The Battle Cruiser has arrived

[apastuszak]

The layout is taking some getting used to.  But, overall it's awesome.  And it's PS/2, so I can use a Soarer's Converter with it.

[apastuszak]

OK, question.  What tool can I use to see which keys does what on this keyboard?

[fohat.digs]

In Soarer's docs there is a spreadsheet he included hid_listen to identify them.
 

[apastuszak]

Is there a utility where I can press a key and it will show me the HID code?

[fohat.digs]

Yes, that's what it is. It is in Soarer's docs on the very first page.

[apastuszak]

I'm obviously an idiot, because I have HID_LISTEN running.  I'm trying to figure out what the "Rule" key maps to.  When I run HID_LISTEN and press the Rule key, I get this:

Waiting for device:
Listening:
r14 +E0 dE0 r83 +40 d40 rF0 r83 -40 u40 rF0 r14 -E0 uE0

How do I convert all that crap into a useful keyboard code.  I found a sample Soarer's Converter script for the M122 on deskthority and the user there says the key maps to LANG_4.  When I try and use that, it does not work.

[Sintpinty]

The layout is taking some getting used to.  But, overall it's awesome.  And it's PS/2, so I can use a Soarer's Converter with it.

Show Image

A b s o l u t e    u n i t

[fohat.digs]

the user there says the key maps to LANG_4.  When I try and use that, it does not work.

I have always used the technique that wcass recommended in reply # 560, and it works beautifully for me.
My recommendation is to try that.

[apastuszak]

This took some hacking to figure out.  Ended up opening the case and pulling the JP3 jumper.  That allowed the keyboard to give unique codes for each key, though they didn't match up with the actual keycaps (at least for the F keys).  But I was able to remap what I wanted with the Soarer's Converter and I am happily typing away.

I had a thread going on deskthority about this.  Don't want to link to it without permission.

[apastuszak]

Dumb question time.  This is the M122 Enter key:



Is it possible to put a spring down the top barrel and convert it to a usable key?  It would be cool to convert it to use a standard Model M ENTER key.

[TeacherGeek]

Man, I really want one of those now haha.

[Findecanor]

That is a standard Model M Enter key! *grumble* *grumble*

If there are pads on the membranes under there, to insert a new flipper, you would have to open the key switch assembly ... and then it would require a bolt mod to put together.
Edit: Rowdy did it.

[fohat.digs]

I went into excruciating detail on all this and more in my guide:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48786.msg2514883#msg2514883

Maybe I am wrong to assume that people have read Soarer's guide, and maybe come to mine when they start to crack these bad boys open.

[apastuszak]

Man, I really want one of those now haha.

I made an offer for $40 on eBay from a seller in California.  He accepted my offer, and here I am now, typing away.  I REALLY wanted lock lights, so getting an older terminal model was not really an option.

[apastuszak]

I went into excruciating detail on all this and more in my guide:

https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48786.msg2514883#msg2514883

Maybe I am wrong to assume that people have read Soarer's guide, and maybe come to mine when they start to crack these bad boys open.

I read that guide, but it was for an F122.  Didn't know how much applied to the M122.

[apastuszak]

That is a standard Model M Enter key! *grumble* *grumble*

If there are pads on the membranes under there, to insert a new flipper, you would have to open the key switch assembly ... and then it would require a bolt mod to put together.
Edit: Rowdy did it.

I can get used to the enter key.  But the short left shift key HAS TO go.  I was typing a very long message earlier today, and I hit CTRL+W instead of SHIFT+W and Firefox closed my open tab and I lost all my typing.  GRR...

It's time to order some keycaps from Unicomp and make this thing mine.

If I could find someone willing to bolt mod and and ANSI convert for a reasonable fee, I would consider it.

[fohat.digs]

Didn't know how much applied to the M122.

Much of it in theory. As far as changing to an ANSI style Enter and other keys such as Left Shift, it is trivial when doing a bolt mod but impossible otherwise.

As far as programming, if you bought a cable from Orihalcon, he can answer directly the similarities and differences compared to Soarer's original.

[apastuszak]

Didn't know how much applied to the M122.

Much of it in theory. As far as changing to an ANSI style Enter and other keys such as Left Shift, it is trivial when doing a bolt mod but impossible otherwise.

As far as programming, if you bought a cable from Orihalcon, he can answer directly the similarities and differences compared to Soarer's original.

I did buy a cable from Orihalcon, and it's working great.  The left shift mod should be easy.  The key next to shift, I can rotate the spring with pliers till it comes out and just drop a standard shift key in there.  I've pulled springs out before with no adverse effect.  The Enter, I think I am going to just have to get used to.  I'm not willing to try a bolt mod right now.  Perhaps one day when I find a Model M in rough shape that I score for $10, I'll take the time to try it.

My biggest problem seems to be hitting the function keys on the left by accident.  Part of that is just muscle memory.  On a regular model M, my pinky rests on the edge of the keyboard, since I touch type, and I guess I am used to the modifier keys being close to the edge.

[fohat.digs]

I can rotate the spring with pliers till it comes out and just drop a standard shift key in there.  I've pulled springs out before with no adverse effect.

I have been oriented to the Model F for a long time, and an orphaned pivot plate in that case settles down into the "closed" position so you can't leave it fallow.

With a Model M, it may be loose but is not pressuring the switch to activate it. Your problem might be stabilizing the key if the stabilizer insert goes too deep. You could probably cut off a few mm if need be. I would be curious to hear how it works out.

[echoman13]

We have one of these in our office! Thought I would never see one outside of it. So, I'm a software developer at shop that programs for IBM AS/400 mainframes(now called the IBM iSeries). These were plugged into old dumb terminals that connected back into the AS/400 mainframe. We have some people that have been coding at my company since the 80s and used these keyboards everyday. These older programmers still use terms like "field exit", "roll up/down", etc - You can see those keys on the keyboard. The OS on the mainframe still uses F13-F24 regularly for navigation and commands - the primary reason I've never gone smaller than a TKL board.

EDIT: Another note - You'll notice the Enter key is where right control is on modern keyboards. Many of the older programmers in the office still have their right control mapped to Enter because they have been working with the OS for so long.