4. Numerals, Symbols And Function Keys

Numerals are a bit tricky, at least for QWERTY users. If you look at the second row of keys from the top (EFGH, etc.), you'll see the numerals from 1 to 0 in black (lower left corner of the keys). These are like the numbers just below the function keys on a QWERTY keyboard; the ones that are typed without pressing any other key. To type them on a 535 keyboard, you hold down one of the two yellow Num keys. You can lock this function by pressing a Num key twice; unlock by pressing Num once.

The red rectangle highlights the keys with the numerals 1-5 in black. The numerals 6-0 are on the right half of the keyboard.

To use the numeric keypad on either side of the keyboard (white numerals in the upper right corner of the keys), you press Sym-Esc; to unlock press Sym-Num. This is counterintuitive. You would expect to press Sym-Num to activate the numeric keypad and Sym-Esc to deactivate it.

The Sym key is also used to type the characters shown in the upper left corner of the keys. I was surprised to find the $ key associated with the S key instead of a key with the number 4 on it as with a QWERTY keyboard. New Standard Keyboards says this was done with a number of characters that have similar shapes with the S becoming a mnemonic for the $. Other examples include the Euro symbol on the E key and the English pound key on the L key.

The dollar sign is on the S key for mnemonic association.

Finally, the SpFn key has two functions. Press it and one of the keys with a function key symbol in the lower right corner and you get the related function key. Or press it with another key to add accents and such to certain letters. For example press SpFn and C to set up for cedilla accent, then press a letter, say C, to get the letter with the cedilla accent.

The bottom of the keyboard is also quite interesting. There are four pull down elevating feet that lock in place very nicely. You can use these to raise the top or bottom of the keyboard or the entire keyboard as you like. And the USB cable fits nicely into a channel for traveling.

Speaking of traveling, at 5" x 12.5" x .75" and 11.5 ounces, the 535 is quite suitable for traveling. It will easily fit in most laptop or notebook carrying cases and it won't add much to the load you have to lug around.

Finally, is this the keyboard for you? If you keep an open mind and read the little instruction manual that comes with the keyboard, you just might find the 535 ultimately makes you a better, faster typist. I'm a fast QWERTY touch typist. Using the keyboard was difficult for me and it may not be right for people like me. However, if you're a hunt-and-peck typist or just getting into typing, you could do worse than start with a 535.

The issue, of course, is whether the keyboards will catch on and, thus, whether you'll be able to find a replacement when your old 535 breaks down or is destroyed by a load of spilled coffee. I did that to my QWERTY keyboard just the other day. Because of my bumble fingers I keep on hand a cache of three to four backup keyboards of the kind I like, the fine old Key Tronics Model E03601QUS201B-C. When the Key Tronics is no longer available, I know I'll be able to find another QWERTY keyboard with ease. I may not like the replacement, but at least I'll have one.

Yea, I know, "Who needs keyboards? Use voice recognition or connect your brain directly to your computer." Maybe I'll try voice recognition again when Windows Vista comes out. I'm guessing inputting over a direct brain-to-computer link will take a little longer.

The New Standard Keyboards NSK 535s are available at www.newstandardkeyboards.com.

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