Eric Rucker wrote:
> On Feb 6, 7:46 pm, "Michael J. Mahon"  wrote:
>> warren wrote:
>>> Rare Polytel Keyport 717 for auction on Ebay.
>>>
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=270338726827&ssPag...
>> An interesting input device.
>>
>> Makes one think about the optimum number of keys to use as a human
>> interface:
>>
>> - Too few and lots of keystrokes are required to specify an operation.
>> - Too many and too much time is spent looking for the correct key to
>>    press.  ;-)
>>
>> -michael
>>
>> ******** Note new website URL ********
>>
>> NadaNet and AppleCrate II for Apple II parallel computing!
>> Home page:  http://home.comcast.net/~mjmahon/
>>
>> "The wastebasket is our most important design
>> tool--and it's seriously underused."
> 
> That thing doesn't look comfortable to type on, either.

A single large panel is certainly less friendly than several
smaller keyboards--and membrane keyboards are definitely the
low-end choice.  ;-)  But the simple Koala Pad-like nature
of this keyboard is a natural for membrane "keys".

In the 1960s, there was considerable interest in "function"
keypads, particularly as adjuncts to interactive graphics.

Even IBM offered a function keyboard with their 2250 vector
display.  Knobs were also popular for "analog" inputs.

As displays progressed to hi-res raster displays, function keys
went out of fashion, being replaced by GUI widgets.

-michael

******** Note new website URL ********

NadaNet and AppleCrate II for Apple II parallel computing!
Home page:  http://home.comcast.net/~mjmahon/

"The wastebasket is our most important design
tool--and it's seriously underused."
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