[NTLK] Newton keyboard alternatives and/or cleaning?

[Aron Hsiao]

Hi all,


After much technological soul-searching, I'm working my way back toward 
Newtonland.

Now that I'm more or less up and running I've realized that both of my 
Newton keyboards are not performing as I'd like them to.

Specifically, they STICK something fierce. That is to say that while 
typing, about every third or fourth key, my finger hits the key, but the 
key (whichever one I'm trying to hit) doesn't budge and thus no 
keystroke appears on the screen. With a additional force behind my 
keyboarding I can generally eliminate the problem, but that seriously 
disrupts my touch-typing flow, which is important (I touch-type at about 
110-130 wpm).

I've been banging my head against Google for the last hour, but I give 
up. I have the following questions:

1) Can a Newton keyboard be cleaned/lubricated somehow so as to restore 
the keys to smooth (non-sticky) operation? I could try to pick up a new 
Newton keyboard (these come up on eBay regularly) but if we're talking 
the volume of writing that I do, I'm afraid that even a replacement 
keyboard would quickly develop "stickiness" of this kind with use, 
unless there is some way to refurbish/clean these keyboards regularly to 
eliminate the stickiness.

2) Are there any other alternative keyboards that were made to work with 
the newton, without needing actual hardware hacking? I'm way beyond the 
point in my life at which I'd prefer to bring out the soldering iron for 
"projects." I realize that I can use my Mac's keyboard when docked, but 
I'm looking for something mobile. I presume not, but just in case Google 
is letting me down, I'd be interested in hearing about any alternatives.


Best,

Aron