IBM's King of Keyboards: The Model M -- Part Two
I love IBM's Model M keyboard. Built like a tank, their Buckling Spring Technology ™ is a delight. I wrote about the Model M earlier but didn't actually own one until now. Oh, sure I have a couple of Model M2s but they can't compare to the genuine article.
Name another computer part that still works
great TWENTY years after it's been made!
That's right, that says 1984! Twenty years and they
still can't build a better keyboard than the Model M!
Tao came down last June because I was about to get married. While we were sitting in the car waiting for Aristotle to not show up Tao mentioned that his friend Chad had bought me a sort of wedding present. Intrigued, I took something wrapped in a shopping bag. The second I felt that heft I knew what it was: a Model M! I unwrapped it furiously and there she was complete with spillguards and detachable keycaps! Wow!
Compared to the Model M2 this thing is a monster! It weighs a TON! OK, maybe not a ton but 6 pounds!
The Model M also has the coiled keyboard cable that I love. Better yet, it's detachable! Tao had asked me what good is a detachable keyboard cable and I couldn't answer. But in the meantime, I've found that it's perfect for playing Rise of Nations! You don't need the keyboard to play at all so I unplug the keyboard without having to get behind my computer and move it away. Then I can put snacks where the keyboard normally is. I weigh 400.
Most keyboards have detachable keys but the Model M has detachable keyCAPS! That's right. I don't really know where I'm going with this. But suffice it to say, if it's on the Model M then it MUST be BETTER! No wait, there is something cool you can do. You can remove all the keycaps to prevent people who don't know how to type from typing on YOUR Model M!
Thanks to the detachable keycaps I was able to spell out 'Model' on the upper row of keys. I was planning on spelling 'Model M' but I had forgotten that there is only one 'M' on the keyboard. Not 'forgotten' so much as 'didn't know.'
Of course, one could take the 'W' and turn it upside down but the keycap doesn't fit very well on the key. Also, it's pretty geeky. But I'm married now so feh.
Another plus to the Model M is the amount of stuff you can pack onto it! I was able to fit the following useful items on my Model M:
1 steel six inch ruler
1 HB pencil
1 2B pencil
1 blue Bic™
ball point pen
1 Post-It™
Note Flag dispenser
1 Sanford Liquid Sharpie™
Permanent Marker
1 novelty pencil sharpener
1 stapler
6 pennies
1 pair scissors
1 Zippo™
lighter
1 pad Post-It notes
1 Sony™
64MB USB Drive
1 homemade MOH template
I made this with Quark and then I reprogrammed all my
function keys to say these fun MOH commands!
I don't normally keep all the stuff on MY Model M though. It was just an experiment. Finally, here's my Model M, safe, at home. Thanks again Chad!
