Live data from Hacker News

The Joys of Unix Keyboards

donatstudios.com

31–40 of 144 posts

Re: The Joys of Unix Keyboards

#32
post #22

Every keyboard I've ever used I've remapped the caps lock to control, whether in hardware (like on my pok3r) or in software (on my work computer). I have a hard time ever using a keyboard without this remapping done.

Capslock is an Escape key for me because I use Vim a lot. I've heard lots of tmux users map it to Control and then configure tmux to use Ctrl+a as the activation mapping, which sounds very useful too.

Re: The Joys of Unix Keyboards

#33
post #11

I always remap Caps Lock to Control on every system I use.

Same here. Unfortunately iOS does not have that functionality, so I am still looking for a decent BT keyboard with programmable keyboard.

What does 'decent' mean for you here? Something portable? Or are you more concerned about battery life?

Re: The Joys of Unix Keyboards

#34
post #19

Unicomp (the company that took over IBM/Lexmark's buckling spring tooling) makes a Sun layout keyboard which is also worth mentioning for those who like a larger keyboard: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/40PSA (Not affiliated with Unicomp, I'm just a fan of the Sun keyboard layout)

Holy crap, they make springy Model M style keyboards optimized for Mac. Likely my next keyboard and possibly a gift to others...

Re: The Joys of Unix Keyboards

#35
post #19

Unicomp (the company that took over IBM/Lexmark's buckling spring tooling) makes a Sun layout keyboard which is also worth mentioning for those who like a larger keyboard: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/40PSA (Not affiliated with Unicomp, I'm just a fan of the Sun keyboard layout)

Is it the same 1980's quality, as in you can defend yourself with one if necessary? I have a 1986 M that's still going strong with USB adapter.

Re: The Joys of Unix Keyboards

#36
> I can't imagine why anyone thought Caps Lock should have had this prominent of placement.

Caps Lock was originally Shift Lock on typewriters, and was adjacent to the Shift key because it was literally a mechanical locking device to hold the Shift key down.

Re: The Joys of Unix Keyboards

#37
post #31

Does anyone ever use Caps Lock? It seems like such a waste of space.

I've seen quite a few people that, either or of habit or due to it being less error-prone to type for them, use Caps Lock for typing capital letters. Instead of Shift+letter, they'd type Caps, letter, Caps. One keystroke more, but no two keys held at the same time, which is difficult for some people. I'm sure there are superior accessibility options, but those have to be found first, whereas Caps Lock just works the same everywhere.

Re: The Joys of Unix Keyboards

#38
post #25

For those of you, looking for a keyboard with backspace right above the Enter key, look no further than on basically any European keyboard. We have tall Enter instead of wide one on american keyboards, so backspace it directly above it. It basically looks like that: https://i.imgur.com/OtPxJSF.png You can find any number of different keyboards from different manufactures. I once had american keyboard with wide enter,…

While you're strictly and literally correct, I think you're missing the point. The vertical position of the Backspace/Delete key is still the same on US-ANSI and EU-ISO.

The advantage of the Unix layout is that it brings the Backspace/Delete key down a row, to be opposite the Tab key. That puts it within the main bank of keys, and within easier reach -- a definite benefit for such a frequently used key.

Re: The Joys of Unix Keyboards

#39
post #19

Unicomp (the company that took over IBM/Lexmark's buckling spring tooling) makes a Sun layout keyboard which is also worth mentioning for those who like a larger keyboard: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/40PSA (Not affiliated with Unicomp, I'm just a fan of the Sun keyboard layout)

And best of all: if you don't mind a blank keycap, you can get a non-stepped keycap for the Ctrl key.[1]

[1]: https://deskthority.net/viewtopic.php?t=16693

Re: The Joys of Unix Keyboards

#40
post #19

Unicomp (the company that took over IBM/Lexmark's buckling spring tooling) makes a Sun layout keyboard which is also worth mentioning for those who like a larger keyboard: https://www.pckeyboard.com/page/product/40PSA (Not affiliated with Unicomp, I'm just a fan of the Sun keyboard layout)

Is it the same 1980's quality, as in you can defend yourself with one if necessary? I have a 1986 M that's still going strong with USB adapter.

I have two of them and while I like them, they are not the same build quality. In fact, there is a perceptible difference between an older and new one in terms of the weight including thickness of the plastic casing. Functionally however, I have had no problems and would definitely recommend.
Post reply on HN