Re: [NTLK] Stiff keys on keyboard

Sonny Hung <sonnyhung_at_gmail.com> wrote:

>I would venture to guess that the runner keys underneath (possibly
>silicone rubber mat of keys) are drying out (it's lost it's moisture -
>but can they be re-hydrated again?)... and because of this they are
>harder and don't giev so much when you press on the actual key caps...

Hmmmmm. Somehow, I'm not so sure that "drying out" is something that
afflicts membrane-type keyboards. If that were the case, you'd have a
Godzillion people complaining about their regular desktop keyboards drying
out and stiffening up over time. If anything, I would think that a keyboard
would tend to loosen up over time and become less stiff. [shrugs]

What I mean is: after viewing Mr. Gruendel's Newton keyboard page and then
viewing this one:

http://www.technology.niagarac.on.ca/staff/bgracey/prokeyboardrepair.html

I don't see any radical differences between the two keyboards in terms of
their basic construction. I suspect that there's a variant of the "key
button" illustrated on the latter page contained within the Newton keyboard.
  If so, it's completely sealed and not likely to dry out.

Also, the idea of keyboard manufacturers using materials in their keyboards
that rely on retaining moisture to stay effective (and that will be
installed next to sensitive electronic components) is a rather alarming one.
  To me, anyway. [shrugs]

>The only possible solution would be to replace this as Franks site
>indicates this is not removable from my >prior reading I oculdbe wrong..

From what I can tell, membrane keyboards, as a rule, don't have components
that are designed to be replaced. Instead, the end user is expected to
simply throw the keyboard away and buy a new one.
I know that sounds wasteful, but I think that if keyboard manufacturers (and
keyboard users) were primarily interested in longevity, you'd still see
keyboards with individual keyswitches on the market. The term "planned
obsolescence" definitely seem to apply here.

>my other Newotn Keyboards are usually easy to press but I do have one
>that's a bit harder to press but >not as hard as you describe...

Does the OP have access to any other Newton keyboards? It would be nice if
he could compare and contrast the one he has with other keyboards to see if
the way his feels is noticeably different from them. The Newton keyboards
I've encountered (a half-dozen) have felt pretty stiff to me.

Best,

James Fraser

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