where in the US should I buy a keyboard with Russian letters?

[JL]

I am looking for a russian lettered keyboard online in the US.  I have found some but thought someone might have a place or two they have used and recommend. I have Macs and PC's but thought I would set up my PC for my friend to use while she is here(since she is accustomed to using PC's) although she will have a laptop. She has been ask to write a movie script so I thought being able to use a large screen desktop would be a good option to have.

I am running XP Pro on that PC and I suppose it has Russian already programmed in although I have never seen how to change languages on it.....both my Macs have many languages already in them ...... So I assume the PC does also I have just never noticed. SO does anybody know the answer to that question?? or have a place in the US they have bought keyboards from???

I have seen the stick on letters but they eventually fall off and keyboards are cheap so I figured why not get one.

I haven't been home in several weeks so haven't been able to look at my PC for languages or I wouldn't be asking....I'd just look. 

Thanks for any help,  Jim

[dbneeley]

I had the "stick on letters" on one keyboard for a year and a half with none "falling off"--so I am not sure of the problem. The keyboards I have seen in the U.S. with Cyrillic letters are quite expensive. On the other hand, your lady friend can easily and very cheaply buy a set or more of the Cyrillic letters before she visits you in the FSU--they are widely available--and bring them with her.

In XP, if I recall correctly its in the setup files as "regional and language settings" or some such. Quite easy to add, actually.

David

[JL]

Cool...thanks David. Yes I did find most were expensive then I found this place which was more reasonable.  http://ikbs-usa.com/index.php?cPath=21&gclid=CMith7PsmqQCFQ5O2godEUxyFQ

$16 dollars and up.....I don't want a crappy keyboard though so I will go with a known brand probably. Might try the stick on letters for now.

[Manny]

Try here: http://russiankeyboards.com/

[JL]

Try here: http://russiankeyboards.com/

That is a good site also.....I knew you would be coming up with a spot Manny.  Now the decisions are getting tougher. I hate buying a keyboard I can't touch and feel the keys....I have a really crappy one on my PC right now but my Macs are great.....so I don't mind replacing my crappy keyboard as long as I don't get another just as bad.  )

[Stirlitz]

"where in the US should I buy a keyboard with Russian letters?New
in FSU Service Providers and Useful Resources"
The name sounds funny.

I would recommend stickers on keys.

As for the language, if you go to the Control Panel, you will see Regional Options. It has the Languages tab where you can add Russian and specify keyboard shortcuts (normally it is Ctrl+Shift).

[dbneeley]

Many consider the original IBM Model M keyboards the best ever made; many are still in daily use nearly 25 years after the first ones were made. These are the "clicky" buckling spring keyboards that closely resemble the action of the Selectric typewriter keyboards.

What many don't know is that they are still manufactured, along with some moder modern layouts. They are made by a company called Unicomp, which has an online store at http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/keyboards.html

They make *many* foreign language options available, too; you'd have to inquire about an English/Cyrillic setup.

The biggest mistake they made, in my opinion, still plagues many keyboards today: the prominent caps lock key. Fortunately, modern systems permit you to remap that key if you wish.

David

[RG]

Many consider the original IBM Model M keyboards the best ever made; many are still in daily use nearly 25 years after the first ones were made. These are the "clicky" buckling spring keyboards that closely resemble the action of the Selectric typewriter keyboards.

What many don't know is that they are still manufactured, along with some moder modern layouts. They are made by a company called Unicomp, which has an online store at http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/keyboards.html

They make *many* foreign language options available, too; you'd have to inquire about an English/Cyrillic setup.

The biggest mistake they made, in my opinion, still plagues many keyboards today: the prominent caps lock key. Fortunately, modern systems permit you to remap that key if you wish.

David

I actually have several of them from Unicomp; they now own the manufacturing rights to the IBM Model M and derivatives.  While I don't think they are quite as sturdy as the originals, they do also offer USB options, something the originals never had.

[JL]

RG....yes I noticed the unicomp ones and wondered about them. Wasn't familiar with the name.
Sounds like I could go check one out locally and then order one online with Russian lettering. I would use stick ons but the keyboard on that computer is pretty bad....stiff keys that don't function easily....that type of thing....so I have been meaning to replace it anyway.

Thanks for the info guys.

[khelkhov]

I buy Russian keyboards from this online store:  www.russiankeyboardstore.com

If you want to brush up on your Russian typing skills, I highly recommend this keyboarding course to get you up to the speed with the standard Russian keyboard...

www.alfatyping.com

It's all free. 

[Stirlitz]

The biggest mistake they made, in my opinion, still plagues many keyboards today: the prominent caps lock key. Fortunately, modern systems permit you to remap that key if you wish.

I am also baffled by this CapsLock key. Especially when there is no key to switch between languages and you have to use combinations, ain’t that stupid. They added a Windows key later when Windows 95 was introduced but up to day there is no keyboard with a RU/EN key. Utterly stupid.

I remapped Capslock to be this key, that is to switch between layouts.