So, I’m writing on my new Clie keyboard, the Stowaway XT. Since I do most of my writing for TheKMills.com here at the gym, I’m sometimes without my normal keyboard,the Sony KB11. So I browsed keyboards on eBay to see what else is out there, conferred with my tech guru buddy, Jeff Pickell, to see what the thought, and took the plunge.
$15 later, here I am on this sleek, collapsable keyboard.
Unfortunately, I don’t think I like it. :\ (Sorry, Jeffrey.) The problem? It’s eliminated the number and symbol row (usually above the QWERTY line) and instead made them available only by using function keys combinations. Thus, to type 123!! I have to stop and press not ONE, but TWO different function keys – blue for the numbers, then green for the symbols.
And this, my friends, is simply unacceptable. When I type, I type VERY fast. The thoughts pop into my head and flow through my hands instantaneously (much like my thoughts and my mouth, to be honest…). So to grind to a complete halt and figure out where the blasted keys are? Well, that’s just a mood killer.
Could I take the time to learn where they are? Sure. But I’d rather not. I’d rather stick to a standard keyboard, with standard keys in the standard locations.
So what does this mean to you? Most posts… and fewer hiccups or nasty words rifling through my head when I can’t find the blasted keys!!! 
Again, Jeff. My apologies for not falling in love with it. The design rocks. It really does. But the execution? Not so much… So if you wanna get a keyboard for your Clie, I strongly suggest you get the KB11 on eBay. Or at least borrow one of each so you can tell the difference, take ‘em for a test-drive.
Kevin
Jeff says:
Really, it is a great keyboard… It’s very sturdy, locks open so that you can type with it on your lap. It’s small enough to conveniently carry in your pocket (unlike the newer Palm Universal keyboards) I do agree that the lack of a dedicated number/symbol row is somewhat problematic, but a little bit of practice will get you double-shifting in no time!
Unfortunately, I’ve been through several PDA keyboards from the StowawayXT (still my favorite) to the Belkin G700 (not a bad keyboard, slightly larger than the Stowaway, but it does have a dedicated number/symbol row). Unfortunately neither of these keyboards work on my Palm T|X, so I’m suffering with the Palm Universal keyboard. (blech. bulky, plasticy, annoying swing-arm IR reciever) It’s the only reasonably-priced, non-bluetooth solution for my Palm T|X. I really don’t like the bluetooth keyboards because of the battery drain, and at this point, I’m just waiting for an updated Centro (or similar) to replace my T|X/keyboard setup.
Or maybe the iPhone Nano….