Re: AAAAAUGH! Dead IIgs keyb

[supertimer@aol.com (Supertimer)]

casa@unm.edu (Jim Pittman) wrote:

>> The GS keyboard uses the same ADB interface as the earlier (non
>> USB) Macintosh models. My Mac keyboard died in the middle of an
>> important project, and I replaced it temporarily with my GS one.
>> The move could be done in either direction.
>> 
>> JASON
>
>Mostly true. A few Mac keyboards won't work on the Apple IIgs.

In general, if the keyboard works on a Mac without extra
driver software, it'll work on the IIGS.  If it requires the
addition of a control panel/driver, then it won't work simply
because they didn't write the same software for the IIGS.
An example is the Apple Adjustable (split) Keyboard.

>I have a real love/hate relationship with IIgs keyboards. I love
>the size, appearance and key layout. I hate the way that most of
>the ones I have tried feel either "clicky" or "sticky" or both.
>When I got my first IIgs (it was used) the first thing I looked
>for was an Apple Mac M0116 keyboard. Identical key layout and
>much better key feel, so I thought. Considerably larger, though.
>
>Over the years I have tried to save all the tossed-out M0116 Mac
>keyboards I can find. Guess what -- many of them develop sticky
>keys too, especially the RETURN and DELETE and CONTROL keys.

It is the keyswitches failing.  I had to replace some of
the keyswitches on the Apple Extended Keyboard I
found for the IIGS.

BTW, I simply LOVE using an extended keyboard on
the IIGS because, with the addition of an INIT that's
only a couple of kilobytes in size, the page editing
keys work and that makes using the IIGS much more
fun!

>I also save IIgs keyboards whenever I find one that seems good.
>
>A week ago at Goodwill (!) I found an EXCELLENT Apple IIgs keyboard
>for $5. I brought it to work and it's now in use with my new B&W
>Mac G3/400 in preference to the G3's iMac keyboard. (Actually, the

The IIGS keyboard looks a little iMacish too, so it fits
right in with the design!

That's cool.  I too agree that the IIGS keyboard design
is nice when the keyboard is clean and working.
DataDesk actually makes a compact extended
keyboard based on the IIGS keyboard's design.  You
can get one from MacWarehouse.  They say the
design is "award winning" so many people like it.  We
are not alone.  ;-)

>iMac keyboard itself is not too bad, it's the round mouse that is

Yuck, that's a terrible mouse!  I like Apple's "teardrop"
ADB Mouse II the best.  Some of those cheap ($5)
200dpi Mac ADB mice with 2 buttons are nice too since
the second button acts as a click lock on the IIGS
without additional software.

>totally insane. But I prefer keyboards with the CONTROL key in the
>"right" location next to the "A" key.)

This can usually be done by rewiring the keyboard.

However, I left my Extended Keyboard as is on the IIGS.
Sadly, all the new PC keyboards (Macs too) use Caps
Lock next to "A" so this way avoids confusion.

>Some Apple IIe keyboards have EXCELLENT feel and I'm really glad to
>have a good IIe keyboard on my Apple IIe/Apple IIgs conversion. (And,
>I can plug in an ADB keyboard if I want to.) But many of the old IIe
>keyboards are horrible, I assume because of too many years of dust,
>food crumbs, cola spills, sunlight and pounding fingers.
>
>Finally, some people are religious about keyboards (I am, and I have
>yet to find a truly good keyboard -- OmniKey/102 by Northgate for PCs
>comes close) while others will cheerfully type on anything without
>complaint. Why keyboard designers play the "let's move the "~" key
>around to where it can't be found" game I don't understand.

I like the feel of the IIGS keyboard the best.

Luckily for me, the "~" key is in the same position on
my PC keyboard as on my IIGS Extended Keyboard.
Thus, there's no confusion when switching between the
two (since I use both daily).

I eventually want to get DataDesk's IIGS-like Extended
Keyboard.  It is the compact model.  This combines
the feel of the IIGS keyboard (and the look) with page
editing keys.