geekhack

geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: jerue on Wed, 23 March 2016, 20:11:44

Title: NMB/Hi-Tek linear Space Invaders switch Keyboard Tour!
Post by: jerue on Wed, 23 March 2016, 20:11:44

I recently acquired this NMB/Space Invaders switch keyboard that has linear switches. Not much is known about this keyboard, except that it was made in 1990 and is a clone of the WYSE ASCII keyboard. So...why not take it on a tour of the U.S.? I have used a couple of different SI switches before and in my opinion they are worth trying out. Linear switch lovers will enjoy this particular keyboard.

DA RULES

#1 RULE - this should go without saying but DON'T STEAL; stealing is bad, mkay?

• Must be an active member in the US (sorry, this tour is US only)
• 3 months/300 post count minimum
• You get one week with the keyboard. Valid address and contact information required (including phone number)
• You are free to mod/experiment (i.e. USB mod), but don't ruin it for the next person
• When you're done, write a quick review (a few sentences is fine) with your thoughts!

Post with any questions or if you're interested which state you're in.

 :D


(http://i.imgur.com/D4oOUi5.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/gVrz3nu.jpg)

(http://i.imgur.com/6T4gzl5.jpg)

Title: Re: NMB/Hi-Tek linear Space Invaders switch Keyboard Tour!
Post by: jerue on Wed, 23 March 2016, 20:11:51

reserved

Title: Re: NMB/Hi-Tek linear Space Invaders switch Keyboard Tour!
Post by: jerue on Wed, 23 March 2016, 20:11:57

reserved

Title: Re: NMB/Hi-Tek linear Space Invaders switch Keyboard Tour!
Post by: fohat.digs on Wed, 23 March 2016, 20:17:26

I have an NMB Hi-Tek board with an RJ14 connector and I have never gotten it to work on a modern PC. Even with Soarer's WYSE converter.

Is this operational or do they just "type" on it at random to see what it feels like?

Title: Re: NMB/Hi-Tek linear Space Invaders switch Keyboard Tour!
Post by: jerue on Wed, 23 March 2016, 20:28:07

Quote from: fohat.digs on Wed, 23 March 2016, 20:17:26

I have an NMB Hi-Tek board with an RJ14 connector and I have never gotten it to work on a modern PC. Even with Soarer's WYSE converter.

Is this operational or do they just "type" on it at random to see what it feels like?

as of now not operational, just for testing sadly. But, maybe someone can figure it out...seems a little different than RJ14 from what I'm reading.

Title: Re: NMB/Hi-Tek linear Space Invaders switch Keyboard Tour!
Post by: Red October on Wed, 23 March 2016, 22:59:28

Hey!  You got that from the company I work for!  I wrote the listing and took the photos.  I was really curious about this keyboard; it was with a WYSE ASCII and it has an identical layout and overall stouter construction.  Maybe now I'll get to learn some more about it.  Nice switches in this thing.  Really weird how it has no markings.  Glad it went to one of us.

Title: Re: NMB/Hi-Tek linear Space Invaders switch Keyboard Tour!
Post by: SpAmRaY on Wed, 23 March 2016, 23:15:58

That's an interesting layout.

Title: Re: NMB/Hi-Tek linear Space Invaders switch Keyboard Tour!
Post by: chyros on Thu, 24 March 2016, 00:07:23

Quote from: SpAmRaY on Wed, 23 March 2016, 23:15:58

That's an interesting layout.

It's an old space-saving layout. The extremely rare Focus FK-1001 also uses something like it.

Title: Re: NMB/Hi-Tek linear Space Invaders switch Keyboard Tour!
Post by: jacobolus on Thu, 24 March 2016, 00:47:39

“Space saving” as in: we needed tons of room for the spacebar, so we crammed all the other keys into the tiny remaining section of the keyboard.

Title: Re: NMB/Hi-Tek linear Space Invaders switch Keyboard Tour!
Post by: chyros on Thu, 24 March 2016, 05:57:18

Quote from: jacobolus on Thu, 24 March 2016, 00:47:39

“Space saving” as in: we needed tons of room for the spacebar, so we crammed all the other keys into the tiny remaining section of the keyboard.

9.75 units, jeeeez  :)) .