>another amazing design aspect: the shape of the QL keys. Although it does >not feel very good typing on a QL's keyboard (I know at Sinclair they had to >design hardware economically rather than ergonomically...) it is of >acceptable quality ... The shape of the the keys is unique ... well, almost >unique: In the early times of IBM compatible PCs the german manufacturer >Siemens produced Computer with a fairly distinct keyboard design (compared >to the bulk of IBM compatibles). Very similiar to QL (or spectrum+) >keyboards. Yes indeed, except the siemens ones are white :-)) >The question is: did Siemens steal the Sincair key design or was it just the >other way around... or did both parties have the same idea accidentally. >Probably it is impossible to tell the truth about that after all those >years. I don't know, but a good question. >AFAIK the distinct Siemens keybords are not being produced anymore. Today >the PC branch of Siemens is Fujitsu-Siemens, and they just sell the same >mess as other PC manufacturers. No, they are still produced - at least up until very recently anyway. I know because Siemens where the main supplier for the Bank of Ireland, until a recent deal with HP was signed. I am using one of those keyboards right now :-)) and it is definitely not more than 6 months old. They where originally branded siemens nixdorf, now just siemens appears on them, but the design hasn't changed - they've had these in the bank since I joined in 1997. Cheers, Darren. ******************************************************************** This email and any files transmitted with it are confidential and intended solely for the use of the individual or entity to whom they are addressed. If you have received this email in error please notify us immediately at [EMAIL PROTECTED] and delete this E-mail from your system. Thank you. It is possible for data transmitted by email to be deliberately or accidentally corrupted or intercepted. For this reason, where the communication is by email, the Bank of Ireland Group does not accept any responsibility for any breach of confidence which may arise through the use of this medium. This footnote also confirms that this email message has been swept for the presence of known computer viruses. ******************************************************************** _______________________________________________ QL-Users Mailing List http://www.quanta.org.uk/mailing.htm
