geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: user91 on Wed, 08 December 2010, 13:34:29
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I have an old keyboard called the NMB "The Right Touch!", which I still consider to be the best keyboard I've had, due to its buckling, mechanical keys and its split backspace/spacebar. Unfortunately, no one seems to have heard about this keyboard, and there's scant information online about it.
I got mine at a computer fair in the early 90's, and used it exclusively from the time I was young, through most of college. Its relatively horrible condition (as you'll see in the pictures) is due to the extreme use it got.
Sadly, it has some problems. I once spilled soy sauce on the numpad, and--despite a good cleaning--it doesn't operate correctly. The enter key was also damaged at some point, so that the key cap no longer locks to the underlying mechanism, and flops around when you hit it.
It's also the only keyboard I know of that has an awesome key feeling (in my mind, rivaled only by the Model M, and actually superior in feeling to my Unicomp 104) combined with the "Erase-Eaze" backspace/spacebar combo, which--once you got used to it--was shockingly faster than using the traditional backspace.
So, does anyone know about this keyboard? Has anyone used and enjoyed one, or know where to get one?
Keyboard top: (http://i.imgur.com/IreXK.jpg)
Keys: (http://imgur.com/mqPjS.jpg)
More photos:
Enter key damage (and dirt) (http://i.imgur.com/E8LaH.jpg)
Label (partly torn) (http://i.imgur.com/Jmq4k.jpg)
"Erase-Eaze" label (http://i.imgur.com/esaWu.jpg)
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Could be using NMB "space invader" switches. Could you pop a key off for us?
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Yes, let's see what kind of switches it uses?
By the way : since this is your first post -> welcome to GH!
Regards.
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Did you look at this photo? http://i.imgur.com/E8LaH.jpg (http://i.imgur.com/E8LaH.jpg). Let me know if you'd like to see another.
Edit: Thanks for the welcome! I'll admit that I have tons of keyboards, but most of them are boring.
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After Googling around, those do seem to be the "space invader" style switches, although sideways compared to some earlier NMB keyboards. Perhaps it's only sideways on the Enter key. I'm hesitant to pry off more keys, since I don't have a puller.
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Just go for it, if you're careful nothing bad can come of it. Just pry off Pause/Break or something equally useless.
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I already uploaded an image showing the key mechanism, though. I added it as a link, twice, to keep from spamming the forum, but I'll post it here:
(http://i.imgur.com/E8LaH.jpg)
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I like the left thumb backspace.
Recently, I picked up one of these (a few weeks ago) NMB boards. Also did full dismantling picks (as you probably would want to do a full cleaning).
http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=12861 (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=12861)
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I keep seeing these out there. They are one of the few switches I have yet to try. I haven't had much interest seeing as there are no production 'boards with them, but they look pretty neat. Next time a cheap one pops up on eBay, I might have to snag it.
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After reading that thread you posted, HaaTa, which says the Blue Cherry switches are most similar to the feel of the NMB, I'm eager to find a keyboard that either has those or Brown Cherry switches. Hopefully something that has a pretty standard layout too, and isn't cramped together.
Do people discuss Thinkpad laptop keyboards on here too? I have a lot to say about that.
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FWIW, I like the artwork on it :D
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Ha, thanks. I haven't drawn on any of my modern keyboards, but I still like when my computer equipment develops that worn, workhorse feeling. I actually enjoy when the keys on my keyboards looks shiny and used.
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IIRC the "right touch" models will either have NMB Hitek switches or REALLY NICE rubber domes. Like "wow they don't make them like this any more" rubber domes... that is, premium rubber cups w/graphite contacts over PCB with a metal backplate.
I could be wrong though. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.
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Like "wow they don't make them like this any more" rubber domes...
I could be wrong though. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.
Topre.
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I have 3 for sale in the sale thread. Exactly like yours (switch wise) except it's got a standard spacebar and no windows keys.
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http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?p=257822#post257822
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$80 shipped (UPS) for all 3. If no response by next tue (garbage day) they are gone.
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The nmb space invader switches are very nice- pretty close to cherry blues in feel.
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I own two NMB Right Touch Mechanical Keyboard, Models RT-8255... I love this KB so much, I bought two, so I'd have a backup.
However that was in the 2000s, and I need update drivers for Windows 10, and have no idea where to look for them. NMB as I'm sure you're aware, no longer makes keyboards, of all things, considering how much people who've used this keyboard feel they cannot live without it.
I don't need two of these, but I do need a driver or other hints on how to install under Win10.... Any ideas?
I'm doubtful that you will find this, as I see you have not posted in a number of years...
Best wishes,
Diane Reynolds
Austin, TX
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I have really never needed Windows "drivers" for keyboards, presumably you are using a PS/2-to-USB (or AT-to-PS/2-to-USB) adapter.
I would look at that as the most likely source of the problem.