Tools, Gadgets, Accessories

Some things that make life with PowerPoint ... or just with a computer ... easier.

Keyboards

You spend hours a day, every day, at your computer. After the screen and (for some people) the mouse, the keyboard is one of the most heavily-used parts of your computer. It's also the one that has the most potential to damage your hands and arms if you use it a lot.

It's amazing, then, that most computer keyboards are junk. That sounds harsh, but until you've used a truly good keyboard, you don't know how bad you have it. Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to find a good keyboard at any price.

This is going to sound like your typical geezer-rant, but it's true: They just don't make 'em like they used to.

Ask anyone who's ever used one of the original IBM PC/XT/AT keyboards. If I still had one, I wouldn't sell it to you at any price. There's nothing quite like them.

But there's something better: the now-legendary Northgate keyboards.

Too bad. They don't make those any more either, but I've got two that I bought back in the mid- or late 1980s. They're still going strong and they're stil the best keyboards I've ever in my life laid fingers to. And I wouldn't sell either for twice the price that I wouldn't sell the AT keyboard for if I had an AT keyboard that I wouldn't sell you.

Bob Tibbetts will, though. Bob owns Northgate Keyboard Repair, which refurbishes and sells Northgate keyboards, along with high-quality new and refurbished units from other manufacturers.

If you spend any amount of time at the keyboard, do yourself a big favor, treat yourself to one of these things and watch your typing comfort, speed and accuracy soar.

I'll leave you with this warning: You'll be spoiled. You will not want to go back to any other keyboard. Ever.

That's a risk I can live with. Happily. Ever. After.