Like the author of this article, I learned to type in 6th or 7th grade. When I got to college I helped the secretary in the Computer Science dept and she had a Selectric typewriter. Using that, coupled with the old IBM 3270 Terminal keyboards, I was hooked.
Later, and for the last 1- 15 years or so, I have used the Apple II Extended keyboard, a really good HP Keyboard, and then about 5 or 6 years ago I got several Lexmark keyboards. Those felt wonderful, but while the Click-Clack sound didn't bother me, if often bothered those around me. During that time I read about which, for me, was the Holy Grail of keyboards, the IBM Model M 8184692 Soft-Touch keyboard. This model, and there were not a lot made, the engineers put a lubricant in each key so that you had the feel of a Selectric/Model M, but VERY reduced sound.
I started looking around for this keyboard. Every time I spotted one, it was snapped up before I could react. Finally, about 9 months ago, they had one available on the ClickyKeyboard site. (https://www.clickykeyboards.com/product/1996-ibm-model-m-soft-touch-8184692-manufactured-for-ibm-by-lexmark-1-27-96/). I highly recommend this site and the services they provide.
I'm in heaven with my keyboard and made a padded case to store it when not in use!
Thanks for the article!
Russ
-----Original Message-----
From: David Auerbach <dmarc-noreply@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
To: xywrite@xxxxxxxxxxxxx
Sent: Fri, Aug 26, 2022 10:24 am
Subject: speaking of keyboards