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

[johnwallace4 at yahoo.co.uk]

On Friday, 28 August 2015 17:35:45 UTC+1, David Froble  wrote:
> 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?

The HPQ solution to keyboard-induced problems is, as far as I can
see from pretty much every HPQ laptop I've ever owned, yea even unto
the days of an Armada E500 I still have (with a 1600x1200 screen!),
something along the lines of a little sticker near the keyboard
that says 
"For comfortable and safe use, read Safety and Comfort Guide
www.hp.com/ergo"
Stickers are probably cheaper than properly engineered keyboards.