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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: msiegel on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:15:46

Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: msiegel on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:15:46: i suspect it's *not* a Model M Space Saver... the case looks like one, but see the peculiar details of the layout, and unusually monochrome keycap colors

from here (http://woodgears.ca/monitor_stand/)

(http://woodgears.ca/monitor_stand/with_computer.jpg)
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:26:12: The monochrome keys isn't necessarily that odd. What is very odd is the L shaped enter and short backspace. But yet it looks identical to a spacesaver otherwise...

EDIT: The keyboard doesn't seem to have an SDL connector (which were on all IBM/Lexmark/Unicomp Minis), and the cable has a purple PS/2 plug. Either he did some mad hacks with it, or it's a rather close clone...
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: microsoft windows on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:32:01: It's also got the Windows keys. That is a very strange keyboard. Maybe it was a special kind of re-branded Lexmark.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: microsoft windows on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:33:39: I've never seen a Mini like that. Its gray cable is not springy, it's got an L-shaped enter key, and Windows keys.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: msiegel on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:38:48: Quote from: ripster;141386
Didn't you get yours back and repair it yet??

turns out it was put in a storage area. i have to wait until it is located...

(http://www.thehistoryblog.com/wp-content/uploads/2007/12/raiders.jpg)
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: SCTony on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:39:37: Looks like he likes Legos too :)
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: ch_123 on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:40:08: Well, if you could make a new upper plate and membrane, I'm sure it might be possible.

Im thinking clone.

Quote
Hahah! As soon as I post Microsoft Windows proves me wrong. Good catch!

Or just repeated what I already pointed out...
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:40:36: I wonder if it's some kind of custom job. The logo certainly looks like an IBM, but the layout and key color doesn't fit. Maybe he took the guts of the keyboard and slammed them into a mini case. I don't know why anyone would do such a thing, just a hunch.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: msiegel on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:42:38: interestingly, the rows are curved like an ibm :)
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: microsoft windows on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:43:18: Quote from: ch_123;141395
Well, if you could make a new upper plate and membrane, I'm sure it might be possible.

Im thinking clone.

Or just repeated what I already pointed out...

You didn't point out the Windows keys.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:44:26: Or the coiled cable if you're keeping score at home.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: msiegel on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:44:55: as the OP, i say let's now continue with the original discussion
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: microsoft windows on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:47:03: Quote from: msiegel;141398
interestingly, the rows are curved like an ibm :)

I noticed that too. It leads me to think that the keyboard could be a variant of the Mini made by Lexmark.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: lowpoly on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:47:11: It would be a similar mod like the wood case. So I say it's a mod.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: microsoft windows on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:47:56: Let's ask the guy.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:49:45: I agree. If that's the case, it then makes me wonder why one would do that. Why would you jack with a great keyboard by making it crappy (asserting that anything other than what it was would instantly be crappy)? I just hope he spilled a pot of coffee into it and shorted/melted everything.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: microsoft windows on Fri, 11 December 2009, 13:52:21: If I had a mini, I wouldn't mod it. I'd sell it!
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: msiegel on Fri, 11 December 2009, 14:48:07: Quote from: ripster;141441
He was selected for the Unicomp Mini BETA program!!!!

O_O

omg omg omg omg
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 11 December 2009, 14:48:50: Party at the 'Comp. It's probably the best time you will have in KY.

Not with KY, mind you.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: msiegel on Fri, 11 December 2009, 14:50:10: Quote from: microsoft windows;141404
Let's ask the guy.

i'm a little surprised he's not already a member :D
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 11 December 2009, 15:13:40: Quote from: ripster;141450
This guy IS interesting.

Nah, his wife kicked him out of the house for destroying a perfectly good Space Saver.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: rdjack21 on Fri, 11 December 2009, 16:13:21: Quote from: ripster;141439
Not the Japanese Buckling Spring one either.
Show Image
(http://homepage3.nifty.com/sandy55/5576/003_n.jpg)

I'm going with a dumb rubber dome mod. Easy to do since the key spacing is a defacto standard and two easy plastic cuts are required.

I was thinking the same thing but it is missing some stuff for instance the LED's and the case is not the same.

Have to admit though I like some of the stuff on his site though. That monitor stand is cool and the laptop desk is kinda of cool I just might have to make one of those for my wife. Maybe if I do I can talk her into letting me buy that table saw I've been eyeing for a while now.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 11 December 2009, 16:16:00: I want a table saw. My dad just got a radial arm saw. That thing is money.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: lowpoly on Fri, 11 December 2009, 16:34:44: Quote from: rdjack21;141512
I was thinking the same thing but it is missing some stuff for instance the LED's and the case is not the same.
Did you ever see one of those on Yahoo auctions?
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 11 December 2009, 18:01:42: Quote from: itlnstln;141448
Party at the 'Comp. It's probably the best time you will have in KY. Not with KY, mind you.

Harumph. Spoil sport.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: PRISONER 24601 on Fri, 11 December 2009, 18:08:27: It's got the curved layout, the mini design, and an IBM-style logo on the top left.

Maybe it's just the lighting, but at first glance I thought it was a completely wooden mini :lol: now THAT would be impressive, and ballsy, and an indication that you have both time and money to spare.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: rdjack21 on Fri, 11 December 2009, 22:08:46: Quote from: lowpoly;141532
Did you ever see one of those on Yahoo auctions?

Nope I keep hoping though. But man if one does come up and the seller knows what they have it will be expensive. The few A02's I've seen come up have been pricey.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: rdjack21 on Fri, 11 December 2009, 22:58:47: See these every now and then on Yahoo Japan though which I thought might be it as well but the enter key is wrong:

UNICOMP Space saver:
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6334&stc=1&d=1260593737)
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6335&stc=1&d=1260593737)
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6336&stc=1&d=1260593737)

Hey webwit you have one of these yet? If you don't look here (http://page10.auctions.yahoo.co.jp/jp/auction/m67649608) but move fast it only has a day left and right now it is sitting at 8,000 yen or about $90 + fees and shipping.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 12 December 2009, 05:03:10: Ah -

He got a 3151 terminal one. The RJ11 jack thing is a dead giveaway.

Rdjack - nice find. Those things are often described as UK layout Minis, in reality, they're more like a United States ISO layout (If you ever plug a 105-key 'board into a computer set to the US layout, that's the layout you get)

I wonder why they made them... And why so many ended up in the hands of Japanese collectors... Who wants to ring up up Jim? =P

Btw - how easy is it to get stuff from that yahoo auctions site?
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: microsoft windows on Sat, 12 December 2009, 10:40:22: I don't see a CAPS LOCK on your Mini. Are you a Caps-lock Hater?
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: ricercar on Sat, 12 December 2009, 10:51:12: Quote from: ripster;141647
I like Canadians. :canada:

Quote from: ripster;139375
I like to make fun of Canadians. ...Spite.

Quote from: ripster;97436
I blame the Canadian Navy for trackballs every day.

He is large. He contains multitudes.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: rdjack21 on Sat, 12 December 2009, 15:27:02: Quote from: ch_123;141658
Rdjack - nice find. Those things are often described as UK layout Minis, in reality, they're more like a United States ISO layout (If you ever plug a 105-key 'board into a computer set to the US layout, that's the layout you get)

I wonder why they made them... And why so many ended up in the hands of Japanese collectors... Who wants to ring up up Jim? =P

Btw - how easy is it to get stuff from that yahoo auctions site?

It is actually quite easy but it is going to cost you. You have to go through a buying service I use crescent (http://www.crescent-shop.com/) which has a very nice English interface into Yahoo Japan. Your costs are:
1) Any actual auction cost - Shipping to crescent from seller, bank transfer fees (pretty much all sellers want payment by bank transfer) some sellers cover this though, any taxes if they are due (mostly on new goods only), Your actual winning bid price.

2) Buying service fee. For all buying services this is about 10-12% of the total from above or a min of 500 yen.

3) Shipping to you from crescent. But what is nice about crescent is that they will hold anything you win for up to 3 months so you can combine your items for shipping.

4) Also payment is through Paypal only but you have to cover the paypal transfer fee. The way crescent does this is by adjusting the exchange rate by 4-5 yen or so down to cover this which makes it easer for you to figure out what something is going to actually cost you before you bid.

At one point I looked at all the buying services and they all charged about the same amount but crescent was a little more expensive but they also are one of the oldest and have great service and offer a more complete service compared to the others. For instance they are one of the only services that will act as a middle man for you if you have questions about an item. They have a form right on the Yahoo Japan interface where you can ask the seller a question they translate it and send it for you then translate the response back into English for you as well. I could go on but I really think they are the best of the available buying services out there but they are not the cheapest. Personally I would prefer to pay them a little more for the full range of services they have plus the peace of mind I have when leaving some really rare boards in there warehouse.

One thing none of them offer though is a sniping service. Why because on Yahoo Japan if a bid is placed within the last 5 min of an auction the seller has the right to extend the auction buy an hour and they can do this as many times as they want as long as a bid happens in the last 5 mins.

EDIT: Current yen to USD = 89.1821992 Current Crescent exchange rate = 83.11 so they are using the 6 yen difference to pay the paypal fee and do the actual exchange because you pay them in USD.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: ch_123 on Sat, 12 December 2009, 15:39:04: Interesting, I'd like to get an IBM 5576 one of these days. That said, a friend of mine is going over to Japan next year, so I might get her to acquire one for me.

Earlier on I saw what I thought was a NIB 5576-A01 with a BIN price of $90. Then I noticed that I had left a zero out of my conversion, it was actually in excess of $900.... And we thought $400 Northgate guy was mad...
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: Computer-Lab in Basement on Sat, 12 December 2009, 15:40:51: I think it is a keyboard...
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: ironcoder on Sat, 12 December 2009, 15:43:02: Quote from: ripster;141691
Anybody want to sell/trade me their Unicomp Windows Keys??

If I had some I would.

However, I do have 2 sets of unused Filo winbloze keys for trade. I just don't know what I should trade them for.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: rdjack21 on Sat, 12 December 2009, 22:46:28: Quote from: ch_123;141801
Interesting, I'd like to get an IBM 5576 one of these days. That said, a friend of mine is going over to Japan next year, so I might get her to acquire one for me.

Earlier on I saw what I thought was a NIB 5576-A01 with a BIN price of $90. Then I noticed that I had left a zero out of my conversion, it was actually in excess of $900.... And we thought $400 Northgate guy was mad...

I've seen a couple of 5576-A01's for reasonable prices actually almost got one but something else came up I wanted more so did not get it. There are a couple of really nice IBM boards listed right now but are a little more expensive than I want to pay for them. One of them is a NIB Model F AT but the seller wants around $400 for it. I'll keep my eye out for the A01 and PM you if I see one that is priced right.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: rdjack21 on Sat, 12 December 2009, 22:51:21: Quote from: ripster;141803
Wow, the Yahoo Japan thing isn't as hard as I thought it was. I don't want to get started though. Like smoking. Next I'd be hanging around German Ebay too and sniffing glue.

The 5 minute bidding extension thing I would NOT like. Reminds me of some of my early dates.
Show Image
(http://www.momdot.com/blog/wp-content/uploads/2009/04/dating_game.jpg)

The hardest thing to figure out is the search terms because you have to enter those in Japanese. If you do decide to hang out at Yahoo Japan let me know and I will get you started with some good ones.

The 5 minute bidding extension thing does not really bother me besides it would be hard to snip items when you have to go through a proxy to place your bids.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: rdjack21 on Sat, 12 December 2009, 22:56:47: Just for grins this is what you call a NIB Space saver:

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6370&stc=1&d=1260680094)
(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=6371&stc=1&d=1260680094)

And it only went for 10,000 yen or about $110
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: ch_123 on Sun, 13 December 2009, 05:23:41: Quote from: rdjack21;141901
I've seen a couple of 5576-A01's for reasonable prices actually almost got one but something else came up I wanted more so did not get it. There are a couple of really nice IBM boards listed right now but are a little more expensive than I want to pay for them. One of them is a NIB Model F AT but the seller wants around $400 for it. I'll keep my eye out for the A01 and PM you if I see one that is priced right.

Cool. If you see any 003s ('Space saving' A01s) I'd be interested too. I'd imagine though that they'd be quite pricey, especially if they have their special numpad included.
Title: What keyboard is this??
Post by: rdjack21 on Sun, 13 December 2009, 09:31:19: I've Seen the Unicomp space saver a couple of times but I've never seen the A03. And yea I bet it would not be cheap either.