In my ongoing quest to acquire the correct tools necessary to improve my writing skills, I’ve taken the next step.  Keyboards.  I am a computer professional, and type on many different computers as part of my job, and I’ve come to accept that basic keyboards that ship with the computer, like so much of the PC are not well suited for the task they are designed for.  My first computer was an IBM, and came with the amazing IBM M series keyboard.  I moved this keyboard from computer to computer for 6 replacement systems before it finally ceased to work a few years ago.
If you are not familiar with a M series keyboard, these keyboards are based on a  buckling spring key switch  mechanism.  This technology was developed by IBM for computer terminal, and early PC keyboards.  The name refers to the coil spring tensed between the key cap and a pivoting hammer  that “buckles”,  or kinks, at a certain point in its downward traverse, providing auditory and tactile feedback. When the spring buckles, the hammer pivoted forwards and strikes an electrical contact which registers the key press.
The beauty of these keyboards is that you have no doubt if you pressed the key.   You have clear feedback that the key was pressed and this improves your ability to type accurately and quickly.  In my last post, I described the challenges that modern world processors present with their thousands of features that actually prevent me from being able to focus on the most critical portion of the process, actually getting words down on the screen.  I was traveling last week, and using my new found favorite  text editor (http://writemonkey.com/), but found that I was making dozens more typing errors than I normally do on my home computer.    The difference?  The keyboard.
The M Series keyboards were developed by IBM who was responsible for the development and refinement of the Selectric Typewriter which has one of the most productive and best key feed back experience ever designed.  designed.  Imagine if you were a typist in the days before computers and you had just finished typing a long page of information, you’re on the last line, and you press the wrong key.  For most application, this meant that you had to start over, and retype the entire page,  or spend the time to white out and correct the document.  This equated to additional time and expense.
With computers, it’s easier because we can just backspace and correct the error before it hits the paper, however the typical mushy membrane keyboard ensures that we make significantly more errors, that equate to lost time and productivity.  I find using my current M series keyboard that I can stare off into space and type with the assurance that the keys that I’m pressing are actually what I intend to press.  This allows me to think and formulate what I want to say without being distracted by the process of inputting those words.
To type this document, I unwrapped and attached the keyboard shipped with my two year old  Acer computer for the first time.  I find that I have to watch the monitor to ensure that I am actually hitting the right keys to make the right letter appear on the screen.  This is a much slower process and makes it harder for me to stay focused on the actual task, which is writing.  So why do we settle for inferior input devices?  Good question.
My current M series keyboard has been getting a bit arthritic, and the S key sticks sometimes.  This keyboard was produced in 1985.  I bought in on eBay used several years ago, but it’s 25 years old.  I have owned 11 computers and 7 laps tops since this keyboard was produced.  It’s not surprising it’s getting a little creaky when it’s the oldest piece of hardware I own.  I started scouring eBay a few weeks ago for another used M series keyboard in the hopes the even if it wasn’t perfect, I could scavenge parts.
I was trying to explain to a friend why I’m going to these lengths to find a used M series keyboard, and hit Wikipedia so I could clearly explain how the buckling spring mechanism worked and found the following statement: “Unicomp, which now owns the rights to the design, continues to sell Model M keyboards.”
M SERIES KEYBOARDS ARE STILL BEING MADE!     How could I have missed this.  How could my computer geek friends and colleagues have missed this? A few trips to Google, and the cause is clear.  Unicomp does not have apparently have a corporate website, just a page that gives their phone number and location.   They’re not even on face book! (just kidding but they’re not.)  My first Google trip was to http://unic

ompincorp.com/ which doesn’t mention keyboards.  Their sales site is hosted on yahoo, and is so poor that I almost didn’t order from it.
Several days later, I was talking to one of my uber geek buddies and my jaw dropped when he responded, “Yeah, they make great keyboards.”  This is the highest, most glowing review I’ve ever gotten from this geek, and armed with that recommendation, I revisited http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/keyboards.html
I ordered two keyboards at 69 dollars each.  Quality is worth paying for, and this is cheaper than several I’ve watched on eBay.  The order form had a blank for comments, and I couldn’t resist.
“Comments:  Wow, your website really sucks.  It’s been a while since I’ve come across a website that really said, “Please don’t buy my product” as much as this one.  I am a computer professional, and have a rock solid reference for your product, but found myself, make the phone call to my reference and saying, “Your kidding, right, Unicomp?” based on the http://www.unicomp.com website and a yahoo store front.   I’m hoping your products are more impressive.  If these really are M style buckling spring keyboards, I’m very excited.  I would rather buy new products, but didn’t believe these were still in production.”

It will be interesting to see what their response is.  I received a prompt email from an actual person detailing when my order would ship.  More when they arrive.

UPDATE.

Tools for the writing trade. Writemonkey text editor and Unicomp "clicky" keyboard!

My first new keyboard arrived today.  This was the updated version that included the windows keys.  When I picked up the package at the Post Office, the heavy weight told me that I have received something substantial.  Yes, this keyboard is heavy, but it’s also built like a tank.    The touch is outstanding, with the keys firm and defined.  I’ve been going back and forth between this keyboard and my vintage IBM keyboard.  It’s clear there there is more than just the S key that is arthritic on my old keyboard.
This keyboard compared to the membrane keyboard that shipped free with my computer, is like the difference between a cheap plastic screwdriver that’s included with the assembly hardware for furniture free, and a quality crafted tool that feels like an extension of your hand.  It is, in fact the right tool for the job for inputing text.
It would be interesting to know if the reason this device feels so right is because I learned to type on a typewriter, and spent a good part of my early career working on terminals and mainframes.  Perhaps if you have never typed on a typewriter and never used one of these “clicky” keyboards, the feedback is unimportant.  When my second keyboard arrives, I will target some people that have NEVER used this style keyboard and see what their response is.