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geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: bombcar on Tue, 23 February 2010, 23:04:15

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: bombcar on Tue, 23 February 2010, 23:04:15

It seems that the 122 key Model F and the modern equivalent (http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/122keyterkey.html) offered by Unicomp are the largest keyboards available.

Does anyone know of any beasts that are even larger? If I start journeying down the path of madness that is modernizing a Model F I want to make sure I get the most keys possible.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: bombcar on Wed, 24 February 2010, 01:21:14

I found this 132 Key Programmable Keyboard (http://www.fentek-ind.com/program.htm#kblk1800) along with its weird 176 key brother (http://www.fentek-ind.com/pos.htm#KB3000) but I am suspicious.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: MsKeyboard on Wed, 24 February 2010, 10:41:56

Quote from: bombcar;160330

I found this 132 Key Programmable Keyboard (http://www.fentek-ind.com/program.htm#kblk1800) along with its weird 176 key brother (http://www.fentek-ind.com/pos.htm#KB3000) but I am suspicious.

This keyboard is not a good example of what you are looking for.  It is basically a programmable work station style input device.  Membrane, flat surface, slight tactile feel, and fully programmable and customizable.  Kind of like what you would see at McD's or elsewhere.

Great product if you have the need, but not for the typical user (not that everyone here is TYPICAL)

Title: Crazy keyboard man
Post by: bombcar on Wed, 24 February 2010, 21:54:18

I want as many keys of wonder and glory as I can get.

I found the Avant Stellar (http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/stellar.htm) which is in the running at  116 keys, but I think I can get higher.

Maybe I could tape two keyboards together and have one always use some modifier key or something.

Title: Re: Largest number of keys?
Post by: HaaTa on Wed, 24 February 2010, 22:35:06

At that point just use multiple keyboards and just remap everything on the other ones.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: TexasFlood on Wed, 24 February 2010, 22:45:09

Quote from: bombcar;160587

I want as many keys of wonder and glory as I can get.

I found the Avant Stellar (http://www.cvtinc.com/products/keyboards/stellar.htm) which is in the running at  116 keys, but I think I can get higher.

Maybe I could tape two keyboards together and have one always use some modifier key or something.

It's not for me, but maybe your cup of tea:
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aOVUVB-gmBA/StE7AoqXdHI/AAAAAAAANuc/EqHOVSeZGww/s1600/LargestKeyboard%2B(4).jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aOVUVB-gmBA/StE7BA8-iSI/AAAAAAAANuk/lrOiYWX_ysk/s1600/LargestKeyboard%2B(5).jpg)
(http://1.bp.blogspot.com/_aOVUVB-gmBA/StE6_2w6t6I/AAAAAAAANuM/R1eE29q3Obk/s1600/LargestKeyboard%2B(2).jpg)
(http://2.bp.blogspot.com/_aOVUVB-gmBA/StE7AExSVfI/AAAAAAAANuU/nqRpQvmAA0s/s1600/LargestKeyboard%2B(3).jpg)

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: Mental Hobbit on Wed, 24 February 2010, 23:30:36

The layout sucks.
Which museum is that? I need a set of Alps doubleshots.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: bombcar on Wed, 24 February 2010, 23:35:50

I bet it's not even N-key.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: TexasFlood on Wed, 24 February 2010, 23:38:30

Quote from: bombcar;160605

I bet it's not even N-key.

Credit card test? Need a -big- credit card.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: ricercar on Thu, 25 February 2010, 01:05:22

Nah, not a credit card. That board would need a 4x8 sheet of plywood for the rollover test.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: ch_123 on Thu, 25 February 2010, 03:04:02

(http://geekhack.org/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=113)

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: HaaTa on Thu, 25 February 2010, 06:05:09

Quote from: ch_123;160618

Show Image

(http://geekhack.org/picture.php?albumid=11&pictureid=113)

Hmm, now how to remap Colemak on one of those...

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: lowpoly on Thu, 25 February 2010, 12:32:36

Tipro with 128+64=192 keys (Cherry black, Euro 49,-):

(http://compilager.de/image/account02/112008/MID-AM-KM128A-KM064-001_3.JPG)

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190360949225&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.de%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D190360949225%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: sethstorm on Thu, 25 February 2010, 17:22:18

Quote from: lowpoly;160655

Tipro with 128+64=192 keys (Cherry black, Euro 49,-):

Show Image

(http://compilager.de/image/account02/112008/MID-AM-KM128A-KM064-001_3.JPG)

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190360949225&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.de%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D190360949225%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

Question is, does it have NKRO?  It's fine and all that until you find out it only cares about 2 pressed keys at a time.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: ricercar on Thu, 25 February 2010, 19:00:39

That's the key switch my CHPAYKEYS  (http://geekhack.org/showthread.php?t=8327&highlight=chpaykeys)were designed for.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: mr_a500 on Fri, 26 February 2010, 12:03:31

Quote from: Mental Hobbit;160603

The layout sucks.

:rofl:

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: Specter_57 on Fri, 26 February 2010, 12:47:33

Fentek certainly has some interesting toys...took a rather extensive look through their site finally...the left-hand keyboard, mentioned in another thread is something I'd want to play with...but I especially like the the idea of the DigiMemo Digital Writing Pads.."Digitally Capture and Store Everything You Write on Ordinary Paper"...  YEAH!!!!

and the wrist-operated roller mouse is interesting too.
..........
spec57

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: quadibloc on Fri, 26 February 2010, 13:52:00

I know what we need.

A normal 104 key keyboard.

And on the top right, a big wheel that you use to turn a big drum.

Along the top of the keyboard, a long slit through which you see a row of characters printed on the drum.

A pointer you slide along the window with a button on it to select a character.

When you do that, it's as if you typed Alt+(four digit hex number).

Type anything directly, reasonably small keyboard.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: kishy on Fri, 26 February 2010, 13:56:12

Quote from: quadibloc;160947

I know what we need.

A normal 104 key keyboard.

And on the top right, a big wheel that you use to turn a big drum.

Along the top of the keyboard, a long slit through which you see a row of characters printed on the drum.

A pointer you slide along the window with a button on it to select a character.

When you do that, it's as if you typed Alt+(four digit hex number).

Type anything directly, reasonably small keyboard.

That's a ridiculously good idea.

Implementation...complex and probably costly though.

A "line" on that roll that could be custom mapped (in the keyboard controller) would be a feature to add to that concept.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 26 February 2010, 16:43:04

Quote from: ripster;160663

That Ebay one looks like it has a "SUPER SIZE ME" key. Get ready for some serious greasy keyboard cleaning.

"SUPER SIZE ME" key? WHERE?
{For itlnstln}(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=8121&stc=1&d=1267224077)

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: itlnstln on Fri, 26 February 2010, 16:44:48

Strong.  I like that.
 
That kid has no neck.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 26 February 2010, 17:29:14

(http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=8121&stc=1&d=1267224077)

The heck with the keyboard cleaning. Does that boy ever wash the folds in his skin?

Quote from: Specter_57;160932

Fentek certainly has some interesting toys...took a rather extensive look through their site finally

visit to Fentek is a rather expensive look...

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: ricercar on Fri, 26 February 2010, 17:30:57

Quote from: Specter_57;160932

Fentek certainly has some interesting toys...took a rather extensive look through their site finally

visit to Fentek is a rather expensive look...

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: msiegel on Fri, 26 February 2010, 17:35:28

Quote from: kishy;160949

That's a ridiculously good idea.

the drum could be emulated using a 2-line graphic lcd and a salvaged scroll wheel :)

this would make a neat hack :D

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: kishy on Fri, 26 February 2010, 17:44:03

Quote from: msiegel;161021

the drum could be emulated using a 2-line graphic lcd and a salvaged scroll wheel :)

this would make a neat hack :D

:O you're right. And it could have virtually limitless numbers of 'rows' too...not physically limited to what fits on a drum.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: Specter_57 on Fri, 26 February 2010, 17:58:23

..

Ha...Quadi's suggestion a few posts back made me think of an Enigma machine for some reason...and also a Jefferson disk...

hmmmmm


..........
Spec57

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: TexasFlood on Fri, 26 February 2010, 18:10:08

Quote from: Specter_57;161030

..

Ha...Quadi's suggestion a few posts back made me think of an Enigma machine for some reason...and also a Jefferson disk...

Hah, I was thinking the same thing.  Made in Germany and surely had good mechanical switches, way before Cherries though I guess.

(http://enigma.wikispaces.com/file/view/enigma.jpg/30598271/enigma.jpg)

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: msiegel on Fri, 26 February 2010, 18:14:03

sweet! :D

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: Specter_57 on Fri, 26 February 2010, 18:23:49

...

Have you guys actually read Quadi's page, the cryptography section?

Do so for an interesting read...or a buffer overload.....

............
Spec57

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: vils on Fri, 26 February 2010, 18:34:08

A propos the enigma machine and cryptography. Simon Singhs The Code Book is a magnificent read.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: Specter_57 on Fri, 26 February 2010, 18:39:45

..

As is The Codebreakers, by David Kahn.

......
Spec57

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: bombcar on Sun, 28 February 2010, 14:01:37

Well, I got a Model F dirt cheap, and a soldering iron.

Now the madness begins.

(http://farm3.static.flickr.com/2414/1590800456_1ed15d979e.jpg)

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: lowpoly on Mon, 01 March 2010, 13:09:30

Quote from: sethstorm;160727

Question is, does it have NKRO?

On a POS keyboard? Not likely. I can open mine if you really need to know.

Title: Largest number of keys?
Post by: sethstorm on Tue, 02 March 2010, 11:27:09

Quote from: lowpoly;161367

On a POS keyboard? Not likely. I can open mine if you really need to know.

Expecting only 2KRO, I usually go by the key-test.  Mine make it painfully obvious.