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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: ch_123 on Thu, 24 September 2009, 13:42:30

Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 24 September 2009, 13:42:30
Looking through Unicomp's old websites, here's the page on the Endurapro from when the Endurapro was first released -

Link (http://web.archive.org/web/20000510192337/www.pckeyboard.com/ep104.htm)

Quote
Customers who require or prefer a quiet keyboard will select the new Whisper Spring TM model of the EP/104. The new Whisper Spring TM technology delivers the same clicky feel as the buckling spring, yet is extremely quiet. Ideal for noise sensitive environments.


So, is this just a brand name for their greasing service, or did they actually have an alternate spring design at some point?
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: wellington1869 on Thu, 24 September 2009, 14:06:04
Quote from: ch_123;120303

So, is this just a brand name for their greasing service, or did they actually have an alternate spring design at some point?


great question... my guess is its the grease, just based on my disbelief that unicomp would ever invent anything on their own ;-P

also interesting that at one time they had a more colorful website!
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: wellington1869 on Thu, 24 September 2009, 14:16:19
and note this feature, also lost today! :

"Like other EnduraPro models, the EP/104 is completely re-configurable and programmable;"

WTF?! holy crap

"The programmable capabilities allow users to add macro commands to the keyboard thus reducing keystrokes and improving productivity. Linux users now have a keyboard that puts the Ctrl and Esc keys where they want them and users who prefer the Dvorak layout have a keyboard that will work with any software package. The EnduraPro TM will also work with many of today's 5250 and 3270 terminals"
And a bullet point on the right side says: "Program and customize via the Worldwide Web"

And the endurapro also lost a [strike]usb[/strike] ps2 port:
"A standard feature of the EP/104 is a built in pass-through port for an additional hand held mouse. The additional mouse can be used interchangeably with the built-in mouse"

New petition to Unicomp: Bring the original Endurapro Back!!!!!
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: quadibloc on Thu, 24 September 2009, 14:49:03
Quote from: wellington1869;120314
New petition to Unicomp: Bring the original Endurapro Back!!!!!


Note, though, that it says on the side, "Shipments start August, 2000". Possibly, for some reason, they were not able to deliver that product as outlined, due to a lost supplier for the keyboard controller chip or some such cause, and so it may not have ever existed to bring back.

EDIT: Apparently, it was delivered, since their page for October, 2000 says "New: Our First Programmable".

http://web.archive.org/web/20001003172226/http://www.pckeyboard.com/

That still doesn't leave out subsequent supplier problems, though.

Also, the current PS/2 model of the EnduraPro can be programmed at the time of manufacture, but this likely only means a fixed custom layout. Is anyone here familiar with just what its current remaining programming capabilities are? (And, unlike the USB model, it can be shipped outside the U.S.!)
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: wellington1869 on Thu, 24 September 2009, 15:10:17
Quote from: quadibloc;120328
Is anyone here familiar with just what its current remaining programming capabilities are? (And, unlike the USB model, it can be shipped outside the U.S.!)


i dont think it has any current programmable capabilities; at least, they're not mentioned on the current website for the EP.
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: wellington1869 on Thu, 24 September 2009, 15:11:18
Quote from: ripster;120331
They're working on it!


i want your ibm mug and your red stapler ;)
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: wellington1869 on Thu, 24 September 2009, 15:14:19
Check out these colored BS keycaps: Boy, unicomp used to be a lot more fun when they were younger!

http://web.archive.org/web/20000601114452/www.pckeyboard.com/college.html
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: kode on Thu, 24 September 2009, 15:26:42
Right, I remember those options
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: sixty on Thu, 24 September 2009, 15:48:49
I bet their Mini will have these Whisper Springs as an option!
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: pfink on Thu, 24 September 2009, 15:50:07
Quote from: wellington1869;120341
Check out these colored BS keycaps: Boy, unicomp used to be a lot more fun when they were younger!

http://web.archive.org/web/20000601114452/www.pckeyboard.com/college.html


They still sell the Kentucky Wildcats keyboard:

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/noname1.html
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: wellington1869 on Thu, 24 September 2009, 15:54:21
Quote from: pfink;120350
They still sell the Kentucky Wildcats keyboard:

http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/noname1.html


damn, i wonder if they sell those blue and red keys separately!
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: wellington1869 on Thu, 24 September 2009, 16:11:37
Quote from: wellington1869;120351
damn, i wonder if they sell those blue and red keys separately!


also, is it me, or do the white keys on the wildcats keyboard have 'oversized' lettering? I like 'em...

I can already picture the "black and blue" customizer - would make a nice combo, with the blue control keys and unmarked black alphabet cluster...
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 24 September 2009, 16:29:03
Still waiting for them to bring back the keyboard-phone

(http://web.archive.org/web/20041208200316/pckeyboard.com/images/SMTREXLARGE.gif)
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: quadibloc on Thu, 24 September 2009, 20:12:17
I've looked through the October 2000 version of their web site, and while they refer to the EnduraPro as "Our First Programmable Keyboard", in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the site, they say it is only programmable at the time of manufacture, which is like today's EnduraPro.

So the only feature that's missing, apparently, is the mouse port.
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: wellington1869 on Thu, 24 September 2009, 20:54:18
Quote from: quadibloc;120399
I've looked through the October 2000 version of their web site, and while they refer to the EnduraPro as "Our First Programmable Keyboard", in the Frequently Asked Questions section of the site, they say it is only programmable at the time of manufacture, which is like today's EnduraPro.

So the only feature that's missing, apparently, is the mouse port.


well, that and the greased springs i guess.
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 25 September 2009, 01:23:32
There was a mouse port on my Endurapro... I had the PS/2 version.
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: kode on Fri, 25 September 2009, 06:01:34
Quote from: ch_123;120363
Still waiting for them to bring back the keyboard-phone

Show Image
(http://web.archive.org/web/20041208200316/pckeyboard.com/images/SMTREXLARGE.gif)


Yes, that would also be good. A voip one would be even more better.
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: DreymaR on Fri, 25 September 2009, 07:21:32
No, it wouldn't. We're dying to lose the space-filling numpad and you're dying to add a huge phone? The irony.
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: quadibloc on Fri, 25 September 2009, 08:31:01
Quote from: ch_123;120363
Still waiting for them to bring back the keyboard-phone


Following and editing the link, I see that was not a standard model of theirs, but merely an illustrative example of their custom design capabilities. Perhaps intended for a call centre.

Since the numpad was used for dialling, I suppose they did integrate the phone into the keyboard, rather than the customer bolting it on, though.
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: Rajagra on Fri, 25 September 2009, 08:36:49
Quote from: quadibloc;120492
Since the numpad was used for dialling


Oh yes. Look at the order of the number keys. That would cause some fun.
Title: Unicomp "Whisper Spring"
Post by: timw4mail on Fri, 25 September 2009, 10:13:12
Stop trying to steal my numpad!