Talk:Gateway AnyKey

Neutrality
There is a POV complaint about the sentence "These aficionados are akin to the dedicated users of old “battleship” keyboards like the IBM Model M and others which are renowned for their durability and superior feel over today's lighter, disposable keyboards."

I believe that while this does present a POV, it is fairly presenting the POV of "these aficionados" rather than necessarily presenting the author's point of view. This is consistent with the Neutrality Criterion, in that it fairly represents, and attributes, a widely held POV. As explained in the Wikipedia article on neutral point of view, "The acronym NPOV does not mean 'no points of view'.".

It is an old journalist's trick. When you want to insert an opinion into your article, but the journalistic standards prevent you from doing it directly, you just find someone to whom you can attribute the opinion, and that makes it OK. But this article plays the game fairly because the word "aficionados" makes it clear that he is talking about the opinion of a minority of people, and not the general consensus. It would be useful information for someone who either had one of these keyboards and wanted to sell it, or someone who saw some such keyboard offered for sale, wondered why it was so expensive, and turned to Wikipedia for help. --Mazzula (talk) 05:33, 11 April 2008 (UTC)

Correction
I am not entirely familiar with the non-WYSWIG text system of editing, nor the politics of wikipedia. I, like the author, am unwilling to edit the page in case someone changes it out of spite or berates me for not following "the rules". So I'd like to point out that I own an anykey keyboard that quite clearly has the two windows buttons. It is a european model and a friend also has the same model. I politely ask that somebody would edit the main page to reflect this, as I do not want to get involved in wikipedia as much as I can help. Thankyou, Trumad
 * Thanks, I've made the changes. I also used to have a version of the keyboard with the Windows keys, and I hadn't noticed the mistake in the article when I first looked at it. :) For the record, when creating a new topic on a talk page such as this, it's best to insert the topic at the bottom of the page - using the "+" tab next to the "edit this page" tab on a talk page will do this for you automatically. (Edited to add: Just so you know, I'm not trying to berate you here, just giving a friendly tip.) --Ciaran H 10:20, 4 May 2006 (UTC)

Apologies
I would like to apologize before the original contributor for whatever experience with wikipedia that caused your distress. While indeed there are different kinds of people that edit wikipedia, precisely for this reason I would not call its policies "assinine". What is essential, they are not cast in stone. I see this site as an interesting attempt to create a mostly non-moderated (or, rather, self-moderated) online society.

Certainly it is a pity taht you refuse to contribute here. Wikipedia changes. I noticed this even my short presence here. And I hope in some future you will find it more suitable for you. Mukadderat 22:44, 20 January 2006 (UTC)
 * Just a tip: This isn't an attempt to create a self-moderated online society. This is an attempt to write an encyclopedia. FCYTravis 04:57, 21 January 2006 (UTC)

Tip:
Good. Then leave it blank and let them delete the pigging thing. &mdash;The preceding unsigned comment was added by Zero DgZ (talk &bull; contribs).

Policies, GFDL
Zero DgZ, I've been looking around the relevant pages and I can't find anything about which policies you take exception to. Perhaps you could explain just what you find asinine or elitist so that we could discuss or explain it? I agree with everything FCYTravis says above, and perhaps once you've heard a few more details you'll find Wikipedia's policies a bit more understandable.

Also, in case it isn't already clear to you, I think someone owes you an explaination of why you can't simply have your own article deleted. It is indeed still your copyrighted work, but as you probably know, when you submitted that work to Wikipedia you placed it under the GFDL. This license gives Wikipedia (and anyone else) the right to use the work as long as we (or they) follow the license's terms. I'm sorry to hear that you don't want your work to be used, but I'm afraid this permission can't be revoked (sorry if that sounds unfair, but it's necessary to protect licensees' rights). Like I said, I hope we can resolve this to your satisfaction. –Sommers (Talk) 13:01, 23 January 2006 (UTC)

Original Work
Since this information is available nowhere else, I researched it myself with my own time and materails. Only after posting this article was I lambasted for violating your original research policy, so I moved to have the article deleted.

Only then to be criticized for wanting to correct my own error, forced to go around in circles with a collection of (frankly) elitist prats who feel the need act more official than they actually are in order to satisfy their own egos.

This is stupid. I give up. It's not even worth my time.

Do what you want with the stupid thing, just leave me alone about it.


 * I realize you may not come back to Wikipedia to see this, but if you do, I hope you realize that whatever negative experience you had with a single user is not representative of how Wikipedia works and, more importantly, that that user does not speak for all of us here. I can assure you that the experience you describe violates at least our "don't bite the newcomers" policy... or at least it would if it had happened on Wikipedia, but since it was a private exchange I won't stick my nose in and make any further judgments. But regardless, this article is a great contribution and we'd be very sorry to lose you. I hope you'll change your mind. If I can answer any questions that may improve your opinion of Wikipedia or help you understand it, please ask. –Sommers (Talk) 02:27, 25 January 2006 (UTC)

Lets not delete
Zero, I too am sorry you had a bad first experience on wikipedia. I have been using wikis for a few years and although they are great and extremely powerful tools, it can be frustrating when people disagree. I do hope you'll give wikipedia another shot, it is such a great site. That said, I think the article you wrote should stay. It seems well researched and organized, and before I read it I had no knowledge the anykey existed. If it is deleted it will return to obscurity. --Rgb9000 18:14, 25 January 2006 (UTC)

Articles for Deletion debate
This article survived an Articles for Deletion debate. The discussion can be found here. -Splash talk 00:49, 26 January 2006 (UTC)

Strike that, reverse it

 * 7. Author requests deletion. Any page for which deletion is requested by the original author, provided the page was edited only by its author and was mistakenly created. If the author blanks the page, this can be taken as a deletion request.

Sorry, but perhaps this should have been speedily deleted as per the original author's request. He blanked the page just after I added the Computer Keyboards category, a rather minor edit compared to the body of the article. Had I known that this was a part of Criteria for speedy deletion, I would have voted against keeping the article. I suppose it's too late now, but I just wanted everyone to see that this really should have been deleted since the original author did request it. It is unfortunate that the article put to vote rather than listed as a candidate for speedy deletion. I n d i talk 12:44, 26 January 2006 (UTC)
 * Please explain how this was "mistakenly created"? We don't delete good material just because the author decides to take his toys and go home. &#8212;Cryptic (talk) 13:07, 26 January 2006 (UTC)
 * You have a point on that one. I was focusing on the fact that when the page was blanked the only major edit was done by the original author.  And as for temper tantrums there's no need to act childish in retaliation, even if it does seem witty.  You'll only add fuel to the fire if User:Zero_DgZ is still checking this page.  No need for flame wars here. =)  I n d i talk 13:40, 26 January 2006 (UTC)
 * It was mistakenly created. It was a mistake for me to even consider it. Had I known then what I know now I never would have done it! I think that's about as defined as you can get. I find it funny how users can roast others for violtions of Wikipedia's policy while further stupulations are STILL not readily available for the uninitiated to read.

Just a word of encouragement...
I know this is late, but I just came across it and found it really, really useful. I have an AnyKey keyboard myself and I love it, so it was awesome to find this article and read all about it. Thank you so much, if you're still here. --Ciaran H 22:35, 17 March 2006 (UTC)


 * I have come across a few of these keyboards recently too, and have found this page very useful on explaining how to use them. However, it may be more appropriate to have the usage instructions on Wikibooks instead, and I don't think the last section is very NPOV... --Zilog Jones 23:21, 5 April 2006 (UTC)

Useful Info
Whatever others may think, and whether or not it's appropriate material for an encyclopedia, I found the info in the article useful, having had my AnyKey keyboard reprogrammed accidentally by my kids, and having lost the instructions and forgotten how to re/deprogram it. I also appreciated the historical information and commentary. 68.116.198.241 01:55, 8 July 2006 (UTC)

Missing Version
Just for anybody who knows anything, but I'm typing this on a version marked 2194002-37-004, which has two Windows keys on a British layout (shift+2 = "). Sticker on the reverse says "Maxi Switch Mexico 03-07-96. More information on [mailto:xenon@ttpn.net?subject=wiki request].

Also did find this article very useful for programming it. Recently acquired this keyboard from a friend as a spare, and had never figured out the Ctrl+Remap function.

--87.82.0.8 19:29, 22 July 2006 (UTC)Gerard Boyers

IT HELPED!!!!
Thanks to all who have worked on this. I dug an old keyboard out of the garage and it was totally remapped. This article helped fix the problem, allowing me to type on the old keyboard, which I used on the Linux machine that my daughter put together and installed it on.

Thanks to all!!!!!! —The preceding unsigned comment was added by 208.65.161.163 (talk) 22:16, 16 April 2007 (UTC).

My 2189014-00-214 AnyKey Keyboard does not require the use of Ctrl
My keyboard does not require the use of the Ctrl key to program a macro as the AnyKey article states. I just need to press the, "Program Macro", button by itself to begin programming a macro. My keyboard was apparently made on 11-25-1991. Perhaps the year 1992 models started to require the use of the Ctrl key? The dot-matrix printer sticker on the bottom of the keyboard displays:

PN: 2189014-00-214 SN: 92171424 2109 MAX SWITCH MEX 11-25-91

Stamped over this label is a circle containing the letter, "F", on the first line followed by, "EC-5", on the second line. On the right side of the label is a similar circle but with a horizontal line across the diameter. On the top half of the circle is the letter, "T", followed by, "EC-X8", on the bottom half of the circle.

A bigger, glossy label on a gray background displays,

Gateway2000 ANYKEY ... MODEL 2189XXX-XX THIS DEVICE COMPLIES WITH PART 15 OF THE FCC RULES. OPERATION IS SUBJECT TO THE FOLLOWING TWO CONDITIONS: (1) THIS DEVICE MAY NOT CAUSE HARMFUL INTERFERENCE, AND (2) THIS DEVICE MUST ACCEPT ANY INTERFERENCE RECEIVED, INCLUDING INTERFERENCE THAT MAY CAUSE UNDESIRED OPERATION. FCC ID: HWYKEY1 5 VDC. 380ma Max. ASSEMBLED IN MEXICO

-Edward Lee 24.12.11.31 04:14, 13 May 2007 (UTC)

2189014-00-711
I see on eBay a model of AnyKey keyboard, 2189014-00-711, which is not currently mentioned in the Wikipedia article. From the photograph, it appears that the keyboard has a PS/2 connector. The particular model that is for sale on eBay has a date on its label of 03/14/92. An earlier version of the 2189014-00-711 keyboard model dated 06/18/91 would hang when Alt ENTER was pressed in MS-DOS according to a Microsoft support article:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/131546

2189014-00-711 AnyKey keyboards dated 3/9/92 and later work with the Alt ENTER keypress, according to the Microsoft support article.

-Edward Lee 24.12.11.31 18:10, 20 May 2007 (UTC)

Fair use rationale for Image:Gateway Anykey.jpg
Image:Gateway Anykey.jpg is being used on this article. I notice the image page specifies that the image is being used under fair use but there is no explanation or rationale as to why its use in Wikipedia articles constitutes fair use. In addition to the boilerplate fair use template, you must also write out on the image description page a specific explanation or rationale for why using this image in each article is consistent with fair use.

Please go to the image description page and edit it to include a fair use rationale. Using one of the templates at Fair use rationale guideline is an easy way to insure that your image is in compliance with Wikipedia policy, but remember that you must complete the template. Do not simply insert a blank template on an image page.

If there is other other fair use media, consider checking that you have specified the fair use rationale on the other images used on this page. Note that any fair use images uploaded after 4 May, 2006, and lacking such an explanation will be deleted one week after they have been uploaded, as described on criteria for speedy deletion. If you have any questions please ask them at the Media copyright questions page. Thank you.BetacommandBot 10:27, 4 June 2007 (UTC)

What is the issue with the repaired keyboard picture?
Why was the link to the picture of the repaired trace on a Gateway Anykey keyboard removed? It's an original photograph that I made.

-Edward Lee 67.175.176.120 03:20, 17 August 2007 (UTC)

Late model AnyKey version - Maxi Switch Mexico 11-04-97
I have a late model AnyKey that I've been using since 1999 that seems to post-date the latest model on the wiki page...I'm actually typing this comment on it. :) Pictures can be found here:

Gateway AnyKey 11-04-97

...however it's starting to give up the ghost and I'm on the hunt for a replacement. :) The label is faded quite a bit but you can still see all the markings:

GWPN:

PN: 2194002-00-002

SN: 09450127 2402

Maxi Switch Mexico 11-04-97 —Preceding unsigned comment added by 166.47.58.137 (talk) 19:28, 23 May 2008 (UTC)

Maxi Switch Mexico 09-16-95
PN: 2194001-00-002

SN: 02373126 19ad

This keyboard requires control to be pressed when pressing Remap, unlike with many other versions of the keyboard. I updated the article accordingly. This keyboard has 7 screws around the edge and 5 in the middle, which hold together the layers of keyboard inside. In contrast, another version I have (Maxi Switch Mexico 08-09-95) is missing the 5 screws in the middle and they keyboard does not come apart into layers after removing the shell (nor does it require using control with the Remap key).

My thoughts on the cleanup of this article
I realize that I am a bit late to the discussion, seeing as it is now almost 2015, however there are indeed many issues with it. I greatly appreciate the efforts given to writing this article, but since Wikipedia is intended to be an encyclopedic site, it should be referenced. Original research doesn't have a place here because an encyclopedia by definition is something which has substantial evidence of any claims made. This article did help me, but I hope the authors of this page understand why exactly we have tagged it for cleanup and/or deletion in the past. Blaise170 (talk) 08:15, 27 December 2014 (UTC)

keyboard connector modes
Please add details about the keyboard connector. AT? PS2? Both? Which models have which? For the AT connector, did the keyboard only work in AT mode? Could it also work in XT mode? Auto or manual switch between modes? Did any of these keyboards work in the earlier original "PC" mode for IBM 5150 computer? It would be helpful to have a good set of photos of the backs of the various models. If not suitable for this article, it would be good to have at least a link to such.-71.174.176.65 (talk) 12:59, 19 April 2016 (UTC)

Useful page, please don't delete!
For the record, I have (at least) three of these keyboards salvaged from my job ending in 2001, and I found this article extremely useful.

Two of the keyboards are a -211 and -212, nothing special.

The third keyboard is similar to the -911 mentioned in the article: grey PS/2 plug; no "AnyKey" on the front; embossed information replacing the grey sticker on the back. Internals are heat staked. Embossed Gateway 2000 and gold G on the front. It does not require CTRL to use REMAP, unlike the -911. The information on the paper sticker is: PN: 2191011-00-004 SN: 00716084 1c35 MAXI SWITCH MEXICO 05-27-94

https://photos.app.goo.gl/Ft8ZveMn9DgPEJVt1

Jnork (talk) 20:22, 3 February 2018 (UTC)

Bogus claim that remapping Ctrl or Shift is not reliable on any AnyKey
currently makes the claim:


 * CAUTION: Although Shift and Ctrl can be reprogrammed using Macros as described in the next section, they should not be remapped. Unpredictable results may occur, depending on how long those keys are held down. Therefore, in REMAP mode, pressing the sequence Shift (without holding it down), and then lowercase-A, sometimes remaps the A key to become another Shift key, but not dependably. However, the following restoration process seems dependable.

Many AnyKey fans use them primarily because of their ability to swap Caps Lock & Ctrl (putting each in their ergonomically correct pre-AT locations), and to do so both reliably, and across the board on the system, regardless of which OS, boot disk, or BIOS utility is being used. I personally have had my AT and PS/2 AnyKey models set this way full-time since the mid-'90s, and have never had a problem. I also used to remap my right Shift key without any issues.

On the other hand, I have experienced problems on the more recent programmable keyboard the CVT Avant Prime, wherein if Caps Lock & Ctrl were swapped, then intermittently, if the new Ctrl key were pressed for too long, a Caps Lock keypress would be spuriously generated. Perhaps the latest revision(s) of the AnyKey share this problem with the Avant Prime? I have never used the version of the AnyKey with the Windows Key.

I have now added cn, dubious, and clarify tags to the paragraph quoted above due to the falsity of the claim as currently stated. --Dan Harkless (talk) 12:58, 10 September 2018 (UTC)