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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ironcoder on Wed, 26 August 2009, 04:24:45
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Do you guys know what's up with Unicomp? Are they still in business?
I checked the pckeyboard.com site, it's been down for months or at least every time I've checked recently. And now unicomp.com is going to some web parking page.
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Still seems to work
http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/index.html
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http://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/
For your edification.
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They still own the domain (pckeyboard.com)...Looks like www.pckeyboard.com (http://www.pckeyboard.com) is pointed to Rackspace address space now (instead of their yahoo store). Maybe they are actually working on putting up a decent web presense??? (I would be floored if they were)
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Still seems to work
http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/index.html
I was using the link I mentioned in my post (pckeyboard.com). It's been offline for months, seems like it used to work.
The link you posted is the right one, thanks!
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They still own the domain (pckeyboard.com)...Looks like www.pckeyboard.com (http://www.pckeyboard.com) is pointed to Rackspace address space now (instead of their yahoo store). Maybe they are actually working on putting up a decent web presense??? (I would be floored if they were)
Thanks, iMav. It seems like that old domain name used to point to the web store. At some point it quit working. I have the right link now.
Thanks, guys.
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http://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/
For your edification.
Thanks, *******, that was helpful.
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I bet they forgot the renew the domain.
That is what I first assumed. But it appears they are current (registered through 2013 I think).
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Maybe their internet guy left. Some time ago.
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And he took his frontpage templates with him...
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I bet they forgot to move the DNS forward.
lol, the question is are they gearing up for some shiny new website and a bright new future -- or are they gearing down to go out of business?
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And he took his frontpage templates with him...
To Hell?
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no their site is still up and running
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Strong.
What's really funny, is we have a guy at work who looks and sounds just like Milton. It's uncanny.
Unfortunately, it's me.
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But that's my Model M...
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Thanks, you just scared the crap outta me. I still need to pick up a SpaceSaver one of these days.
Would anyone stock up on Unicomp if they announced they were going out of business?
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Probably everyone on this forum that doesn't already have a Unicomp board. Or two.
Personally I have a Spacesaver in storage, to have a USB BS keyboard in my arsenal, just in case.
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...Would anyone stock up on Unicomp if they announced they were going out of business?
Probably everyone on this forum that doesn't already have a Unicomp board. Or two.
Personally I have a Spacesaver in storage, to have a USB BS keyboard in my arsenal, just in case.
just for giggles- when you think about it, we love these keyboards for many reasons, two of them being durability and longevity! So I love that we would even consider stocking up =P
i kid, i kid!
I have quite a few too ;)
I really do need to pick up a unicomp one though XD
with regards to the topic though, I have had many issues with their web site too, maybe they just have the itch to be glitchy
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LOL Webwit, very cool pic. Sorry for the scare, shrap. Imagine how I felt ;)
I'm still going back and forth between some Unicomps and a Filco w/blues. I'm not in the collection business, I need keyboards for work (my old trusty crusty IBM domo is caking badly and will eventually seize up from lack of maintenance) and shipping is expensive.
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The days when Model M keyboards were a common sight at thrift shops are gone. I presume most were donated by businesses that retired their PS/2 computers, and got new keyboards with their new computers.
So Unicomp can thrive doing what it is doing now.
But if I had been running the company, while I would understand the need to keep tooling costs in line, I would have considered it worthwhile to manufacture what people can't find on the used market.
I would have made buckling spring keyboards for Sun computers. (Sun's license fees are reasonable.) Now, of course, what with Oracle's acquisition, that's probably not worth bothering with.
I would have made buckling spring keyboards for the Mac.
And I would also have indulged myself recklessly by making a 122-key keyboard in which the main typing area is laid out like the one on a 101-key keyboard instead of the one on a 102-key keyboard.
(Other weird characteristics: it would be switchable between Host Connected Keyboard-like scan codes and an alternate set like the one they offer on the PC/5250 - I would not have made a product like the PC/5250 without the option of switching back to HCK behavior, and it would have 125 keys, so that when the computer is not being used for 5250 emulation, the Windows keys would be available.)
EDIT: I would also have at least given consideration to what is particularly desired by many here - a buckling spring compact keyboard; perhaps a plain one with laptop styling... or even a partnership with Fujitsu to create a buckling spring version of the HHKB if possible. (Actually, looking at their site, I see that while the Mighty Mouse is 'discontinued' in its main version, the one with the piezo pointing device, the version without it is still advertised as available for $99. But it doesn't have a version with Windows keys, so, yes, there is a lack to remedy.)
I see they do sell point-of-sale keyboards, but not ones with programmable keys. That is another key omission from their product line I would address.
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They should make a black M2 space saver with a slightly updated case design.
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I talked to Jim and ordered a control-key less and label-less keyboard from them last week.
I should get it either today or tomorrow (Swiss time) so I can post pictures if you need proof :nod:
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Welcome to Geekhack.
Enjoy your keyboard!
Shortest post from ripster ever.
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no control keys? are you crazy?
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Needs a pic.
I take that back. This is the shortest post from ripster ever.
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They should make a black M2 space saver with a slightly updated case design.
They'd have to design a new controller board for them (with capacitors that don't commit suicide at random) and I don't think that's Unicomp's thing - considering that having to design a new controller board is one of the reasons they give for not making the Space Saving keyboard again.
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Ah, didn't know they gave that as a reason. There'd have to be a new very small controller anyway for a tenkeyless M2.
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When I said no control key, I meant no Windows key (I am not Chuck Norris).
Here is a pic (unfortunately they screwed the order and shipped it with a PS2 plug):
(http://matthiasbertschy.info/pics/unicomp.jpg)
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Jim from Unicomp has been very helpful: he will send me a USB keyboard to repair their mistake.
Those guys are great and I really recommend dealing with them,
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Thanks for the report. I'm also offshore (but not an H1B so don't anybody start with me!) so it is good to know they will take care of business.
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Ah, didn't know they gave that as a reason. There'd have to be a new very small controller anyway for a tenkeyless M2.
I think the problem was moreso with the 'numpad emulator', but I doubt most people would really miss it if it were dropped from production.