Just a hint for anyone elderly with a computer, just picked up a
Crayola Keyboard for my Mum, local store but seem to be around a
tenner posted on Ebay.

Oversize colourful keys , Mum has a laptop but her typing is of the
hunt, hunt some more and peck variety, she likes the colours and
oversize keys seem to make the whole `computer ` concept more friendly
somehow.

Access to function keys etc can get on laptops own `board.

CPC do a couple of high contrast keyboards buts standard size keys and
about twice Crayola clearence cost.

Cheers
Adam

In article
,
Adam Aglionby wrote:
Oversize colourful keys , Mum has a laptop but her typing is of the
hunt, hunt some more and peck variety, she likes the colours and
oversize keys seem to make the whole `computer ` concept more friendly
somehow.

I've never quite understood the fashion for laptops - unless you actually
need to carry it around. They are very poor value compared to a desktop -
and by nature have smaller screens and keyboards.

And despite trying a few modern soft touch keyboards, still prefer this
clunky old mid '90s basic one which came with an Acorn, and is now shared
with a PC via a KVM switch. Of course if you actually use all those
special function keys on a Windows one, fine. But I can manage without.

Other thing is the common Logitech ones tend to wear out their lettering
quickly. This one is still as good as new.

--
*Reality is a crutch for people who can't handle drugs.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Fri, 01 Jul 2011 10:41:35 +0100, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

Other thing is the common Logitech ones tend to wear out their lettering
quickly. This one is still as good as new.

A lot of the cheap ones only have transfers on the key caps. SWMBO'd
thumps through them some times in weeks. I'd like to track down a
standard/small keyboard with engraved keycaps that doesn't cost an
arm and leg.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On Fri, 01 Jul 2011 15:28:08 +0100, John Rumm wrote:

On 01/07/2011 10:41, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:
In article
,
Adam wrote:
Oversize colourful keys , Mum has a laptop but her typing is of the
hunt, hunt some more and peck variety, she likes the colours and
oversize keys seem to make the whole `computer ` concept more friendly
somehow.

I've never quite understood the fashion for laptops - unless you
actually need to carry it around. They are very poor value compared to
a desktop - and by nature have smaller screens and keyboards.

Agreed. However I think its something to do with a laptop feeling more
"personal" - its a self contained gadget rather than a collection of
components. Often its "yours" rather than something shared with the
family as would be more common for a desktop.

And despite trying a few modern soft touch keyboards, still prefer this
clunky old mid '90s basic one which came with an Acorn, and is now
shared with a PC via a KVM switch. Of course if you actually use all
those special function keys on a Windows one, fine. But I can manage
without.

Other thing is the common Logitech ones tend to wear out their
lettering quickly. This one is still as good as new.

There was allot to be said for the original real IBM keyboards with
steeply raked keys, proper clacky switches etc, and enough weight to
break your foot if you dropped one!

And proper engraved keys. The one I'm typing on is 19 years old and has
been in daily use for all of that time. Large lead strips inside...



--
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK:
http://www.mirrorservice.org

*lightning protection* - a w_tom conductor

In article ,
John Rumm wrote:
And despite trying a few modern soft touch keyboards, still prefer
this clunky old mid '90s basic one which came with an Acorn, and is
now shared with a PC via a KVM switch. Of course if you actually use
all those special function keys on a Windows one, fine. But I can
manage without.

Other thing is the common Logitech ones tend to wear out their
lettering quickly. This one is still as good as new.

There was allot to be said for the original real IBM keyboards with
steeply raked keys, proper clacky switches etc, and enough weight to
break your foot if you dropped one!

Also easy to take apart and clean if you spill coffee or worse on it. I
have a spare to get the keys back in the correct positions...

--
*Isn't it a bit unnerving that doctors call what they do "practice?"

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 01/07/2011 10:41, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

I've never quite understood the fashion for laptops - unless you actually
need to carry it around. They are very poor value compared to a desktop -
and by nature have smaller screens and keyboards.

I got one a bit over four years ago, and am now converted.

During the day, I use it with a monitor, keyboard and mouse. But I was
surprised to find how usable it was without those, and spend a fair
proportion of my time using it sitting on the sofa now.

Performance isn't an issue. If I was doing video work, or gaming, maybe
a desktop would be worth it, but pretty much all of my stuff isn't
CPU/GPU bound these days.

Wireless + laptop is liberating - sit where you want, no need to set up
a desk for it. That'll be the big reason for the popularity.

'Course there's the other risk that the freedom means you're using the
thing more than you should :-)

In article ,
Clive George wrote:
On 01/07/2011 10:41, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

I've never quite understood the fashion for laptops - unless you actually
need to carry it around. They are very poor value compared to a desktop -
and by nature have smaller screens and keyboards.

I got one a bit over four years ago, and am now converted.

During the day, I use it with a monitor, keyboard and mouse. But I was
surprised to find how usable it was without those, and spend a fair
proportion of my time using it sitting on the sofa now.

I'd find that far more uncomfortable than using my desktop at its station
with a decent chair. Indeed, I've seen plenty getting a stand for a laptop
so it is in a sensible position for comfort.

Performance isn't an issue. If I was doing video work, or gaming, maybe
a desktop would be worth it, but pretty much all of my stuff isn't
CPU/GPU bound these days.

Wireless + laptop is liberating - sit where you want, no need to set up
a desk for it. That'll be the big reason for the popularity.

Lots tend to leave them set up at a table etc. Rather than the hassle of
unplugging the PS and putting the whole thing away.

And BTW I hate more not having a mouse. To the point where I use one with
my laptop apart when I have to use it on the move, as it were.

'Course there's the other risk that the freedom means you're using the
thing more than you should :-)

Hope not. Computers are responsible for all sorts of repetitive use
injuries. A laptop will make this worse.

--
*Strip mining prevents forest fires.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On 01/07/2011 16:54, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:

During the day, I use it with a monitor, keyboard and mouse. But I was
surprised to find how usable it was without those, and spend a fair
proportion of my time using it sitting on the sofa now.

I'd find that far more uncomfortable than using my desktop at its station
with a decent chair. Indeed, I've seen plenty getting a stand for a laptop
so it is in a sensible position for comfort.

Different people, different postures - I never said you had to sit the
same way as I do :-)

(If I set up my work environment in the way that our work H+S people
think it ought to be, I'd be uncomfortable).

Performance isn't an issue. If I was doing video work, or gaming, maybe
a desktop would be worth it, but pretty much all of my stuff isn't
CPU/GPU bound these days.

Wireless + laptop is liberating - sit where you want, no need to set up
a desk for it. That'll be the big reason for the popularity.

Lots tend to leave them set up at a table etc. Rather than the hassle of
unplugging the PS and putting the whole thing away.

Oh, I know. But ours move around and never get put away.

And BTW I hate more not having a mouse. To the point where I use one with
my laptop apart when I have to use it on the move, as it were.

'Course there's the other risk that the freedom means you're using the
thing more than you should :-)

Hope not. Computers are responsible for all sorts of repetitive use
injuries. A laptop will make this worse.

I'm doing fairly well on that front. I use the computer in various
positions, which I think helps.

What you didn't mention is the bit where the manufacturers helpfully
point out that a laptop isn't designed to be used on a lap - if you're
not careful, the ventilation gets blocked. Fortunately I'm careful :-)

On 01/07/2011 10:41 AM, Dave Plowman (News) wrote:


Other thing is the common Logitech ones tend to wear out their lettering
quickly. This one is still as good as new.


Agreed, seems to be a common problem. Though the Logitech G15 I've had
for the last few years is still fine and the macro keys are useful.

Lee

In article ,
Lee wrote:
Other thing is the common Logitech ones tend to wear out their lettering
quickly. This one is still as good as new.


Agreed, seems to be a common problem. Though the Logitech G15 I've had
for the last few years is still fine and the macro keys are useful.

Logitech *say* they have a 3 year warranty. On contacting them, it doesn't
cover wear and tear. So only applies to a part which isn't used.

--
*It is easier to get older than it is to get wiser.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.

On Jul 1, 10:41*am, "Dave Plowman (News)"
wrote:
In article
,
* *Adam Aglionby wrote:

Oversize colourful keys , Mum has a laptop but her typing is of the
hunt, hunt some more and peck variety, she likes the colours and
oversize keys seem to make the whole `computer ` concept more friendly
somehow.

I've never quite understood the fashion for laptops - unless you actually
need to carry it around. They are very poor value compared to a desktop -
and by nature have smaller screens and keyboards.


* * Dave Plowman * * * * * * * * London SW
* * * * * * * * * To e-mail, change noise into sound.
I think the laptop preference for many is because they take up less
'house room' and these days are plenty powerful enough for most
everyday domestic apps.

Funnily enough I noticed those Crayola keyboards in my local surplus
shop this week, 7 quid IIRC, thought they looked ideal for anyone with
less than perfect vision or dexterity.

In article
,
airsmoothed wrote:
I think the laptop preference for many is because they take up less
'house room'

To allow more space for that huge TV?

--
*They call it PMS because Mad Cow Disease was already taken.

Dave Plowman London SW
To e-mail, change noise into sound.