This is an evil petition signed by evil people who cannot let the classics remain classics. They go to lousy remakes of movies, they buy the new Mini car too, and it is all Wrong. It is not like the Mini keyboards are not available or something. :lalala:
This is of course a completely objective opinion.
With that said, I think this is a good way to open a communication with Unicomp
I want a buckling spring, tenkeyless keyboard.
And a flying car.
And a Star Wars sequel that doesn't suck.
*Must derail thread*
Hey, wanna see some pictures of my gf?
I have a great POV picture!
Everyone knows the black label is far superior : )
Actually, this one is much nicer.
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If I'd work for Unicomp and read this, I'd say f*ck you all. You want them to invest in expensive stuff and take a big risk close to retirement, all for people who do not want to invest and pay the price for a quality keyboard on ebay? But talk about keyboards all day anyway? Or for people who get disgusted by vintage and only want "new"? But also don't want to pay the price? That's like telling a car manufacturer to recreate a vintage car because the ones for sale have full asstrays. Please invest a lot of money so I can be cheap. Naaaah.. I'm sure Unicomp will do the right thing.
Why are they making model m's still at all? The market is flooded with used 1391401's, most going commonly for less than what they're selling their new ones for, while the market is starving for new mechanicals in full compact or mini versions.. What they're doing currently doesn't make any sense for a business trying to make a profit.
And the shipping and custom costs and (double) VAT costs are something only a deranged collector will put up with.
And the shipping and custom costs and (double) VAT costs are something only a deranged collector will put up with.
Europe.. when I show one of my boards to someone here, the typical reaction is how much they love the flat keyboard with laptop style keys they have.
The USA are a slightly better market, for example it took a couple of days for that '87 Model M Mini at $90 to sell. Based on that I'd say most here are full or words but not of action when it comes to buying, and I estimate that if Unicomp invest, say $40,000 to make reproduction possible, they will end up selling 1 a week after the initial wave of 20 people buying them has passed.
Because they've got the equipment and designs already and they know people will buy them.
With Elitekeyboards already selling nice to type on mini keyboards of the same format in what many would consider a nicer design is there any room in the market for them? Maybe most of the people who want a Model M Spacesaver are willing to pay ebay prices, and there's certainly no shortage of them.
Europe is obviously an untapped market with no minitouch or filco and M minis being unheard of, but would the shipping and customs costs be too high for individual buyers? Could they afford the costs of setting up their own store over here? Are there that many buckling spring buyers in Europe?
I like a man with a taste in the siig minitouch, not following the masses!
I got a new one, but it's still in transport. Maybe you should start a wiki about the different versions ;) I have one (other) fake alps board, and I'm among those that might prefer them. The key-press is a little more "clean". YMMV.
I'll let you know what I got, seller specified mechanical/clicky switches but didn't name 'em.
*Must derail thread*
Hey, wanna see some pictures of my gf?
and I estimate that if Unicomp invest, say $40,000 to make reproduction possible, they will end up selling 1 a week after the initial wave of 20 people buying them has passed.
where are those pics, weby? I'm interested to see what he looks like ...
is it guaranteed that they'll make at least all their money back from retooling? It's a question most businesses have to ask themselves before spending money on something other than manufacturing.
We don't know their business model. For all we know, they might never have anticipated live beyond the end of protection from the buckling spring patent, and what we're seeing is just extras, like actors of a play who return in front of the drawn curtain, to sell remaining stock and wear out the machinery, riding on the wave of publicity from a few months back.
Why, your wish is my demand, sir.Show Image(http://www.peteykins.com/sparklepics2/Daddy****Cheney.jpg)
agreed, and this is my point too. At the very least I want to petition them to have a conversation with some of their biggest fans, and give us some indication of their keyboard plans. They dont have to tell us they're going to shut down the plant when the current owners retire (for all we know thats what they're going to do) but they can at least tell us there WONT be any new models and put us out of our misery. All i'm asking for ultimately is a conversation with a representative of Unicomp.
Because the only thing more annoying than their lack of creativity, is their absolute SILENCE. :)
Have you tried emailing them?
Welly, you coulda edited this thread a bit before sending it. Critique Sandwich!!
Hey man, thats just a box. Like any other box. You need to open it! and post pictures of course.
How come his box is ticking?
How come his box is ticking?
So if he gets to you, just close your eyes and envision him typing on his Datahand thingy with his feet and he's naked. It helps.
The whole point of playing a people genetically bypassed on the satire and irony gen is that it should not be understood.
Weird. That's what my gf said last night.
(i mean, his word.)
Now that I think of it, I'd be much happier if they could make me of these. (http://www.lunch.org.uk/wiki/_media/mainframes:19_3278-3.jpg)
I'm talking NIB only here. There is only one seller left with a reliable supply and it can't be infinite. There will ALWAYS be used minis available. I'm sure there is SOME price that I'll sell mine. Bidding starts at $999.
talking to unicomp is like the sound of one hand clapping.
I don't understand this. What are you guys babbling about, and why do they never seems to give straight answers? I think if I call them and ask if they sell keyboards the guy is probably going to respond he never saw such a thing.
I would want the 88(?)-key (i.e., 105-key without the NumPad) version though; I like my logo keys and need the VK_102 key.
I wish a light bulb would go on above manufacturers' heads as they realised there is only one key difference between US and EU layouts (and some minor positioning differences.) Why do they leave out the VK_102 key when they could easily include it? I know the usual position makes it harder to hit left Shift, but it could be put somewhere out of the way. Even this layout should keep most people happy:
Jeez, you guys should have talked on the phone to the guys at Unicomp first before trashing them. They really are all nice guys. Lets see you get better answers from other keyboard manufacturers like Topre, Filco (even through Majestouch the answers have been a bit obscure), Das, IBM (people have tried - remember the whole PLT thing?) and Logitech.
Tread lightly though Welly, I remember Brian!
As a recovering ISOaholic, I still think the awkwardness of the right shift has always been largely overexaggerated. That said, I'm not sure why Britain (and by extension Ireland) ended up with such a pointless layout. Standardization politics I guess? Trying to appease our Franco-Belgian Overlords as usual...
Well they're not Intel or even Apple. Keyboard manufacturers aren't known for giving roadmaps. Ask Das about the Das4.
Let's review new products in 2009 in the Mechanical Keyboard biz:
Topre 87U (anyone remember the difference again between the 86U?? - oh yeah,it's black and has the RED ESC key !)
Topre $150 numpad (aimed at banks)
DSI Mac Modular in Black (white one was available earlier)
Deck Tactile in clear cherries, only one LED color and no mini
iRocks 6230
??????..........everything else was available earlier although EliteKeyboards sure made it easier to get. I didn't count the purple WASD keys as a new product.
We'll see if Unicomp has the capital to do new products.
I know the usual position makes it harder to hit left Shift, but it could be put somewhere out of the way.
Furthermore, I don't see why Americans should have such 'fat fingers' that they can't hit a Shift key that isn't more than 1.5 key widths! Do any of you keep missing the backslash key or find it too hard in any way, for instance? It's all about habit, nothing more. Too bad IBM caved in and went back on their design improvement so we have dual standards on this today.
To be frank, Unicomp has to be stupid, to produce a whole range of minis just for some freaks here
Unicomp for example has a problem: The market is small, their products are reliable and their customers don't buy every two years a new one. They don't offer products for the ordinary b00n, like Logitech.
If can't get the ordinary customer or the professional market... which market can you conquer?
Maybe profit is Unicomps problem. If they don't have the money for a complete new process, they won't do that.
Is Filco that popular? I don't think, they would even scratch at Logitechs position. They don't have to, though, if they get enough proftit to keep running. Same goes for Unicomp.
How many people would collect 100$-keyboards? I don't expect too many.
Maybe profit is Unicomps problem. If they don't have the money for a complete new process, they won't do that.
Ok. I'm not here for so long, maybe I missed that discussion. :behindsofa:
I know that from Ericsson. They kept building their bulky things (I really liked them) till the end and when everyone had T9, they still just didn't had it.
There are more examples for this. An actual one would be the american car manufacturers. Others improved and looked into the future, but they didn't and suddenly they couldn't sell their big machines anymore.
I can't understand Unicomp either.
I mean Filcoboards look great and other modern mechanical boards have at least a bit design on their side or in case of cherry just don't need to. Unicomp should kept some models for nastalgics and make a new fleet of cool looking ones and more offense marketing.
Hm, I guess, that aren't new for you, either?^^
I think Unicomp is focusing on selling to larger OEM customers.
I think Unicomp is focusing on selling to larger OEM customers.
Comparing them with Microsoft or Logitech is stretching things quite a bit. A better comparison is DSI, Keytronics, or TG3.
Or loan Unicomp $100K.
Or create your own Buckling Spring company - the patent has expired.
what oem customers? do we know any corporation that is buying BS boards in quantity? THey're too loud for the average workplace.
New designs?? Mac Modular now in black?
Boscom.
Isn't it just the Modular that's mechanical?
Welly, I appoint you CEO of Unicomp Inc.
Only thing I saw in the Press Release section was a waterproof keyboard (yawn).
Amazon. Waterproof keyboard. 16 hits.
Various layouts.^^
Maybe other countries are more willing to get one.
Unicomp reminds me of Morgan Cars (http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/).
For decades Morgan has been told by outside "troubleshooter" business advisors that:
- "You HAVE to constantly expand. It's the ONLY way to run a business nowadays."
- "You HAVE to convert to modern manufacturing methods. It's the ONLY way to run a business nowadays."
- "You HAVE to make cheaper, mainstream products. It's the ONLY way to run a business nowadays."
Morgan's response has been "Thanks for the advice, but we'll carry on making hand-made, expensive cars for a specialist market, at our own pace." And they are still around, proving those experts wrong.
Maybe Unicomp know what they are doing too.
Unicomp reminds me of Morgan Cars (http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/).
For decades Morgan has been told by outside "troubleshooter" business advisors that:Morgan's response has been "Thanks for the advice, but we'll carry on making hand-made, expensive cars for a specialist market, at our own pace." And they are still around, proving those experts wrong.
- "You HAVE to constantly expand. It's the ONLY way to run a business nowadays."
- "You HAVE to convert to modern manufacturing methods. It's the ONLY way to run a business nowadays."
- "You HAVE to make cheaper, mainstream products. It's the ONLY way to run a business nowadays."
Maybe Unicomp know what they are doing too.
Unicomp reminds me of Morgan Cars (http://www.morgan-motor.co.uk/).
For decades Morgan has been told by outside "troubleshooter" business advisors that:
- "You HAVE to constantly expand. It's the ONLY way to run a business nowadays."
- "You HAVE to convert to modern manufacturing methods. It's the ONLY way to run a business nowadays."
- "You HAVE to make cheaper, mainstream products. It's the ONLY way to run a business nowadays."
Morgan's response has been "Thanks for the advice, but we'll carry on making hand-made, expensive cars for a specialist market, at our own pace." And they are still around, proving those experts wrong.
Maybe Unicomp know what they are doing too.
if only Unicomp was run collectively by Geekhack members...
If I were running Unicomp, I'd do something along the lines of -
* A cheap, Model M2 style keyboard priced lower than their current boards.
* An almost perfect imitation of the 1391401 priced higher than their current boards. Give the customers a load of different customization options. Really go overboard on marketing.
* Something fancy on the high end. A 1391401 with Model F style switches? I'd happily pay Topre prices for that, probably more.
* A backlit Model M4 with NKRO for the gaming crowd.
seriously. i can get an atom processor in a netbook for the price of some of these keyboards.
Wheels, I'm up to 3 NIB Minis now. They are addictive.
Hell I've owned 7 of em at an average of 130$ a piece and have no regrets and my friends are quite thankful as i have given them out as gifts. Mini's for all. Buckling springs 4 lyfe!
hey, i'm your friend too!
he knows when you've been sleeping,
he knows when you're awake,
he knows when you've been bad or good,
so be good for goodness sake!
yes wellington, there is a buckling spring santa claus
:D
Go bash on those guys a while. Or loan Unicomp $100K. Or create your own Buckling Spring company - the patent has expired.
That's interesting. I didn't that the controller would map 1:1. The only controller thing that would be different is the SHIFT-SCRLK Virtual Numpad feature.
lol! Wheels83 can break into my house in the middle of the night, i wont freak out so long as he leaves a mini on the table ;) Good deal for a glass of milk and some cookies ;D
This reminds me of a joke I saw on a web site for antique typewriter collectors. A man buys an ancient three-bank typewriter he had long been seeking (perhaps an Oliver). He leaves it in his car and goes away.
He returns, and finds that the rear window of his car has been smashed!
Shocked, he rushes to the car... and finds a second typewriter, identical to the one he just bought, placed beside his original purchase, which is still there safe and sound.
I'm new around here, so please don't take this as me trying to be rude, but as the tenkeyless seems to be SO popular here, why would you want one with a virtual numpad? If you needed a numpad, why wouldn't you just rather have the full keyboard?
as the tenkeyless seems to be SO popular here, why would you want one with a virtual numpad?
hahahahaha they cant give those away, eh? ;)
xsphat introduced me to the whole underground world of typewriter collectors and freaks... if you think we're freaks, man, freakiness is one of those things that doesnt really have a bottom, lol ;D
hey!
Just because I have 24 typewriters, that doesn't make me a freak!!! Dem be fightin werdz!all the other things I do make me a freak! =P
Ah, that's a simple question to answer. What does a real numpad do that a virtual numpad doesn't? It takes up space on your desk. It isn't that people object to the functionality of a numeric keypad, as a way to enter a lot of numbers at once with one hand (even if they suspect it might be rarely used).
Only a few really large laptops have physical numeric keypads, but nearly all of them let you have a virtual numpad.
Then there's the HHKB, which doesn't have function keys. But it does have an Fn key that lets you shift other keys to function keys; again, there's nothing wrong with having the functionality, but if it's seldom used, why let it take up space?
This is an online petition for the Unicomp Corporation. It will be submitted to Jim Owens (or any and all management big wigs at Unicomp) soon as we have enough signatures.
"We, the undersigned, hereby beg and implore the mighty Unicomp company, the only existent and viable manufacturer of buckling spring keyboards, to immediately put into production a Unicomp version of the Model M "mini" (aka spacesaver, aka tenkeyless), pictured below.
As loyal fans of the Unicomp corporation, we are asking for very little. You can accomplish the Mini by simply cutting the numpad off Unicomp's current "Customizer 104" model and thereby getting it into production as quickly as possible. "
The world will be a better place if Unicomp builds this:Show Image(http://www.gesticulations.com/public/gallery/Images/fun/m_spacesaver.png)
We, the undersigned, also respectfully submit that the following "tenkeyless" keyboards are entirely within the realm of Unicomp's ability to quickly produce, and are exceedingly drool-worthy.
A tenkeyless Unicomp spacesaver:Show Image(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=2631&d=1244832368)
A tenkeyless Unicomp Endurapro:Show Image(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=2632)
I would absoutly buy one of these from Unicomp if they designed one.
Show Image(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=4640)
Save space by chopping off the numeric keypad... and then keep your numeric keypad too!
necro, but...
quadibloc, that is a fine piece of work :D
the 1800 layout from Cherry
This whole thread is necro.
Necro and Goatse in the same thread.
WIN!
I'd tap Zooey Deschanel.
ok why won't unicomp build the real minis? do they not like money?
i think if katy perry and zooey deschanel did a porno together it would be viewed at least 10 billion times.
What an *******.
Guess it's time for me to leave. :wave:.......Don't be gone too long please. :wave:
ok why won't unicomp build the real minis? do they not like money?It requires a big investment in tooling. They would sell a few to the people here.
Newton's First LawShow Image(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=13157&stc=1&d=1288012932)