The world's best keyboard

Large, heavy and extremely noisy. In addition, soon enters the third to x. Nevertheless, there are still adherents who used to date because it's the world's best keyboard.

The IBM Model M 

There are few stable elements of computers, such as keyboard: still the most important input device, even if multiple devices - such as tablet-smart phones - it is replaced by a virtual counterpart. The Verge extensive article devoted to the keyboard, which is a kind of new standard: all the Model M keyboards made ​​today was followed by a key location, even if the button has been expanded to also offer the first Model M release.

But how does one become a cult keyboard? First of all, due to its durability and the other with a keyboard unmistakable voice. Article presented at The Verge Brandon Ermita, Princeton University, one of the IT manager, who sell exclusively online trading antiques input devices, especially for Model-M. Anyone interested in the topic, it is worth a visit is the clickykeyboards.com, where we will find detailed technical descriptions.

Small keyboard history 

The traditional QWERTY keyboard, or the manner in which the various characters are located relative to each other, not IBM invention. The assignment of a legendary typewriter, every journalist wanted a basic tool, manufactured by E. Remington & Sons, Remington No. 1 world-famous. You're also more widely in the company's refining purchased a patent made ​​it to the final assignment is still used in practice.

In 1981, IBM released the first keyboard. This has been tried to solve the problem that the computer was not quite the traditional character set (lowercase letters, uppercase letters, digits, special characters), but was a need for a special letter keys, allowing the user to the machine could communicate.

The team have created a separate company at the beginning of the 80s, which was responsible for the development of the keyboard. The team worked not only in the lab, but from novice user set up a test team, who tested the layout and mechanical solutions.

The Model M is one of the characteristics of the so-called. buckling spring mechanism already existed in the previous generation, 83-key PC / XT keyboard as well. The mechanism is to work with a mechanical coupling spring during the detachable keyboard (see picture). This was typical of the Model M, typewriter voice.

The sound is clear, however, did not result in success. The machine operator was a great help to the clarity of the keyboard, that is physically and voice feedback is given to the machine operator, making it more accurate typing. However, this typewriter imitation drawback was the environment obviously very troubled by the distinctive, loud clack. Public spaces, therefore, later spread to the rubber bellows, more quiet-action keyboard.

Since 1987 the IBM PS / 2 PC has of the Model M is given, which certainly ensured the spread of the allocation it worked.

How to find a niche market?

Small businesses can hardly afford to compete in the market with many buyers left for them to find a niche where smaller quantities can be replaced with higher profits. The market niche is a targeted segment of the market. When searching for a niche, follow these seven steps:

1. Make a list with whom you want to do business. Be as specific as possible when specifying the geographical location of niche type business customers. As long as you do not know with whom you want to do business and where to find customers, you can not establish contact. Trends go in the direction of minimizing niches - so, for example, target market "teenagers" too big, necessary to specify, for example, "Afro-Americans with family income up to 40 thousand dollars a year."

2. Focusing. When deciding what you sell, you should consider that you can not do it all and to all customers and that it is less often more. Your niche is not the same as the scope of operations. For example, the sale of used clothing is an area, while the niche selling used clothes for pregnant women. In focus follow your knowledge and experience. For example, if 10 years working in the consulting company and 10 years in a small, family business, it can be your ideal niche consultancy smaller, family-run businesses.

3. Meet the buyer. That'll get your target market to best meet, you first need to know exactly what he wants. And to figure this out, it is best to talk with potential customers. Invite a small group of potential customers and make them focus group.

4. Synthesis. Your niche market should gradually receive your form, both in geographical terms and in terms of a specific transaction. A good niche market has the following characteristics: it is consistent with your long-term vision; what you want to sell, someone wants to buy - therefore you have enough customers; is carefully planned; is unique; develops. Ask yourself if all this applies to your niche.

5. Evaluate. Product or service that you want to sell, evaluated according to the criteria listed in the previous step. If you find that you are on any question be answered in the negative, let go of the idea of ​​dealing with the product or service and find a new idea.

6. Testing. Your product or service Test. Offer potential customers a sample.

7. Action! Now is the time that your idea completely alive. For many companies, this is the most difficult phase, but if you deal with things planned, he fears.

When your business bloom, there is a risk to fall asleep on their laurels. Do not! Every six months you answer the following questions:

- Who are my target customers?
- Who are not my target customers?
- What did customers think about me?
- My niche constantly evolving?
- You can predict the life cycle of niches?
- Are buyers still offer what you want?
- To business addresses with a passion?

Answers to these questions will keep you awake and on guard.