A while ago, I wrote about how Dan turned me on to a source for clicky, heavy, buckling spring keyboards made from the same parts IBM used to manufacture. He found US supplier for the new units at $50 each, I found a parts reclamation place that had like-new original IBMs for 20 bucks. So I had to let him know of my find. I can't have him recommending knock-off keyboards at $50 when you can get the real deal at less then half the price! Seriously, for the price of one new keyboard sent Down Under, an Aussie could get two IBMs shipped to him. That's getting more for your keyboard dollar. I couldn't, in good conscience, let him keep telling people about the pricey keyboards -- even if that means the reclamation place will sell out their old stock sooner. There's my good deed for the day. Any deities dealing out bad karma can kiss my ass.

By the way, the keyboards work great. My second shipment came in today, as a matter of fact. I actually ordered only three more for 4 total. That's two spares which, given the MTBF of each buckling spring, ought to last me well into my twilight years. That should be fine. Even if they all broke tomorrow I'd still have my Keytronics keyboard collection, most of which are nearly as heavy and clicky as the IBMs. I think I have nearly two dozen keyboards total so I should be OK.

What?

Some people have lots of shoes. Some people have lots of tools. I'm sure any random artist has lots of paintbrushes laying around. How many sneakers do you need? How many slotted screwdrivers? You carry that same brush where ever you go and re-use it? I get around via the network and use the keyboard to do so. It's also what lets me build things for my work. And I relax using it, on several different machines, in several different places. So there.

It's not like I collect women's underwear or anything...