[Info-vax] iTerm2 question (Re: OpenVMS graphics - once more)

[David Froble]

Stephen Hoffman wrote:
> On 2015-08-27 23:53:39 +0000, David Froble said:
> 
>> The bottom of my keyboard reads LK411-AA
> 
> New LK-style keyboards are not being made, and — even if somebody does 
> decide to restart production — they won't be cheap, and they won't be 
> ubiquitous, and they won't be available on mobile; on tablets and 
> laptops and 'phones.
> 
> If working on these packages or these interfaces for your own use, 
> that's one thing.  Do whatever piques your interest.
> 
> But if you're maintaining software with a serial-line-based UI in an 
> existing package or product, keypad-specific dependencies should be 
> removed.  That might involve adding a parallel command line and 
> prompting within the UI, by adding a network API for remote access from 
> command-line or GUI clients, or other means.  But the traditional 
> DEC-style LK-based SMG-ish direct-connected serial UI or the 
> massive-button-box UI is... passé — and increasingly expensive.   
> Requirements for terminal emulators and keyboard mapping and the rest of 
> the ensuing baggage just makes the products less interesting to current 
> and potential customers, and more expensive to configure and maintain 
> and support and train.
> 
> 

Back in the day, keyboard designers worried about ergonomics.  Then came PCs and 
cheap keyboards and lots of carpel tunnel problems.

I know my few old DEC products, keyboards, VAXs, Alphas, and such are a dead 
end.  But, I don't have carpel tunnel problems, at this time, and I'd like to 
keep it that way.  The old KBs just feel so much better and easier to use.

I'll try to keep what I have useful as long as I can.  Maybe they will last as 
long as I do.

As far as costs, what's the going rate these days for medical procedures for 
carpel tunnel problems?  And the time to heal?  Etc?