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From: Grinder on 30 Jan 2010 01:44
On 1/28/2010 8:59 PM, John Corliss wrote:
> John McGaw wrote:
>> John Corliss wrote:
>>> (big snip)
>>> Thanks for replying! I was indeed looking over the Logitech offerings.
>>> I've typed on their keyboards before and they're pretty nice. In
>>> particular, I'm looking at the two Logitechs I mentioned above. You've
>>> pushed me even more in that direction.
>>
>> You can get the Logitech Wave for $26 if you are willing to take a
>> refurb:
>>
>> http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/product_info.php?products_id=9897
>>
>> Or you can get what appears to be a new one at TigerDirect for $30:
>>
>> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3283073&SRCCODE=SHOPPINGDF&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB55bETCjCVqHCjCdwwp
>>
>>
>> That link probably wrapped very badly but I'm sure you can figure out
>> what to do with it.
>
> Thanks very much for those links. They both allowed me to have a closer
> look at the key layout on the Wave. I can see now that it's not what I'm
> looking for since there are no configurable special keys.
>
> Back to the drawing board I guess.
>

There are 12 user-configurable function keys on the wave. Tapping
Fn+F1, for instance, defaults to running Microsoft word, but it can be
reconfigured.

From: Ken Maltby on 30 Jan 2010 05:28

"John Corliss" <q34wsk20(a)yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:hjsq32$fns$1(a)news.eternal-september.org...
> kony wrote:
>> John Corliss wrote:
>>>
>>> For several years now, I've been using a Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard
>>> like this one:
>>>
>>> http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-K49-00001-Multimedia-Keyboard/dp/B00006D2LI
>>>
>>> except it's black and white instead of blue and white. Lately, the keys
>>> have been sticking and no amount of cleaning the board (I disassemble it
>>> and throw the top part in a solution of Tide and water) will make the
>>> keys work smoothly again. Besides, I'm sick and tired of having to turn
>>> the thing on (press the "F Lock" button every time I start up the
>>> computer) so that I can simply get normal function out of my function
>>> keys. Another dislike I have always had for the keyboard is that I have
>>> to install and use Microsoft Intellitype in order to be able to
>>> configure the special keys to do the things that I want them to.
>>> Intellitype sucks up a little over 19 mb of my system's pitiful 512 mb
>>> of ram (I'm a low-bucks hippie).
>>>
>>> What I'm looking for is a cheap, reliable keyboard which also has
>>> special function keys but doesn't require as much system resource
>>> overhead to configure them.
>>>
>>> Can anybody recommend something? TIA
>>
>> Considering the issue of software bloat, you might try the
>> oldest version, or at least an older version, that works on
>> your choice of operating system. I would expect more and
>> more new keyboard drivers to be designed with little concern
>> for how much memory they use, since memory has become quite
>> inexpensive, but generally MS does seem one of the worst in
>> taking liberties to the extent that a system becomes slow...
>> so you buy another one, which comes with a new windows
>> licen$e.
>
> Thanks for replying. Yes, I considered going to an earlier version of
> Intellipoint, but the latest version has a feature for this keyboard I
> would not like to lose, being able to set the function keys to their
> default settings. Also, my main problem is that the keys on this old board
> are starting to stick when I press down on them, the lettering is getting
> worn off of the keys and the palm rest is barely held on anymore.
>
> Time for a new keyboard.
>
> I would never have chosen a Microsoft keyboard in the first place just out
> of spite. It's what came with this computer.
>
> It's looking like a Logitech might be what I'm looking for.
>
> --
> John Corliss

You might want to take a look at the "Zboard" especially if you need to
clean the keys. Since the keyboard layout is replaceable, cleaning is a
snap. (Not that the keyboard is subject to the kind of clogging up that
you described for your current one.) It is described as a "Gamer's
Keyboard", but I use the regular multimedia keyboard key insert.

http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16823161013

http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewProduct.aspx?Item=N82E16823161013

There are some other keysets for programs like Adobe Photoshop

http://www.acerlaptops.co.za/ke-zkps-zboard-keyset-for-photoshop-p-8486.htm

http://www.amazon.com/Ideazon-IWOUSE1-X2PHS01-Adobe-Photoshop-Keyset/dp/B00008WFIY

The non-game keysets are very rare and practicaly impossible to find.
Except
the multimedia one that comes with all of the keyboards.

Luck;
Ken



From: John Corliss on 30 Jan 2010 07:31
Grinder wrote:
> John Corliss wrote:
>> John McGaw wrote:
>>> John Corliss wrote:
>>>> (big snip)
>>>> Thanks for replying! I was indeed looking over the Logitech offerings.
>>>> I've typed on their keyboards before and they're pretty nice. In
>>>> particular, I'm looking at the two Logitechs I mentioned above. You've
>>>> pushed me even more in that direction.
>>>
>>> You can get the Logitech Wave for $26 if you are willing to take a
>>> refurb:
>>>
>>> http://www.gearxs.com/gearxs/product_info.php?products_id=9897
>>>
>>> Or you can get what appears to be a new one at TigerDirect for $30:
>>>
>>> http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3283073&SRCCODE=SHOPPINGDF&cm_mmc_o=2mHCjCmtB55bETCjCVqHCjCdwwp
>>>
>>> That link probably wrapped very badly but I'm sure you can figure out
>>> what to do with it.
>>
>> Thanks very much for those links. They both allowed me to have a closer
>> look at the key layout on the Wave. I can see now that it's not what I'm
>> looking for since there are no configurable special keys.
>>
>> Back to the drawing board I guess.
>
> There are 12 user-configurable function keys on the wave. Tapping Fn+F1,
> for instance, defaults to running Microsoft word, but it can be
> reconfigured.

Sorry and I know this sounds picky, but I want to be able to press one
button to say, load my default browser or a program I often use.

I can already use Control-Alt- shortcut keystroke combinations. I'm
afraid using a Fn key with one of the 12 function keys would not be much
of an advantage.

--
John Corliss
From: John Corliss on 30 Jan 2010 07:43
Ken Maltby wrote:
> John Corliss wrote:
>>> John Corliss wrote:
>>>>
>>>> For several years now, I've been using a Microsoft Multimedia Keyboard
>>>> like this one:
>>>>
>>>> http://www.amazon.com/Microsoft-K49-00001-Multimedia-Keyboard/dp/B00006D2LI
>>>>
>>>> except it's black and white instead of blue and white. Lately, the keys
>>>> have been sticking and no amount of cleaning the board (I disassemble it
>>>> and throw the top part in a solution of Tide and water) will make the
>>>> keys work smoothly again. Besides, I'm sick and tired of having to turn
>>>> the thing on (press the "F Lock" button every time I start up the
>>>> computer) so that I can simply get normal function out of my function
>>>> keys. Another dislike I have always had for the keyboard is that I have
>>>> to install and use Microsoft Intellitype in order to be able to
>>>> configure the special keys to do the things that I want them to.
>>>> Intellitype sucks up a little over 19 mb of my system's pitiful 512 mb
>>>> of ram (I'm a low-bucks hippie).
>>>>
>>>> What I'm looking for is a cheap, reliable keyboard which also has
>>>> special function keys but doesn't require as much system resource
>>>> overhead to configure them.
>>>>
>>>> Can anybody recommend something? TIA
>>>
>>> Considering the issue of software bloat, you might try the
>>> oldest version, or at least an older version, that works on
>>> your choice of operating system. I would expect more and
>>> more new keyboard drivers to be designed with little concern
>>> for how much memory they use, since memory has become quite
>>> inexpensive, but generally MS does seem one of the worst in
>>> taking liberties to the extent that a system becomes slow...
>>> so you buy another one, which comes with a new windows
>>> licen$e.
>>
>> Thanks for replying. Yes, I considered going to an earlier version of
>> Intellipoint, but the latest version has a feature for this keyboard I
>> would not like to lose, being able to set the function keys to their
>> default settings. Also, my main problem is that the keys on this old board
>> are starting to stick when I press down on them, the lettering is getting
>> worn off of the keys and the palm rest is barely held on anymore.
>>
>> Time for a new keyboard.
>>
>> I would never have chosen a Microsoft keyboard in the first place just out
>> of spite. It's what came with this computer.
>>
>> It's looking like a Logitech might be what I'm looking for.
>
> You might want to take a look at the "Zboard" especially if you need to
> clean the keys. Since the keyboard layout is replaceable, cleaning is a
> snap. (Not that the keyboard is subject to the kind of clogging up that
> you described for your current one.) It is described as a "Gamer's
> Keyboard", but I use the regular multimedia keyboard key insert.
>
> http://www.newegg.com/product/product.aspx?item=N82E16823161013
> http://www.newegg.com/Product/NewProduct.aspx?Item=N82E16823161013
>
> There are some other keysets for programs like Adobe Photoshop
>
> http://www.acerlaptops.co.za/ke-zkps-zboard-keyset-for-photoshop-p-8486.htm
> http://www.amazon.com/Ideazon-IWOUSE1-X2PHS01-Adobe-Photoshop-Keyset/dp/B00008WFIY
>
> The non-game keysets are very rare and practicaly impossible to find.
> Except the multimedia one that comes with all of the keyboards.

Thanks for the suggestion, Ken, but after reading the reviews at Newegg
it looks like a lot of people complained that the keyboard started
failing badly after only one month to a year.

At this point, I'm looking primarily at Logitech and Kensington
keyboards. Some of them have their problems too, but overall their
reviews seem to be a little more positive.

--
John Corliss
From: larry moe 'n curly on 2 Feb 2010 23:43


John Corliss wrote:
>
> What I'm looking for is a cheap, reliable keyboard which also has
> special function keys but doesn't require as much system resource
> overhead to configure them.

GeekHack.com has the most information about computer keyboards, by
far, including reviews and major modifications (turn original IBM 101-
key Model M into USB).
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