🚀 go-pugleaf

The de facto standard is the IBM 101-key keyboard on the PC AT.  You can buy
a Mac keyboard with the same layout, the NeXT keyboard is similar, there are
a zillion clone vendors selling all kinds of versions of this from spongey
to tappy to clickly, I believe you can plug one right into the DG Aviion
system, etc., etc.

As to whether it's a GOOD standard,...  It duplicates the cursor control and
PageUp/PageDown/Home/End/Insert/Delete keys, first on the number pad and then
in two blocks.  This is somewhat redundant and the NeXT keyboard uses the
PageUp/PageDown/... block for ?? Brightness, Volume, and other weirdness.

The problem with any standard keyboard layout is that software programs
always end up using every key, so that to implement window system shortcuts
like Front/Back/Close, you have to either fight with applications or add
extra keys.  Sun grabbed the left 10 keys from the original PC layout.
However, the Microsoft Windows use of <Alt-> is much easier to remember and
faster to type.  I walked up to a PC once and ran Windows for 30 minutes
before I noticed it didn't have a mouse!  If OSF/Motif can implement the same
keyboard U.I. it would be a big win.

Another advantage of the PC AT hardware standard is the number of plug-
compatible special designs available for it.  I have bad arthritis and
have tried several different keyboards.  I've seen ads for dished keyboards,
keyboards with touch pads, keyboards with separately adjustable left and
right keys.  The most amazing product I've heard of is one which splits the
keyboard into two "pucks", one for each hand.  You rest your hands on 
heavily contured surfaces studded with microswitches, so the effort to strike
keys is minimized.  And... each one rolls around independently, so either
hand can drive a mouse.  If anyone has more information about this keyboard,
please send me email.

=S Page		spage@cup.Portal.COM