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Author Topic: Arabic Model M  (Read 4644 times)

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Offline nowsharing

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Arabic Model M
« on: Wed, 05 May 2010, 11:32:04 »
I bought a keyboard from someone who has an Arabic lettered Model M. It's not for sale, but they were willing to send me some pictures and info.

"It was provided with new IBM AT from IBM, Kuwait.  Had Arabic language software for learning. Packed with it was copy of originally-supplied disk (3-1/2") which contains AKEY.COM. This software allows shifting from English/Arabic and provides unique characteristics of each Arabic key pressed - by Arabic letter's position in a word. Arabic uses one form each for Beginning of Word, middle of word, end of word and stand-alone letters. This was for old DOS 2.0 so probably needs upgrade but guess tha available for Windows platform."






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Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Arabic Model M
« Reply #1 on: Wed, 05 May 2010, 11:36:09 »
Are the Arabic legends handwritten?
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Offline kishy

  • Posts: 1576
  • Location: Windsor, ON Canada
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Arabic Model M
« Reply #2 on: Wed, 05 May 2010, 11:45:32 »
Quote from: itlnstln;179179
Are the Arabic legends handwritten?


Look closely, I suspect that's from the manufacturer. Note how the usual letters are smaller as well.
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Offline itlnstln

  • Posts: 7048
Arabic Model M
« Reply #3 on: Wed, 05 May 2010, 14:48:37 »
The difference in contrast lead me to thinking that they were "Sharpied" onto the keycap.  The numpad especially.
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Offline ch_123

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Arabic Model M
« Reply #4 on: Wed, 05 May 2010, 15:23:16 »
No, that's the real deal, here's a pic of another one from the collection of dw_junon -

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Offline bitflipper

  • Posts: 122
Arabic Model M
« Reply #5 on: Wed, 05 May 2010, 15:33:45 »
Now I'm really confused. I thought we already used arabic numerals?
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Offline ch_123

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Arabic Model M
« Reply #6 on: Wed, 05 May 2010, 15:36:39 »
There are a few offshoots of the Arabic number system. Our system is one variant, the one on those keyboards is another.
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Offline quadibloc

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Arabic Model M
« Reply #7 on: Wed, 05 May 2010, 16:18:27 »
Quote from: bitflipper;179286
Now I'm really confused. I thought we already used arabic numerals?
We call them that because we did get the idea to write numbers this way, instead of using Roman numerals, from the Arabs.

But we still changed the form of the numbers around a bit to fit in with our style of writing, just as the Arabs modified them from the form the Hindus, from whom they got the idea, had used. (Thus, we sometimes call them Hindu-Arabic numerals to take note of their ultimate origin.)

Thus, many of the languages of India, and other languages with related writing systems, such as Thai and Tibetan, have their own way of writing the digits from 0 to 9, because decimal positional notation had spread along with the Devanagari writing system.
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Offline Phaedrus2129

  • Posts: 1131
Arabic Model M
« Reply #8 on: Wed, 05 May 2010, 21:30:40 »
Quote from: ripster;179319
It still amazes me that James Cameron goes to another galaxy only to find they use the Papyrus font.
Show Image


I take it as a sign that there is no other space-faring civilization in the universe. Real civilizations use perfectly-kerned Helvetica.
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Daily Driver: Noppoo Choc Mini
Currently own: IBM Model M 1391401 1988,  XArmor U9 prototype
Previously owned: Ricercar SPOS, IBM M13 92G7461 1994, XArmor U9BL, XArmor U9W prototype, Cherry G80-8200LPDUS, Cherry G84-4100, Compaq MX-11800, Chicony KB-5181 (SMK Monterey), Reveal KB-7061, Cirque Wave Keyboard (ergonomic rubber domes), NMB RT101 (rubber dome), Dell AT101W

Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Arabic Model M
« Reply #9 on: Wed, 05 May 2010, 22:58:29 »
Quote from: ch_123;179282

Arabic Model M
Show Image



Ah heck, alright, here we go:

"When you hit enter, a copy of your last sentence is sent directly to the pentagon. Its a 'feature'".

"Where's the key that declares jihad on comedy central?"
.
.
.
.
.
(what? we can rail on mao and china like there's no tomorrow... (not to mention the US and christianity)... equal opportunity political incorrectness, i say :)
« Last Edit: Wed, 05 May 2010, 23:18:32 by wellington1869 »
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"Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms." -- Kishy

using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline AndrewZorn

  • Posts: 1086
Arabic Model M
« Reply #10 on: Thu, 06 May 2010, 20:20:49 »
I saw one of these IN Iraq ON someone's desk... person probably had no idea why I was so interested.
Should have offered $10 for it.
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Offline EverythingIBM

  • Posts: 1269
Arabic Model M
« Reply #11 on: Fri, 07 May 2010, 01:17:32 »
Quote from: wellington1869;179422
Ah heck, alright, here we go:

"When you hit enter, a copy of your last sentence is sent directly to the pentagon. Its a 'feature'".

"Where's the key that declares jihad on comedy central?"
.
.
.
.
.
(what? we can rail on mao and china like there's no tomorrow... (not to mention the US and christianity)... equal opportunity political incorrectness, i say :)


Yeah, people even egged mao:


Here's ripster's hero, kurt westergaard:
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Keyboards: '86 M, M5-2, M13, SSK, F AT, F XT

Offline wellington1869

  • Posts: 2885
Arabic Model M
« Reply #12 on: Sat, 08 May 2010, 10:19:58 »
comedy central considering a half hour cartoon show called JC (jesus christ).  But they wont let south park do one episode about muhammad. :)  Doesnt seem right.
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"Blah blah blah grade school blah blah blah IBM PS/2s blah blah blah I like Model Ms." -- Kishy

using: ms 7000/Das 3

Offline ricercar

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Arabic Model M
« Reply #13 on: Mon, 10 May 2010, 11:50:36 »
Quote from: wellington1869;180169
half hour cartoon show called JC ... But they wont let south park do one episode about muhammad. :)  Doesnt seem right.


Time for a crusade! NO ONE EXPECTS THE SPANISH INQUISITION!
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I trolled Geekhack and all I got was an eponymous SPOS.

Offline didjamatic

  • Posts: 1352
Arabic Model M
« Reply #14 on: Mon, 10 May 2010, 13:37:01 »
Quote from: ripster;179182
I wouldn't take pics while in PJs.  Sometimes I wake up with a stiffy.

Yeah, Ripster listed a chrome Tea Kettle on ebay a few years ago.  He was naked when taking photos and is still not allowed within 2000ft of a public school.  I'd post the photo but I'm at work.
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IBM F :: IBM M :: Northgate :: Cherry G80 :: Realforce :: DAS 4

Offline kishy

  • Posts: 1576
  • Location: Windsor, ON Canada
  • Eye Bee M
    • http://kishy.ca/
Arabic Model M
« Reply #15 on: Mon, 10 May 2010, 13:42:09 »
« Last Edit: Mon, 10 May 2010, 13:44:20 by kishy »
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Enthusiast of springs which buckle noisily: my keyboards
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Offline ch_123

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Arabic Model M
« Reply #16 on: Mon, 10 May 2010, 14:04:34 »
Quote from: ripster;180771
Hahaha.  I thought everybody missed that one.

Apologies to the picture taker.  My wife likes to lean over to people at dinner parties and whisper "Undiagnosed Asperger's" when I'm talking.
Show Image


This graph leaves out what I thought the last time I was in such a situation -

"Wow, he's less socially retarded than some supposedly normal people I know..."
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