A helpful member of GH from
this thread sent me these plates for finding out how close Wheelwriters are to being M's.
StatusThe Wheelwriter 5 board is
Boltmodded.
Both plates work with an M controller. Using the
USB Controller Mod is preferable.
Notes:The matrix will respond to most available keys though. Some are duplicated, other positions return control codes, etc. It
will require remapping.
Both:When making any membrane cuts, be
very careful! Cut them with a sharp knife and proceed carefully, and in a straight line, closest to the pin that you want to cut. You can always trim closer, but you cannot un-trim.
The smaller sized connector must have the extra pins cut off. These are the ones that do not go to the keyboard.
WW1000: Many positions respond with characters. Some respond with control codes, others respond with nothing other than a delay. This one will require a
USB Controller Mod to use fully.
The first "short" pin also has to be cut off the larger connector. This is the one that goes nowhere.
WW5:More positions respond than WW1000 with actual keys/control codes.
You want a cursor key-less HHKB with buckling springs? Wire up a controller from the
USB Controller Mod, and there you go. It should be not far off from an M, just subtract a few inputs (3 off the larger membrane edge connector) and remap keys.
Fitting:The fit on the smaller connector is perfect, provided that one removes the block of pins that "go to themselves". Otherwise they would not fit.
Pictures:WW1000 matrix on M(1391401) controller. Note that the Wheelwriter 1000 is off by one pin physically, but really off by 2 pins vs. the actual M connector.
WW5 matrix on M13 controller. The extra 4 pins on the smaller connector appear to be for lock LED's.
Alternate views: Top view of WW1000 on M controllerTop view of WW5 on M13 controller Questions:1. Is a USB controller mod necessary?Yes, if you want to use the keyboard.
No, if you only wish to test the board.
2. Is it fine to have not enough pins on the larger connector?Yes. Keys toward the center/top will not likely to be available.
3. If it is fine to have missing pins, is there a preferred fit?Yes. Align them on an M controller with extra pins on the right.
4. What are the consequences of being misaligned on rows?Keys will respond in different areas or not at all on the M controller.