Author Topic: Alps Appreciation Thread (Read 2458618 times)

spanyam · « **Reply #1250 on:** Fri, 25 March 2016, 22:45:11 »

Quote from: Venatorious on Fri, 25 March 2016, 22:16:34

Just make sure you clean every part of the switch really. The slider and inner housing is the most important part.

Ahh ok thanks

Blaise170 · « **Reply #1251 on:** Fri, 25 March 2016, 23:11:50 »

Ha yeah that's one of the ones I just posted a few replies ago.

I don't know what kind of switches they are but it's clicky which is surprising. I think they might be SKBM Cream which is currently undocumented in the DT wiki. I'm pretty sure they are Alps though. It's an older Alps SKCL Lock switch, as the newer ones used a gray slider. So I'm not really sure what I'm looking at. Don't want to open it up either since it is in such good condition. I thought about keeping it for myself but I went ahead and listed it to see what I'd get.

Mattr567 · « **Reply #1252 on:** Fri, 25 March 2016, 23:23:53 »

Quote from: Blaise170 on Fri, 25 March 2016, 23:11:50

Ha yeah that's one of the ones I just posted a few replies ago. I don't know what kind of switches they are but it's clicky which is surprising. I think they might be SKBM Cream which is currently undocumented in the DT wiki. I'm pretty sure they are Alps though. It's an older Alps SKCL Lock switch, as the newer ones used a gray slider. So I'm not really sure what I'm looking at. Don't want to open it up either since it is in such good condition. I thought about keeping it for myself but I went ahead and listed it to see what I'd get.

Yea, from the pic they look to be SKCM, not anything that makes it obviously look like a clone.

Mattr567 · « **Reply #1253 on:** Sat, 26 March 2016, 15:58:42 »

So I got this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/291708902244 Focus FK 3001 w/ a solar panel! Made in Taiwan with genuine SKCM Whites!

klennkellon · « **Reply #1254 on:** Sun, 27 March 2016, 00:04:10 »

Quote from: Mattr567 on Fri, 25 March 2016, 23:23:53

Quote from: Blaise170 on Fri, 25 March 2016, 23:11:50
Ha yeah that's one of the ones I just posted a few replies ago. I don't know what kind of switches they are but it's clicky which is surprising. I think they might be SKBM Cream which is currently undocumented in the DT wiki. I'm pretty sure they are Alps though. It's an older Alps SKCL Lock switch, as the newer ones used a gray slider. So I'm not really sure what I'm looking at. Don't want to open it up either since it is in such good condition. I thought about keeping it for myself but I went ahead and listed it to see what I'd get.

Yea, from the pic they look to be SKCM, not anything that makes it obviously look like a clone.

Neat, Focus keyboards always have an interesting quirk.

I'd do some retr0bright on that thing,

jacobolus · « **Reply #1255 on:** Sun, 27 March 2016, 17:18:45 »

Canon AP500-II typewriter, 1985.

I was expecting SKCM "ivory" switches (earliest tactile SKCM switches, about the same stiffness as salmon switches), as that’s what the ~1986–1987 versions of these typewriters had, but this version turns out to have plate-mounted Alps plate spring switches throughout the main section, with double-acting plate spring switches on the spacebar, return, and back space keys, and a mix of SKCL green and double-acting SKCL switches on the lock key and on the side function keys.

That explains why the later typewriters used a mix of SKCM and double-acting plate spring switches. I assume the switch from plate spring to SKCM was for cost cutting, but maybe someone at Canon or Alps just preferred them.

Keycaps are spherical, mostly doubleshot, with pad printed legends on all the window keys (except the lock key). They were originally white on gray, but now are yellow on brown.

Anyhow, pictures:

Bonus keycap profile pic (for more of these, see https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68550):

Unfortunately during shipping, a bunch of the internal typewriter mechanism parts broke. I’m hoping to someday make some custom Alps plate spring keyboards though, so maybe the keyboard bits at least can eventually find a good home.

Mattr567 · « **Reply #1256 on:** Sun, 27 March 2016, 17:26:51 »

Quote from: jacobolus on Sun, 27 March 2016, 17:18:45

Canon AP500-II typewriter, 1985.

I was expecting SKCM "ivory" switches (earliest tactile SKCM switches, about the same stiffness as salmon switches), as that’s what the ~1986–1987 versions of these typewriters had, but this version turns out to have plate-mounted Alps plate spring switches throughout the main section, with double-acting plate spring switches on the spacebar, return, and back space keys, and a mix of SKCL green and double-acting SKCL switches on the lock key and on the side function keys.

That explains why the later typewriters used a mix of SKCM and double-acting plate spring switches. I assume the switch from plate spring to SKCM was for cost cutting, but maybe someone at Canon or Alps just preferred them.

Keycaps are spherical, mostly doubleshot, with pad printed legends on all the window keys (except the lock key). They were originally white on gray, but now are yellow on brown.

Anyhow, pictures:
Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

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Bonus keycap profile pic (for more of these, see https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=68550):
Show Image

Unfortunately during shipping, a bunch of the internal typewriter mechanism parts broke. I’m hoping to someday make some custom Alps plate spring keyboards though, so maybe the keyboard bits at least can eventually find a good home.

Where did you get that!

I have been searching for those forever on craigslist, but I haven't found one yet, the closet I got was with Green SKCC switches.

chyros · « **Reply #1257 on:** Sun, 27 March 2016, 17:27:49 »

Nice, very nice, thanks for the info

. Quite an exotic mix of switches on that board, then! I'm still looking for my first plate spring board.

fohat.digs · « **Reply #1258 on:** Sun, 27 March 2016, 17:35:56 »

Quote from: chyros on Sun, 27 March 2016, 17:27:49

Quite an exotic mix of switches on that board

Indeed!

You can only wonder: "Why?"

Blaise170 · « **Reply #1259 on:** Sun, 27 March 2016, 17:36:13 »

Eventually I wanna get a Sega Teradrive board. Nice keys and Alps plate spring.

jacobolus · « **Reply #1260 on:** Sun, 27 March 2016, 17:55:11 »

Quote from: fohat.digs on Sun, 27 March 2016, 17:35:56

You can only wonder: "Why?"

This typewriter has a ~170 page manual. It can store several typed pages in memory so you can quickly type out form letters, stores the whole current page so you can go back and correct mistakes, it supports find/replace. You can type e.g. superscripts and subscripts and a variety of exotic characters. Supports spell-check with a 90,000 word dictionary. There are sophisticated table layout tools. The typewriter can be connected to a floppy disk drive or to a computer. And so on.

Here’s an ad: https://books.google.com/books?id=0gv4b-LFdWQC&pg=PA55

They needed all the double-click and LED keys to support various advanced functionality. Keep in mind, in the early 1980s, there was a competitive market for typewriters at many price points, trained professional office workers used them full-time for work, and these top-end business machines were competing on features, and cost thousands of dollars.

chyros · « **Reply #1261 on:** Sun, 27 March 2016, 18:16:47 »

Quote from: Blaise170 on Sun, 27 March 2016, 17:36:13

Eventually I wanna get a Sega Teradrive board. Nice keys and Alps plate spring.

Thought that was Alps buckling spring? Oo

Very nice-looking keyboard though, I definitely want one too eventually

.

StormyMonday · « **Reply #1262 on:** Sun, 27 March 2016, 18:20:39 »

Quote from: jacobolus on Sun, 27 March 2016, 17:55:11

Quote from: fohat.digs on Sun, 27 March 2016, 17:35:56
You can only wonder: "Why?"
This typewriter has a ~170 page manual. It can store several typed pages in memory so you can quickly type out form letters, stores the whole current page so you can go back and correct mistakes, it supports find/replace. You can type e.g. superscripts and subscripts and a variety of exotic characters. Supports spell-check with a 90,000 word dictionary. There are sophisticated table layout tools. The typewriter can be connected to a floppy disk drive or to a computer. And so on.

Here’s an ad: https://books.google.com/books?id=0gv4b-LFdWQC&pg=PA55

They needed all the double-click and LED keys to support various advanced functionality. Keep in mind, in the early 1980s, there was a competitive market for typewriters at many price points, trained professional office workers used them full-time for work, and these top-end business machines were competing on features, and cost thousands of dollars.

And while PCs weren't exactly ubiquitous yet, the handwriting was already on the wall. The typewriter manufacturers had to significantly up their game until new business models could be implemented.

That is a VERY impressive feature set, indeed!

beehatch · « **Reply #1263 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:38:45 »

Does anyone have like a couple of diff alps switches I could try out?

Venatorious · « **Reply #1264 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:41:28 »

What kind do you want to try out?

BlueNalgene · « **Reply #1265 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:41:52 »

Quote from: beehatch on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:38:45

Does anyone have like a couple of diff alps switches I could try out?

Looking for Matias? PM me.

njbair · « **Reply #1266 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:44:43 »

Quote from: beehatch on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:38:45

Does anyone have like a couple of diff alps switches I could try out?

I built a sample plate with a few different Alps switches. It's got White, Blue, Cream, Click modded Cream, Orange, and Click-modded Orange.

CPTBadAss has it right now. Get in touch with him and tell him I told him to send it your way when he's done with it.

beehatch · « **Reply #1267 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:49:53 »

Quote from: Venatorious on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:41:28

What kind do you want to try out?

Not sure really, but I've been wanting to for awhile now.

Quote from: BlueNalgene on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:41:52

Quote from: beehatch on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:38:45
Does anyone have like a couple of diff alps switches I could try out?

Looking for Matias? PM me.

done!

Quote from: njbair on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:44:43

Quote from: beehatch on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:38:45
Does anyone have like a couple of diff alps switches I could try out?
I built a sample plate with a few different Alps switches. It's got White, Blue, Cream, Click modded Cream, Orange, and Click-modded Orange.

CPTBadAss has it right now. Get in touch with him and tell him I told him to send it your way when he's done with it.

Sounds like a good idea. Alp Sampler OuO

bocahgundul · « **Reply #1268 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:52:39 »

Quote from: beehatch on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:38:45

Does anyone have like a couple of diff alps switches I could try out?

u want to buy my alps bord? its on classified

i gib good price

demik · « **Reply #1269 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:11:01 »

dot dot dot

njbair · « **Reply #1270 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:11:05 »

Quote from: beehatch on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:49:53

Quote from: Venatorious on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:41:28
What kind do you want to try out?

Not sure really, but I've been wanting to for awhile now.

Quote from: BlueNalgene on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:41:52
Quote from: beehatch on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:38:45
Does anyone have like a couple of diff alps switches I could try out?

Looking for Matias? PM me.

done!

Quote from: njbair on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:44:43
Quote from: beehatch on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:38:45
Does anyone have like a couple of diff alps switches I could try out?
I built a sample plate with a few different Alps switches. It's got White, Blue, Cream, Click modded Cream, Orange, and Click-modded Orange.

CPTBadAss has it right now. Get in touch with him and tell him I told him to send it your way when he's done with it.

Sounds like a good idea. Alp Sampler OuO

Does your HHKB know?

beehatch · « **Reply #1271 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:12:31 »

>_>

don't tell my hhkb babies, they are my preciouses

demik · « **Reply #1272 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:14:08 »

dot dot dot

Venatorious · « **Reply #1273 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:24:10 »

Quote from: bocahgundul on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:52:39

i gib good price

lies

jacobolus · « **Reply #1274 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:39:11 »

Some of the best Alps keycaps have to be on C.Itoh LK201-layout terminal boards with Alps spring over membrane switches. The switches use two springs so you get a bit of a kink in the force curve after actuation. This, combined with a built-in beeper, makes it hard to bottom out, but frankly they’re pretty uninspiring. (At least for me; maybe someone would like them.)

The keycaps are amazing though. Thick PBT with nice dyesub legends. Similarish overall shape to Canon typewriter caps, but not quite as tilted on the number row, and overall not quite as deep a scoop on the typical key. Spherical shape, but with a rectangular top (unlike most other spherical caps like e.g. DSA which have squarish tops). Scoops on F, J, and 5. Interesting narrow keycap shape on the F keys (these would just barely work with an Alps SKCM switch), I guess as a copy of the original LK201. The right and left arrow keycaps are totally stupid, but whatever.

Unfortunately the one I got has a broken stem on the "R" keycap (also a missing "back space" cap). The dyesub printing is nice, but I might have to just dye the lot solid black, and use them with a custom logical letter layout.

HaaTa has a bunch of nice pictures on Flickr:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/triplehaata/sets/72157663966300963/

E3E · « **Reply #1275 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:56:13 »

Quote from: jacobolus on Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:39:11

Some of the best Alps keycaps have to be on C.Itoh LK201-layout terminal boards [...]

Nice, you just snagged the one off of eBay, eh? Looks good.

bocahgundul · « **Reply #1276 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:59:29 »

Quote from: E3E on Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:56:13

Quote from: jacobolus on Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:39:11
Some of the best Alps keycaps have to be on C.Itoh LK201-layout terminal boards [...]

Nice, you just snagged the one off of eBay, eh? Looks good.

I want to try plate spring so bad

Blaise170 · « **Reply #1277 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 20:02:55 »

I have a Microterm 5510 terminal keyboard with the same LK201 layout. Nice dyesubs, Green Alps, pretty okayish layout. Best part was the new old stock condition! Don't know whether to sell or try to convert with Soarer (don't know what protocol it uses though).

CPTBadAss · « **Reply #1278 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 20:13:37 »

Quote from: njbair on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:44:43

Quote from: beehatch on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:38:45
Does anyone have like a couple of diff alps switches I could try out?
I built a sample plate with a few different Alps switches. It's got White, Blue, Cream, Click modded Cream, Orange, and Click-modded Orange.

CPTBadAss has it right now. Get in touch with him and tell him I told him to send it your way when he's done with it.

Sorry I held on to it for so long. I was going to write a quick review and then I can pass it on to beehatch. I didn't mean to not give you any updates about it!

jacobolus · « **Reply #1279 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 20:14:14 »

Quote from: E3E on Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:56:13

Nice, you just snagged the one off of eBay, eh? Looks good.

Yes, I just bought the recent one. But the pics here are from HaaTa’s. (Which, I should note, I pointed out to him on eBay like a year ago or something. To be specific, I made the mistake of asking him if he knew what type of switch it had, and he immediately bought it.

)

Quote from: bocahgundul on Thu, 31 March 2016, 19:59:29

I want to try plate spring so bad

This isn’t plate spring.

Quote from: Blaise170 on Thu, 31 March 2016, 20:02:55

I have a Microterm 5510 terminal keyboard with the same LK201 layout. Nice dyesubs, Green Alps, pretty okayish layout. Best part was the new old stock condition! Don't know whether to sell or try to convert with Soarer (don't know what protocol it uses though).

Also a fun looking keyboard. Very different keycaps though (I think standard cylindrical Alps profile). There are also green/yellow Alps Texas Instruments and Tektronix keyboards with somewhat similar layouts, again with regular cylindrical caps.

njbair · « **Reply #1280 on:** Thu, 31 March 2016, 20:21:25 »

Quote from: CPTBadAss on Thu, 31 March 2016, 20:13:37

Quote from: njbair on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:44:43
Quote from: beehatch on Thu, 31 March 2016, 18:38:45
Does anyone have like a couple of diff alps switches I could try out?
I built a sample plate with a few different Alps switches. It's got White, Blue, Cream, Click modded Cream, Orange, and Click-modded Orange.

CPTBadAss has it right now. Get in touch with him and tell him I told him to send it your way when he's done with it.

Sorry I held on to it for so long. I was going to write a quick review and then I can pass it on to beehatch. I didn't mean to not give you any updates about it!

No worries. Never thought twice about it until I saw someone else who could use it.

Mattr567 · « **Reply #1281 on:** Sun, 03 April 2016, 19:35:43 »

Clean up this puppy this weekend: Focus FK-3001, SKCM White

khronokrator and Chryos and I have been chatting about this board among other things like khronokrator's FK-9000 in my Great Finds thread for it. Ended up getting the keyboard I posted

njbair · « **Reply #1282 on:** Sun, 03 April 2016, 20:19:21 »

Quote from: Mattr567 on Sun, 03 April 2016, 19:35:43

Clean up this puppy this weekend: Focus FK-3001, SKCM White

khronokrator and Chryos and I have been chatting about this board among other things like khronokrator's FK-9000 in my Great Finds thread for it. Ended up getting the keyboard I posted

Show Image

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That's a cool board, with a built in calculator.

I think old Alps boards generally have a lot more personality than old Cherry boards, and I think it's where a lot of the innovation happened. The only old Cherry boards with similar personality are the 1800 variants (Dolch, SkiData).

Mattr567 · « **Reply #1283 on:** Sun, 03 April 2016, 20:29:32 »

Quote from: njbair on Sun, 03 April 2016, 20:19:21

Quote from: Mattr567 on Sun, 03 April 2016, 19:35:43
Clean up this puppy this weekend: Focus FK-3001, SKCM White

khronokrator and Chryos and I have been chatting about this board among other things like khronokrator's FK-9000 in my Great Finds thread for it. Ended up getting the keyboard I posted

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

Show Image

That's a cool board, with a built in calculator.

I think old Alps boards generally have a lot more personality than old Cherry boards, and I think it's where a lot of the innovation happened. The only old Cherry boards with similar personality are the 1800 variants (Dolch, SkiData).

Agreed. The solar panel on the 3001 really makes it unique. Cherry never really tried to innovate or experiment.

itzmeluigi · « **Reply #1284 on:** Sun, 03 April 2016, 20:50:40 »

Alps + PBT =

Really happy with these caps, for $10 cant go wrong. They make using the KBP V60 so much better. Going to mod the plate so i can use ISO left shift and HHKB right shift since the PCB has support for them both.

Venatorious · « **Reply #1285 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 02:09:28 »

Where are those caps from itzmeluigi?

Also does the calculator work on that board Mattr?

BlueNalgene · « **Reply #1286 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:24:07 »

Quote from: itzmeluigi on Sun, 03 April 2016, 20:50:40

Alps + PBT =

Really happy with these caps, for $10 cant go wrong. They make using the KBP V60 so much better. Going to mod the plate so i can use ISO left shift and HHKB right shift since the PCB has support for them both.

Show Image

Is that the Alps Party board? That is an interesting one.

Delirious · « **Reply #1287 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:26:49 »

Now we have proof that the hype is not real

fohat.digs · « **Reply #1288 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:39:34 »

I would say that $120 shipped has been about "the going rate" for the past year or so for switch donors like shabby LE2014s.

Venatorious · « **Reply #1289 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:41:22 »

I hope I can get a little more out of mine

Mattr567 · « **Reply #1290 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:42:28 »

Quote from: Venatorious on Mon, 04 April 2016, 02:09:28

Where are those caps from itzmeluigi?

Also does the calculator work on that board Mattr?

Yep. The screen doesn't fully display digits, but that can be diy fixed. The point is that it functions, funnily enough so does the solar panel!

Quote from: Delirious on Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:26:49

Now we have proof that the hype is not real

Show Image

Finally, things are starting to get back to normal.

Delirious · « **Reply #1291 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:49:39 »

I didn't mean to chase after it but after seeing it was hovering around $77 with 10 minutes on the clock I decided to put down $130 to "help out" the seller. At last, I can finally decide what to put into my Monarch - orange, blue, or green. Whatever not making it will go into future KBP with Tex aluminum case

Now we can finally see the real value of these switches. For something that is roughly 3 decades old the price has been ridiculous.

njbair · « **Reply #1292 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:56:28 »

Quote from: Delirious on Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:49:39

I didn't mean to chase after it but after seeing it was hovering around $77 with 10 minutes on the clock I decided to put down $130 to "help out" the seller. At last, I can finally decide what to put into my Monarch - orange, blue, or green. Whatever not making it will go into future KBP with Tex aluminum case

Now we can finally see the real value of these switches. For something that is roughly 3 decades old the price has been ridiculous.

Just wait until you feel them...

Venatorious · « **Reply #1293 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:57:51 »

I'm with njblair they feel much better than cherry blue IMO

Not to mention the fact they are made a long time ago means they are far more rare than anything today.

The stuff made a long time ago was built to last

E3E · « **Reply #1294 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 21:00:27 »

Speaking of blue Alps, I just made a lazy typing video for my Orion v2 and my Lightpad:

Whoops, it was accidentally set to private. Should be good now.

jacobolus · « **Reply #1295 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 21:07:18 »

Delirious: I hope the switches are in good condition.

E3E · « **Reply #1296 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 21:12:02 »

Quote from: Delirious on Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:49:39

Now we can finally see the real value of these switches. For something that is roughly 3 decades old the price has been ridiculous.

Tell that to the people who pay loads for Cherry stuff.

Mattr567 · « **Reply #1297 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 21:58:57 »

Quote from: E3E on Mon, 04 April 2016, 21:12:02

Quote from: Delirious on Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:49:39
Now we can finally see the real value of these switches. For something that is roughly 3 decades old the price has been ridiculous.

Tell that to the people who pay loads for Cherry stuff.

I mean, everyone can appreciate a nice set of OG Cherry doubleshots. I would love to have Cherry profile for Alps - its my favorite. I know it exist on a certain fame board, but otherwise no.

E3E · « **Reply #1298 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 22:21:09 »

Quote from: Mattr567 on Mon, 04 April 2016, 21:58:57

Quote from: E3E on Mon, 04 April 2016, 21:12:02
Quote from: Delirious on Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:49:39
Now we can finally see the real value of these switches. For something that is roughly 3 decades old the price has been ridiculous.

Tell that to the people who pay loads for Cherry stuff.

I mean, everyone can appreciate a nice set of OG Cherry doubleshots. I would love to have Cherry profile for Alps - its my favorite. I know it exist on a certain fame board, but otherwise no.

I actually prefer the Alps Electric profile, but I'm biased.

Mattr567 · « **Reply #1299 on:** Mon, 04 April 2016, 22:24:12 »

Quote from: E3E on Mon, 04 April 2016, 22:21:09

Quote from: Mattr567 on Mon, 04 April 2016, 21:58:57
Quote from: E3E on Mon, 04 April 2016, 21:12:02
Quote from: Delirious on Mon, 04 April 2016, 20:49:39
Now we can finally see the real value of these switches. For something that is roughly 3 decades old the price has been ridiculous.

Tell that to the people who pay loads for Cherry stuff.

I mean, everyone can appreciate a nice set of OG Cherry doubleshots. I would love to have Cherry profile for Alps - its my favorite. I know it exist on a certain fame board, but otherwise no.

I actually prefer the Alps Electric profile, but I'm biased.

Next best. Isn't that just 'OEM profile?'

News:

Author Topic: Alps Appreciation Thread (Read 2458618 times)