Project "Board Chow"

[clickclack]

Hi everyone!
I have been lurking a for a little while now and figured I should probably join, so... TaaaDaaa! here I am =)
I have been working on a project for the past couple of months and in doing so I have come across many, many, many, and many keyboards. So I thought I would share them here as well as my experiences with them. At the moment I think I have a bit over 250 keyboards, (in one form or another) of which I would say 40 or so are the "mechanical" type.
I didn't know much about them when I started (and in many ways I still don't) but this site has really got me hooked! :biggrin:

In fact I was so excited to join, i decided to do a quick sketch for my avatar!
Do forgive my lack of pics in the post as(I will get to those soon) I am not terribly computer savy and my cintiq is crying because my two crappy computers are dying faster than I can type this =(

[keyb_gr]

... because my two crappy computers are dying faster than I can type this =(

250 keyboards but no well-working motherboards? Oops. Mind posting what kind of mo/bos and power supplies you're using? Usually those are the trouble spots (especially certain vintages), provided the harddrive doesn't crap out of course...

[clickclack]

I think it has less to do with the condition the components are in and more to do with the age and demands put on them. Both of my computers are about 8yrs old. And things get updated about as frequently as elections. I dont even have USB 2.0! My camera uploads move on a geologic timeframe. I seem to know enough to do email, reaserch/browsing, photography, and illustration. And many times that suprises me!

But back to your request, I have no idea what mo/bos (mother boards?) or power supplies I am using. I just know they are old, slow, and at best outdated.

I really appreciate your generosity, and I hope my "current" ignorance isn't too terribly off putting.

[lowpoly]

I like your avatar.

[sixty]

Same, nice job. Real hardcore geekhackers should get it as a tattoo.

[clickclack]

Thanks :smile:

I had a ton of fun making it! Mr. clickclack types at "ALL words per minute". And because of this he goes through many a keyboard! haahaa

I am currently using an-
 IBM model M 1391401 (1991 grey logo with black letters?)
and a bran spankin new Dell AT101W.
these are set up on two different computers.
And they replace an HP keyboard (that I am currently dying the keycaps on) and a Dell quiet key keyboard that is really, really loud for a rubber dome, despite its name (that I am also currently dying the keycaps on)

I have two more AT101W's that are also NIB. And I have 3 more IBM model M's with blue labels.

I have an old Apple Extended keyboard II for my old Machintosh IICi that I always loved and only recently realized what mechanical switches were and that I had been using one for years! =D I always wondered why I like it so much. But I stopped using that computer 6 or so years ago. But I still have everything but the monitor and speakers.

[sixty]

I have an old Apple Extended keyboard II for my old Machintosh IICi that I always loved and only recently realized what mechanical switches were and that I had been using one for years! =D I always wondered why I like it so much. But I stopped using that computer 6 or so years ago. But I still have everything but the monitor and speakers.

The AEKII uses cream colored ALPS switches, which use rubber dampers to lighten the sound. These switches are kind of rare and were only used in the AEKII and the SGI version of the AT101 board. Anyway.. you can actually get the AEKII to work on modern Macs (or PCs!) with the help of a Griffin iMate, which converts ADB to USB. Sadly these have gotten quite rare and only pop up on eBay every now and then.

[clickclack]

Same, nice job. Real hardcore geekhackers should get it as a tattoo.

Haahaa! Thanks :biggrin:
I think that would be a bit too hardcore...hmmm...
Nope, I take that back, I am going to take that compliment and run with it!
clickclack tatoo anyone? I would give ya a bunch of keyboards! haahaa

[clickclack]

The AEKII uses cream colored ALPS switches, which use rubber dampers to lighten the sound. These switches are kind of rare and were only used in the AEKII and the SGI version of the AT101 board. Anyway.. you can actually get the AEKII to work on modern Macs (or PCs!) with the help of a Griffin iMate, which converts ADB to USB. Sadly these have gotten quite rare and only pop up on eBay every now and then.

WOW! I didn't know I could use it on PC's, thats great! I have about 5-7 more and one where I just keep the metal plate and switches so I could have a keyboard to do my layout tests on. I will upload a pic of that hopefully soon. I should check each keyboard to see what color the ALPS switches are. The two I first looked at (mine and the first recent one I recieved) seemed to have a more white plastic stem color... lemme check....*runs to the other room* I just checked the stem color and they are a bit more "off white" (cream I suppose)than white when compared to other ALPS switches I have. They are quit quiet compared to other white ALPS switches I have tested.

[lowpoly]

For what project did you buy 210 rubber domes?

[clickclack]

For what project did you buy 210 rubber domes?

I am a materials person (not "material") and in model making I am always on the look out for stuff I can either use for kit bashing or for textural elements. I also do a bunch of massing models for theme parks and other architectural environments. And simple repetitive geometric objects can make my life easier much of the time and a bit interesting (in an ironic way). I am also a sculptor and I will be using many of the keyboard components for that as well.

I am currently not buying them, although I was going to go that route as I can get large lots of keyboards off Ebay. The prices may be high initially but in relative terms very worth it! (but the lack of mechanical keyboards and the lack of variety steered me clear) I am currently getting them donated from multiple anonymous sources. I would say some or many dont work, but I have no way of testing a majority of them.

I have taken apart over 200 of them so far but I must say there is enough of a variety to keep things really interesting!
I have seen really interesting switches, rubber domes, membranes, metal plates, keycaps, springs, screws, circuit boards, leds, smells, and lint! Enough to make you sick and happy all at the same time =P

[clickclack]

lets see if this works.... *crosses fingers, then runs and hides*...


WOOOHOOOO!!!! it works!!! Now lets see if I can get that pic at the top of this page

Thanks JBert!!!! That was mighty kind of you to dumb things down for me, I really appreciate it!
I am going to try and do a pic straight up next time! YAY!

[timw4mail]

Membranes, for all their ubiquity, are still very interesting to look at.

[keyb_gr]

Both of my computers are about 8yrs old.

Bingo. Don't be too surprised if you pop 'em open and find faulty electrolytic capacitors on the board. (And no, it's probably cheaper to get another board than to replace the caps, unless you already have a fancy soldering station.) The power supplies might also be finished if used a lot, especially if there are no other exhaust fans and they have been allowed to accumulate dust (the one in my main comp is cleaned out with a big brush about once a year - and yes, it should be disconnected from mains for quite a while for that, plus some caution can't hurt in any case).

Identifying things isn't too hard, for the board you might use good ol' Lavalys Everest (Windows) and for the power supply it only takes a boring screwdriver even you didn't bother to save the receipt.

And things get updated about as frequently as elections. I dont even have USB 2.0!

Nor do I. I'm still completely on BX boards and even older stuff (the latter is mainly for fun, of course). Having good-quality components and a reasonably new / fast harddrive helps though.

[clickclack]

Membranes, for all their ubiquity, are still very interesting to look at.

no kiddin! I have some pics of the ones I disassembled and some are oddly stunning and vibrant! And I don't think I have even opened up the ones I think will be real treats. ohhh goody, goody....

[lowpoly]

I have some pics of the ones I disassembled

Maybe post some? Put your new knowledge to use. :-)

[huha]

Pics or it didn't happen.

-huha

[o2dazone]

Love the digital painting, got a link to anymore work?

[itlnstln]

It looks like it's time for a shave, ripster.  I hope you're not drooling on yourself.
 
 
Seriously though, does that guy's crotch hold the secrets to C++, or something?  He's looking at it like a pair of crystal balls.

[itlnstln]

I shave, personally, but then again, I'm not really a programmer.
 
I do stare at my crotch constantly, though.  It tells me things.

[o2dazone]

I shave, personally, but then again, I'm not really a programmer.
 
I do stare at my crotch constantly, though.  It tells me things.

Is one of those things "Wash me!"

[itlnstln]

Is one of those things "Wash me!"

Yeah, I use my finger to write on the surface.
 
It also says, "Help, I'm drowning!"

[rdjack21]

BTW I'm a developer and I do shave semi regularly. But back to the topic at hand. I do agree it would be nice to have a few more artist type people on this forum. Including more author types as well. I'm missing xsplat and his typewriter posts. It will be interesting to see what clickclack does with all of those boards he is taking apart.

[lowpoly]

I do agree it would be nice to have a few more artist type people on this forum.

I did art stuff but I've given up on it almost completely.

[timw4mail]

I did art stuff but I've given up on it almost completely.

I used to do Terragen renderings...

[o2dazone]

I'm more inspired to learn about web standards and web interaction, but I came from an art background, you can see it in my photos

[timw4mail]

That game will set so many records if it actually gets released.

[keyb_gr]

I'm more inspired to learn about web standards and web interaction, but I came from an art background, you can see it in my photos

Speaking of web standards, what became of my suggestion for a more visible a:focus on this very site? At least in the light theme there doesn't seem to be anything implemented.

[clickclack]

Bingo. Don't be too surprised if you pop 'em open and find faulty electrolytic capacitors on the board......

You know so much more than I could hope to comprehend regarding this stuff. Though I must admit I find it fascinating! Thanks for all the info, you have me rather busy searching and trying to learn stuff

[clickclack]

Maybe post some? Put your new knowledge to use. :-)

haahaa, you gottit! I will hopefully have stuff uploaded late, late tonight. I have about 60 gigs worth of pics from gigs and projects that are just sitting in a bag of memory cards! eeek!