harry@ucbarpa.Berkeley.EDU (Harry I. Rubin) (06/22/89)
After using my Freedom 100 terminal from Liberty Electronics for 6 years, the keys are starting to go: the shift doesn't always shift, some keys double-bounce, and now the killer -- the "c" goes down but doesn't come up, so you are likely to get "cccccccccc." I can't find anyone who repairs keyboards, or even sells keyboards for dumb terminals. Liberty Eleccccccccccccccctronicccccccccccccccccs has offered to to trade my old keyboard plus $80 for a "refurbished" keyboard. Or, they will trade my old terminal plus $255 for a new Freedom 1 terminal (they say they can use the spare parts). Has my old terminal reached the end of it's rope, so that it should be replaced, or will a "refurbished" keyboard restore it for many more years of use? That is, is the expeccccted useful life of a terminal about 6 years, or much more? As far as I know, the screen and electronics are fine. Is the Freedom 1 a good terminal? A great terminal? What other terminals are comparable, and are they better or worse? What do Freedom 1's cost retail? What do comparable terminals cost retail? Is $255 a hell of a great deal, a moderately good deal, or not much of a deal at all? I have heard of, but know nothing about, a Freedom 200. Would that be a better terminal? Please mail responses to me at "harry@berkeley.edu" or "...!ucbvax!harry". If there is much interest I will summarize to the net. Thanks very much for any help. Harry Rubin