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- IS YOUR KEYBOARD THE SLOWEST ELEMENT OF YOUR HOT NEW COMPUTER??
- ---------------------------------------------------------------
- Over the decade that IBM compatible computers have been available, software
- has become easier and easier to use, and computers and disk drives have become
- much faster. A tremendous BACKWARD step was taken however when IBM, copied by
- all keyboard manufacturers except two, changed the keyboard layout when the
- PC-AT was introduced. User efficiency suffered greatly and has never recovered.
-
- If you have function keys on the the top row of the keyboard rather than on
- the left side, this text file was written for you. A quantum leap in efficiency
- and enjoyment in using your computer awaits by getting a more sensibly designed
- keyboard made by Northgate or Focus, with function keys on the left and other
- nice features. Most software applications you use, including 4FILES, will be
- much easier to use when you can do "the left hand sneak" -- keying any Function
- Key command (including those augmented by the CTRL, ALT or Shift key) with a
- simple motion of one hand.
-
- Most software is still designed with left hand function keys in mind. Not
- only will the ultimate efficiency of such programs cut-in, but often the layout
- of a program's mapping of the functions to the F-keys will make more sense and
- be easier to remember.
-
- Why am I including an extra file about keyboards? Because I am a true
- believer in left-hand function keys, because many newer computer users don't
- realise their virtue or don't even know they exist, and because I want to help
- you by making your work easier. This is very much in the spirit of my 4FILES
- program, which has been carefully designed to make the keyboard interface fit
- the tasks of file management in what I feel is the best possible way. You will
- not realize the maximum benefits of many programs you use or try, including
- 4FILES, until you try them with an optimized keyboard layout.
-
- Here are model numbers and phone numbers for recommended keyboards:
-
- Northgate Computer Products: 1-800-526-2446, ask for keyboard sales.
-
- Models:
-
- - 102.
-
- - Ultra-T. Two keypads, one with the inverted-T arrow key layout & one
- with the diamond layout.
-
- - Ultra-F. Two keypads, both with the diamond arrow layout.
-
- My personal keyboard is an Ultra-F. All of these work on any IBM computer
- from PC to 486. The left CTRL, ALT & Shift keys may be easily swapped
- around with a hardware setting and a key removal tool provided. Keyboard
- speed can be quickly set to any of twelve diffent rates by using a special
- key in combination with one of the twelve function keys.
-
- Focus Electronic Corp: 1-800-826-6880
-
- Models:
-
- - FK 5001
-
- - FK 9000 Key-Pro. This has a built-in calculator, independent of other
- keyboard functions.
-
- -= 30 =-