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Author Topic: Minitouch crush  (Read 5997 times)

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Offline WhiteRice

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Minitouch crush
« on: Sun, 01 August 2010, 23:41:08 »
Hey guys,

As part of my summer internship I had to learn and write functions in Dyalog 12 APL. Now one thing led to another and I found myself in the magical world of mechanical keyboards.

I've been lurking around for a few weeks, and I've come to the conclusion that I want to pickup a minitouch or model m space saver. As the model m's seem to be impossible to find I decided to try and find a minitouch.

A few questions:

When looking on ebay is there anything other than the plus designation to determine which ones have switches?

There must by a guide to modding an AT cable to a ps/2 on a keyboard. I mean if there is a cable adapter then I must be able to open it up a solder one on.

If I want to get colored keys for the minitouch where should I look?

So any tips on shopping around locally? Thrift/pawn shops and garage sale I imagine.
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Offline hyperlinked

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #1 on: Sun, 01 August 2010, 23:51:38 »
I'll let the hardware geeks answer the questions about the cabling and etc. If you want a minitouch, buy the Geekhack Space Saver from Didjamatic:
http://www.5k177.com/more/

The minitouch uses ALPS switches so anything that fits an ALPS board will fit on it. You may have to resort to harvesting keycaps from other boards with keycaps you like though because it's not easy to find a bag of colored ALPS keycaps for sale.
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Topre: Realforce 103U Cherry: Filco Majestouch 104 (Brown), Ione Scorpius M10 (Blue)
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M1391401 ALPS: Apple Extended Keyboard II (Cream), ABS M1 (Fukka/Black), MicroConnectors Flavored USB (Black)
Domes: Matias Optimizer, Kensington ComfortType, Microsoft Internet Keyboard
Scissors: Apple Full Sized Aluminum
Pointy Stuff: Razer Imperator, Razer Copperhead, DT225 Trackball, Apple Magic Mouse, Logitech MX1000, Apple Mighty Mouse
Systems: MacPro, MacBook Pro, ASUS eeePC netbook, Dell D600 laptop, a small cluster of Linux Web servers
Displays: Apple Cinema Display 30", Apple Cinema Display 23"
Ergo Devices: Zody Chair, Nightingale CXO, Somaform, Theraball, 3M AKT180LE Keyboard Tray

Offline WhiteRice

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #2 on: Mon, 02 August 2010, 00:10:05 »
Quote from: hyperlinked;208339
I'll let the hardware geeks answer the questions about the cabling and etc. If you want a minitouch, buy the Geekhack Space Saver from Didjamatic:
http://www.5k177.com/more/

The minitouch uses ALPS switches so anything that fits an ALPS board will fit on it. You may have to resort to harvesting keycaps from other boards with keycaps you like though because it's not easy to find a bag of colored ALPS keycaps for sale.


Thanks for the swift reply!

I would love to support a forum member, but the price is a bit steep on an intern's wage. I will keep it in mind if nothing comes up in a few weeks.

I was reading up on dying keycaps, so I may go that route for colors :)
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Offline hyperlinked

  • Posts: 924
Minitouch crush
« Reply #3 on: Mon, 02 August 2010, 01:38:11 »
If you're on a budget, you might need to expand what you're willing to accept. The small form factor boards all tend to be more expensive and rarer than their full sized counterparts. People score crazy finds at thrift shops and garage sales all the time. You could get lucky, but your odds are much better if you're looking for something that's more commonplace.

If you're willing to make a compromise on the size of the board, Triege's got some full sized Model M's for $35 that are all in good working order.
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Topre: Realforce 103U Cherry: Filco Majestouch 104 (Brown), Ione Scorpius M10 (Blue)
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M1391401 ALPS: Apple Extended Keyboard II (Cream), ABS M1 (Fukka/Black), MicroConnectors Flavored USB (Black)
Domes: Matias Optimizer, Kensington ComfortType, Microsoft Internet Keyboard
Scissors: Apple Full Sized Aluminum
Pointy Stuff: Razer Imperator, Razer Copperhead, DT225 Trackball, Apple Magic Mouse, Logitech MX1000, Apple Mighty Mouse
Systems: MacPro, MacBook Pro, ASUS eeePC netbook, Dell D600 laptop, a small cluster of Linux Web servers
Displays: Apple Cinema Display 30", Apple Cinema Display 23"
Ergo Devices: Zody Chair, Nightingale CXO, Somaform, Theraball, 3M AKT180LE Keyboard Tray

Offline WhiteRice

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #4 on: Mon, 02 August 2010, 17:56:27 »
I got an ABS M1 for 30 shipped. Still looking for a minitouch though. :3 The geekhack one is looking mighty tempting, but I think i'll see if I can get one for ~$50 first.
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Offline microsoft windows

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #5 on: Mon, 02 August 2010, 18:11:35 »
Quote from: hyperlinked;208339
I'll let the hardware geeks answer the questions about the cabling and etc. If you want a minitouch, buy the Geekhack Space Saver from Didjamatic:
http://www.5k177.com/more/

The minitouch uses ALPS switches so anything that fits an ALPS board will fit on it. You may have to resort to harvesting keycaps from other boards with keycaps you like though because it's not easy to find a bag of colored ALPS keycaps for sale.



You could also buy an old, grimy one on Ebay for $20.
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Offline WhiteRice

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #6 on: Mon, 02 August 2010, 18:36:39 »
Quote from: microsoft windows;208488
You could also buy an old, grimy one on Ebay for $20.


restoring stuff is half the fun, but yea those geekhack board are looking mighty tempting. I'll have to see how much my 8600gt goes for on ebay.
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Offline TexasFlood

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #7 on: Mon, 02 August 2010, 19:08:19 »
Quote from: microsoft windows;208488
You could also buy an old, grimy one on Ebay for $20.

Maybe.  I don't see any up there at any price right now.  I think Bob Tibbetts of Northgate Keyboard Repair has some NIB ones for $125.
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Offline maxlugar

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #8 on: Mon, 02 August 2010, 20:27:16 »
Quote from: ripster;208519
Does Bob make you listen on the phone to "This Land Is My Land, This Land Is Your Land" before he gives you pricing and availability?


Unfortunately, that torture is not included in the selling price, but is nonetheless part of the price you pay for one of Bob's keyboards.
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Offline TexasFlood

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #9 on: Mon, 02 August 2010, 20:28:28 »
Quote from: ripster;208519
Does Bob make you listen on the phone to "This Land Is My Land, This Land Is Your Land" before he gives you pricing and availability?

I wouldn't be surprised but really can't say since we discussed it in email. :usa2:
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Offline TexasFlood

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #10 on: Mon, 02 August 2010, 20:33:57 »
Quote from: maxlugar;208526
Unfortunately, that torture is not included in the selling price, but is nonetheless part of the price you pay for one of Bob's keyboards.

Wait, what's that sound? Woody Guthrie spinning in his grave?

« Last Edit: Mon, 02 August 2010, 21:19:51 by TexasFlood »
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Offline Voixdelion

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #11 on: Tue, 03 August 2010, 06:48:24 »
There is a minitouch on ebay now.
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Offline TexasFlood

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #12 on: Tue, 03 August 2010, 07:52:30 »
Quote from: Voixdelion;208644
There is a minitouch on ebay now.
Right you are.  And cheap right now, only $16.50 shipped to me.  Odds are though, based on what I've see in the past, that it end up going for a lot more than $20.  Maybe it will go cheap cause many won't find it in a search, as I didn't, because "SIIG" doesn't seem to be anywhere in the title or description.  Of course now that it's posted here...
« Last Edit: Tue, 03 August 2010, 09:01:16 by TexasFlood »
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Offline keyboardlover

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #13 on: Tue, 03 August 2010, 08:08:45 »
There are a bunch of minitouch's on ebay right now -- are not all of them mechanical? Please forgive my ignorance :D

EDIT: Nevermind, I forgot that the PLUS is the one with rubber domes
« Last Edit: Tue, 03 August 2010, 08:17:02 by keyboardlover »
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Offline hyperlinked

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #14 on: Tue, 03 August 2010, 08:50:55 »
Quote from: keyboardlover;208667
EDIT: Nevermind, I forgot that the PLUS is the one with rubber domes


That's actually not a bad thing to bring up regardless of if you know the answer or not. A lot of people here have been disappointed when they get their auction winnings and found that either they didn't realize they got a rubber dome version of a board or that the seller really had no clue what he or she was selling.

Best to do your homework...
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Topre: Realforce 103U Cherry: Filco Majestouch 104 (Brown), Ione Scorpius M10 (Blue)
Buckling Spring: IBM Model M1391401 ALPS: Apple Extended Keyboard II (Cream), ABS M1 (Fukka/Black), MicroConnectors Flavored USB (Black)
Domes: Matias Optimizer, Kensington ComfortType, Microsoft Internet Keyboard
Scissors: Apple Full Sized Aluminum
Pointy Stuff: Razer Imperator, Razer Copperhead, DT225 Trackball, Apple Magic Mouse, Logitech MX1000, Apple Mighty Mouse
Systems: MacPro, MacBook Pro, ASUS eeePC netbook, Dell D600 laptop, a small cluster of Linux Web servers
Displays: Apple Cinema Display 30", Apple Cinema Display 23"
Ergo Devices: Zody Chair, Nightingale CXO, Somaform, Theraball, 3M AKT180LE Keyboard Tray

Offline Voixdelion

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #15 on: Tue, 03 August 2010, 08:58:49 »
Quote from: TexasFlood;208660
Right you are.  And cheap right now, only $16.50 shipped to me.  Odds are though, based on what I've see in the past, that it end up going for a lot more than $20.  Maybe it will go cheap cause many won't find it in a search, as I didn't, because "SIIG" doesn't seem to be anywhere in the title or description.  Of course now that it's posted here...


Oops -  Hope I didn't screw that up for anyone, but if I did
:fear:


at least I didn't put it in the ebay section  I was gonna, but I put it here cuz I read this thread first...
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Offline TexasFlood

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #16 on: Tue, 03 August 2010, 09:02:22 »
Quote from: Voixdelion;208676
Oops -  Hope I didn't screw that up for anyone, but if I did
:fear:


at least I didn't put it in the ebay section  I was gonna, but I put it here cuz I read this thread first...

Now up to $35 plus shipping with over 2 days to go, think it will likely continue to climb.
« Last Edit: Tue, 03 August 2010, 09:58:05 by TexasFlood »
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Offline WhiteRice

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #17 on: Tue, 03 August 2010, 09:19:55 »
/facepalm

It's ok though. I've decided to get a ghss. Waiting for some stuff to sell on ebay,

I found the best result on ebay by searching "minitouch -adesso -plus"
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Offline TexasFlood

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #18 on: Tue, 03 August 2010, 23:12:07 »
$40+shipping, and rising... :sad:
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Offline WhiteRice

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #19 on: Tue, 03 August 2010, 23:58:42 »
Quote from: TexasFlood;208931
$40+shipping, and rising... :sad:

I got my M-1 in the mail today, and I ordered a ghss. After looking around it is quite apparent how good of a deal it is. :D
« Last Edit: Wed, 04 August 2010, 00:00:56 by WhiteRice »
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Offline keyboardlover

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #20 on: Thu, 05 August 2010, 15:10:23 »
I will admit it; I was the one who won the Minitouch :D
I've heard very good things about this board and I'm a sucker for a good deal.
My apologies to anyone I may have smited ;)
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Offline Voixdelion

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #21 on: Thu, 05 August 2010, 20:39:09 »
Wouldn't that be "smote"?   That doesn't seem right either though.  Smitten?  Smoted?  Ah - "SMUD!"
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Offline microsoft windows

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #22 on: Thu, 05 August 2010, 20:50:10 »
Smited sounds good enough.
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Offline WhiteRice

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #23 on: Thu, 05 August 2010, 21:01:16 »
Quote from: Voixdelion;209652
Wouldn't that be "smote"?   That doesn't seem right either though.  Smitten?  Smoted?  Ah - "SMUD!"


XD
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Offline TexasFlood

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #24 on: Thu, 05 August 2010, 21:16:26 »
Quote from: keyboardlover;209568
I will admit it; I was the one who won the Minitouch :D
I've heard very good things about this board and I'm a sucker for a good deal.
My apologies to anyone I may have smited ;)
Looks like it went for $58.67+shipping? Not bad, but an odd number - 67 cents?

« Last Edit: Thu, 05 August 2010, 21:21:19 by TexasFlood »
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Offline WhiteRice

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #25 on: Thu, 05 August 2010, 21:19:49 »
Quote from: TexasFlood;209669
Looks like it went for $58.67+shipping? Not bad, but an odd number - 67 cents?


Some people don't make any cents
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Offline keyboardlover

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #26 on: Fri, 06 August 2010, 08:29:12 »
Quote from: Voixdelion;209652
Wouldn't that be "smote"?   That doesn't seem right either though.  Smitten?  Smoted?  Ah - "SMUD!"


"Smoten" :D
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Offline didjamatic

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #27 on: Fri, 06 August 2010, 12:56:41 »
smitten like kitten.
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Offline Voixdelion

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Minitouch crush
« Reply #28 on: Fri, 06 August 2010, 19:17:01 »
naww.  That sounds too warm and fuzzy.  
I'm going to adopt "SMUD" as a new past unreal conditional tense of "to smite" - ie "anyone I might have 'smud'" - You know as in, "your name is mud!"  =D
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"The more you tolerate each other, the less enforcement will happen."-iMav
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