# It's a modern keyboard with almost touch sensitive keys - not a 1930s typewriter! **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [August 31, 2007, 12:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558 "2007-08-31T00:50:57Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Kyrie\_Eleison](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kyrie_eleison/32/7682_2.png) [@Kyrie\_Eleison](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Kyrie_Eleison)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/21 "2007-08-31T16:52:04Z")
[QUOTE=Liberal] I wonder if there’s a niche market for keyboards with sound software. You could adjust the volume to get some really loud clacking for that just right tactile feedback. [/QUOTE] Who needs software? I am typing this message on [this keyboard](http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/stellar-description.htm), which is reminiscent of typing on old DEC VT-100 terminal keyboard. It’s similar to the Northgate Omnikey, for anyone who remembers those. But I have my own office, so I don’t have to listen to any complaints from neighbors. ---
**Author:** ![Sapo](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/ec9cab/32.png) [@Sapo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Sapo)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/22 "2007-08-31T16:58:07Z")
[QUOTE=mack] I had an officemate that did that. I just chalked it up to her taking her aggressions out on the enter key. She’d smack the hell out of that thing. tippity tippity tap tap **POK!!** tippity tip tip tip tippity tap **POK!!** [/QUOTE] Maybe she was slapping the monitor for the Carriage Return. ---
**Author:** ![stretch](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/a6a055/32.png) [@stretch](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/stretch)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 5:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/23 "2007-08-31T17:06:46Z")
My work keyboard may have had almost touch sensitive keys when I got it lo, those many years ago, but now I have to bang the hell out of it if I want my typing to register. Stupid replacement schedules and refusal of people to buy me new stuff. I have been hearing that I’ll get a new system “next year” for 3 years now. Also, I am an angry keyboarder, especially if I’m dealing with the twunt and her ongoing requests for stupid stuff. I type the twunt’s name so loud I’m sure she knows when she’s getting an email just from hearing the banging from my keyboard. Maybe **I** should put up a sign that says Don’t Type Angry! ---
**Author:** ![Arnold\_Winkelried](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/3d9bf3/32.png) [@Arnold\_Winkelried](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Arnold_Winkelried)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 5:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/24 "2007-08-31T17:25:37Z")
I remember back in my old Macintosh OS 9 days have a system extension that would make my keyboard sound like a typewrite keyboard (sound came through the computer speakers), including a “ding!” everytime I pressed the Return key. Good times. I wonder if there is such a thing for Windows? My neighbours woud thank me, I’m sure. (off to Google) ---
**Author:** ![rhythmonly](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/ee59a6/32.png) [@rhythmonly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/rhythmonly)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 5:33pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/25 "2007-08-31T17:33:19Z")
Guilty as charged. I never had a typing class, so I used the Religious Method\* when I first started. As my speed grew faster, I noticed that I was a rather loud two-fingered\*\* typist. I’ll try to type slower, and keep the noise down. Goddamn it. \*Seek and Ye Shall Find. \*\*Left index finger; right middle finger only. ---
**Author:** ![Litoris](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/9f8e36/32.png) [@Litoris](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Litoris)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/26 "2007-08-31T17:43:23Z")
[QUOTE=Lobsang] For OG sake you don’t need to hammer the keys! Anyone know of a polite way to inform a colleague that their key-hammering is irritating and unnecesary? [/QUOTE] I would just like to apologise in advance of ever meeting you. While I do not conciously hammer at the keys – I know I do it. I have tried to train myself to type more softly, but the truth is, it only slows me down. Some of us just type hard. If it is that distracting, have you considered asking to be moved further away from this person? **rhythmonly** – funny way of putting it. I **did** take typing class, but due to being extremely dyslexic (my worst outward sign being a tendency to _always_ swap initial c for initial s and vice versa), I use the religious method too. I actually use 4 fingers though (left index, right index, middle and thumb) but I type around 140-150 wpm. ---
**Author:** ![MrJackboots](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/c0e974/32.png) [@MrJackboots](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MrJackboots)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 7:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/27 "2007-08-31T19:18:02Z")
[QUOTE=Lobsang] I feel I should point out that the person doing the hammering is in fact around 20 years old. [/QUOTE] I’m 23 and a confessed key-pounder. I learned on the venerable IBM Model M (I even went out and bought my own). Of course, the M sounds like you’re pounding on it even if you’re making a conscious effort to be gentle. Maybe he’s like me? ---
**Author:** ![Taters](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/taters/32/2845_2.png) [@Taters](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Taters)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 7:25pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/28 "2007-08-31T19:25:08Z")
Did it occur to you that some keyboards are just noisier than others? I have three different keyboards at home, and of course the keyboard at work. My typing sounds different on each one. Embarrassingly, the loudest keyboard is at work. It sounds like I’m beating the crap out of it, but I’m not. One of my home keyboards is so quiet, you can barely hear any noise while I’m typing on it. The other two are slightly louder. ---
**Author:** ![gigi](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/a587f6/32.png) [@gigi](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gigi)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/29 "2007-08-31T19:53:58Z")
Listen, it’s been a rough implementation and I’m sick to death of users complaining. And I haven’t had a vacation since Christmas. I’m on my last nerve. And I don’t care if I keep making the same mistake, I still get angry each time Excel tells me itcan’tcutandpastebecausethecopyareaandthepasteareaarenotthesamesizeandshape and I just can’t help but slam down on the Enter key. Sorry. ---
**Author:** ![AHunter3](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ahunter3/32/368_2.png) [@AHunter3](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AHunter3)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 9:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/30 "2007-08-31T21:44:13Z")
[QUOTE=Arnold Winkelried] I remember back in my old Macintosh OS 9 days have a system extension that would make my keyboard sound like a typewrite keyboard (sound came through the computer speakers), including a “ding!” everytime I pressed the Return key. Good times. I wonder if there is such a thing for Windows? My neighbours woud thank me, I’m sure. (off to Google) [/QUOTE] The one you recall would be [TappyType](http://takoz.page.ne.jp/freeware/screenshot/TappyType.jpeg). 🙂 There’s a modern incarnation for OS X called KeyClick. [Sustainable Softworks - Products](http://www.sustworks.com/site/prod.html) (scroll down list) ---
**Author:** ![ivylass](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/9de053/32.png) [@ivylass](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ivylass)\ **Post date:** [August 31, 2007, 9:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/31 "2007-08-31T21:57:47Z")
I have found when I am extremely pissed off, I will bang the keys a little harder than normal. I then take a deep breath, delete the e-mail I was going to fire off, and reach for a piece of emergency chocolate. ---
**Author:** ![cmyk](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/cmyk/32/3353_2.png) [@cmyk](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/cmyk)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2007, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/32 "2007-09-01T21:10:53Z")
Because it had to be said, and because I’m feeling particularly unoriginal: “Ahhh, it’s a 1930’s style keyboard.” a-thankyou. ---
**Author:** ![Boyo\_Jim](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/87869e/32.png) [@Boyo\_Jim](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Boyo_Jim)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2007, 9:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/33 "2007-09-01T21:20:14Z")
Bring a real hammer and block of wood (optional) to work. When your cow-orker starts typing, start hammering on your desktop. You may insert the block of wood between your hammer and your desktop to protect the desk surface. ---
**Author:** ![elmwood](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/elmwood/32/3060_2.png) [@elmwood](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/elmwood)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2007, 10:09pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/34 "2007-09-01T22:09:54Z")
Just wanted to say that they will get my [IBM Model M keyboard](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard) only when they pry it from my cold, dead hands. Even if they take it, I still have a bunch stockpiled away. ---
**Author:** ![Mangetout](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/mangetout/32/19_2.png) [@Mangetout](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Mangetout)\ **Post date:** [September 1, 2007, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/35 "2007-09-01T22:24:16Z")
[QUOTE=AHunter3] Why would I want cheese to come squishing out of my keys when I type? [/QUOTE] You wouldn’t - but it might be fun to watch if it happened to someone else. ---
**Author:** ![Idlewild](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/i/8491ac/32.png) [@Idlewild](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Idlewild)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2007, 12:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/36 "2007-09-02T00:48:32Z")
[QUOTE=elmwood] Just wanted to say that they will get my [IBM Model M keyboard](http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Model_M_Keyboard) only when they pry it from my cold, dead hands. Even if they take it, I still have a bunch stockpiled away. [/QUOTE] The Model M is indirectly responsible for my husband and I switching from linux to OS X. Y’see, my sweet natured, gentle, lovely, pacifist husband DESTROYED one of those after something went wrong with whatever version of linux he had installed on our home server at the time. I’ve never seen anything like it. You wouldn’t think it possible. With his bare hands. Shortly thereafter we switched operating systems and he’s been much calmer. But I still like to blame the Model M. Maybe if he’d been typing away on something whisper soft and quiet he wouldn’t have gone all Godzilla on it. ---
**Author:** ![DudleyGarrett](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/d9b06d/32.png) [@DudleyGarrett](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DudleyGarrett)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2007, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/37 "2007-09-02T00:59:15Z")
You know what’s really bad? When one the aforementioned clackers do so while on a conference call via speakerphone. One of the managers at my company is notorious for this. He gets an IM from me every time, “dude, keys.” ---
**Author:** ![Queen\_Tonya](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/q/4491bb/32.png) [@Queen\_Tonya](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Queen_Tonya)\ **Post date:** [September 2, 2007, 2:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/38 "2007-09-02T02:12:13Z")
I have very strong fingernails, even though I keep them fairly short they clack on a normal keyboard. I have to be really careful using anyone else’s keyboard that I don’t accidentally scratch the lettering off. That’s why I use [this keyboard](http://www.smarthome.com/9459.html) at home, got tired of everyone complaining about the tap-tapping noise. Maybe get the coworker one? ---
**Author:** ![Will\_Repair](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a698b9/32.png) [@Will\_Repair](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Will_Repair)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 2:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/39 "2007-09-03T02:21:55Z")
The harder you press the keys the quicker the trons flow. ---
**Author:** ![Nzinga\_Seated](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/b5ac83/32.png) [@Nzinga\_Seated](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Nzinga_Seated)\ **Post date:** [September 3, 2007, 4:46pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558/40 "2007-09-03T16:46:04Z")
I had a co-worker that clacked the hell out of the keyboard at what sounded like 130 words per minutes. I mean she was _fast_. So my other co-worker and I decided that she must be typing with her fingers on the home keys, cause no one could hunt and peck that quickly. The thing is, when I attempt to type fast, with my fingers on the home keys, I find it _impossible_ to pound. I must use a light touch, if I want to type quickly. So it is a mystery to me how she was able to make such a quick racket. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/its-a-modern-keyboard-with-almost-touch-sensitive-keys-not-a-1930s-typewriter/417558.md?page=3)