geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: xargos on Wed, 22 June 2011, 10:38:28
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I recently remembered that I had an older mechanical AT keyboard collecting dust that I had never tested. I decided to clean it up the best I could and give it a try, and it works pretty well. Unfortunately I can't seem to identify it, however.
Here is what the board looks like. Yes, it is quite yellowed.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19426[/ATTACH]
This is the only real identification I can find on it. There is no branding inside, either.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19427[/ATTACH]
I was also wondering about the keyswitches on this. Their feel reminds me of the Alps White in the Focus FK-2001, but they don't appear to be actual Alps switches. They appear to be labeled OC2.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19425[/ATTACH]
So, does anyone have any ideas on this?
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Any idea on the brand/manufacturer? Because I have no idea. Hopefully someone will know.
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According to the FCC database, it was submitted by Podworld Co Ltd, fromt Taiwan, in 1988. Not sure how helpful that is, but there it is.
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Those Asians are so darn confusing.
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Yellow switches, I saw it somewhere last week.
－－－－sorry, I am wrong, that's different one. Check Japanese brand, many of them are made in Tai Wan
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According to the FCC database, it was submitted by Podworld Co Ltd, fromt Taiwan, in 1988. Not sure how helpful that is, but there it is.
D'oh! Why didn't I think to reference the FCC database? Thanks!
Does it look like this? Got any nickels?
Yep, it definitely looks like that. If that is the one from this thread (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?11248-What-keyboard-is-this) (just found that looking up Podworld), then it appears that my keyboard is almost the same as that one but in a different casing.
A quick RipOMeter test shows 55g force.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19433[/ATTACH]
This keyboard is definitely a relatively comfortable one, but if I decide to use it I will need to get a Blue Cube and use it as a USB keyboard. The PS/2 port on my regular desktop hates older keyboards, this one and a Model M that I own included. I would also want to replace the yellowed key caps if possible.
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For reference, this is what the keyswitches look like taken apart. The photos aren't the best since they were taken with my phone, but I think they show well enough what they look like.
[ATTACH=CONFIG]19438[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]19439[/ATTACH]
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Oh that is weird.
Thanks for the pics.
So just to be sure the switch assembly does NOT look like this?
Nope. Definitely a little different than I expected, too, but it seems to work.
Is there a good source to buy a set of Alps style key caps? I'd have to check to know for sure, but it looks like they would fit.
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Fentek sells them, last I checked. If you just want to try though, I've got some ALPS keys sitting in a drawer, not doing much of anything. Not a whole set, but even just one would tell you if they work or not. Where are you? Maybe I can just mail them.
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Thanks for the offer, but I do have access to some to try. I may look into Fentek to see about getting a set, though.