[PLUG-TALK] Horses Asses and Railways and Keyboards

[spike spooner]

Jeme A Brelin wrote:

>
> On Sun, 31 Jul 2005, spike spooner wrote:
>
>>> From: Keith Lofstrom <keithl at kl-ic.com>
>>> ... typing away on my historically contingent QWERTY keyboard ...
>>
>>
>> Why?
>
>
> That's an ambiguous question, spike.

Yes, it was. Thank you for picking up on that, and pointing
it out to the rest of the class.

>
> Why was Keith typing?

I didn't intend this question. Typing is an obvious way of producing
text for sending to plug-talk. I appreciated the fact that Keith did
type, because it taught me all I know about the term "historical 
contingency."

> Why does he use a QWERTY keyboard?

This is the main part of my question. I thought I detected irony in
Keith's line about using a QWERTY keyboard. If irony was
intended, does that mean Keith laments the QWERTY layout,
or that he uses it? And if so, why does he continue using it?

> Why is the QWERTY keyboard historically contingent?

I've read a lot about the history of the QWERTY keyboard, especially
as presented by those who lament its dominance.
But I'm sure there is more I could learn.

>
> The mind boggles.

That makes my day!

>
> J.

spike