I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the desk,
or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly collapsing.
Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various Dell, HP &
Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not only
were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones don't
seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew

On Sunday, 4 June 2017 14:38:24 UTC+1, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the desk,
or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly collapsing.
Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various Dell, HP &
Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not only
were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones don't
seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew

I've got one of the old clicky ones & not sure what to do with it. I prefer modern lightweight ones!


NT

On Sun, 4 Jun 2017 06:45:11 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Sunday, 4 June 2017 14:38:24 UTC+1, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the desk,
or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly collapsing.
Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various Dell, HP &
Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not only
were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones don't
seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew

I've got one of the old clicky ones & not sure what to do with it. I prefer modern lightweight ones!

Invite OP to make you an offer :-)

"Scott" wrote in message
news
On Sun, 4 Jun 2017 06:45:11 -0700 (PDT), wrote:

On Sunday, 4 June 2017 14:38:24 UTC+1, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the
desk,
or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly
collapsing.
Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various Dell, HP &
Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not
only
were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones
don't
seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew

I've got one of the old clicky ones & not sure what to do with it. I
prefer modern lightweight ones!

I *much* prefer keyboards that don't have clicky switches. The noise of keys
or mouse buttons clicking really gets on my nerves, in the way that chalk on
a blackboard sets some people's teeth on edge. One of my early PCs (*) had a
very heavy keyboard with a metal base and keys that made a very loud
mechanical click. I went out and bought a very cheap keyboard which was much
better.

(*) It must have been old: the keyboard had a large DIN plug and the mouse
had a 9-pin serial connector, so it was older even than PS/2 connectors,
never mind USB.

On Sunday, 4 June 2017 15:52:03 UTC+1, Scott wrote:
On Sun, 4 Jun 2017 06:45:11 -0700 (PDT), tabbypurr wrote:
On Sunday, 4 June 2017 14:38:24 UTC+1, Andrew Mawson wrote:

I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the desk,
or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly collapsing.
Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various Dell, HP &
Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not only
were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones don't
seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew

I've got one of the old clicky ones & not sure what to do with it. I prefer modern lightweight ones!

Invite OP to make you an offer :-)

Sure. It has a din plug, so wants a little ps/2 to din adaptor. More importantly 4 of the key caps have come off, otherwise I'd have put it on ebay. So it waits until I find them. No doubt there are many other keyboard whose caps would fit. Or there are the not very useful numerical pad ones I suppose. Brand is Vale, but no model number that I could see. It all looks good apart from the missing keycaps. Can do the transaction via ebay so you get payment protection etc.


NT

On Sunday, 4 June 2017 19:17:01 UTC+1, wrote:
... Brand is Vale

Evesham Micros?

http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/d...e-PC-Computer/

Used to be half the price of the equivalent spec Dell, when I was involved in PC Purchasing.

Owain

On Sunday, 4 June 2017 20:05:21 UTC+1, wrote:
On Sunday, 4 June 2017 19:17:01 UTC+1, tabby wrote:
... Brand is Vale

Evesham Micros?

http://www.computinghistory.org.uk/d...e-PC-Computer/

Used to be half the price of the equivalent spec Dell, when I was involved in PC Purchasing.

Owain

Ah! That certainly fits with the din plug. Looks nicely specced for 92. But win95 in 92?


NT

On Sun, 04 Jun 2017 15:25:21 +0100, pamela wrote:

On 14:45 4 Jun 2017, wrote:

On Sunday, 4 June 2017 14:38:24 UTC+1, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the
desk, or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly
collapsing. Please recommend something a bit more solid than the
various Dell, HP & Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not
only were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern
ones don't seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew

I've got one of the old clicky ones & not sure what to do with it. I
prefer modern lightweight ones!

Nice keyboard but a bit too clicky for me too. Also needs a lot of desk
space.

If yours is the IBM model M for a PS/2 then it might be worth £50.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/b/IBM-Computer...3963/bn_453857

Ha! I have loads of them. But I'm keeping them. I have 3 or 4 in use
right now.


--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On 04/06/2017 17:43, Bob Eager wrote:

Ha! I have loads of them. But I'm keeping them.

We know where you live!

I have 3 or 4 in use
right now.

You are the librarian of Unseen University AICMFP


--
Robin
reply-to address is (intended to be) valid

On Sun, 04 Jun 2017 18:39:44 +0100, pamela wrote:

On 17:43 4 Jun 2017, Bob Eager wrote:

On Sun, 04 Jun 2017 15:25:21 +0100, pamela wrote:

On 14:45 4 Jun 2017, wrote:

On Sunday, 4 June 2017 14:38:24 UTC+1, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the
desk, or have silly little feet to prop them up that are
everlastingly collapsing. Please recommend something a bit more
solid than the various Dell, HP & Compaq ones I seem to be plagued
with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not
only were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern
ones don't seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew

I've got one of the old clicky ones & not sure what to do with it. I
prefer modern lightweight ones!

Nice keyboard but a bit too clicky for me too. Also needs a lot of
desk space.

If yours is the IBM model M for a PS/2 then it might be worth £50.

http://www.ebay.co.uk/b/IBM-Computer...s/33963/bn_453 857

Ha! I have loads of them. But I'm keeping them. I have 3 or 4 in use
right now.

"Inside the World's Greatest Keyboard"

http://www.pcworld.com/article/14793...ices/greatest-
keyboard.html

I've been inside! This one gets dismantled and cleaned about every three
years. I need to dig out a spare as it's due again. It has been going
since November 1989.

--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

On 04/06/17 14:38, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the
desk, or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly
collapsing. Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various
Dell, HP & Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not
only were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones
don't seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew


At the budget end logitech are amongst the best, but for serious use
get a cherry.

And pay £70 plus for it


--
€œIt is hard to imagine a more stupid decision or more dangerous way of
making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people
who pay no price for being wrong.€�

Thomas Sowell

Yes if Cherry are as good as they used to be, then you won't regret the
expenditure at all. I had one for my old windows 3.1 machine and it
outlasted the machines. I only pensioned it off due to its lack of the extra
keys I need now not being able to see to use a mouse any more.
Brian

--
----- -
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please!
"The Natural Philosopher" wrote in message
news
On 04/06/17 14:38, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the
desk, or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly
collapsing. Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various
Dell, HP & Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not only
were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones don't
seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew


At the budget end logitech are amongst the best, but for serious use get
a cherry.

And pay £70 plus for it


--
"It is hard to imagine a more stupid decision or more dangerous way of
making decisions than by putting those decisions in the hands of people
who pay no price for being wrong."

Thomas Sowell

On Sun, 4 Jun 2017 18:15:16 +0100, "Brian Gaff"
wrote:

Yes if Cherry are as good as they used to be, then you won't regret the
expenditure at all. I had one for my old windows 3.1 machine and it
outlasted the machines. I only pensioned it off due to its lack of the extra
keys I need now not being able to see to use a mouse any more.
Brian

What does 'mechanical' mean? How could keys be anything other than
mechanical?

Scott wrote
Brian Gaff wrote

Yes if Cherry are as good as they used to be, then you won't regret
the expenditure at all. I had one for my old windows 3.1 machine and
it outlasted the machines. I only pensioned it off due to its lack of the
extra keys I need now not being able to see to use a mouse any more.

What does 'mechanical' mean?

The individual keys have a mechanical switch in them.

As opposed to a membrane the keytop presses against pcb tracks.

How could keys be anything other than mechanical?

On Mon, 5 Jun 2017 05:59:22 +1000, "Rod Speed"
wrote:

Scott wrote
Brian Gaff wrote

Yes if Cherry are as good as they used to be, then you won't regret
the expenditure at all. I had one for my old windows 3.1 machine and
it outlasted the machines. I only pensioned it off due to its lack of the
extra keys I need now not being able to see to use a mouse any more.

What does 'mechanical' mean?

The individual keys have a mechanical switch in them.

As opposed to a membrane the keytop presses against pcb tracks.

How could keys be anything other than mechanical?

I'm not opposed to spending money if there is a 'business case'. What
would be the benefit over the HP keyboard I have at present?

Scott was thinking very hard :
What does 'mechanical' mean? How could keys be anything other than
mechanical?

Hall Effect is electronic switched. The key has a magnet embedded in it
which triggers the Hall Effect switch.

On 04/06/2017 20:29, Scott wrote:
On Sun, 4 Jun 2017 18:15:16 +0100, "Brian Gaff"
wrote:

Yes if Cherry are as good as they used to be, then you won't regret the
expenditure at all. I had one for my old windows 3.1 machine and it
outlasted the machines. I only pensioned it off due to its lack of the extra
keys I need now not being able to see to use a mouse any more.
Brian

What does 'mechanical' mean? How could keys be anything other than
mechanical?

It refers to the switch construction. Many will just be a conductive
rubber membrane over a PCB with intersecting tracks printed at the key
positions. Pushing a key depresses the rubber onto the tracks shorting
them at that location. There is no discrete mechanical switch as such.
Posher keyboards will include actual discrete switches.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

On 04/06/17 14:38, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the
desk, or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly
collapsing. Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various
Dell, HP & Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not
only were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones
don't seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew



My Corsair illuminating gaming keyboard (Raptor K30) weighs a ton - just
like the old IBM ones. Full conventional shape and layout with some
extra keys added.

On Sunday, 4 June 2017 14:38:24 UTC+1, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not only
were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones don't
seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

If you want to pay money
http://www.daskeyboard.com/

If you want to pay more or less money, a Model M from Ebay with a suitable converter.

Owain

On Sun, 04 Jun 2017 14:38:25 +0100, Andrew Mawson wrote:

I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the
desk, or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly
collapsing.
Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various Dell, HP &
Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not
only were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones
don't seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew

https://www.pckeyboard.com/

You will need to find a UK supplier, but I am sure they exist. These
*are* the IBM ones.



--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor

The better quality end of Dell are not bad actually, certainly not light.
The feet aspect on all keyboards are frankly underengineered, so best just
use bigger stick on feet at the back.



Logitch used to be good. I've gone back to an old Packhard Bell one with
suitable ps2 to usb powered adaptor.

At least I can feel the home keys on this one.
Brian

--
----- -
This newsgroup posting comes to you directly from...
The Sofa of Brian Gaff...

Blind user, so no pictures please!
"Andrew Mawson" wrote in message
news
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the desk,
or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly
collapsing. Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various
Dell, HP & Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not only
were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones don't
seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew

On Sunday, June 4, 2017 at 2:38:24 PM UTC+1, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the desk,
or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly collapsing.
Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various Dell, HP &
Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not only
were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones don't
seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew

to expand a little on what others have said:

- IBM Model M style for real hard core Keyboard action
- Keyboards with Cherry *keyswitches*. This usually means the 'MX' series IIRC
- Other makes of keyboards exist which use Cherry Keyswitches. There is a somewhat cultish community of keyboard fans who will get into far more details than most of us would want to get into (esp. for gaming etc)

The Keyboard Company (no affiliation):

www.keyboardco.com

are based in the UK, have a lot of different models, and will give advice. As will such things though it is much better to try beforehand. IIUC TheKeyboardCo will exchange for different models within a short period of purchase; better check with them though.

HTH
Jon N (using Cherry MX Blue, IBM Model M, Filco Ninja keyboards...)

On Sun, 04 Jun 2017 14:38:25 +0100, Andrew Mawson wrote:

I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the
desk, or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly
collapsing.
Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various Dell, HP &
Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not
only were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones
don't seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew


Watch out for mechanical keyboards using Cherry (or similar) Brown
switches. They are nowhere near as clicky as the Blue type, but have a
degree of tactile feedback which a lot of people seem to like. Amazon
usually lists a choice, including various backlit designs. Of course,
mechanical switches will always cost more than membranes, so be prepared
to pay more than the usual "bargain basement" prices.

On 04/06/2017 20:10, mick wrote:
On Sun, 04 Jun 2017 14:38:25 +0100, Andrew Mawson wrote:

I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the
desk, or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly
collapsing.
Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various Dell, HP &
Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not
only were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones
don't seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew


Watch out for mechanical keyboards using Cherry (or similar) Brown
switches. They are nowhere near as clicky as the Blue type, but have a
degree of tactile feedback which a lot of people seem to like. Amazon
usually lists a choice, including various backlit designs. Of course,
mechanical switches will always cost more than membranes, so be prepared
to pay more than the usual "bargain basement" prices.

Yup, anthing with Cherry Brown switches. Ducky keyboards are good and heavy.

SteveW

On 04/06/17 14:38, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the
desk, or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly
collapsing. Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various
Dell, HP & Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not
only were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones
don't seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

http://www.pckeyboard.com/

"Why purchase an imitator when you can buy the original €œModel M€�. We
have produced the buckling spring €œClick€� keyboard for IBM and thousands
of discriminating users worldwide for 21 years€¦. Join the many that have
made the switch to a much more accurate data entry alternative."

or for UK supplier
http://www.keyboardco.com



--
djc

(–€Ì¿Ä¹Ì¯–€Ì¿ Ì¿)
No low-hanging fruit, just a lot of small berries up a tall tree.

Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the desk,
or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly collapsing.
Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various Dell, HP &
Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not only
were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones don't
seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Andrew




Given recent experience here, I'm astonished that no one has come forward
to tell you that you *don't* need a solid quality keyboard and that the
only thing wrong with your present one is he way that you use it and your
understanding of keyboards. Some unbelievable ****s lurking around here.

As someone else suggested, gamers go in for all sorts of keyboards that
definitely don't fall into the "cheap and nasty" category. Might be worth
visiting a PC shop that specialises in gaming machines.

Tim

--
Please don't feed the trolls

On 04/06/2017 14:38, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the
desk, or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly
collapsing. Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various
Dell, HP & Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not
only were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones
don't seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Some of the keyboards designed for Gaming might be more up your street -
quite often heavy, and available with Cherry switches. There are several
different types - each given a colour - they range from light to
tactile, to ones with an IBM style mechanical "click".

Also look at some of the Microsoft ones. Some of those are reasonably
heavy.


--
Cheers,

John.

/================================================== ===============\
| Internode Ltd - http://www.internode.co.uk |
|-----------------------------------------------------------------|
| John Rumm - john(at)internode(dot)co(dot)uk |
\================================================= ================/

In article , Andrew Mawson
wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the
desk, or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly
collapsing. Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various
Dell, HP & Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not only
were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones
don't seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

Try Elesar www.elesar.co.uk their's are solid

--
from KT24 in Surrey, England

On 04/06/17 14:53, Huge wrote:
On 2017-06-04, Andrew Mawson wrote:
I'm getting fed up with lightweight PC keyboards that skid about the desk,
or have silly little feet to prop them up that are everlastingly collapsing.
Please recommend something a bit more solid than the various Dell, HP &
Compaq ones I seem to be plagued with !

I used years back to use IBM original AT enhanced keyboards, and not only
were they solid, they had tactile feedback, but similar modern ones don't
seem to exist, unless YOU can tell me differently

https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/IBM-Compute...3963/bn_453857


They do exist, but mechanical switches that provide decent feedback
don't come cheap. Expect to pay 3 times as much


--
The theory of Communism may be summed up in one sentence: Abolish all
private property.

Karl Marx

On Sun, 4 Jun 2017 14:57:54 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

They do exist, but mechanical switches that provide decent feedback
don't come cheap.

There are membrane keyboards that give feedback as well. The Compaq
(KB-9860 it says on the back) I'm using for instance, it's also
heavy. IIRC it has a bit of 2 mm steel behind the entire keys area.

Expect to pay 3 times as much

Donno how much it cost, came with a Pentium III machine a good few,
15?, years ago. the lower part of the E legend has gone and a few
other keys are starting to get a bit faint but daily use for quite a
while.

--
Cheers
Dave.

On Mon, 05 Jun 2017 10:15:21 +0100, Dave Liquorice wrote:

On Sun, 4 Jun 2017 14:57:54 +0100, The Natural Philosopher wrote:

They do exist, but mechanical switches that provide decent feedback
don't come cheap.

There are membrane keyboards that give feedback as well. The Compaq
(KB-9860 it says on the back) I'm using for instance, it's also heavy.
IIRC it has a bit of 2 mm steel behind the entire keys area.

Expect to pay 3 times as much

Donno how much it cost, came with a Pentium III machine a good few, 15?,
years ago. the lower part of the E legend has gone and a few other keys
are starting to get a bit faint but daily use for quite a while.

I paid £135 for this IBM keyboard in 1989. I'm still getting my money's
worth!

--
My posts are my copyright and if @diy_forums or Home Owners' Hub
wish to copy them they can pay me £1 a message.
Use the BIG mirror service in the UK: http://www.mirrorservice.org
*lightning surge protection* - a w_tom conductor