Amiga.org

Amiga computer related discussion => General chat about Amiga topics => Topic started by: Amiga_Nut on April 13, 2011, 03:23:44 PM

Title: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: Amiga_Nut on April 13, 2011, 03:23:44 PM
What I mean is the same sort of layout as F1-F10 and none of that home/end/printscreen crap above the cursor keys like the A500,1200,1500,2000,3000,4000 keyboards?

Or did PCs always have way too many keys on them like the F1-F12 rubbish now?
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: save2600 on April 13, 2011, 03:36:38 PM
Quote from: Amiga_Nut;631438
Or did PCs always have way too many keys on them like the F1-F12 rubbish now?
I've got an old IBM clicky keyboard from '84 and it's not as cluttered as an A1000's keyboard. Keys are designed to be ergonomically pleasing too. The PCJr.'s keyboard OTOH has a lot less buttons.  :lol:
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: mongo on April 13, 2011, 04:01:22 PM
The original PC had an 83 key keyboard.
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: tone007 on April 13, 2011, 04:46:33 PM
Quote from: Amiga_Nut;631438
that home/end/printscreen crap above the cursor keys


I'll take those over a useless, oversized Help button any day.
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: B00tDisk on April 13, 2011, 05:09:39 PM
I never, ever saw an app on my Amiga that used the help button.  

I have to admit, this thread's a riot.  "Useless keys".  Uh-huh.  I'll take my Model M and it's "useless" keys over just plain not having them any day of the week, thanks.
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: save2600 on April 13, 2011, 05:55:33 PM
Oh man... I had totally forgotten the function keys being off to the side like that. Thanks for the memories! That's the keyboard I learned DBaseIV on waaaaay back in high school. Good 'ol green screen monitor et al.   :lol:
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: hardlink on April 13, 2011, 08:16:36 PM
Quote from: B00tDisk;631460
I never, ever saw an app on my Amiga that used the help button.  ...  I'll take my Model M


DOPUS classic: Help key toggles help mode that shows function of GUI elements when clicked. Hard to believe you haven't seen this app.

FinalCalc: Help key opens AmigaGuide help system.

And this just from about 13 seconds of testing, there are many more.

A keyboard that does not have too much over the cursor keys and is -both- an IBM clone and Amiga keyboard is the Nothgate:

http://www.amiga-hardware.com/download_photos/omnikeyultra_big.jpg

I have  Model M's and I like the Northgate better! (Similiar switch mechanism, but the Northgate has a more rigid steel base)
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: Speelgoedmannetje on April 13, 2011, 08:40:00 PM
Quote from: tone007;631456
I'll take those over a useless, oversized Help button any day.


Indeed, I use page up/page down and home/end very often.
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: B00tDisk on April 13, 2011, 08:43:01 PM
Quote from: hardlink;631490
DOPUS classic: Help key toggles help mode that shows function of GUI elements when clicked. Hard to believe you haven't seen this app.

FinalCalc: Help key opens AmigaGuide help system.

And this just from about 13 seconds of testing, there are many more.

Never used 'em.  I said "on my Amiga" :)

I always thought DOpus and other directory tree things were a waste of time - a fallback to the Windows 1.0 way of doing things.

Anyway I've got a pair of model-M clicky keyboards that have outlasted anything else I've ever used for typing and will probably outlast me!
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: Digiman on April 13, 2011, 11:11:34 PM
lol I guess the answer for OP is no then....I assume it's for Amiga related project?

I use a Cherry keyboard which feels just like my A2000 keyboard. I'm not an office biatch so no need for more than delete key on PSP 8.1 to clear block/screen.

MEGA ST/STE keyboard is similar too btw.
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: HotRod on April 14, 2011, 04:07:27 AM
Quote from: Speelgoedmannetje;631493
Indeed, I use page up/page down and home/end very often.


Me too but on an amiga keyboard I use them on the numpad. The numlock key are useless and should be removed.

Also it's great to have easy access to the bracket signs on the numpad on the amigakeyboard if you program.
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: kolla on April 14, 2011, 04:57:04 AM
Quote from: Speelgoedmannetje;631493
Indeed, I use page up/page down and home/end very often.


On AmigaOS, aren't those keys just mapped to shift+arrow key anyways?
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: lsmart on April 14, 2011, 09:17:59 PM
Quote from: tone007;631456
I'll take those over a useless, oversized Help button any day.


Well - what´s your hotkey for commodity exchange then? 3rd party developers ignored the key, but I never understood why. Unfortunately AmigaOS4 and KeyRah have a different expectation what this key is on a PC-Keyboard. :furious:

So we have perhaps lost the key that could have made the difference in user-friendlyness. :(
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: slaapliedje on August 11, 2011, 05:08:05 AM
Sorry to bring up a 4 month old thread.  I just wanted to add the same thoughts about the HELP key.

The Atari 800XL had a Help key and no actual "Function keys", though the Atari 1200XL did.  But I never did find any programs besides the built in basic stuff that would use the Help key.

Those were odd keyboards, they had a "Inverse" key, though I swear on my model it actually had an Atari symbol and was referred to as the "Atari" key, much like the Amigas have the A keys.

http://mrinterface.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/Preview/Atari%20800XL_1.JPG

http://www.gregterzian.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/1200xl_1.jpg

Whoa, looking at those things now, they aren't even standard QWerty.  I need to look again at mine (I have the 800xl, a 130XE and somewhere a 65XEGS that has the keyboard, just need to find that one...)

Shift 8 is the @?  Harsh.

slaapliedje
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: XDelusion on August 11, 2011, 05:09:38 AM
Quote from: save2600;631442
I've got an old IBM clicky keyboard from '84 and it's not as cluttered as an A1000's keyboard. Keys are designed to be ergonomically pleasing too. The PCJr.'s keyboard OTOH has a lot less buttons.  :lol:


That photo of yours is orgasmic in nature!!! DROOL!!!!

And no, I'm not talking about your avatar! :P
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: XDelusion on August 11, 2011, 05:10:32 AM
Quote from: slaapliedje;653999
Sorry to bring up a 4 month old thread.  I just wanted to add the same thoughts about the HELP key.

The Atari 800XL had a Help key and no actual "Function keys", though the Atari 1200XL did.  But I never did find any programs besides the built in basic stuff that would use the Help key.

Those were odd keyboards, they had a "Inverse" key, though I swear on my model it actually had an Atari symbol and was referred to as the "Atari" key, much like the Amigas have the A keys.

http://mrinterface.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/Preview/Atari%20800XL_1.JPG

http://www.gregterzian.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/1200xl_1.jpg

Whoa, looking at those things now, they aren't even standard QWerty.  I need to look again at mine (I have the 800xl, a 130XE and somewhere a 65XEGS that has the keyboard, just need to find that one...)

Shift 8 is the @?  Harsh.

slaapliedje


I LOVE my Atari Keyboards, especially the one on my modified 600XL.
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: runequester on August 11, 2011, 05:40:52 AM
Quote from: B00tDisk;631495
Never used 'em.  I said "on my Amiga" :)

I always thought DOpus and other directory tree things were a waste of time - a fallback to the Windows 1.0 way of doing things.

Anyway I've got a pair of model-M clicky keyboards that have outlasted anything else I've ever used for typing and will probably outlast me!


I got a model M for the criminal sum of 1 dollar and its amazing. Easily the most satisfying keyboard I've had.
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: Pentad on August 11, 2011, 06:25:12 AM
Quote from: slaapliedje;653999
Sorry to bring up a 4 month old thread.  I just wanted to add the same thoughts about the HELP key.

The Atari 800XL had a Help key and no actual "Function keys", though the Atari 1200XL did.  But I never did find any programs besides the built in basic stuff that would use the Help key.

Those were odd keyboards, they had a "Inverse" key, though I swear on my model it actually had an Atari symbol and was referred to as the "Atari" key, much like the Amigas have the A keys.

http://mrinterface.com/sites/default/files/imagecache/Preview/Atari%20800XL_1.JPG

http://www.gregterzian.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/12/1200xl_1.jpg

Whoa, looking at those things now, they aren't even standard QWerty.  I need to look again at mine (I have the 800xl, a 130XE and somewhere a 65XEGS that has the keyboard, just need to find that one...)

Shift 8 is the @?  Harsh.

slaapliedje




Wasn't the Atari 1200 Atari's version of the Commodore 16?  A followup to a wildly successful computer that was crap backwards?  Only two joystick ports, basic was different and some other things??
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: Pentad on August 11, 2011, 06:26:43 AM
My personal favorite Amiga KB in the Amiga 3000.


The 1984 IBM KB rocked!  Those were tanks, worked great, and had fantastic tactile feedback!
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: fishy_fiz on August 11, 2011, 07:00:48 AM
I couldnt live without my Help key :) Two of my favorite amiga programs in AMOS and blitz utilise them nicely.
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: RobertB on August 13, 2011, 06:43:34 PM
At the July 23-24 Commodore Vegas Expo v7, the Amiga 2000 Video Toaster system that was raffled off had a keyboard which was switchable between PC and Amiga.

At the flip of a switch,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: Digiman on August 13, 2011, 06:49:20 PM
Quote from: Pentad;654007
Wasn't the Atari 1200 Atari's version of the Commodore 16?  A followup to a wildly successful computer that was crap backwards?  Only two joystick ports, basic was different and some other things??


Was just like the C128, well worse because same CPU speed, but it's problem was zero improvements to total on screen colours or 'sprites' so no real reason to get one other than the extra memory and modem.
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: Tripitaka on August 13, 2011, 08:21:47 PM
I can't remember the last time I used any of my extra "multimedia" keys on my PC keyboard, I just forget that they exist most of the time. As for lastability, I've eaten my way through a small shed load of PC keyboards and only ever replaced an Amiga one once... and don't even get me started on the "all my extra keys I used in XP don't work in Vista" crap. Grrr....
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: Kronos on August 13, 2011, 09:11:14 PM
/me likes his aluminium Apple keyboards


Now bring out those torches ......
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: mongo on August 13, 2011, 11:10:36 PM
Quote from: RobertB;654518
At the July 23-24 Commodore Vegas Expo v7, the Amiga 2000 Video Toaster system that was raffled off had a keyboard which was switchable between PC and Amiga.

At the flip of a switch,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug


Northgate Omnikey Ultra, by any chance?
Title: Re: Was there ever a PC keyboard similar to Amiga full keyboard?
Post by: RobertB on August 14, 2011, 03:28:56 AM
Quote from: mongo;654562
Northgate Omnikey Ultra, by any chance?

Right you are!

Writing from Las Vegas,
Robert Bernardo
Fresno Commodore User Group
http://videocam.net.au/fcug