New tools for a new day
Well a couple of months ago, I had to replace the laptop where I’d written my first 4 novels on. It was sad day, but one that faces us all.
Tonight, I hit an even bigger landmark. I’ve used the same keyboard for 14 years of more. I honestly don’t remember owning a different keyboard, it’s been that long.
Right now, I’m typing this on the new Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 
Here’s a picture of one like my old one.
I’ve put off buying a new keyboard for a lot of reasons, but the main one was the arrow keys. If you looked at the ergo keyboards in recent years, they squished the home key section of the keyboard to being 2 keys wide, and three deep. This had the affect of moving the down key lower, squishing the right and left keys together. This TOTALLY sucks for gaming.
Back when I was an Everquest junkie, I played 20+ hours a week while having a family, day job and trying to write. I can’t imagine trying to game with the squished configuration. Tried it for one day and gave up. I just so hated it.
I gave up MMOs years ago in favor of putting more time into the writing career and I believe it’s paid off. At least so far, you know?
Anyway, I don’t game much anymore beyond little things on Shockwave from time to time, but not the brain crunching, time consuming commitment of games like EQ or WOW.
I used this keyboard so heavily that I’ve worn off several keys. The “C” key is totally blank, and the “N” and “M” are so vague that only an archeologist could decipher the meaning. Not something I was concerned about. I’ve been a touch typist since 9th grade. But when other people used my machine, they would comment on the missing letter indicators.
I’ve taken this keyboard apart on several occasions, key for key, cleaning it. I’ve even taken the insides out (large plastic mat) to cleanup the orange juice I spilled in it. I’ll miss this keyboard. I think it’s older than my daughter.
Alas and alack. Now I’m on to something newer, with more spring action in the keys and a slightly different tilt to the keyboard that is likely even more ergonomic than my original one.
Funny thing is, I’d still be using the other one if it hadn’t started giving me trouble. Every now and again it would just pause. Like the computer needed to resynch with it or something. It’s not a wireless, mind you. Direct plug in to the PC itself. All the keyboard lights would flash three times, then I could use it again. Happened several times a day lately.
I don’t write on this machine, at least not fiction. This is the machine I do most of my email, taxes, Facebook, etc. I leave my laptop as clean as possible so I’m not distracted when I write.
Who knows what I’ll replace next. Maybe my fifteen year old computer speakers or the seven year old ergo mouse pad. God knows what’s living in that thing.
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