Project "Board Chow"

[o2dazone]

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.

I implemented a:focus as white text on focus a few months back. Works in ie678, firefox, safari/chrome. Opera doesn't seem to have a link tabbing feature


edit: re-read your comment, yeah nothing in the light theme

[clickclack]

Pics or it didn't happen.

-huha

haahaa! I know, I know, I am not very computer savy and I am having a massive amount of computer issues.

[keyb_gr]

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

Well, I've been dealing with these things for a few years (actually part of th reason why I started electrical engineering was frustration about not understanding even basic electric circuitry, something handy when you're a radio nut). In return, my art skills are lousy - don't be surprised if you find ASCII art illustrations on my pages. Domesticating Inkscape is still a work in progress...

I have about 60 gigs worth of pics from gigs and projects that are just sitting in a bag of memory cards! eeek!

60 gigs? :shocked: That's not too shabby.

BTW, you can also queue up quotes from multiple posts with that M-QUOTE button. Then press QUOTE on the last one, and they'll all be inserted.

[clickclack]

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

I have tons of stuff, but my computer problems and my ignorance are a limiting factor atm. I had a site years ago 2002? But I had no idea how to mantain it and it was quickly taken down after much information over load and inquiries.

Nice artwork!  We needed some more non-programmers around here.  Not that coders aren't exciting people or anything....

Thanks! Your Avatar in part inspired me to do it! I didn't know if it was your illustration or not, but I really liked it and it livened up the posts with a bit of visual character.
btw that pic made me laugh out loud!

[erricrice]

Dude, love the avatar!!

Hey now, I'm an artistic type!!  You've got one amongst your ranks, you just didn't know it!  
I do the music thing btw.

If you have any questions about computers in general clickclack I am quite computer savvy and worked at a computer store(not best buy, a REAL computer store) until I got hired at a recording studio.  I can pretty much troubleshoot anything, makes it more difficult if I can't see it, but meh I'll figure it out.  What's your comp problem?

[clickclack]

Well, I've been dealing with these things for a few years....
....In return, my art skills are lousy - don't be surprised if you find ASCII art illustrations on my pages. Domesticating Inkscape is still a work in progress...

60 gigs? :shocked: That's not too shabby.

BTW, you can also queue up quotes from multiple posts with that M-QUOTE button. Then press QUOTE on the last one, and they'll all be inserted.

I really dig ASCII art! I personally suck at it but I dig it

yup 60 gigs

Thanks for the tip with the quoting thing.:wave: The method I was trying to use to consolodate was silly at best.

[clickclack]

Dude, love the avatar!!

Hey now, I'm an artistic type!!  You've got one amongst your ranks, you just didn't know it!  
I do the music thing btw.

If you have any questions about computers in general clickclack I am quite computer savvy and worked at a computer store(not best buy, a REAL computer store) until I got hired at a recording studio.  I can pretty much troubleshoot anything, makes it more difficult if I can't see it, but meh I'll figure it out.  What's your comp problem?

Thanks =D
I have tried the music thing and I must say it takes far more dedication than I am ever willing to give it =P
Although I must admit I would kill to be able to play the Viola!

Thanks for the offer, I really appreciate it!
Atm my "main" compy problems stem from everything being so, so, so, incredibly slow that I cant really get anything done. Or it takes so long that it just ends up crashing (or might as well)
All of my computer stuff is just way, way out dated, with the sole exception of my Cintiq. Which is really sad since i can hardly use it due to the lack of newer and better components. But most of my time right now is spent dealing with my current poor health and obnoxious medical bills. So a new set up will just have to wait ( I have already been waiting for years)

some pics are coming up soon...
It has taken me 3 hours to upload...:puke:

This community is really rather generous with help! A pleasant change from the everyday social interactions I am used to.

[Rajagra]

I made a load of ASCII art in a different lifetime. That is, before the rise of graphics on the Internet, in days we're building MUD and stuff. I think I had too much time on my hands.

Show Image

She's not bad, she's just typed that way.

[clickclack]

That ASCII art was fantastic! haahaa!

And now as promised *crosses fingers*
some much delayed pics-


these are the ones I took apart today. I only took apart the rubber domed ones today, as I am saving the mechanical boards for a little later. There happened to be a higher percentage of mechanical boards in this particular batch. And that batch was almost exclusively Mac related.


This pic is from a few days ago and a different donated batch.

[clickclack]

Your first pic scared me. On my 26", it looked like a big pile of keyboards was about to crush down on me.

I guess there are worse ways to die!

Haaahaaa! SURPRISE!!! thats classic
honestly it would be a bad way to go, first you would be crushed, but more importantly you would have a never ending down pour of board chow...eewww.

here is another pic-
this is a pic of an Apple II? keyboard and it is really fun to mash around on. The keys have a very lovely tone and solid. There is this really funny droning metalic sound very space alien like (thats what my girlfriend said and I would have to agree). The keys are silly thick and the board is very, very, small in foot print but it is by far the tallest (thick) keyboard I have yet to use. I think this is my first experience with a "linear" switch. There is no click and the force seems to remain the same through the whole stroke. I have a key from an average rubber dome keyboard to compare thickness of keys.

[lowpoly]

Interesting.

The AST keyboard, 2nd column from the left, 4th from the bottom. What kind of switch does it have?

[keyb_gr]

That's quite the collection. In the second batch, I spotted:

• 2 MS Naturals (the cleaner one is older) - OK, that was easy
• 1 Acer KB101(/A/B), the one on the left with the 4 LEDs; this should have either real Alps switches or clicky Acer lookalikes (if the keycaps come off reasonably easily by hand it's probably the latter, on Alps switches the caps tend to cling on for dear life so in some cases you might rather rip off the switch than the cap)
• 2 Packard Bell (BTC inside) rubber domes like my old one, they're quite nice
• 1 OEM Cherry MX11800 (does this one also have browns?)
• 1 craptacular Logitech Internet Navigator (yay)
• Some Focus board I think? (the one with the yellowed keys)
• That Model M lookalike with L-shaped Enter could be a Mitsumi, Silitek or somesuch
• I think these IBM rubber domes are some of the better ones.
• The two boards on the lower right seem to be some Apples ones, but apparently no Extended IIs, that one is at the top left
• The board with the very white keys and slightly yellowed case near the top right could be a mechanical... Monterey or something.

What's the right Gateway board like? It looks interesting at least, and I spooted one on the 'bay recently.

Oh, and it seems like you could use a big pack of those denture cleaning tabs (see recent thread). And a good bit of dishwashing liquid.

The old Apple board is nice. Looks like it has old Alps switches. Too bad the numpad Enter is b0rked.

You can also post stuff in the main Keyboard Pics thread if you want.

[lowpoly]

The two boards on the lower right seem to be some Apples ones, but apparently no Extended IIs

Those look like the Apple Design keyboard, a rubber dome.

[clickclack]

Interesting.

The AST keyboard, 2nd column from the left, 4th from the bottom. What kind of switch does it have?

I will have to check, but I believe the AST one to the direct upper right of it is just a rubber dome. I will check a little later cuz my back is killing me from yesterdays keyboard demolition :S

[clickclack]

comments in (hmm..lets pick something pretty...) green

That's quite the collection. In the second batch, I spotted:

• 2 MS Naturals (the cleaner one is older) - OK, that was easy
• 1 Acer KB101(/A/B), the one on the left with the 4 LEDs; this should have either real Alps switches or clicky Acer lookalikes (if the keycaps come off reasonably easily by hand it's probably the latter, on Alps switches the caps tend to cling on for dear life so in some cases you might rather rip off the switch than the cap)

quite possible, but again I would have to check

• 2 Packard Bell (BTC inside) rubber domes like my old one, they're quite nice

yup most of the Packard Bells feel pretty decent

• 1 OEM Cherry MX11800 (does this one also have browns?)

I am not too sure there is a Cherry in the group, I don't think as of yet I have encountered a Cherry brown either

• 1 craptacular Logitech Internet Navigator (yay)

Logitech seem to have the most variation in mountings, membranes, and rubber domes

• Some Focus board I think? (the one with the yellowed keys)
• That Model M lookalike with L-shaped Enter could be a Mitsumi, Silitek or somesuch

I think Mitsumi. The really interesting thing about model M lookalikes is that even the insides look like a model M just with rubber domes. Some with curved metal plates and some with curved plastic ones

• I think these IBM rubber domes are some of the better ones.

Most of the IBM boards look and feel really nice (when compared to "most" other rubber domes

• The two boards on the lower right seem to be some Apples ones, but apparently no Extended IIs, that one is at the top left

Yup they are Apple Design keyboards. And the uppper left one is an Extended II. Which I now must have 15+ of by now!!!
 

• The board with the very white keys and slightly yellowed case near the top right could be a mechanical... Monterey or something.

again  would have to check
[/list]
What's the right Gateway board like? It looks interesting at least, and I spooted one on the 'bay recently.
think there are a couple Gateways in their. Most Gateways that are a normal layout feel decent enough (maybe better than most) but the ergonomic ones tend to feel like icky mush and poor travel

Oh, and it seems like you could use a big pack of those denture cleaning tabs (see recent thread). And a good bit of dishwashing liquid.
You truly have no idea I usually wipe em down first with alcohol and then after being disassembled I give them a soak in Comet. It does a great job and if you rinse them fully no real residue remains. But on my project the get a final alcohol wipe and the are gorgeous! Bran spankin new looking

The old Apple board is nice. Looks like it has old Alps switches. Too bad the numpad Enter is b0rked.
Yeah that thing reminds me of my early childhood in school.


You can also post stuff in the main Keyboard Pics thread if you want.
I might just do that, but  need to focus atm

[clickclack]

Those look like the Apple Design keyboard, a rubber dome.

 Correct! They are kinda interesting. The rubber domes are usually separated and either stuck on the underside of two piece key stems ore silicone mounted to the membrane (but still separated, not in sheets) And They tend to be a very lovely green. You will see pics of that later.

I just got yet another donation today and there looks to be A TON (proportionaly) of mechanical Alps stuff. Mostly Dell AT101W's MUUUUAHAHAHAHAHAAHAAAAA!!!

But first let me post more pics I couldn't get to last night.


Tons more pics to come soon....stay tuned... =)

I get a ton of metal plates from taking the rubber domed keyboards apart, most of them have them. And they tend to be as unique as the keyboards the come from. Some (just like many other things) seem to change greatly even among the same model!

This next pics is of one of the few buckling spring donations that I have recieved. It has a very interesting layout and feels wonderful. It seems a little lighter than a Model M. Somewhere in between a model F and M. It came that way too, with the top case off and the bottom case missing (looks like someone was trying to fix it or hack it.

I have no clue as to why this post rearranged itself, sorry :S

[keyb_gr]

That mystery board would have to be from some kind of terminal, but then which one came with an AT-style L-shaped Enter?

The MX11800 was easy to spot btw - it's the one with the touchpad. It might only happen that it has blacks rather than browns (the Compaq was a custom order).

[lowpoly]

That mysterious BS 'board is from an IBM wheelwriter or some other after-Selectric typewriter.

[xyzzy]

The MX11800 was easy to spot btw - it's the one with the touchpad. It might only happen that it has blacks rather than browns (the Compaq was a custom order).

That's a Cherry MX11900 (or G80-11900) with the touchpad: http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/keyboards/Industrial/11900/index.htm - I think it's only been produced with black switches.

As far as I know the MX11800 was the variant with brown switches and the trackball in place of the touchpad, no Win keys and was only sold under the Compaq label.

[lowpoly]

Wheelwriter 3:



Possible source for white BS keycaps.

[clickclack]

That mystery board would have to be from some kind of terminal, but then which one came with an AT-style L-shaped Enter?

The MX11800 was easy to spot btw - it's the one with the touchpad. It might only happen that it has blacks rather than browns (the Compaq was a custom order).

Oh, I getcha! My memory must be crap cuz I am almost positive that all the keyboards that I have recieved with a touchpad have all been rubber domes.

That mysterious BS 'board is from an IBM wheelwriter or some other after-Selectric typewriter.

Awesome! It's so similar to a model M in construciton! I should have taken a pic of the front cover...hmmm maybe I did. Either way the front cae did look much like the front case on the photo! neato!

That's a Cherry MX11900 (or G80-11900) with the touchpad: http://www.cherrycorp.com/english/keyboards/Industrial/11900/index.htm - I think it's only been produced with black switches.
I think I can check this out tonight

As far as I know the MX11800 was the variant with brown switches and the trackball in place of the touchpad, no Win keys and was only sold under the Compaq label.

[clickclack]

here are some more pics from that I went through yesterday... check out them key caps! HAAAHAA i love them!
Especially the "pink" weight lifter! What a riot!

[keyb_gr]

That mysterious BS 'board is from an IBM wheelwriter or some other after-Selectric typewriter.

I guess I should have given the keys a closer look - line space, paper up, paper down...

OK, so I got MX11800 and MX11900 mixed up it seems. Oh well.

Not like I'd be curious or anything, but how does one get into the position to receive keyboard donations?

EDIT: That Extended II with the funky keycaps was intended for video editing. We had a G83-6105 like that here recently, though that only said "Lift" on said key.

[clickclack]

Not like I'd be curious or anything, but how does one get into the position to receive keyboard donations?
very carefully heehee

EDIT: That Extended II with the funky keycaps was intended for video editing. We had a G83-6105 like that here recently, though that only said "Lift" on said key.

That makes a bit more sense than what I was initially thinking, which was they must belong to a gym....

Here is that missing pic I was looking for from that batch that was mostly mac related, and still in the boxes. (first keyboard pic in this thread) Its a pretty cool mix!

[clickclack]

The old Apple board is nice. Looks like it has old Alps switches. Too bad the numpad Enter is b0rked.

I forgot to thank you for that link!!!! That was great! I can't read any of it, but i am more of the visual type anyway

I have a few switches that I don't think are on that page. Let me upload one now. This one had two different types! I think I have 2-4 of these boards.

I also have a board that has switches that look like a medieval cross between a cherry and an alps! I can't wait to show it, its so badass!

[lowpoly]

Those are NMB switches. We call them 'space invaders' here. In Japan the nickname was 'praying mantis' or something like that.

[clickclack]

Those are NMB switches. We call them 'space invaders' here. In Japan the nickname was 'praying mantis' or something like that.

:pound:
Hahaaaaa! I can't believe you said that! I wanted to post how they remind me of that old video game "space invaders" and the like.

I like them, they have a nice feel that is very distinct, yet not obtrusive. It has a very lovely muted sound if you type nicely (if you don't type like Mr. clickclack)

I think the spring actually buckles a tiny bit, and you have to slide between the two claw like contacts which give an additional feel. It's a really cool switch!

[clickclack]

I was able to pull out some of the mechanical boards last night with the help of my girl. YAY! So I will be posting a pic with numbers on them and if you guys have questions about them just refer  to the number (or system for locating the numbers) and I will be more than happy to look up the board amongst the stack!

I found that one medeival switch I was talking about and a type of ALPS switch that is just pure heaven to type on!. I have also noticed a huge variation of white ALPS switches! They all feel so different yet all so good...
I am so addicted!

Many, many more pics to come =)

[clickclack]

These pics are starting to remind me of a certain movie....

Show Image

=P

[timw4mail]

Citizen Kane...