$9.99+$11.52 (to me) Vintage Clicky Keyboard ALPS Blue Sliders Parts

[TexasFlood]

If you want some blue alps for a project maybe, and don't mind them coming from a board that looks like an elephant sat on it, and peed on it, this might be the ticket.

[EverythingIBM]

Wow, did apple make that keyboard? lol.

[TexasFlood]

Wow, did apple make that keyboard? lol.

It's on sad charlie brown looking board, just had to post it, couldn't resist.

[microsoft windows]

That keyboard wouldn't be too hard to fix. Just a little bit of soldering for a new switch and it'll be ready to go!

[TexasFlood]

That keyboard wouldn't be too hard to fix. Just a little bit of soldering for a new switch and it'll be ready to go!

Maybe, but would still look like it had an elephants ass on it, :wink:.  Maybe you could rebrobrite it and whiten it up, but it looks deformed, wonder if it really is or if that's barrel distortion?

[microsoft windows]

The keyboard looks find. It's just yellow. But who cares about that? As long as it works I'm happy.

After all, don't we all get these fancy keyboards for their feel?

[TexasFlood]

The keyboard looks find. It's just yellow. But who cares about that? As long as it works I'm happy.

After all, don't we all get these fancy keyboards for their feel?

Just looks like it bows down in the middle, but maybe that's lens distortion.

[microsoft windows]

Probably is. Those old keyboards are pretty solid, even if they're ugly.

[TexasFlood]

Probably is. Those old keyboards are pretty solid, even if they're ugly.

If it's lens distortion, with a little retrobrite, could clean up ok, something like:

[Nonmouse]

Just looks like it bows down in the middle, but maybe that's lens distortion.

Nope, it's really bent:

[TexasFlood]

Nope, it's really bent:

Show Image

Holy crap!  How did I miss that when I first looked at it? I thought I looked at all of the pictures! That thing must have been in a fire or somehow experienced extreme heat.  Ugh...

[kishy]

Could it possibly be the surface it's on?

I know I typically photograph stuff on the chest freezer and the lid surface bows upwards, so stuff doesn't sit truly flat on it.

Edit: the more I look at it, the worse it looks. Probably is deformed.

[Nonmouse]

Could it possibly be the surface it's on?

I know I typically photograph stuff on the chest freezer and the lid surface bows upwards, so stuff doesn't sit truly flat on it.

I don't think so- it bends in the same place in both pics, and in the second one you can just see what looks like a metal plate bending out of the case bottom.

[TexasFlood]

To be fair, the seller does state in big bold text "This unit is damaged Parts Only", seemingly an honest statement.

[EverythingIBM]

I don't think so- it bends in the same place in both pics, and in the second one you can just see what looks like a metal plate bending out of the case bottom.

Yep. It's bent. You can tell in that photo because both sides are raised. A mere table cannot bend it that much -- and texas flood already speculated that it looked funny from the first photo.

[ch_123]

Buy keyboard, take Blue Alps, run.

[kriminal]

Buy keyboard, take Blue Alps, run.

this..

[microsoft windows]

I bet I could make it work. I'd get the keyboard, fix it, and use it.

[EverythingIBM]

I bet I could make it work. I'd get the keyboard, fix it, and use it.

Are you going to spend the money on it then?

You could probably get something else for cheaper...

But on the positive side, if you like fixing things, I'm sure it'll be a worthy adversary to fix.

[chimera15]

Anyone know for sure what kind of board it is? I think it's a Northgate model f type? The function graphics give it away I think.  I think it's the first northgate F type I've seen except in that old ad.

http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11392&stc=1&d=1277622693



Yeah, pretty sure it's a northgate 84 key.  Pretty awesome almost broken in half or not.  Amazing to see what switch type it uses.

Yeah, definitely one of the old northgates..the small backspace key and everything.

It's also interesting those caps don't appear to be double shot....

Would be an awesome piece to try to restore, and not just strip the switches out of,  since those must be super rare.  I wonder if it's programmable.

[TexasFlood]

Anyone know for sure what kind of board it is? I think it's a Northgate model f type? The function graphics give it away I think.  I think it's the first northgate F type I've seen except in that old ad.

http://geekhack.org/attachment.php?attachmentid=11392&stc=1&d=1277622693

Show Image

Yeah, pretty sure it's a northgate 84 key.  Pretty awesome almost broken in half or not.  Amazing to see what switch type it uses.

Yeah, definitely one of the old northgates..the small backspace key and everything.

It's also interesting those caps don't appear to be double shot....

Would be an awesome piece to try to restore, and not just strip the switches out of,  since those must be super rare.  I wonder if it's programmable.

I hadn't noticed but it sure does look like one of those.  Wow, I never would have caught that!  I can't even find a picture to compare it to except that one in the advertisement that you linked to.  The label shown doesn't say Northgate but who knows if those early ones even did.  Nice catch chimera15.  Having said that I'm not sure I want to screw with it but certainly makes it a more interesting proposition.

[chimera15]

Well the idea would be to save the controller/pcb somehow, and according to the ad, it does have programmable function keys.
f11-f12?

I put in a small bid on it, but don't have much hope of winning it.  One way or another I hope it goes to someone who will try to save it or treasure it as is like Sandy or someone.

[TexasFlood]

Well the idea would be to save the controller/pcb somehow, and according to the ad, it does have programmable function keys.
f11-f12?

I put in a small bid on it, but don't have much hope of winning it.  One way or another I hope it goes to someone who will try to save it or treasure it as is like Sandy or someone.

If it's similar to the other Northgates, it would probably be that top row of 10 flat contacts, not sure if you call those buttons or what.  You might get it with a minimum bid as most folks, like myself are likely to be scared of it, :wink:.

[chimera15]

Ah those graphics are actually contacts?  I've never had a Northgate.  I see..  Yeah cool then.  I'd definitely try to save it if I win it.

I would guess the plate is probably bent pretty bad and the pcb might be broken as well.  I don't get how the plastic would stay deformed like that unless the metal plate and pcb were crushed....

[TexasFlood]

Ah those graphics are actually contacts?  I've never had a Northgate.  I see..  Yeah cool then.  I'd definitely try to save it if I win it.

I would guess the plate is probably bent pretty bad and the pcb might be broken as well.  I don't get how the plastic would stay deformed like that unless the metal plate and pcb were crushed....

I believe so, similar to the Omnikey Ultra Plus listed below.  This Omniikey Plus has 12 of them and 12 function keys on the left.  This one has 10 of them and 10 function keys on the left, so the numbers add up.  The lack of resolution in the images make it impossible to be sure but I think it's a fair assumption.

[chimera15]

I betcha after all the work of fixing the case (good luck with that), adding a new controller, disassembling and regreasing all the switches.....

It'll feel the same as my mint $10 Focus 2001 with Complicated White ALPS Clickys  and still will lack a built in dust cover.

Speaking of:

1 day left for the sale. lol

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260521096394&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

[chimera15]

I believe so, similar to the Omnikey Ultra Plus listed below.  This Omniikey Plus has 12 of them and 12 function keys on the left.  This one has 10 of them and 10 function keys on the left, so the numbers add up.  The lack of resolution in the images make it impossible to be sure but I think it's a fair assumption.

Show Image

Yeah I get it.  It makes sense now, but I could never figure out on those boards why there were duplicate function keys and such.  I thought they were perhaps just places where you could put some kind of template or something for when you programmed the function keys on the left. lol  It makes sense that they're actually contact switches.

[TexasFlood]

Yeah I get it.  It makes sense now, but I could never figure out on those boards why there were duplicate function keys and such.  I thought they were perhaps just places where you could put some kind of template or something for when you programmed the function keys on the left. lol  It makes sense that they're actually contact switches.

Well, my take has always been that they put function keys on the left and top to cover both bases, whichever you're used to.  AND the top set, at least on mine (shown below), is also programmable and mine has a little slot to put a label template for your application to show what they do.


The below describes how to program these keys on my model.

[TexasFlood]

Haven't seen anything confirming those are keys across the top or are programmable if they are, so might not be.  I did find an interesting blurb stating these are early Northgate "C/T" models,  What I saw was the definition of "C/T" which I had never heard before.  Stands for "Exclusive Northgate Click/Tactile touch".  :wink:, cool.

[kishy]

Are we 100% sure the pads at the top are buttons of any kind?

I've seen numerous keyboards (not Northgates mind you) with the same type of thing and they cannot be pressed.

I was under the impression it's done simply for looks on the Northgates which are not equipped with top row keys...

[TexasFlood]

Are we 100% sure the pads at the top are buttons of any kind?

I've seen numerous keyboards (not Northgates mind you) with the same type of thing and they cannot be pressed.

I was under the impression it's done simply for looks on the Northgates which are not equipped with top row keys...

I'm not, just saying they might be, would be consistent with the way some of the Northgate Omnikeys work.  But I have no proof that they are so might not be.  This LOOKS like a Northgate C/T (Click/Tactile) 84 key keyboard, one of the earliest Northgates pre-dating the runaway sales success of the Omnikey models, so hard to say for sure.

[chimera15]

Well I had it up to the last 2 seconds.  I was the price setter, someone sniped me at like 1 second.

Ended: Jul 07, 201011:31:07 PDT

b***a ( 676Feedback score is 500 to 999)       US $32.00    
Jul-07-10 11:31:06 PDT
   
   Member Id: chimera15 ( 616Feedback score is 500 to 999)       US $31.00    
Jul-07-10 11:31:00 PDT
   
   Member Id: a***h ( 145Feedback score is 100 to 499)       US $23.00    
Jul-07-10 11:31:00 PDT
   
   Member Id: chimera15 ( 616Feedback score is 500 to 999)       US $21.00    
Jul-06-10 06:15:08 PDT
   
   Starting Price      US $9.99    
Jul-04-10 11:31:07 PDT

Bid with 1 second left.  I hate ebay auctions these days.  Auto snipers just make it ridiculous.

[TexasFlood]

Well I had it up to the last 2 seconds.  I was the price setter, someone sniped me at like 1 second.

Ended: Jul 07, 201011:31:07 PDT

b***a ( 676Feedback score is 500 to 999)       US $32.00    
Jul-07-10 11:31:06 PDT
   
   Member Id: chimera15 ( 616Feedback score is 500 to 999)       US $31.00    
Jul-07-10 11:31:00 PDT
   
   Member Id: a***h ( 145Feedback score is 100 to 499)       US $23.00    
Jul-07-10 11:31:00 PDT
   
   Member Id: chimera15 ( 616Feedback score is 500 to 999)       US $21.00    
Jul-06-10 06:15:08 PDT
   
   Starting Price      US $9.99    
Jul-04-10 11:31:07 PDT

Bid with 1 second left.  I hate ebay auctions these days.  Auto snipers just make it ridiculous.

Shame.  Wasn't me, :sad:.  Wow, I just went and looked, 4 bids, went for $32.00, somebody really wanted that yellow bent, quite possible burnt & melted, piece of chit.  Well, I guess it MIGHT be a classic so maybe worth it, but not to me.  Had I kept it to myself maybe could have picked it up for the original price.  But don't think I wanted to, :smile:.

[didjamatic]

I was at lunch when this ticked down, I've had it in my watch list since the first few hours it was listed... then this dang post drew enough attention to it I thought it would go sky high so I wasn't baby-sitting the auction today, figuring it wasn't worth it.  I would have gone higher than it went for in the end, but no telling what the high bid was unless someone here won it and wants to disclose.

I need to get some sniping software that works so I can set it and forget it.

[TexasFlood]

I was at lunch when this ticked down, I've had it in my watch list since the first few hours it was listed... then this dang post drew enough attention to it I thought it would go sky high so I wasn't baby-sitting the auction today, figuring it wasn't worth it.  I would have gone higher than it went for in the end, but no telling what the high bid was unless someone here won it and wants to disclose.

I need to get some sniping software that works so I can set it and forget it.

When I posted it I honestly had no idea what it probably was, didn't mean to rain on your parade, :sad:.  I'd be interested to hear what sniping software you find, I've never used any that works, I either snipe manually or don't do it.

[chimera15]

When I posted it I honestly had no idea what it probably was, didn't mean to rain on your parade, :sad:.  I'd be interested to hear what sniping software you find, I've never used any that works, I either snipe manually or don't do it.

I thought I was going to win it, there was zero bidding on it till there was 7 seconds left, where I put in my safety bid at $31, I originally only put $21 in which I figured would easily be outbid.  It was at $10 till 7 seconds when someone else bid, which I caught with my safety bid, and then someone else bid over me who knows, they coulda put in $1000 dollars with sniping software to trigger at 1 second.

  Mac's have ebay snipping built in to osx I believe.  But there are online services you can sign up for as well.  

I don't usually compete for high profile auction items anymore, since they're usually more than I can afford, and the only way I can win them is to put in super high amounts.

[didjamatic]

I thought this one would bring the Northgate heavy hitters out of the woodwork since the identical model recently went for $500 from NCbound10.  But his was in pristine condition with the metal gold label and didn't look like a convoy of duce 'n halfs had driven over it.

[TexasFlood]

Switched to Uber-Reg in your Avatar there? :smile:

Does recognizing him make me a geek?

[chimera15]

Switched to Uber-Reg in your Avatar there? :smile:

Does recognizing him make me a geek?

Show Image

Not really, but maybe if you know who my avatar was before. lol

Well it'd make you an otaku perhaps. lol

[TexasFlood]

Not really, but maybe if you know who my avatar was before. lol

Well it'd make you an otaku perhaps. lol

Guess I fail the test as I did not recognize your earlier avatar.

[Nonmouse]

Well it'd make you an otaku perhaps. lol

Wait- that'd make him a blank keycap?

I'z so confuzzled....

[TexasFlood]

Wait- that'd make him a blank keycap?

I'z so confuzzled....

[Nonmouse]

Sorry, what's your point?

Meh, it was actually a snark about GHers (and to a lesser extent, other keyboard nerds) using "otaku" to mean "blank keycaps", just because one stupid board called itself that- see the various "otaku" and "anti-otaku" threads.

Apparently a little too disconnected.

[didjamatic]

All the Northgate Heavy Hitters are dying off from Old Age.

Next will be the ALPS Pinch Hitters.

And then the Model M Softball Hitters.

And finally the Fujitsu Peerless will gain legendary status in Asia much to everyone's surprise.

LMAO!!!

Well, to a point you're right, but not all of them are dead.  This $500 Northgate sale was a pretty good indicator.  Then it was followed up by a $500 pink alps dell, then another that was nearly $400.

[chimera15]

Wait- that'd make him a blank keycap?

I'z so confuzzled....

Otaku's get their name from the Japanese term for nerd or fanboy.  Otaku in Japan usually refers to someone who lives their lives devoted to their hobby.  So Otaku when referring to a keyboard means basically that the keyboard is intended for a serious or professional typist.   In America Otaku generally refers to an anime geek, because it's a Japanese word for geek see?

My avatar was Guld Goa Bowman from Macross Plus, one of the best Anime of the 90's.  Bowman has this awesome brain reading control for his fighter. He can change the shape of the wings just by thinking about it and such.  It's pretty awesome, you should see it if you haven't.  

[Nonmouse]

Otaku's get their name from the Japanese term for nerd or fanboy.  Otaku in Japan usually refers to someone who lives their lives devoted to their hobby.  So Otaku when referring to a keyboard means basically that the keyboard is intended for a serious or professional typist.   In America Otaku generally refers to an anime geek, because it's a Japanese word for geek see?

I know the meaning and etymology of otaku.  My snark/***** was about people using otaku synonymously with "blank"- rather than meaning an obsessed, shut-in fanboi.  As an example, "The Anti-Otaku: A Double Shot Key Filco", which is pretty much the definition of a keyboard otaku thread.

Like I said in my previous post, apparently the snark in my first post was too obscure and disconnected.

[Nonmouse]

I do find you often obscure and disconnected.  How did you do on the Assburger's test?

"Anti-Otaku" was a play on Majestouch's use of "Otaku".  Which I found rather funny.  I don't have Assburgers because I have a sense of humor you see.

Meh, don't get your panties too bunched up- that was just the first example I ran across.  

[TexasFlood]

Switched to Uber-Reg in your Avatar there? :smile:

Does recognizing him make me a geek?

Show Image

Not really, but maybe if you know who my avatar was before. lol

Well it'd make you an otaku perhaps. lol

Just turned on the TV and "The Nth Degree" just happened to be on.  Have no idea how many years it's been since I saw that but it's a bunch, :laugh:

[ricercar]

> I don't have Assburgers because I have a sense of humor


ah, the defining characteristic.

[Nonmouse]

> I don't have Assburgers because I have a sense of humor


ah, the defining characteristic.

*Snerk*