Alternative to CM TK (arrowkeyless Cherry Blue)

[Hubbert]

Does anyone else make a Cherry Blue keyboard like the CM TK but cheaper?  I don't care about backlighting.

[tjcaustin]

Not cheaper

[Hubbert]

Well how about "within the same price range".  I looked at the Thermaltake and don't like it's giant Enter key.

[Signature]

Well how about "within the same price range".  I looked at the Thermaltake and don't like it's giant Enter key.

Is there a certain feature you dislike about it, the CM one?

[Hubbert]

Good question; now that I see that the backlights can be disabled, I guess the issue is the arrangement on the bottom row: the Alt key should be more inboard and I don't like the Fn key there: is it possible to read that scan code and do something else with it?

Does it use a traditional printed circuit board?  If so, I suppose I could just rewire it.

[Premonition]

Good question; now that I see that the backlights can be disabled, I guess the issue is the arrangement on the bottom row: the Alt key should be more inboard and I don't like the Fn key there: is it possible to read that scan code and do something else with it?

Does it use a traditional printed circuit board?  If so, I suppose I could just rewire it.

Every MX board uses a PCB lol.. Autohotkey is your friend.

[Puddsy]

fn doesn't have a scancode, so AHK does nothing

is there any reason you want a TK over something fullsize?

[RED-404]

Good question; now that I see that the backlights can be disabled, I guess the issue is the arrangement on the bottom row: the Alt key should be more inboard and I don't like the Fn key there: is it possible to read that scan code and do something else with it?

Does it use a traditional printed circuit board?  If so, I suppose I could just rewire it.

Every MX board uses a PCB lol.. Autohotkey is your friend.

No, not every MX board uses a PCB ppl make them all the time without a PCB. Hell, if you're a novice at soldering its arguably a little easier to solder a freehand matrix without having to worry about overheating PCB traces.

[Premonition]

Good question; now that I see that the backlights can be disabled, I guess the issue is the arrangement on the bottom row: the Alt key should be more inboard and I don't like the Fn key there: is it possible to read that scan code and do something else with it?

Does it use a traditional printed circuit board?  If so, I suppose I could just rewire it.

Every MX board uses a PCB lol.. Autohotkey is your friend.

No, not every MX board uses a PCB ppl make them all the time without a PCB. Hell, if you're a novice at soldering its arguably a little easier to solder a freehand matrix without having to worry about overheating PCB traces.

Are there any OEM boards without a PCB? That seems interesting.

[RED-404]

No, wouldn't be cost effective when you can just pick and place, then wave solder or reflow a PCB.

[Hubbert]

fn doesn't have a scancode, so AHK does nothing

is there any reason you want a TK over something fullsize?

a) I think that you are likely correct: I would expect the Fn to be intercepted by the keyboard firmware.   I'm kind of a pro at AutoHotKey; it's on my resume.

b) Yes: I don't use the arrow keys, and my varidesk keyboard section is very narrow.  Even without that constraint, my long-term goal is to have a keyboard (other than a laptop) where the tenkey  directly adjoins the main section, both to keep the trackball closer and for overall symmetry.

On a Unicomp 104 I'm using, I'm experimenting with putting the trackball on books so that it's just above the F9-F12 cluster.  Unfortunately I used books are slippery covers, but I think the idea is generally sound.

c) I went ahead and ordered one.  Office Depot has them for around $80, which is far more reasonable than Amazon's $160.

PS: I need to update my signature.