Xah Lee, 2006-06, 2010-09-03
I'm a computer programer, and sit in front of a computer for more than 8 hours a day every day since about 1990 (this usually includes weekends as well as holidays). I'm also a efficiency nerd and has a untold infatuation with computer keyboards. I have read almost all popularly published reviews of keyboards or special input devices (mostly in MacUser and MacWorld magazines during ~1990‒1997), as well as tried them whenever i had a chance, as well software related input issues such as Dvorak Keyboard Layout, keyboard remap codes on various operating systems, different keyboard shortcuts and macros softwares on different operating systems. This page is some haphazard commentary on computer keyboards, the keys, their layout, and the design, accompanied with photos of them.
I have a keyboard love. Every time i go to a computer shop, i would try my hands on all their input devices on display. In particular, computer keyboards. Loitering in the store for 30 min on keyboards is not unusual.
Before i started to use a split-keyboard in ~2005, i actually find that the best keyboard are the cheapest, generic PC keyboard. They are functional, clean design, sturdy, cheap ($10) and replaceable, good tactical feedback. They don't have weird shapes, weird tactile feel, a bunch of ugly buttons and knobs.
(I do, however, believe in extra application launch buttons, volume control knob, embedded pointing device, but many designs on the market are a turn off).
A Generic PC Keyboard. left side closeup.
This keyboard i used in the period 1999‒2002. A ergonomic habit i have is to have 2 or 3 stacks of books placed together in front of the keyboard, so that they form a rectangular platform of 3 to 4 cm in height. When typing, i rest my forearms on the books, so that my wrists do not bent upwards. Here's a photo showing this keyboard in my office, and the books i have in front as wrist pads.
Note the Power management keys on the top right of the keyboard. These I actually never used.
Note the PrtScn (Print Screen) key, SysRq (System request) key, ScrLk (Scroll Lock), Break keys. These keys are historical relics and are more or less defunct today, except the Print Screen key that is often used for creating screenshots in Microsoft Windows.
Here's a summary of what these keys are, based on Wikipedia:
Since 2005, i have adapted to the split-keyboards and find Microsoft keyboards the best.
I used to hate split keyboards. I bought a Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard in 2005 because during that year i was using a laptop 8 hours a day, and my wrists and fingers are starting to feel weird. Once i adopted the split keyboard, i never went back to one-piece keyboards. If i type on a one-piece keyboard for even a minute, i feel discomfort in how it bends my wrists.
The Microsoft Natural Multimedia Keyboard, introduced in 2004. (Review)
Mirosoft's split keyboards is of a fantastic design. Besides splitting the key set and angle them for the wrists, other notable features is the modifier keys placed in symmetrical distance from the index finger keys, and in sizes about 4 times as large. This is fantastic if you are a programer and uses Emacs.
The top has a row of special buttons that provides one-button launching/switching to applications — extremely convenient. They can be reset to any application you choose thru the bundled software Microsoft IntelliType Pro. (Comes in a Mac version too. I use this keyboard on Macintosh computers) The middle is the music-playing program control, also extremely useful. I can just play/stop/skip songs without switching into the music player.
(Note: Even before i used a keyboard with such extra app-launching-keys, i always have assigned the functions keys to launch applications. So, in my work day, i switch among applications by single key presses. (as opposed to using the mouse, or tabbing thru the app-switching mode))
A minor bad point of this MS keyboard is that the function keys are arranged in 2 continuous rows, instead of traditionally separated into 3 blocks of 4 keys each. The continuous placement makes it difficult to touch-type the function keys in the middle of the blocks.
Microsoft Comfort Curve keyboard 2000. (review)
Apple's keyboard as of 2008. img src
Full review: Apple Keyboards.
Sun Microsystem's “Type 6” Keyboard.
Full review: Sun Microsystem's “Type 6” Keyboard.
The Kinesis contoured keyboard. Source
Full review: Kinesis Contoured Keyboard Review and RSI.
The Happy Hacking keyboard, model lite 2. image source
Full review: The Idiocy of the Happy Hacking Keyboard.
For a gallery of 20 more keyboard by Microsoft and Logitech, see: Keyboard Porn.
For reviews of several weird keyboards, see: The Idiocy of Hacker Keyboards.
For a gallery of ergonomic keyboards, see: Fancy Ergonomic Keyboards You Didn't Know Existed.
Here's a interesting site that gives a fairly comprehensive images of the keyboard hardware key layouts for about 20 manufactures. キーボードコレクション @ Source www.pfu.fujitsu.com.
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