best keyboard??

[RWebb]

I use an Avant Stellar, which seems close...

[masraum]

Well, I used to use the Microsoft Natural Ergos, I'd pick them up for something like $20 or $25.

Now I use Kinesis Advantages. I've got one for the house, and one for work. I absolutely love them and think that they are worth every penny (a bunch of pennies actually).

I've got one of each. The silver one (the "Pro") comes with a footswitch and extra memory. Both keyboards are programmable (key remapping and macros).


Kinesis makes several keyboards.
Kinesis Ergonomic Computer Keyboards

If you want to peruse some keyboards, go here: Ergonomic Keyboard and Ergonomic Keyboard Products

I'm also a little weird. I use a Dvorak keyboard layout (built into the Kinesis keyboards).

[Eric Coffey]

I'd say a Moog Minimoog, or maybe a Fender Rhodes.

[andrew15]

I've got a trained chimp that does all my keyboarding while I walk around the office and dictate.
It's not for everyone, but that's how I roll.

As a side note, that monkeys getting pretty good at Call of Duty!

[Schumi]

Only one keyboard comes to mind:

The IBM Model M.

[porsche4life]

Any keyboard is better than the one on the primary computer at work... Any time you hit the F9 key it goes flying across the room....

F9 is what you press to start a new script, amongst other things....


My boss is too tight to buy a new keyboard....

[MysticLlama]

Those IBMs rock. Neighbors don't always like them though.

I pretty much stick with MS Naturals. I wanted to try out one of those Kinesis boards, but I have some quirky stuff I do with shortcuts and the ancilliary keys aren't good for those.

For instance, IE has to be pinned to the top position in my start menu, because I use Win-Down-Enter to open it.

[MysticLlama]

Keyboard pet peeve.... IT people that don't buy new ones for new employees. Ick.

Not only do I make sure people get new ones when they start, I proactively replace gross keyboards and mice as I see them. It really makes no difference at all in the big picture of the budget.

[BlueSkyJaunte]

+1 on the Kinesis. I have an ooolllld one that my boss paid for. It's pretty much the only reason I can still type.

[RWebb]

Solar-Powered Wireless Keyboard Is a Sunny Delight | Product Reviews | Wired.com

[jeffgrant]

I like the Logitech illuminated keyboard. I prefer to work in very low-light conditions, and it works really well. It's also got good feel.

[id10t]

Originally Posted by Schumi

Only one keyboard comes to mind:

The IBM Model M.

+10000

Have one I use, 2 spares in the garage. Nice to have a console keyboard you can use to console someone upside the head and not worry about breakage.

Second best would be a Northgate Omni, have 2 of those as well...

[targa911S]

Gogar.

[GH85Carrera]

Originally Posted by porsche4life

Any keyboard is better than the one on the primary computer at work... Any time you hit the F9 key it goes flying across the room....

F9 is what you press to start a new script, amongst other things....


My boss is too tight to buy a new keyboard....

Sid, sometime as you are closing up just pour a little soda in the keyboard. Not diet stuff the real stuff. In the morning the keys will be a sticky non functioning mess. Time for a new 10 dollar keyboard.

[slakjaw]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

I'd say a Moog Minimoog, or maybe a Fender Rhodes.

I was going to say that too

[Porsche-O-Phile]

Dvorak keyboards are great - if you can find a generic keyboard where all the keys are actually square and the same shape/size you can just pop them off and arrange them per the Dvorak layout, then set your keyboard to it in Windoze (built-in setting) in order to learn the layout and start using it.

Seriously - it's WAY faster once you get over the learning curve. Like almost double.

[masraum]

Originally Posted by Porsche-O-Phile

Dvorak keyboards are great - if you can find a generic keyboard where all the keys are actually square and the same shape/size you can just pop them off and arrange them per the Dvorak layout, then set your keyboard to it in Windoze (built-in setting) in order to learn the layout and start using it.

Seriously - it's WAY faster once you get over the learning curve. Like almost double.

I got laid off in 2001. I had a crappy (but very appreciated) temp job where I had
Ots of time. I found an old keyboard that used the old 9 pin DIN connector and had uniform keys. I rearranged the keys and cut off the cord. I practiced on that keyboard for 8 hours or so. That got my familiar enough to switch my PC. The keyboards that I've used on PCs can not have their keys switched. The benefit of not being able to switch the keys is that you have to learn to touch type. There's no point in looking at the keyboard if the only two keys that are right are the A and M.

[scottmandue]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

I'd say a Moog Minimoog, or maybe a Fender Rhodes.

You are old school! I like it!

I prefer Roland or Kurzweil

I'm off to google the Kinesis Advantages, they look cool.

[masraum]

I occasionally wander the 'net looking for new ergonomic keyboards and mice.

I'm still using the Kinesis Advantage (1 at home and 1 at work), but I like to see what's out there.

These are some interesting offerings that I found

This one allows you to adjust the separation.

http://www.everythingusb.com/images/list/smartfish_engage_ergonomic_keyboard_news.jpg

This is a new take on things.




This is another interesting option




I think this is primarily for gaming.


This is cool looking


And these are actually fairly old.


Datahands


And this would probably more accurately be called an input device, or a keyboard replacement. I think it uses chords of movements to create the characters.

[sammyg2]

Originally Posted by Eric Coffey

I'd say a Moog Minimoog, or maybe a Fender Rhodes.

Roland.