Re: AAAAAUGH! Dead IIgs keyb

[casa@unm.edu (Jim Pittman)]

Re:

> Subject: Re: AAAAAUGH!  Dead IIgs keyb
> From: Atmosphere@bigpond.com (Mr Jason L Xiros)
> 
> 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.

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.

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
iMac keyboard itself is not too bad, it's the round mouse that is
totally insane. But I prefer keyboards with the CONTROL key in the
"right" location next to the "A" key.)

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.

My ][ cents.

Jim Pittman - AppleQuerque Computer Club - where owners/users of real
Apple II computers are an endangered species now. casa AT unm DOT edu

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