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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: sakai4eva on Thu, 17 July 2014, 03:26:16

Title: Model M identification
Post by: sakai4eva on Thu, 17 July 2014, 03:26:16
I've scoured the web, and the only real answer seems to indicate that this keyboard:

(http://i.imgur.com/xfm0XPz.png)

is some sort of 84-key variant of a Model M. The pictures from the seller seem to indicate a 102 (101?) key variant instead.

Is the the real thing, or is it just fantasy?
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: nubbinator on Thu, 17 July 2014, 08:51:53
Ask the seller for more pictures then.  If the picture and the label don't match, no one can say whether the label or the picture is correct.
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: ClarusWorks on Thu, 17 July 2014, 13:09:09
Agreed. 1395100 is the part number for an 84 key model M, but your seller could have gotten some pictures confused or something.
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: sakai4eva on Thu, 17 July 2014, 20:30:21
Quote from: nubbinator on Thu, 17 July 2014, 08:51:53
Ask the seller for more pictures then.  If the picture and the label don't match, no one can say whether the label or the picture is correct.
Chinese seller in taobao. I'm not sure google translate can cut through this one...
Quote from: ClarusWorks on Thu, 17 July 2014, 13:09:09
Agreed. 1395100 is the part number for an 84 key model M, but your seller could have gotten some pictures confused or something.
Thanks.
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: ander on Mon, 27 June 2016, 05:42:47
I know this thread's from 2014; I just thought I'd add this info in case anyone searches GH for this part number.

IBM (in 1991) and Lexmark (in 1992) used this p/n for SSKs. Also in 1992, Lexmark oddly used the same p/n for the standard 101-key Model M's they made for court reporting systems made by an OEM called Reply:

[attachimg=1]


[attachimg=2]


[attachimg=3]


One of these recently sold on eBay, hence the photos. Interestingly, the OEM logo appears in a square in the upper right corner—the same size, shape and location where the silver IBM logo appears on 1st-generation IBM Model Ms... Were any other later M's like this?

This also begs the question: How on earth could court reporters use buckling spring keyboards without distracting the heck out of everyone present? (I'm guessing the OEM wasn't around long, for that reason...?)
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: fohat.digs on Mon, 27 June 2016, 08:11:27
Quote from: ander on Mon, 27 June 2016, 05:42:47

This also begs the question: How on earth could court reporters use buckling spring keyboards without distracting the heck out of everyone present?

My guess is that the actual court reporters probably used chording keyboards and that this was for transcribing tapes in the office after the fact.
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: supamesican on Mon, 27 June 2016, 20:27:44
Quote from: ander on Mon, 27 June 2016, 05:42:47


This also begs the question: How on earth could court reporters use buckling spring keyboards without distracting the heck out of everyone present? (I'm guessing the OEM wasn't around long, for that reason...?)

after a few seconds its really not noticeable.
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: ander on Tue, 28 June 2016, 03:19:25
Quote from: supamesican on Mon, 27 June 2016, 20:27:44
Quote from: ander on Mon, 27 June 2016, 05:42:47
This also begs the question: How on earth could court reporters use buckling spring keyboards without distracting the heck out of everyone...?

after a few seconds its really not noticeable.

I'll have to tell my wife that, the next time she says she can't think with me clattering away in here.  :?)
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: QuincyJones on Tue, 28 June 2016, 09:48:27
yeah, court reporters may take shorthand in court then do the full write up - or if court scribes, as above.
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: ander on Sat, 02 July 2016, 02:53:34
They often use silent transcription machines called stenotypes or stenographs:


(http://www.cookandwiley.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/84/2013/12/stenotype-machine-1024x768.jpg)


...which enable them to record speech in real time by pressing multiple keys at once ("chording"). Here's a short video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6t7-IarTESc) about it.

I can't help wondering why, if speed's so important, they still make these with such a long, typewriter-like key travel.

And of course people like us, who value the sounds of mechanical boards, probably wouldn't enjoy them.  :?)
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: QuincyJones on Sat, 02 July 2016, 08:59:08
sticker in first photo looks fake, like there was a sticker there that's been removed, and now has a smaller sticker
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: fohat.digs on Sat, 02 July 2016, 09:54:36
For all of IBM's attention to detail and quality control, I have seen lots of ugly and poorly-placed stickers on Model Ms.

Off-topic, because I can never find the M birthday thread, I have a loose April Model M sticker that I would sell/trade to someone who needed it. Please tell me the exact date that you want and why. And I probably have a spare case back that it could be installed on to look more proper.
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: Touch_It on Sat, 02 July 2016, 11:56:55
April 11 1988 because it's my birthday :)


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: klennkellon on Sat, 02 July 2016, 14:07:26
Quote from: QuincyJones on Sat, 02 July 2016, 08:59:08
sticker in first photo looks fake, like there was a sticker there that's been removed, and now has a smaller sticker

IBM is known for being sloppy with the stickers, I think it's just off center.

I've never heard of a "fake" Model M though there were a lot of copy-cats and look-a-likes that tried to replicate the design.
Title: Re: Model M identification
Post by: ander on Sat, 09 July 2016, 00:29:50
Natalie Portman.