geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: tad on Mon, 16 February 2009, 00:11:19

Title: Interesting Model M behavior
Post by: tad on Mon, 16 February 2009, 00:11:19

Now that I'm getting used my Model M mini, I've discovered something quite interesting: jamming the left Shift key down really hard inserts a ">" character. Does this mean every Model M membrane is really an ISO membrane, and the US layout just arranges the keycaps differently? If so, this opens up an opportunity to make an "ISO" space saver using a couple replacement keycaps, an extra buckling spring, an extra spring column, and some blood and sweat.

Anyone else notice this behavior (Full-sized M or not)?

Title: Interesting Model M behavior
Post by: bhtooefr on Mon, 16 February 2009, 00:31:09

I can't trigger it with mashing left shift, BUT... CONFIRMED, directly manipulating the membrane with a pen cartridge stuck in the empty hole. \\\\\Hmm. That also means there's a key hiding under...

\\\\\ Enter.

There is none hiding under right Shift, backspace, numpad +, numpad Enter, or numpad 0.

Edit: This also means that a Belkin F5U119vE1 USB adapter should be suitable for adapting ISO layout PS/2 boards to USB.

Title: Interesting Model M behavior
Post by: tad on Mon, 16 February 2009, 01:00:41

So the contact is directly under the stabilizer? Then an extra switch column isn't needed, just the keycaps and the spring/switch. And a "Sandy teardown", I guess.

Title: Interesting Model M behavior
Post by: FunkTrooper on Mon, 16 February 2009, 05:17:07

this begs the question: why would anyone want an ISO layout. they are the bane of my life, what with laptops with the lovely US layout being impossible to find over here.

but yes, you are right, i have noticed with my Unicomp Customizer that there are extra keys “blocked off” under the enter key and left shift.  presumably they would work... not that i would ever want them to though!

Title: Interesting Model M behavior
Post by: Chloe on Mon, 16 February 2009, 06:10:58

I prefer ISO layout.

Title: Interesting Model M behavior
Post by: lal on Mon, 16 February 2009, 06:24:54

Yeah, I suspected this, too.  This would also mean you could convert an ISO M to US layout. Just need a left shift, Enter, and Backslash key. That would be nice. Now if there would only be a way to insert/remove the buckling spring assemblies w/o crack opening the inner construction...

Title: Interesting Model M behavior
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 16 February 2009, 07:08:28

Should be easy on an M2.

Title: Interesting Model M behavior
Post by: Mercen_505 on Mon, 16 February 2009, 12:27:55

Quote

Should be easy on an M2.

Heh, if you can find one that works!

Title: Interesting Model M behavior
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 16 February 2009, 12:47:41

Did you try the fix on yours?

Title: Interesting Model M behavior
Post by: Xuan on Wed, 18 February 2009, 20:19:03

Yeah, the membrane is the same for both layouts.
I've one in Spanish (hate it) and between the left shift and z is a disturbing <> key (it gets in the way from time to time).
As I configured it like the US layout I remaped that extra key to de Multy Key (I need áéíóúüñ chars).