Why separate cursor keys?
The original IBM PC keyboard didn't have separate cursor keys; the numeric keypad doubled as such. It wasn't long, however, until a new keyboard was introduced that did have separate cursor keys (so effectively two sets when num lock was turned off), and that was the layout that desktop keyboards used thereafter.
Why the change? Having just the cursor keys on the numeric keypad makes the keyboard take up less space as well as cost less, so on the face of it would seem preferable; presumably there was demand for the new layout. Was it from people wanting to use cursor navigation while entering numeric data? In that case, it would seem much better to let the left hand letter keys double as a second set of cursor keys, so that one could use both hands at the same time. Was there some advantage to the separate cursor keys that I'm overlooking?
history ibm-pc keyboards
asked 16 hours ago
rwallacerwallace
8,033338113
add a comment |
The original IBM PC keyboard didn't have separate cursor keys; the numeric keypad doubled as such. It wasn't long, however, until a new keyboard was introduced that did have separate cursor keys (so effectively two sets when num lock was turned off), and that was the layout that desktop keyboards used thereafter.
Why the change? Having just the cursor keys on the numeric keypad makes the keyboard take up less space as well as cost less, so on the face of it would seem preferable; presumably there was demand for the new layout. Was it from people wanting to use cursor navigation while entering numeric data? In that case, it would seem much better to let the left hand letter keys double as a second set of cursor keys, so that one could use both hands at the same time. Was there some advantage to the separate cursor keys that I'm overlooking?
history ibm-pc keyboards
asked 16 hours ago
rwallacerwallace
8,033338113
3
I can't answer the question, but I do want to say that one shouldn't discount the extra cognitive load of having to remember yet another mode that the keyboard can switch between. Even caps lock, while justifiable, causes its share of problems.
– Robert Fisher
10 hours ago
I use Mac OS X all the time, which has no concept of Num Lock: the number pad is a number pad, period. (The Num Lock key acts as a "Clear" key instead; I don't think anyone really uses it.) When I try to enter a string of numbers in Windows, I usually stop and wonder why nothing is happening before figuratively smacking myself. (:
– SilverWolf
8 hours ago
add a comment |
The original IBM PC keyboard didn't have separate cursor keys; the numeric keypad doubled as such. It wasn't long, however, until a new keyboard was introduced that did have separate cursor keys (so effectively two sets when num lock was turned off), and that was the layout that desktop keyboards used thereafter.
Why the change? Having just the cursor keys on the numeric keypad makes the keyboard take up less space as well as cost less, so on the face of it would seem preferable; presumably there was demand for the new layout. Was it from people wanting to use cursor navigation while entering numeric data? In that case, it would seem much better to let the left hand letter keys double as a second set of cursor keys, so that one could use both hands at the same time. Was there some advantage to the separate cursor keys that I'm overlooking?
history ibm-pc keyboards
asked 16 hours ago
rwallacerwallace
8,033338113
The original IBM PC keyboard didn't have separate cursor keys; the numeric keypad doubled as such. It wasn't long, however, until a new keyboard was introduced that did have separate cursor keys (so effectively two sets when num lock was turned off), and that was the layout that desktop keyboards used thereafter.
Why the change? Having just the cursor keys on the numeric keypad makes the keyboard take up less space as well as cost less, so on the face of it would seem preferable; presumably there was demand for the new layout. Was it from people wanting to use cursor navigation while entering numeric data? In that case, it would seem much better to let the left hand letter keys double as a second set of cursor keys, so that one could use both hands at the same time. Was there some advantage to the separate cursor keys that I'm overlooking?
history ibm-pc keyboards
history ibm-pc keyboards
asked 16 hours ago
rwallacerwallace
8,033338113
asked 16 hours ago
rwallacerwallace
8,033338113
asked 16 hours ago
rwallacerwallace
8,033338113
asked 16 hours ago
rwallacerwallace
8,033338113
asked 16 hours ago
rwallacerwallace
8,033338113
8,033338113
3
I can't answer the question, but I do want to say that one shouldn't discount the extra cognitive load of having to remember yet another mode that the keyboard can switch between. Even caps lock, while justifiable, causes its share of problems.
– Robert Fisher
10 hours ago
I use Mac OS X all the time, which has no concept of Num Lock: the number pad is a number pad, period. (The Num Lock key acts as a "Clear" key instead; I don't think anyone really uses it.) When I try to enter a string of numbers in Windows, I usually stop and wonder why nothing is happening before figuratively smacking myself. (:
– SilverWolf
8 hours ago
add a comment |
3
I can't answer the question, but I do want to say that one shouldn't discount the extra cognitive load of having to remember yet another mode that the keyboard can switch between. Even caps lock, while justifiable, causes its share of problems.
– Robert Fisher
10 hours ago
I use Mac OS X all the time, which has no concept of Num Lock: the number pad is a number pad, period. (The Num Lock key acts as a "Clear" key instead; I don't think anyone really uses it.) When I try to enter a string of numbers in Windows, I usually stop and wonder why nothing is happening before figuratively smacking myself. (:
– SilverWolf
8 hours ago
3
3
I can't answer the question, but I do want to say that one shouldn't discount the extra cognitive load of having to remember yet another mode that the keyboard can switch between. Even caps lock, while justifiable, causes its share of problems.
– Robert Fisher
10 hours ago
I can't answer the question, but I do want to say that one shouldn't discount the extra cognitive load of having to remember yet another mode that the keyboard can switch between. Even caps lock, while justifiable, causes its share of problems.
– Robert Fisher
10 hours ago
I use Mac OS X all the time, which has no concept of Num Lock: the number pad is a number pad, period. (The Num Lock key acts as a "Clear" key instead; I don't think anyone really uses it.) When I try to enter a string of numbers in Windows, I usually stop and wonder why nothing is happening before figuratively smacking myself. (:
– SilverWolf
8 hours ago
I use Mac OS X all the time, which has no concept of Num Lock: the number pad is a number pad, period. (The Num Lock key acts as a "Clear" key instead; I don't think anyone really uses it.) When I try to enter a string of numbers in Windows, I usually stop and wonder why nothing is happening before figuratively smacking myself. (:
– SilverWolf
8 hours ago
add a comment |
3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
I remember a conversation with an IBM engineer back in the 1980s, who implied there was an internal fight over this between IBM's engineering and marketing departments.
The engineers wanted the PC to have the same keyboard as the popular 3270 mainframe terminal, for easy migration of users and software in a business environment, and in fact IBM did produce the "IBM 3270 personal computer" with this keyboard.
However the marketing guys wanted something smaller and cheaper than the 122-key 3270 design with independent cursor keys and numeric keypad, plus 24 function keys above the main keyboard and a further block of 10 special-purpose "function keys" to the left of it. The original 3270 keyboards were heavy as well as big, since they had sheet metal cases rather than plastic.
The original IBM PC keyboard repurposed the 10 left-hand keys as general purpose function keys, deleted the original 24 function keys, and compressed the layout of the right hand side to save space. The PCjr keyboard went even further and reduced the total number of keys down to 62.
These PC keyboards were not popular with users who were accustomed to mainframe terminals, and eventually the 101 or 102 key "enhanced keyboard" design emerged as a compromise, and remained as basis for the current PC "standard keyboard."
See http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/kyb03.htm for layouts of the various keyboards referred to.
I suppose the idea of mapping the cursor keys onto part of the main keyboard with a separate "function key" to toggle that behaviour simply didn't occur to anyone at IBM at the time, coming from a "big keyboard" background. Even now, laptop users who want to use keyboard-intensive applications usually buy an add-on keypad.
answered 15 hours ago
alephzeroalephzero
1,4781513
2
Interesting that there was an internal IBM argument.
– PeterI
15 hours ago
1
@PeterI, not really. Once a company gets big enough, it stops functioning as a single coherent entity, and IBM was certainly big enough at that time.
– Mark
5 hours ago
Add-on numeric keypads were on sale for desktop PCs in the days of the 84-key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I think the answer is Lotus 1-2-3. Working in a spreadsheet, you are going to want to be able to use the numeric keypad for quick numeric entry, and you are going to need to use the cursor keys to move around the spreadsheet. Having to continually hit the Num Lock to switch between "modes" would be a pain.
I have no actual evidence to back this up, other than personal experience, and a sense the timing of Lotus's explosion on the platform coincided with the switch to the expanded keyboard
answered 13 hours ago
TroffTroff
3616
Lotus 1-2-3 sold very well before the 101/102 key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
1
@grahamj42 People will live with inconveniences, but that doesn't mean they weren't clamoring for something better.
– Barmar
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I think this keyboard style was introduced by the IBM RT PC in 1986 (I'm ignoring other non PC class machines and workstations) For a PC the first use I saw was on a Compaq Deskpro 386 the keyboard is explicitly called a 101 key style IBM RT PC in this review.
https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1987-02/page/n247?q=deskpro+386
I don't remember seeing any great clamour for extra arrow keys, but I'm guessing folks who did a lot of spreadsheets were greatful.
answered 16 hours ago
PeterIPeterI
3,2131730
I was puzzled by the description IBM RT PC. In the UK, it was known as the IBM 6150.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
The Wikipedia article en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_keyboard says the 101-key keyboard was copyright 1984, first sold 1985.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
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3 Answers
3
active
oldest
votes
active
oldest
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oldest
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I remember a conversation with an IBM engineer back in the 1980s, who implied there was an internal fight over this between IBM's engineering and marketing departments.
The engineers wanted the PC to have the same keyboard as the popular 3270 mainframe terminal, for easy migration of users and software in a business environment, and in fact IBM did produce the "IBM 3270 personal computer" with this keyboard.
However the marketing guys wanted something smaller and cheaper than the 122-key 3270 design with independent cursor keys and numeric keypad, plus 24 function keys above the main keyboard and a further block of 10 special-purpose "function keys" to the left of it. The original 3270 keyboards were heavy as well as big, since they had sheet metal cases rather than plastic.
The original IBM PC keyboard repurposed the 10 left-hand keys as general purpose function keys, deleted the original 24 function keys, and compressed the layout of the right hand side to save space. The PCjr keyboard went even further and reduced the total number of keys down to 62.
These PC keyboards were not popular with users who were accustomed to mainframe terminals, and eventually the 101 or 102 key "enhanced keyboard" design emerged as a compromise, and remained as basis for the current PC "standard keyboard."
See http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/kyb03.htm for layouts of the various keyboards referred to.
I suppose the idea of mapping the cursor keys onto part of the main keyboard with a separate "function key" to toggle that behaviour simply didn't occur to anyone at IBM at the time, coming from a "big keyboard" background. Even now, laptop users who want to use keyboard-intensive applications usually buy an add-on keypad.
answered 15 hours ago
alephzeroalephzero
1,4781513
2
Interesting that there was an internal IBM argument.
– PeterI
15 hours ago
1
@PeterI, not really. Once a company gets big enough, it stops functioning as a single coherent entity, and IBM was certainly big enough at that time.
– Mark
5 hours ago
Add-on numeric keypads were on sale for desktop PCs in the days of the 84-key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I remember a conversation with an IBM engineer back in the 1980s, who implied there was an internal fight over this between IBM's engineering and marketing departments.
The engineers wanted the PC to have the same keyboard as the popular 3270 mainframe terminal, for easy migration of users and software in a business environment, and in fact IBM did produce the "IBM 3270 personal computer" with this keyboard.
However the marketing guys wanted something smaller and cheaper than the 122-key 3270 design with independent cursor keys and numeric keypad, plus 24 function keys above the main keyboard and a further block of 10 special-purpose "function keys" to the left of it. The original 3270 keyboards were heavy as well as big, since they had sheet metal cases rather than plastic.
The original IBM PC keyboard repurposed the 10 left-hand keys as general purpose function keys, deleted the original 24 function keys, and compressed the layout of the right hand side to save space. The PCjr keyboard went even further and reduced the total number of keys down to 62.
These PC keyboards were not popular with users who were accustomed to mainframe terminals, and eventually the 101 or 102 key "enhanced keyboard" design emerged as a compromise, and remained as basis for the current PC "standard keyboard."
See http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/kyb03.htm for layouts of the various keyboards referred to.
I suppose the idea of mapping the cursor keys onto part of the main keyboard with a separate "function key" to toggle that behaviour simply didn't occur to anyone at IBM at the time, coming from a "big keyboard" background. Even now, laptop users who want to use keyboard-intensive applications usually buy an add-on keypad.
answered 15 hours ago
alephzeroalephzero
1,4781513
2
Interesting that there was an internal IBM argument.
– PeterI
15 hours ago
1
@PeterI, not really. Once a company gets big enough, it stops functioning as a single coherent entity, and IBM was certainly big enough at that time.
– Mark
5 hours ago
Add-on numeric keypads were on sale for desktop PCs in the days of the 84-key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I remember a conversation with an IBM engineer back in the 1980s, who implied there was an internal fight over this between IBM's engineering and marketing departments.
The engineers wanted the PC to have the same keyboard as the popular 3270 mainframe terminal, for easy migration of users and software in a business environment, and in fact IBM did produce the "IBM 3270 personal computer" with this keyboard.
However the marketing guys wanted something smaller and cheaper than the 122-key 3270 design with independent cursor keys and numeric keypad, plus 24 function keys above the main keyboard and a further block of 10 special-purpose "function keys" to the left of it. The original 3270 keyboards were heavy as well as big, since they had sheet metal cases rather than plastic.
The original IBM PC keyboard repurposed the 10 left-hand keys as general purpose function keys, deleted the original 24 function keys, and compressed the layout of the right hand side to save space. The PCjr keyboard went even further and reduced the total number of keys down to 62.
These PC keyboards were not popular with users who were accustomed to mainframe terminals, and eventually the 101 or 102 key "enhanced keyboard" design emerged as a compromise, and remained as basis for the current PC "standard keyboard."
See http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/kyb03.htm for layouts of the various keyboards referred to.
I suppose the idea of mapping the cursor keys onto part of the main keyboard with a separate "function key" to toggle that behaviour simply didn't occur to anyone at IBM at the time, coming from a "big keyboard" background. Even now, laptop users who want to use keyboard-intensive applications usually buy an add-on keypad.
answered 15 hours ago
alephzeroalephzero
1,4781513
I remember a conversation with an IBM engineer back in the 1980s, who implied there was an internal fight over this between IBM's engineering and marketing departments.
The engineers wanted the PC to have the same keyboard as the popular 3270 mainframe terminal, for easy migration of users and software in a business environment, and in fact IBM did produce the "IBM 3270 personal computer" with this keyboard.
However the marketing guys wanted something smaller and cheaper than the 122-key 3270 design with independent cursor keys and numeric keypad, plus 24 function keys above the main keyboard and a further block of 10 special-purpose "function keys" to the left of it. The original 3270 keyboards were heavy as well as big, since they had sheet metal cases rather than plastic.
The original IBM PC keyboard repurposed the 10 left-hand keys as general purpose function keys, deleted the original 24 function keys, and compressed the layout of the right hand side to save space. The PCjr keyboard went even further and reduced the total number of keys down to 62.
These PC keyboards were not popular with users who were accustomed to mainframe terminals, and eventually the 101 or 102 key "enhanced keyboard" design emerged as a compromise, and remained as basis for the current PC "standard keyboard."
See http://www.quadibloc.com/comp/kyb03.htm for layouts of the various keyboards referred to.
I suppose the idea of mapping the cursor keys onto part of the main keyboard with a separate "function key" to toggle that behaviour simply didn't occur to anyone at IBM at the time, coming from a "big keyboard" background. Even now, laptop users who want to use keyboard-intensive applications usually buy an add-on keypad.
answered 15 hours ago
alephzeroalephzero
1,4781513
edited 15 hours ago
answered 15 hours ago
alephzeroalephzero
1,4781513
answered 15 hours ago
alephzeroalephzero
1,4781513
answered 15 hours ago
alephzeroalephzero
1,4781513
1,4781513
2
Interesting that there was an internal IBM argument.
– PeterI
15 hours ago
1
@PeterI, not really. Once a company gets big enough, it stops functioning as a single coherent entity, and IBM was certainly big enough at that time.
– Mark
5 hours ago
Add-on numeric keypads were on sale for desktop PCs in the days of the 84-key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
add a comment |
2
Interesting that there was an internal IBM argument.
– PeterI
15 hours ago
1
@PeterI, not really. Once a company gets big enough, it stops functioning as a single coherent entity, and IBM was certainly big enough at that time.
– Mark
5 hours ago
Add-on numeric keypads were on sale for desktop PCs in the days of the 84-key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
2
2
Interesting that there was an internal IBM argument.
– PeterI
15 hours ago
Interesting that there was an internal IBM argument.
– PeterI
15 hours ago
1
1
@PeterI, not really. Once a company gets big enough, it stops functioning as a single coherent entity, and IBM was certainly big enough at that time.
– Mark
5 hours ago
@PeterI, not really. Once a company gets big enough, it stops functioning as a single coherent entity, and IBM was certainly big enough at that time.
– Mark
5 hours ago
Add-on numeric keypads were on sale for desktop PCs in the days of the 84-key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
Add-on numeric keypads were on sale for desktop PCs in the days of the 84-key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I think the answer is Lotus 1-2-3. Working in a spreadsheet, you are going to want to be able to use the numeric keypad for quick numeric entry, and you are going to need to use the cursor keys to move around the spreadsheet. Having to continually hit the Num Lock to switch between "modes" would be a pain.
I have no actual evidence to back this up, other than personal experience, and a sense the timing of Lotus's explosion on the platform coincided with the switch to the expanded keyboard
answered 13 hours ago
TroffTroff
3616
Lotus 1-2-3 sold very well before the 101/102 key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
1
@grahamj42 People will live with inconveniences, but that doesn't mean they weren't clamoring for something better.
– Barmar
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I think the answer is Lotus 1-2-3. Working in a spreadsheet, you are going to want to be able to use the numeric keypad for quick numeric entry, and you are going to need to use the cursor keys to move around the spreadsheet. Having to continually hit the Num Lock to switch between "modes" would be a pain.
I have no actual evidence to back this up, other than personal experience, and a sense the timing of Lotus's explosion on the platform coincided with the switch to the expanded keyboard
answered 13 hours ago
TroffTroff
3616
Lotus 1-2-3 sold very well before the 101/102 key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
1
@grahamj42 People will live with inconveniences, but that doesn't mean they weren't clamoring for something better.
– Barmar
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I think the answer is Lotus 1-2-3. Working in a spreadsheet, you are going to want to be able to use the numeric keypad for quick numeric entry, and you are going to need to use the cursor keys to move around the spreadsheet. Having to continually hit the Num Lock to switch between "modes" would be a pain.
I have no actual evidence to back this up, other than personal experience, and a sense the timing of Lotus's explosion on the platform coincided with the switch to the expanded keyboard
answered 13 hours ago
TroffTroff
3616
I think the answer is Lotus 1-2-3. Working in a spreadsheet, you are going to want to be able to use the numeric keypad for quick numeric entry, and you are going to need to use the cursor keys to move around the spreadsheet. Having to continually hit the Num Lock to switch between "modes" would be a pain.
I have no actual evidence to back this up, other than personal experience, and a sense the timing of Lotus's explosion on the platform coincided with the switch to the expanded keyboard
answered 13 hours ago
TroffTroff
3616
answered 13 hours ago
TroffTroff
3616
answered 13 hours ago
TroffTroff
3616
answered 13 hours ago
TroffTroff
3616
3616
Lotus 1-2-3 sold very well before the 101/102 key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
1
@grahamj42 People will live with inconveniences, but that doesn't mean they weren't clamoring for something better.
– Barmar
2 hours ago
add a comment |
Lotus 1-2-3 sold very well before the 101/102 key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
1
@grahamj42 People will live with inconveniences, but that doesn't mean they weren't clamoring for something better.
– Barmar
2 hours ago
Lotus 1-2-3 sold very well before the 101/102 key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
Lotus 1-2-3 sold very well before the 101/102 key keyboard.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
1
1
@grahamj42 People will live with inconveniences, but that doesn't mean they weren't clamoring for something better.
– Barmar
2 hours ago
@grahamj42 People will live with inconveniences, but that doesn't mean they weren't clamoring for something better.
– Barmar
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I think this keyboard style was introduced by the IBM RT PC in 1986 (I'm ignoring other non PC class machines and workstations) For a PC the first use I saw was on a Compaq Deskpro 386 the keyboard is explicitly called a 101 key style IBM RT PC in this review.
https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1987-02/page/n247?q=deskpro+386
I don't remember seeing any great clamour for extra arrow keys, but I'm guessing folks who did a lot of spreadsheets were greatful.
answered 16 hours ago
PeterIPeterI
3,2131730
I was puzzled by the description IBM RT PC. In the UK, it was known as the IBM 6150.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
The Wikipedia article en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_keyboard says the 101-key keyboard was copyright 1984, first sold 1985.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I think this keyboard style was introduced by the IBM RT PC in 1986 (I'm ignoring other non PC class machines and workstations) For a PC the first use I saw was on a Compaq Deskpro 386 the keyboard is explicitly called a 101 key style IBM RT PC in this review.
https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1987-02/page/n247?q=deskpro+386
I don't remember seeing any great clamour for extra arrow keys, but I'm guessing folks who did a lot of spreadsheets were greatful.
answered 16 hours ago
PeterIPeterI
3,2131730
I was puzzled by the description IBM RT PC. In the UK, it was known as the IBM 6150.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
The Wikipedia article en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_keyboard says the 101-key keyboard was copyright 1984, first sold 1985.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I think this keyboard style was introduced by the IBM RT PC in 1986 (I'm ignoring other non PC class machines and workstations) For a PC the first use I saw was on a Compaq Deskpro 386 the keyboard is explicitly called a 101 key style IBM RT PC in this review.
https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1987-02/page/n247?q=deskpro+386
I don't remember seeing any great clamour for extra arrow keys, but I'm guessing folks who did a lot of spreadsheets were greatful.
answered 16 hours ago
PeterIPeterI
3,2131730
I think this keyboard style was introduced by the IBM RT PC in 1986 (I'm ignoring other non PC class machines and workstations) For a PC the first use I saw was on a Compaq Deskpro 386 the keyboard is explicitly called a 101 key style IBM RT PC in this review.
https://archive.org/details/byte-magazine-1987-02/page/n247?q=deskpro+386
I don't remember seeing any great clamour for extra arrow keys, but I'm guessing folks who did a lot of spreadsheets were greatful.
answered 16 hours ago
PeterIPeterI
3,2131730
answered 16 hours ago
PeterIPeterI
3,2131730
answered 16 hours ago
PeterIPeterI
3,2131730
answered 16 hours ago
PeterIPeterI
3,2131730
3,2131730
I was puzzled by the description IBM RT PC. In the UK, it was known as the IBM 6150.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
The Wikipedia article en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_keyboard says the 101-key keyboard was copyright 1984, first sold 1985.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
add a comment |
I was puzzled by the description IBM RT PC. In the UK, it was known as the IBM 6150.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
The Wikipedia article en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_keyboard says the 101-key keyboard was copyright 1984, first sold 1985.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
I was puzzled by the description IBM RT PC. In the UK, it was known as the IBM 6150.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
I was puzzled by the description IBM RT PC. In the UK, it was known as the IBM 6150.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
The Wikipedia article en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_keyboard says the 101-key keyboard was copyright 1984, first sold 1985.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
The Wikipedia article en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_keyboard says the 101-key keyboard was copyright 1984, first sold 1985.
– grahamj42
2 hours ago
add a comment |
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3
I can't answer the question, but I do want to say that one shouldn't discount the extra cognitive load of having to remember yet another mode that the keyboard can switch between. Even caps lock, while justifiable, causes its share of problems.
– Robert Fisher
10 hours ago
I use Mac OS X all the time, which has no concept of Num Lock: the number pad is a number pad, period. (The Num Lock key acts as a "Clear" key instead; I don't think anyone really uses it.) When I try to enter a string of numbers in Windows, I usually stop and wonder why nothing is happening before figuratively smacking myself. (:
– SilverWolf
8 hours ago