[Info-vax] VT keyboard replacement

[Simon Clubley]

On 2021-11-04, Arne Vajhøj <arne at vajhoej.dk> wrote:
> On 11/4/2021 12:14 PM, Jeffrey H. Coffield wrote:
>> I ran across this keyboard
>> 
>> https://3dconnexion.com/us/product/keyboard-pro-with-numpad/
>> 
>> and am considering buying it (it's 129$) as a replacement for my LK464 
>> keyboard that I use with Linux for EDT on OpenVMS. I was wondering if 
>> anyone has any experience with it.
>
> I don't know it, but the fact that there is only 5 keys over
> the arrow keys does not appeal to me.
>

Agreed, very strongly. (Note that the Insert button is actually on the
top row of the keyboard where the function keys are.)

If Jeffrey is thinking of buying that, then I think a normal high-quality
PC keyboard would probably be better as it's much closer in layout to
a DEC keyboard than the above keyboard is.

I have used both emacs in EDT keypad mode and EVE on VMS exclusively
from a PC keyboard for over 15 years and it works very well indeed.

In fact, I actually prefer a high-quality PC keyboard over a DEC
keyboard because my fingers "flow" over the PC keyboard much easier
and I still remember just how much less effort there was typing on
a good PC keyboard compared to a DEC keyboard.

I might upset a few people around here saying this, but in other words,
I found the ergonomics of a high-quality PC keyboard to actually be
better than a DEC keyboard.

Simon.

-- 
Simon Clubley, clubley at remove_me.eisner.decus.org-Earth.UFP
Walking destinations on a map are further away than they appear.