[OLPC-devel] Escape keys and keyboards.....

[John R.]

On cramming more keys into less space:

On the TRS-80 model 100 (which is not even a clamshell) there is the following

1) Full travel QWERTY
2) caps lock, ctrl, escape
3) Num lock and a number keypad overlayed on 789/UIO/JKL/M
4) Function keys and arrow keys: but they are much narrower than on a
typical keyboard. Their purpose is to choose between major functions
not as hotkeys.
5) Some special keys like PASTE, LABEL, PRINT, BREAK, PAUSE.

I would recommend also taking a look at some other vintage laptops
like the Amstrad NC100 or Cambridge Z88 for some innovations to
revive/borrow. The DET-1 model of the Cidco Mailstation might be
interesting to look at for layout and key size too.

What is the physical space available for keys? What is the idea for
size of the standard keys?

There might be some things that could be done to make better use of
the space. For instance, the mousepad might have some printing on it,
so that when tapped in certain hotspots (say the corners) it would act
as hotkeys. Perhaps this option has already been explored?

-- John.