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Author Topic: Using a 122 key keyboard /w unique scan codes on USB-only Mac?  (Read 2670 times)

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Offline ChrisB

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Using a 122 key keyboard /w unique scan codes on USB-only Mac?
« on: Sun, 12 October 2014, 00:37:32 »
I'd like to use a 122 key keyboard on my Mac, but according to other threads, the only way to get unique scan codes for F13-F24 et cetera is to use the Unicomp PS/2 Emulator version. Macs don't have PS/2 ports, and I've read here that PS/2-to-USB converters eat the extra codes. I use Karabiner to remap keys on the Mac, and if F24 sends Shift+F12, then I can't define a macro for Shift+F24, because that would be `Shift+Shift+F12'. I suppose I could learn to live with this limitation, though, if there is no workaround. (No workaround other than building a custom controller, that is.)

If I buy a USB 122 key from Unicomp, I'll buy the 3270 version instead of the 5250 version, because the 5250 has a dedicated key that sends the sequence Shift+Tab (`Back Tab'), and I can't remap what Shift+Tab does unless I'm willing to give up back-tabbing through text entry forms, which I'm of course not. The 3270 sends Ctrl+F8 for the same key position, which is easier to remap without conflicting with other programs.
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Offline supamesican

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Re: Using a 122 key keyboard /w unique scan codes on USB-only Mac?
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 12 October 2014, 09:47:22 »
does unicomp make an emulator version with USB? Cause the emulator ones are the ones that have the scan codes instead of the shift + (whatever). I too am going to be getting a 122 key, pearl on pearl, and when I looked at their customize page the 3270 emulator only had a ps/2 version. You may be better off just calling them tomorrow and asking them.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Using a 122 key keyboard /w unique scan codes on USB-only Mac?
« Reply #2 on: Sun, 12 October 2014, 10:05:50 »
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30

Offline ChrisB

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Re: Using a 122 key keyboard /w unique scan codes on USB-only Mac?
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 13 October 2014, 00:27:12 »
So I actually emailed Unicomp before last Friday morning to ask if I could get a USB 122 key that sends unique scan codes to a Mac. I haven't heard back from them yet, and usually they have been pretty quick with answering my other inquiries. I may just call them Monday. Worst case I could always buy a PS/2 Emulator and then either make a Soarer or buy one from a member here.

Those eBay Lexmarks that fohat.digs posted would be perfect if they had ANSI horizontal enter keys and wide left shift keys. I read in the past that Unicomp will do this mod on a new 122 though I haven't recently confirmed this with them. I plan to Monday.

The other crazy idea I'm playing with is just using a whole second keyboard as a custom keypad. With Karabiner for the Mac one can remap key events separately for each keyboard plugged in, so a separate keyboard would mean 101-104 extra keys to program instead of the 20ish extra keys one gets with the 122 key. I'd use all those extra keys so that I could type all the symbols I need for writing code and also do most code editing and 3D editing commands I need without ever having to hold a modifier or hit ESC to do a mode switch (as with vi).

I've played with using multiple foot switches before as an alternative to needing a bunch of extra keys, but it feels nicest to just be able to do things with a single key press. (I'm actually using a foot switch right now to do the Shift key as I type this message, but the foot switch feels somewhat slow, though I guess it is a good skill to practice as a form of cross-training for piano pedaling. It takes quite a bit of practice to coordinate the pedaling rapidly and fluidly.)
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Offline 0100010

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Re: Using a 122 key keyboard /w unique scan codes on USB-only Mac?
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 13 October 2014, 08:34:47 »
There is another user here performing ANSI + Soarer conversions on terminal Ms - http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=63873.0

Last I asked Unicomp, they will make you one as well, but it was like $40 extra on top of the custom keyboard price (so about the same price as buying a converted one already).

If it was me, I would pick up an old terminal M and bolt mod, ANSIfy and Soarer convert myself.  Probably less costly monetarily, a heck of a lot more work - but with the satisfaction that I 'built' it.
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Offline ChrisB

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Re: Using a 122 key keyboard /w unique scan codes on USB-only Mac?
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 13 October 2014, 14:44:29 »
Thanks for that listing of that ANSI'fied and bolt modded 122. That's exactly something I would buy and I just contacted the seller to ask when he'll have another ready to sell.
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Offline ChrisB

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Re: Using a 122 key keyboard /w unique scan codes on USB-only Mac?
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 13 October 2014, 14:48:04 »
And as to doing to conversion myself... right now I have more money than time and I have to meet certain software deadlines. I also still need to finish my custom stand up desk setup.... In the new year I may investigate converting an old Model F myself with Harry's Bolt Mod guide.
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Offline fohat.digs

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Re: Using a 122 key keyboard /w unique scan codes on USB-only Mac?
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 13 October 2014, 15:23:45 »
Quote from: ChrisB on Mon, 13 October 2014, 14:48:04

old Model F myself with Harry's Bolt Mod guide.


Please, NO!

What will it take for me to get rid of that?

If a moderator sees this, please talk to me about deleting that obsolete old thread altogether.

This  http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=48786.msg1338079#msg1338079  is the only method I recommend now.
« Last Edit: Mon, 13 October 2014, 15:25:32 by fohat.digs »
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"However, even though I was born in the Mesozoic, I do know what anyone who wants to reach out to young people should say: Billionaires took your money. They took your chance to buy a home. They took your chance at a good education. They stole your opportunities. Billionaires took the things you want in life. If you really want those things, you have to take them back.
That's the message. That's the whole message. Say that every day, not just to reach America's frustrated young white men, but people of every age, race, and gender.
Late-stage capitalism is a wealth-concentration engine, focused on vacuuming up every dollar and putting it in as few hands as possible. Republicans are helping that vacuum suck.
How does a tiny fraction of the population get away with this? They do it by dividing the other 99% of Americans against themselves."
- Marc Sumner 2025-05-30
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