Soo.... why is it called a keyboard and not a buttonboard? ...
Yes, "key" is a synonym for "button". Historically, though, "button" has been used in the context of operation ("Press any key"). For that reason, I think the term "keyboard" refers to its function, not its particular design. Indeed, MK people rarely refer to "keys" because it doesn't seem specific enough.
If it were up to me, I'd use "key" for an entire switching mechanism, consisting of a switch and button (or two-piece button with stem + cap). This corresponds with the "keys" on keyboard instruments, which transmit the actuating energy from the user to the device. I assume that's where the computer term "keys" came from.
But sure, calling them "keys" is better than "caps"—so go ahead and do that, if it blows your skirt up. :?)
If you don't believe "cap" is being widely misused, you need go no further
than Unicomp's site, where they refer to "buttons" and "caps" as separate things. Since they sell two-piece buttons consisting of
caps and
stems, calling a one-piece button a "cap" would cause needless confusion. No one started referring to keyboard "caps" till IBM invented the two-piece button and the term "cap" became meaningful.
Think about it: A computer keyboard is a collection of switches. If you press something on
any other kind of switch, you'd call that part a "button". You don't press "caps" on your remote. You wouldn't refer to your doorbell's
cap (unless it had changeable colours). Why should computer keyboards be different?
Discrete technical terms exist for our advantage, to avoid confusion and inaccuracy. It beats me why most MK peeps don't care about that here, when they care about accuracy in so many other ways.
pretty sure those are engraved, not double shot...
Okay—I'd still be glad to have 'em, though, wouldn't you? It's darn tempting, considering that people commonly pay over $100 for sets that aren't nearly as distinctive, not to mention original.
