Alps Appreciation Thread

[Mattr567]

Wait dude! 724=725! Don't mess things up. I got him lower so don't want him to sell it to you for full price!

Whoops, nevermind, just sent him an email saying I bought one for less on eBay. Wouldn't want to swipe that out from under you.

Oh ok, whew. Don't want to lose it at the last minute like previous deals lol. He's supposed to send me a PayPal invoice today.

[Mattr567]

EDIT: I actually found it a few days ago and emailed him then. Never heard back from him so I think you're safe.

Huh. Well ok then. First sent an email about it on the fourth.

[mike52787]

do any of you guys know if the keycaps on the clone model ms with blue alps are dyesubbed pbt like the real deal?

[Wingpad]

do any of you guys know if the keycaps on the clone model ms with blue alps are dyesubbed pbt like the real deal?

Did we ever determine if the boards from Taobao were clone model ms or not? If they are then the answer is no, these were double-shot ABS for the alphas/mods and some sort of printing for the F-keys. My board is labelled as JKB-6151M/OEM.

EDIT: Looking at the one example on Deskthority I am going to go ahead and say this board was definitely not a clone model m in a past life. The stabilizers and the plate's shape are wrong.

[mike52787]

do any of you guys know if the keycaps on the clone model ms with blue alps are dyesubbed pbt like the real deal?

Did we ever determine if the boards from Taobao were clone model ms or not? If they are then the answer is no, these were double-shot ABS for the alphas/mods and some sort of printing for the F-keys. My board is labelled as JKB-6151M/OEM.

EDIT: Looking at the one example on Deskthority I am going to go ahead and say this board was definitely not a clone model m in a past life. The stabilizers and the plate's shape are wrong.

These boards?

[Wingpad]

These boards?

Show Image

I was talking about these:


I thought that someone suspected that they were model m's or something.

[mike52787]

These boards?

Show Image

I was talking about these:

Show Image

I thought that someone suspected that they were model m's or something.

thats no model m, thats an early focus board, like one of the ones I ordered. the supposed model m clone is the one in my pic.

[Wingpad]

thats no model m, thats an early focus board, like one of the ones I ordered. the supposed model m clone is the one in my pic.

Yeah, I figured that out, haha. Regardless, I don't think that's a model m either since the model m clones don't have their lock lights on the PCB. Like in this image:

[mike52787]

very interesting. I wonder what board the plate and pcb I got came from. it has those long stemmed f row caps, the stepped caps lock and the green legends on the alt keys.

[klennkellon]

I was thinking of using an AEK1 or one of those m011a for caps and switches. But I would replace the switches with these Matias and also replace the caps.

[mike52787]

I was thinking of using an AEK1 or one of those m011a for caps and switches. But I would replace the switches with these Matias and also replace the caps.

why trade skcm salmon or orange for anything matias? I do know the matias caps are **** though.

[Wingpad]

very interesting. I wonder what board the plate and pcb I got came from. it has those long stemmed f row caps, the stepped caps lock and the green legends on the alt keys.

Mysteries abound, does your PCB have any markings on it?

I was thinking of using an AEK1 or one of those m011a for caps and switches. But I would replace the switches with these Matias and also replace the caps.

why trade skcm salmon or orange for anything matias? I do know the matias caps are **** though.

I am confused by this... getting an AEKI for switches and caps then replacing the switches and caps? Heh?

That being said, I second mike's logic here... unless you wanted damped switches, I guess. Why are Matias' keycaps ****, though?

[mike52787]

very interesting. I wonder what board the plate and pcb I got came from. it has those long stemmed f row caps, the stepped caps lock and the green legends on the alt keys.

Mysteries abound, does your PCB have any markings on it?

I was thinking of using an AEK1 or one of those m011a for caps and switches. But I would replace the switches with these Matias and also replace the caps.

why trade skcm salmon or orange for anything matias? I do know the matias caps are **** though.

I am confused by this... getting an AEKI for switches and caps then replacing the switches and caps? Heh?

That being said, I second mike's logic here... unless you wanted damped switches, I guess. Why are Matias' keycaps ****, though?

For the first part, I dont know, those are just the photos the taobao agent sent me.
as for the caps, theyre thin abs with pad printed legends. theyre not the best, atleast the caps that came on my kbp v60. I heard matias actually is working on really nice thick pbt dyesubs.

[klennkellon]

I already have a board with Matias QCs. I was going to harvest switches from an AEK and replace them with the Matias I have because I don't want to ruin a nice board like the AEK.

The caps the V80 has are front print laser etched/filled

[mike52787]

I already have a board with Matias QCs. I was going to harvest switches from an AEK and replace them with the Matias I have because I don't want to ruin a nice board like the AEK.

The caps the V80 has are front print laser etched/filled

haha thats what you meant. that actually makes sense.

[Mattr567]

thats no model m, thats an early focus board, like one of the ones I ordered. the supposed model m clone is the one in my pic.

Yeah, I figured that out, haha. Regardless, I don't think that's a model m either since the model m clones don't have their lock lights on the PCB. Like in this image:

Show Image

My Taobao board is that.

[E3E]

thats no model m, thats an early focus board, like one of the ones I ordered. the supposed model m clone is the one in my pic.

Yeah, I figured that out, haha. Regardless, I don't think that's a model m either since the model m clones don't have their lock lights on the PCB. Like in this image:

Show Image

Perhaps it's a later model Model M clone after they cut corners? I say this because of the distinctive arrow legends on the cluster and numpad as well as the F and J keys homing bars. That's what I think it is, personally.

[Blaise170]

I got a few of those boards and based on the pictures I got from the proxy I'm gong to guess doubleshots. The only PBT dyesubs I know of with sub-legends are those from Apple boards.

[klennkellon]

Shout out to Wingpad for sending me a few switches to sample

[E3E]

I got a few of those boards and based on the pictures I got from the proxy I'm gong to guess doubleshots. The only PBT dyesubs I know of with sub-legends are those from Apple boards.

The only other one I can think of is the IBM P70, which is alps plate spring.

[Blaise170]

Actually come to think of it I believe the IBM 5576 boards (Japan) are PBT as well. Still, there's not many out there.

[Mattr567]

Got Hasu's NeXT converter! Although I can't use it since I don't have a usb2 micro b to usb a cable.

edit: My phone cable! totally forgot! Will still need to buy a cable though.

[Mattr567]

I am typing to you now on the NeXT! SKCM Cream is gud

[Wingpad]

I am typing to you now on the NeXT! SKCM Cream is gud

I have been staving off buying one of these because of the whole "unhacking my wallet thing" (which has been met with varying degrees of success, haha) but this makes me tempted again. Are SKCM Cream switches lubed like Oranges?

[mike52787]

I am typing to you now on the NeXT! SKCM Cream is gud

I have been staving off buying one of these because of the whole "unhacking my wallet thing" (which has been met with varying degrees of success, haha) but this makes me tempted again. Are SKCM Cream switches lubed like Oranges?

when we meet up Ill bring my neXt and you can try the skcm creams for yourself.

[chyros]

I am typing to you now on the NeXT! SKCM Cream is gud

I have been staving off buying one of these because of the whole "unhacking my wallet thing" (which has been met with varying degrees of success, haha) but this makes me tempted again. Are SKCM Cream switches lubed like Oranges?

Should be I guess, they're first-gen =o .

[E3E]

Got Hasu's NeXT converter! Although I can't use it since I don't have a usb2 micro b to usb a cable.

edit: My phone cable! totally forgot! Will still need to buy a cable though.

I am typing to you now on the NeXT! SKCM Cream is gud

The time it took to go from post #1 to #2 makes me laugh, lol.

Where did you pick up your converter? How much was it? It's very tempting, since I do like the NeXT.

[Carnage]

Anybody ever see this kind of switch for caps lock key? It came with this white alps I've been trying to get information on here https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=83384.0 if anybody has any info on that board it would be great to!

[chyros]

Futaba lock. common on old Focus calculator boards.

[Carnage]

Futaba lock. common on old Focus calculator boards.

Thanks cool to know I learned something new.

[Mattr567]

Got Hasu's NeXT converter! Although I can't use it since I don't have a usb2 micro b to usb a cable.

edit: My phone cable! totally forgot! Will still need to buy a cable though.

I am typing to you now on the NeXT! SKCM Cream is gud

The time it took to go from post #1 to #2 makes me laugh, lol.

Where did you pick up your converter? How much was it? It's very tempting, since I do like the NeXT.

Lol yea.

Got it from Hasu for $40, expensive but its great. Has a LED indicator and a reset button. Small and very well made. Looks like also with a bit of soldering and a reflash it could adapt a lot of other things like ADB, X68K, Sun and others.

[Wingpad]

Should be I guess, they're first-gen =o .

Ah, so they are considered to be first gen switches. I didn't know if it had been placed on the Alps timeline. The last post I read about them implied that we (the keyboard community) didn't know when they were produced/which generation they were in.

when we meet up Ill bring my neXt and you can try the skcm creams for yourself.

Awesome, thanks man!

In other news, I got a Leading Edge DC-2014 keyboard for like $15 today. I am optimistic it has Blue Alps *crosses fingers*

[mike52787]

Should be I guess, they're first-gen =o .

Ah, so they are considered to be first gen switches. I didn't know if it had been placed on the Alps timeline. The last post I read about them implied that we (the keyboard community) didn't know when they were produced/which generation they were in.

when we meet up Ill bring my neXt and you can try the skcm creams for yourself.

Awesome, thanks man!

In other news, I got a Leading Edge DC-2014 keyboard for like $15 today. I am optimistic it has Blue Alps *crosses fingers*

what else can a dc-2014 come with? btw, one of my taobao boards will be coming tomorrow.

[Wingpad]

what else can a dc-2014 come with? btw, one of my taobao boards will be coming tomorrow.

I don't think a DC-2014 can come with anything else, I am just worried since the seller isn't the most technical and I didn't get the actual model number from it. I should have said "DC-2014" in quotes since that would be more accurate. From the pictures I have seen of it, it looks like a DC-2014; I don't think any other Leading Edge boards came with its signature layout.

[Blaise170]

Something to consider is that some DC-2014 might be resold with switches swapped out. Any untouched DC-2014 will be blue Alps for sure though.

[chyros]

Nothing's ever for sure in Alps land, we thought the same about the KB-101A and there are white Alps ones of that, too .

It'd be a pretty good guess though xD .

[E3E]

Nothing's ever for sure in Alps land, we thought the same about the KB-101A and there are white Alps ones of that, too .

It'd be a pretty good guess though xD .

Though those are very specific Texas Instruments rebrands that are pretty different from standard KB101As or even minor rebrands like my Datapoint and a Fujitsu one I've seen.

I've seen a 6011 with a KB101A style case with Alps SKCM White, though its label did indeed say "6011." It's true though; nothing is for certain. A big thing we thought we had down for a while was the idea that KB101AS meant that the model had doubleshots, but this is untrue. A model found on reddit had the UV printed Acer caps.

So who knows! What would be cool would be if there are actually more models than just the Xerox Docutechs that have SKCM Green.

[E3E]

Something to consider is that some DC-2014 might be resold with switches swapped out. Any untouched DC-2014 will be blue Alps for sure though.

This is a possibility I've wondered before too, because I've considered selling boards after switch swapping (I've never actually swapped switch types in my vintages though), though it'd be in poor taste to sell it without mentioning that aspect.

[mike52787]

Something to consider is that some DC-2014 might be resold with switches swapped out. Any untouched DC-2014 will be blue Alps for sure though.

This is a possibility I've wondered before too, because I've considered selling boards after switch swapping (I've never actually swapped switch types in my vintages though), though it'd be in poor taste to sell it without mentioning that aspect.

Ive thought about this too, but make sure you mention it is for a collector only, and it doesnt have the original switches. we dont want to **** over any of our keyboarding buddies )

[Wingpad]

Something to consider is that some DC-2014 might be resold with switches swapped out.

Like I said, the seller is not that technical so I have am willing to gander that is not the case.

Nothing's ever for sure in Alps land, we thought the same about the KB-101A and there are white Alps ones of that, too

Lol, therein lies the root of my concerns. It's good, though, we'll always be learning things

Something to consider is that some DC-2014 might be resold with switches swapped out. Any untouched DC-2014 will be blue Alps for sure though.

This is a possibility I've wondered before too, because I've considered selling boards after switch swapping (I've never actually swapped switch types in my vintages though), though it'd be in poor taste to sell it without mentioning that aspect.

Ive thought about this too, but make sure you mention it is for a collector only, and it doesnt have the original switches. we dont want to **** over any of our keyboarding buddies )

I have sold a bare AEK with black bamboo switches swapped into it before. Since it was bare it was easy to see it didn't have the original switches and I made sure to mention that someone had swapped its switches.

[mike52787]

I have sold a bare AEK with black bamboo switches swapped into it before. Since it was bare it was easy to see it didn't have the original switches and I made sure to mention that someone had swapped its switches.

I saw that board on ebay awhile back, small world.

[E3E]

Something to consider is that some DC-2014 might be resold with switches swapped out.

Like I said, the seller is not that technical so I have am willing to gander that is not the case.

Do you happen to have a picture? I've seen a BTC (I think) Leading Edge board that looked awfully similar but was not a DC-2014. In all likelyhood, it's a DC-2014. That BTC model is actually harder to find, I'd say.

EDIT: Here's the one I'm speaking of. I don't think it's BTC. I don't know actually.

[Wingpad]

Do you happen to have a picture? I've seen a BTC (I think) Leading Edge board that looked awfully similar but was not a DC-2014. In all likelyhood, it's a DC-2014. That BTC model is actually harder to find, I'd say.

You mean one like this? Mine doesn't have a lock light like the one in this picture so I think I am safe

EDIT: I didn't see your edit, my conclusion is unchanged. That's a weird enter key, too...

[mike52787]

one of my blue alps boards from taobao is in my town, and will be delivered today. Ill update with pics. Its the mysterious model M clone I talked about a couple posts up.

[E3E]

Do you happen to have a picture? I've seen a BTC (I think) Leading Edge board that looked awfully similar but was not a DC-2014. In all likelyhood, it's a DC-2014. That BTC model is actually harder to find, I'd say.

You mean one like this? Mine doesn't have a lock light like the one in this picture so I think I am safe

EDIT: I didn't see your edit, my conclusion is unchanged. That's a weird enter key, too...

Haha yeah, right? A completely vertical enter key. I've never seen that before. Yeah, the odds are in your favor, my friend!

Also, did anyone see this crazy Xerox Daybreak system?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/XEROX-60852-XPIW-XDE-FUNCTIONING-WORKSTATION-SYSTEM-WITH-VIEWPOINT-2-LOADED-/302011051208



The tower looks so cool. I've only ever seen the 6085 boards with SKCM Brown. I really love the sleekness of the Xerox keyboards with this design. It's one of my favorites despite the XT ish layout. The 10 function keys at the top just do it for me. I think Alps boards with those like the IBM JX from Japan look really classy. It's a classy way to do compact keys.

[chyros]

Haha yeah, right? A completely vertical enter key. I've never seen that before. Yeah, the odds are in your favor, my friend!

It was standard for many XT keyboards .



Boards before that sometimes had vertical enter keys too, like my ITT Courier board. If not vertical, it was often a square enter key.

[alienman82]

removed.

[mike52787]

Vertical enter is pretty bad, but ive gotten used to the xt layout. normal ansi feels weird to me after using an xt board for a few weeks.

[mike52787]

Just opened my box. I opened one of the loose switches that were broken freee of the board and they have the rare white switchplates and pale sliders! theyre all filthy though. I need to know the right lube to use on these, and ill clean these babies up.

[y11971alex]

Vertical enter is pretty bad, but ive gotten used to the xt layout. normal ansi feels weird to me after using an xt board for a few weeks.

I think the XT return key is especially heinous because 1) it's narrow and 2) it's stepped, forcing you to hit the key's plateau situated between the second and third rows.