CompuServe Thread

#Biz Grafix

15 messages in this thread
#31708From: PETER S. WASONAug 13, 1991 4:33 PM
I tried hitting [Return] with no avail….maybe I have to try a "setup" of some sort for my file, or just program one of my Fkeys (I have one of the big northgate keyboards with all of the programmable keys)…. -Scott
#31903From: Steve SetzerAug 15, 1991 4:05 PM
Scott, I would guess that it is the Northgate Kboard that Sbase is not recognizing. I would post this over in their forum in Amiga Vendor, and let them know of this problem. Are you using Superbase 2.0, 3.0, or 4.0? Also the keyboard combo of right Amiga:S also saves the file. Don't know how you implement the Right Amiga key with the Northgate though. Steve Whap!ping from beautiful coastal South Carolina
#31910From: PETER S. WASONAug 15, 1991 4:44 PM
If it IS the Northgate, then I am surprised; it would be the first compatability problem I have encountered….there are Amiga keys on the Northgate, you just have to set them up properly. I will pull out my old keyboard and test it against the Northgate, and if there is a prob then you can bet I will be there in 1/2400th of a second! -Scott
#31953From: Brian BartlettAug 15, 1991 10:26 PM
Scott, I'd also be very suprised if it was the Northgate. If they are using RawKeys, the keycodes are exactly the same as for the A2000. It's only the extra keycodes that would not be recognized. BTW, I'll be uploading a highly modified keymap in a few days. I've got MEmacs eating out of my hand with this one 🙂 Brian J. Bartlett
#32322From: PETER S. WASONAug 19, 1991 10:29 AM
Cool! I will look for that file! I do not think it is my keyboard either, I think it is somehow the way I set it up! Scott
#32049From: Steve SetzerAug 16, 1991 6:34 PM
Scott How do you like the Northgate KB? Are you using it on a 2000 or 3000? What advantages/disadvantages does it offer over the stock kb? Oh well something else to spend my $$ on. 🙂 ..Steve Whap!ping from beautiful coastal South Carolina
#32106From: Mike SchillerAug 17, 1991 4:52 AM
Steve: I use a NorthGate keyboard on my 2000, and it's advantages are in the feel of the keys. This keyboard has a truly nice feel to it, whereas the stock A2000's keyboard has a much mushier feel to it. (the Ngate KB has a more positive feel, and the keys have a mechanical click to them) The only bad point I've been able to find is that when the system crashes (mine seems to do that alot, I beta test lots of stuff) many times the Ctrl-A-A keyboard reset doesn't work, and I find that to reset the computer without powering down I have to remove the KB connector from the back of the KB and then reinsert it, then the system resets! I vaguely remember reading a message about there being new ROMs for the Ngate KB that supposedly solves this problem, but I havn't persued it any further. The only other complaint it that I find that the connector that connects the KB to it's cable isn't very secure, and so I don't move the KB around much while using it. (that's how I found out that removing it will reset the Amiga 🙁 ) Many people like the Northgates feel, and many don't. I find that it's a subjective sort of thing, as a few of my friends love it, and a few hate it. If at all possible, try and locate one locally and try it before you buy it. (this is easier than it sounds as Northgate is a PC Clone company, so there is a better chance of finding a local dealer than for an Amiga only product. -Mike Schiller In sunny Fort Lauderdale
#32194From: Brian BartlettAug 18, 1991 5:31 AM
Mike, as near as I can tell, the reason that the NG KB resets the machine is that it has the reset button on the back of it. I would guess that a power off to power on transition triggers the C-A-A sequence. It isn't a major problem here since I don't move the keyboard more than 4 feet from the machine. I agree immensely on the touch issue. This is the first keyboard in a good long while that I am comfortable with. Even with a 'keyboard' condom in place it still has a nice touch. Then again, others will probably hate the light positive response 🙂 BTW, I uploaded a highly modified keymap for this beast. You might want to have a look at it and play with it some. Happy keyboarding! Brian J. Bartlett
#32197From: Mike SchillerAug 18, 1991 7:08 AM
Brian: Now there might be a difference, as I have the OmniKey/102, NOT the Ultra (has a few less keys), and NO reset button on it at all! Where is the reset button located on the Ultra? -Mike Schiller In sunny Fort Lauderdale
#32425From: Brian BartlettAug 20, 1991 5:42 AM
Mike, the reset button is right next to the cable connector on the middle back of the keyboard. Although it's only about 1/4" in size, I can find it by touch very easily. About the only improvement I need right now is a little wrist padding. That and a way to switch my video via the keypad. I don't think I'll ever get the latter 🙂 Brian J. Bartlett
#32207From: Tom CattrallAug 18, 1991 10:03 AM
Mike– What is the key placement for the control and caps lock keys on the Northgate keyboard. I prefer the Amiga arrangment of control, caps lock, A, etc. All of the PC keyboards I've seen have only one key to the left of the A key. Tom
#32267From: Mike SchillerAug 19, 1991 12:05 AM
Tom: On the Northgate OmniKey/102 the keys are more or less in the proper places. The only key that's moved is the CapsLock key and it's below the left Shift key. Above that shift key is the Ctrl key, above that the Tab key, and above that the ESC key. Oh, the ~` key is also moved as is the \| key, and these are now on the lower right of the keyboard. On either side of the space bar is an Amiga key, then nex going outward is an Alt key, next to the Alt keys is either the CapsLock, or ~` keys. A nice thing about the 102 as opposed to the ultra is that the arrow keys are in the standard inverted T configuration. The Function keys are on the left of the keyboard (I think this was the AT layout?), and there are some other keys that are basically dead keys on the amiga (Print Screen, Scroll Lock, Pause, F11, F12, Page Up, Page Down, Home, End). Also, for the 102 they don't make a Help key, and if you replace the delete key where it should be it doesn't sit quite right (it's on a different angle than the other keys next to it), so on my system, the key marked Insert is the delete key, and the key marked Delete is the help key. It doesn't really matter to me, as I know what key is what, and it's sort of a form of protection against somebody deleteing something when I don't want it so 🙂 -Mike Schiller In sunny Fort Lauderdale
#32426From: Brian BartlettAug 20, 1991 5:42 AM
Mike, again, you might want to look at the keymap I uploaded, if it's available. I have F11, F12, F14 (Rate Select), Home, Page Up, Page Down, Home, End, etc… all functional in one way or another. In my case, all those keys work with MicroEmacs. If I hit Home, it goes to the top of the file. Heck, I even have the Break function working 🙂 Brian J. Bartlett
#32615From: Tom CattrallAug 21, 1991 10:01 PM
Mike– Thanks for the info. Too bad the caps lock and control keys aren't in the same locations as on the Amiga keyboard, the only decent arrangement as far as I'm concerned. For a long time, many millions of typewriters have had the caps lock key to the left of the A key. Makes me wonder how IBM was able to get away with moving from the spot where most of the world's typists expect to find it. At least the Amiga got it right. Tom
#32324From: PETER S. WASONAug 19, 1991 10:33 AM
I love it! I use it with my 2000/030/882 and it works GREAT! It is a little bigger than the stock KB and a little more "heavy duty"…my fingers get stuck on the stock one. I do wish they had a real "IBM PS/2" style keyboard; the arrow keys are a "block" instead of the usual pattern, though… -SCott