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geekhack Marketplace => Great Finds => Topic started by: spolia optima on Tue, 19 January 2010, 16:51:11

Title: Ergo SmartBoard w/ALPS
Post by: spolia optima on Tue, 19 January 2010, 16:51:11

http://cgi.ebay.com/DATADESK-KEYBOARD-ERGONOMIC-PS-2-MICROSOFT-CLICKY-ALPS_W0QQitemZ290390921520QQcmdZViewItemQQptZPCA_Mice_Trackballs?hash=item439ca5d130

I would jump on it, but I've already too many keyboards. I don't see these around much. Seems to be somewhat scarce. I'll tell you though, I own one datadesk keyboard and its build is incredibly solid. According to the guy who designed the SmartBoard, it uses Taiwan-built ALPS (not sure what the significance is). I don't know if they're complicated or not, but the guy was pretty adamant about his choice of ALPS.

Anyway, hope someone here grabs this, I'd like to see/hear the thing in action if anything.

Title: Ergo SmartBoard w/ALPS
Post by: didjamatic on Tue, 19 January 2010, 16:58:46

I was watching this but with $30 shipping it's already at $50 without a cable and you can get a new one for $99 that I think still uses alps.

IF you do get it, here's how to make the cable (http://www.metamadness.org/mcrosby/projects/datadesk/)

Title: Ergo SmartBoard w/ALPS
Post by: spolia optima on Tue, 19 January 2010, 17:58:45

True. You can get a new one for 99 bucks. This is their most popular 'board, and the only one they still produce on occasion. There's also the chance that they're using different/worse switches than before.

Shipping would run me almost 30 bucks on this, too. I figure someone might be close enough for cheaper shipping. Oh well...