Wikipedia:Reference desk/Archives/Computing/2016 May 1

= May 1 =

Google Earth Placemark names
Anyone know how to turn these off (and then back on)? I want to see the layout of the pins without the names getting in the way. -- SGBailey (talk) 05:55, 1 May 2016 (UTC)

And whilst at it, can you turn the geograph icons off too? -- SGBailey (talk) 06:10, 1 May 2016 (UTC)

Does the Lenovo Thinkpad 13 have user upgradable RAM?
Does the Lenovo Thinkpad 13 have user upgradable RAM? The memory upgrade option on their website is a little too expensive compared to how much the RAM sticks cost in retail. Johnson&#38;Johnson&#38;Son (talk) 09:20, 1 May 2016 (UTC)


 * Yes. See pages 61 and 69 of this document.&mdash;Best Dog Ever (talk) 09:43, 1 May 2016 (UTC)

Computer keyboard key sizes and spacing
I'm in the middle of replacing a broken keyboard for a friend, and the keyboard I first used to get her going again, unknown to me, had a very slightly smaller key size and spacing than the standard.

I didn't even notice the difference when I used the smaller keyboard (and I use it regularly... it's a backlit USB wireless keyboard that I connect to my subnotebook particularly in low light situations) but she greatly prefers it. She has small hands, I suspect that's the reason, but it may also be the influence of the many typewriters she has used over the years. That would be a good PhD for someone probably!

But in researching keyboard sizes... well, maybe I should say trying to research them... I found little data. The manufacturers websites (including the website for the slightly smaller one I have) don't even mention key size or spacing in their online specifications. The keyboards in shops don't mention it on the packaging. The sales staff either stare blankly or (a few I must say) say that I'm lying to them, that they are all the same.

I found one website on the history of computer hardware (see Talk:Computer keyboard) that says the standard spacing is 3/4" and is universal, and it gives reasons for this. While that seems to be true of most keyboards I have (and all the older ones), it obviously isn't true of all USB keyboards and with the advent of subnotebooks may even be completely out of date.

Any information? Andrewa (talk) 16:23, 1 May 2016 (UTC)


 * I'm just curious... Have you actually measured this keyboard of which you speak? Dismas |(talk) 16:39, 1 May 2016 (UTC)


 * Yes... see the wikilink above. The overall length of the row QWERTYUIOP inclusive (but just the alpha keys, not the Tab and special character keys at the ends of the row) is 19cm for most keyboards (with standard spacing) but only 18cm for the backlit Logitech that inspired this question. It seems too small a difference to matter, but it does. Andrewa (talk) 16:58, 1 May 2016 (UTC)


 * A better measurement (I took those before encountering any data at all) is the Q-T spacing, centre to centre... standard is 3" of course representing .75" (or 3/4") key spacing, but the Logitech is only 2.75". I chose to measure four key spaces for greater accuracy. Andrewa (talk) 17:10, 1 May 2016 (UTC)


 * I think you are stuck opening packages and measuring them. Of course, you don't need to buy them in the same place, if you can get a better deal elsewhere, after you find the model you want. StuRat (talk) 02:52, 2 May 2016 (UTC)
 * So it seems. Done that now, see below. Andrewa (talk) 08:26, 5 May 2016 (UTC)


 * It's always worth reading on-line reviews, where previous customers are likely to mention something like this. I always make a point of writing on-line reviews, especially if I am disappointed with a product.--Shantavira|feed me 07:18, 2 May 2016 (UTC)
 * I've tried searching for such. No mention of key sizes and spacing that I can see. Andrewa (talk) 08:26, 5 May 2016 (UTC)


 * Maybe email a company that sells compact and mini keyboards? http://www.fentek-ind.com/minikb.htm The Quixotic Potato (talk) 23:41, 4 May 2016 (UTC)


 * Good suggestion. They don't appear to have much presence in Australia... fentek.com.au even seems to have been registered by a cyber squatter. But probably a good source of information for inclusion in Wikipedia, which is the main point here now (see below). Andrewa (talk) 08:26, 5 May 2016 (UTC)

Thank you
I have now bought a second Logitech keyboard with slightly reduced size keys (same size as the other, but different model... no backlight, and alkaline rather than rechargeable batteries) and it seems perfect for the application. That was half the reason for raising the issue here, and I'm grateful for the input. JB Hifi (Hornsby) did well, made and deserved the sale... had the product, had the product knowledge, were happy to open the packages and measure the keys. (Some other local suppliers were a lot less helpful.)

The other half of the question is still of interest however. I looked for information on key sizes in Wikipedia, and didn't find it anywhere in our main namespace. It seems to be encyclopedic information. This is a job for... Wikiman!

I'm guessing that full size keys is seen as a plus and a selling point, and that reduced size keys aren't seen as a selling point, that's why no supplier seems to mention key size unless it's to say that they are full-sized. All the more reason that it would be good for us to have this information. Andrewa (talk) 08:26, 5 May 2016 (UTC)