{"id":7919181,"date":"2024-04-29T10:41:18","date_gmt":"2024-04-29T14:41:18","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/blog.himy.ca.muslimwiki.ca\/2024\/04\/29\/7919181\/"},"modified":"2024-04-29T11:11:29","modified_gmt":"2024-04-29T15:11:29","slug":"ibm-model-m-keyboards","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/himy.ca.muslimwiki.ca\/blog\/2024\/04\/29\/ibm-model-m-keyboards\/","title":{"rendered":"IBM model M keyboards"},"content":{"rendered":"

Why I Still Use a 34-Year-Old IBM Model M Keyboard <\/a>– Benj Edwards <\/a><\/h1>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n\nhttp:\/\/blog.himy.ca.muslimwiki.ca\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/04\/Typing_-_Model_M_1986.ogg<\/a><\/audio>\n

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“The 1981 IBM PC came with an 83-key keyboard (commonly known as the “Model F”).<\/p>\n

Reviewers generally admired it, but some criticized elements of its layout and a few awkward key shapes<\/a>.<\/p>\n

Otherwise, it was a beast of a unit—heavy and durable, with a buckling spring<\/a> keyswitch design that gave it an industrial feel.<\/p>\n

Years ago, I had an email conversation with IBM veteran David Bradley, who worked on the original IBM PC.<\/p>\n

He told me that between 1983-1984, IBM assembled a 10-person task force to address the criticisms of the original keyboard, so they could produce a much better replacement.<\/p>\n

They considered usability studies, ergonomics<\/a>, and consumer feedback.<\/p>\n

They also looked at popular designs from competitors, like the DEC LK201<\/a>, a terminal keyboard that popularized the inverted-T<\/a> arrow key layout.<\/p>\n

The result was the 101-key IBM Enhanced Keyboard.<\/p>\n

It was first released for a terminal in 1985, and for PC XT<\/a> and AT<\/a> machines in 1986.<\/p>\n

When most people reference “Model M,” they’re usually talking about  this keyboard, although it technically refers to a family of products<\/a> with similar characteristics.<\/p>\n

The Model M was innovative because it separated its layout into four distinct areas<\/a>: typing, numeric pad, cursor\/screen control, and function keys.<\/p>\n

It added Alt and Ctrl keys on both sides and two additional Fn keys.<\/p>\n

Several keys also had increased strike areas, and the Esc key (the “Back\/Quit” button in those days) was more isolated to prevent people from accidentally hitting it.<\/p>\n

The IBM Enhanced Keyboard was also more cost-effective than the earlier Model F.<\/p>\n

Many metal parts were replaced with plastic, and a membrane sheet beneath the buckling springs replaced capacitive switches.<\/p>\n

That doesn’t mean these savings were passed on to the consumer, however.<\/p>\n

In 1986, the IBM Enhanced Keyboard cost $295<\/a>, which is the equivalent of about $695 today.<\/p>\n

That’s some serious dough—but you did get a serious keyboard.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

https:\/\/www.howtogeek.com\/661430\/why-i-still-use-a-34-year-old-ibm-model-m-keyboard\/<\/a><\/p>\n

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“When did we forget that the primary function of a keyboard is not a fashion-accessory for the office desk– but a tool to transform thoughts and mechanical effort into electrical data signals for a computer.<\/p>\n

For the very few that still appreciate the tactile feel of a typewriter-based computer keyboard and can still appreciate the simplicity of black letters on white keys, one can still seek out and own an original IBM model M keyboard — a little piece of early computing history.<\/p>\n

There is the expectation for the master craftsman to invest in quality precision tools and instruments to transform work and raw materials into finely crafted goods.<\/p>\n

We believe that the modern, computer professional should have similar quality keyboards to turn his or her thoughts into computer code.”<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n

Model M archive project<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n