Ibm Model M Raspberry Pi Project Possibilities And Suggestions.

[ezrahilyer]

I admit to being bitten by the keyboard modification bug. I have converted 2 ibm model M 122 key terminal keyboards to USB (with Soarers converter built into the case, and a flush-mount rear USB/B female connector for a detachable cable) and bolt-modded and cleaned ect. I sold them both on Ebay for about $115 each. (not that i make much profit from the jobs, but I was mostly just having fun.
Here is the topic about those: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=61257.msg1420798#msg1420798

Anyway, I have one I kept for myself, (A regular Model M) that I did the conversion on, and I love it, but now I am thinking of doing something a little cooler on one of the other 2 Model M 122 Key Keyboards.

i am thinking of putting one of the new Raspberry pi B+ boards inside the case and doing a panel mount HDMI jack on the back (I will need to have one of those panel mount extensions inside the case since the Pi has the hdmi port on the side) I will also run the audio jack out the back.
This has been done before, but not with a model M (that I know of) This guy put one in another Mechanical Keyboard: http://www.geek.com/chips/modder-turns-mechanical-keyboard-into-rasberry-pi-powered-computer-1510315/

Imagine a Pi inside the Model M, it would be reliving the days of the Commodore 64, and the Atari 800 (I had both back in the day)
It would be powered by a USB cable that would run to a phone charger, and would have hdmi out, audio out (or perhaps a built in speaker to fill the speaker grille on the model M) have 4 USB ports and an Ethernet port. If you want WiFi, you can plug a dongle into it, and get wifi too. It would be a keyboard that is also a computer again. That would be cool to have, great for an uncluttered desk and talk about the geek creed!

I'm going to make one for myself, I have the parts ordered. ( I already have a Raspberry pi, but its the older version) I am wondering what you guys think of the idea? Any other cool things to incorporate?

I wonder if it would be cool to build a locking key-switch into the keyboard so that you could switch it between Pi mode, and regular keyboard mode. You could take it to work, and connect it to your computer, and then have a switch to change the function when you wanted to be on your own little linux computer.... or you could have the Pi doing key captures while you were using it on another computer. (a battery would be necessary for that.)

So any ideas?

[divito]

Had an idea similar to this since I also have one of the older Pis.

Was going to take my Poker, put it in my Das case, and utilize the unused portion of TKL/Numpad to house the Pi, along with this secured in the Numpad opening.

Outside of that, the only other thing I was considering incorporating in my version (if I actually ever bother to do it), was potentially utilizing the unused function row portion to perhaps put a monitor/display; whether hinged or permanently mounted, was still checking out products and options. That won't necessarily work for you given the Model M.

[ezrahilyer]

I had considered a screen, but you are right, there is no real place to put it. I do think I could replace the LED indicator panel with a 4-line LCD display, but to what point? It would be a case of just doing it 'because' and i do enough of that anyway. lol

Had an idea similar to this since I also have one of the older Pis.

Was going to take my Poker, put it in my Das case, and utilize the unused portion of TKL/Numpad to house the Pi, along with this secured in the Numpad opening.

Outside of that, the only other thing I was considering incorporating in my version (if I actually ever bother to do it), was potentially utilizing the unused function row portion to perhaps put a monitor/display; whether hinged or permanently mounted, was still checking out products and options. That won't necessarily work for you given the Model M.

[ezrahilyer]

I got my Pi B+ today, (thank you amazon prime sunday delivery) and I have an HDMI bulkhead connector, so i can get started on this mod. Can't wait! Now I have to figure placement, it looks like the top right there is plenty of room to mount the Pi upside down with the USB connectors facing out.
the HDMI bulkhead will go there as well, and then connect to the side of the Pi