Who scored this Mint Omnikey Ultra?!?!

[didjamatic]

Mint Northgate Omnikey Ultra $400 BIN

[Roguemaster8]

To be honest I didn't think anyone would pay that much for ALPS switches.

[terrpn]

Yikes..........of course anything is worth it if somebody is willing to pay for it, but I had no clue those brought that kind of money?

Reckon it is kind of rare, so congrats I guess to whom snagged it:)

Don't understand from what I've seen since I have been here for only a short time why no one makes any alps caps seeing their popularity. Of course there not on the scale as cherry, but it seems to be par with those who have interest of Model M's at least and we're getting Unicomp to hook us up (shweet).

I guess its just bias on my part since I have more alps boards then cherry boards.

Typical whiny, want, gimme, gimme, gotta have- never satisfied:) Can't have everything.

[Djuzuh]

Yikes..........of course anything is worth it if somebody is willing to pay for it, but I had no clue those brought that kind of money?

Reckon it is kind of rare, so congrats I guess to whom snagged it:)

Don't understand from what I've seen since I have been here for only a short time why no one makes any alps caps seeing their popularity. Of course there not on the scale as cherry, but it seems to be par with those who have interest of Model M's at least and we're getting Unicomp to hook us up (shweet).

I guess its just bias on my part since I have more alps boards then cherry boards.

Typical whiny, want, gimme, gimme, gotta have- never satisfied:) Can't have everything.

How are ALPS?

I might get the next Matias board.

[REVENGE]

How are ALPS?

I might get the next Matias board.

Nice to type on, but I hope the next switch design uses better internals. Fukkas die too easily.

[didjamatic]

These aren't Fukkas on this model, they're Complicated White ALPS.  This keyboard was made before Fukkas existed.

There are a lot of people who have been using Northgates since they were new in the late 80's.  The ultras were available in both inverted T styles and with the Omnikey arrow cluster like this one has.  People that have gotten used to the Omnikey arrow layout swear by it.  I tried it for a few months and liked it but I personally prefer inverted T.

A NIB/NOS Omnikey Ultra hasn't sold for under $300 in years on ebay, they are always expensive.  Some Northgates with Blue ALPS have hit $500.  This particular keyboard was never made with Blues, only White Complicated.

I would have popped this auction instantly but someone beat me to it.

[didjamatic]

Apparently this type of discussion is not allowed on GeekHack per the rules.  Thank goodness for rules, I might not be able to govern myself without them and those with authoritah to enforce them.

Kiss my ALPS.

[dsjbirch]

Why is this discussion against the rules, and I can't see the board, do you know of a pic of it elsewhere? I want to see the arrow layout you are talking about.

[TexasFlood]

That's ridiculous IMHO, I thought this type of discussion is what geekhack is all about.

[alaricljs]

didja is either misrepresenting or a little confused.  This sort of discussion is exactly what GH is for, however this is not the correct sub-forum.  The OP of a Great Finds post should be about a product of interest to GH'ers that is available.

[Roguemaster8]

Just a little bit of mistaken forum identity. Is there a patient mod capable of moving it?

[poxeclipse]

Rob Tibbetts, at http://www.northgate-keyboard-repair.com, has some for around $200. Not NIB, though.

[TexasFlood]

Just a little bit of mistaken forum identity. Is there a patient mod capable of moving it?

I don't know what was said here. I do recall a similar thread  in which mods pointed out that the discussion should be in another forum and helped move it. IIRC it was less like a discouraging "stop that", more like "should be in this forum, let me help fix that". I thought this was great and positive. The moderators are empowered here and I'm not a moderator, just seems like we should be encouraging this type of discussion.

[didjamatic]

For those that want to see the arrow cluster, it's like this:

Ultra with Omnikey arrow cluster (In this case a non-trap door version like the one in the auction.  Bank of 8 dip switches are moved to rear edge of keyboard)


Ultra with Inverted T arrow cluster (In this case a trap door version where the label is.  Trapdoor covers dip switches)

[alaricljs]

Things change, read the sticky at the top of this forum.  That post was formulated from iMav's own words and finally approved by him.

I do not know whatever or whoever provoked this post:

Apparently this type of discussion is not allowed on GeekHack per the rules.  Thank goodness for rules, I might not be able to govern myself without them and those with authoritah to enforce them.

Kiss my ALPS.

I do know that this is not the forum for either discussion.

[TexasFlood]

Does seem to be against the "letter" of the sticky and now the intent is to enforce that, which I personally think can be done in a way to improve geekhack. But it also could be done in a way to drive off knowledgeable veterans and endanger the "spirit".

Obviously it's not my forum and I'm not even a moderator, just sayin'.

[didjamatic]

If we are allowed then I should have received something like:  "Hey cool post Didj you're frickin awesome, attractive and highly intelligent.  After you're done dating my sister will you do all future posts like this in the ______ forum if it's one that's already ended?  Thanks for understanding."

Instead I got:

"avoid posting links to sales which have ended.... we shouldn't hear about it unless the buyer posts about it in a discussion thread."

So if I'm not the BUYER of an auction, then I'm not allowed to post it on Geekhack?

Can we or can't we talk about completed ebay auctions?  I need help with the rules.

[alaricljs]

Go ahead and talk about completed auctions, but not in the Great Finds forum (unless the OP was initiated when it was available).  The Keyboards forum is a good place... kishy or Revenge can move this there when they are around, this time of day they generally are not.

[ironman31]

...and thus will be lost in 100k other worthless threads

[alaricljs]

...and thus will be lost in 100k other worthless threads

Keyboards has 3 DAYS worth of threads on the front page (default view).  Lost?

[The_Ed]

16 days if it stays here. Not lost.

[ironman31]

Yes

[dsjbirch]

Rob Tibbetts, at http://www.northgate-keyboard-repair.com, has some for around $200. Not NIB, though.

Nice, that evolution looks great.

[terrpn]

Alps seem somewhat voodo around here..........not sure why, but understand everybody likes what they like.

Of course we are all sold on cherry, but I like ALPS too and their not real expensive..............white, blue, yellow etc., or maybe I should say monterey blues which are what a hybrid? I am not sure if the Focus 2000 I have is white complicated or simplified, however you would love it. There are a couple floating around on the bay.

Of course like most I have a couple computers, keyboards sitting on my desk where 1 is a NIB Chicony 5181 that is a favorite. It is a huge keyboard and I love the switches-- somewhere between blue-brown cherry I guess?

With that being said when the new Matias board and Unicomp comes out with their Red/Blue Alert will have to switch up:>}

I see the same thing REVENGE says fairly often on ALPS so I parlay to those who know better.........

How are ALPS?

I might get the next Matias board.

[didjamatic]

ALPS have been made by a ton of companies and many variations from each company, so there's that.  Also the original ALPS were Japanese, then moved to China around 1992-93
ALPS also don't to as well when dirty compared to Cherries, so there's that too.  If you type on an aged ALPS they do smooth out after a bit.

To me Montereys are halfway between Blue Cherries and ALPS.  I can't wait to try the Matias switches

[terrpn]

Thanks.............now I know. So their all over the place it seems- globally as well.

Now that you mentioned my white ALPS have smoothed and I thought it was just me.

Didjamatic- Montereys are halfway between Blue Cherries and ALPS..........BINGO! That's it......:>}

Thanks

ALPS have been made by a ton of companies and many variations from each company, so there's that.  Also the original ALPS were Japanese, then moved to China around 1992-93
ALPS also don't to as well when dirty compared to Cherries, so there's that too.  If you type on an aged ALPS they do smooth out after a bit.

To me Montereys are halfway between Blue Cherries and ALPS.  I can't wait to try the Matias switches

[didjamatic]

Didja always WAS such a troublemaker.  ****ing radical.

I like arts and crafts, hows this for arts and crafts?