alt@ihlpf.ATT.COM (00771a-Todesco) (03/16/89)
I have a Northgate Omnikey/102/6300 for may AT&T 6300 here at work and like it allot. The only complaint that I personally have is that the keys click too loud. I realize some people would argue that point with me. The flat area above the number row is only a designation strip; looks like they tried to satisfy those who like function keys above or to the left. The number pad has the traditional arrows on 8,2,4,& 6, but in addition there are dedicated arrow keys between the number pad and letter keys, making the whole keyboard somewhat wider than the original AT&T keyboard. The print screen doesn't require shifting to activate. The f and j keys have a little raised dash to indicate "home" position. I considered buying one for may home AT&T 6300, so I tryed it at home for a weekend. My wife liked it (she didn't like the clicks either), but the kids who pound for countless hours on the arrow keys didn't like (they tend to be stuck in their ways more than us "old" folk). One problem at home was that it periodically locked up. Being an older 6300, may have something to do with it - that machine doesn't have the traditional keyboard controller on the mother board; only a daughter board providing that function. If I decide to buy, I will check this out with Northgate before laying out $125. Northgate did tell me they were coming out with a new version which would be usable on an XT, AT, 6300, PS2 ..... (the 6300 model now ONLY works on a 6300) early in 89, but that remains to be seen. Also, their Purchase Order policies drove my purchasing dept crasy, however, all seem sane now. Anyway, I still like the keyboard and would not hesitate buying another or recommending it to others. Art Todesco att!ihlpf!alt