Author Topic: Just ordered a UNICOMP! (Read 8802 times)

Number_25 · « **on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 10:32:39 »

Hey guys,

Some of you may remember that I created a thread about my anticipation regarding a DELL AT102W I found online.

Well I still use the keyboard to this very day and I love it!

However, I felt that I was missing out on something - I wanted a buckling spring, but this keyboard wasn't going to offer it to me, with it being black Alps.

So today, after much deliberation, I decided to make the jump and purchase Unicomp 'Ultra Classic' from the Keyboard .co.

It should be here tomorrow, should be fantastic to write my University work on!

Expect photos... lots and lots of photos.

Dgsbllx · « **Reply #1 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 10:37:59 »

Please do provide photos, I like the look of these.
Congratulations!

fohat.digs · « **Reply #2 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 10:50:36 »

If the people around you start complaining, the "dental floss" mod is easy and cheap, and makes a big difference on how far the sound carries.

Number_25 · « **Reply #3 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 10:53:14 »

Quote from: fohat.digs on Tue, 12 February 2013, 10:50:36

If the people around you start complaining, the "dental floss" mod is easy and cheap, and makes a big difference on how far the sound carries.

I live in University accommodation, so I don't see why anyone would complain about the noise!

Thanks for the reaction guys, you sound almost as excited as I am!

Internetlad · « **Reply #4 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 11:00:10 »

You'll love your unicomp son. Only gripe i've found with mine is that it doesn't work with some KVM switches.

Other than that it's peachy.

Number_25 · « **Reply #5 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 11:10:13 »

Does anyone know where I can purchase keycaps in the UK?

fohat.digs · « **Reply #6 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 11:38:37 »

Ouch!

You should have gotten them from Unicomp so that they did not charge you extra shipping.

They have the only non-standard keys (eg color) available anywhere, as far as I know. They cost far too much, but if you are the "only game in town" ......

lazerpointer · « **Reply #7 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 11:39:28 »

Congratulations. The clackety glory!!

Number_25 · « **Reply #8 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 12:12:54 »

Quote from: fohat.digs on Tue, 12 February 2013, 11:38:37

Ouch!

You should have gotten them from Unicomp so that they did not charge you extra shipping.

They have the only non-standard keys (eg color) available anywhere, as far as I know. They cost far too much, but if you are the "only game in town" ......

I'm based in the UK so Shipping adds another £30-£40 to the total fees.

Returns would also be a bit of a mess if anything was to go wrong with the keyboard, hense the reason I decided to opt for the Keyboard .co.

hlehmann · « **Reply #9 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 14:12:02 »

I've just acquired through ebay a Model-M original 1390136 (1390131 US) IBM buckling spring (27-JAN-1987) and I flit from desk to meeting (have it plugged into a lenovo laptop at work)... I can't tell you the difference between the two. Only issue is the apparent noise for my colleagues - they are intrigued with the retro keyboard but dont appreciate the click clack boing clack (although music to my ears).

I'm not going back so they need to get used to it (i'm mostly surrounded by folks I am the boss of so easy for me to be ruthless about it). Interested in the floss mod that I've read a bit about - does it make a difference to the feel of the keyboard - I imagine even the new unicomp "suffers" from the same "issue" for others?

Next stop is another for home (following up a lead at work from a chap who used to install IBM mainframes with his dad in the old days, apparently there is a garage full of bits that never got dumped.... Aladins cave perhaps

tp4tissue · « **Reply #10 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 14:18:09 »

Make sure to buy those blank colored caps from their website..

fohat.digs · « **Reply #11 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 15:12:06 »

Quote from: hlehmann on Tue, 12 February 2013, 14:12:02

I've just acquired through ebay a Model-M original 1390136 (1390131 US) IBM buckling spring (27-JAN-1987) and I flit from desk to meeting (have it plugged into a lenovo laptop at work)... I can't tell you the difference between the two. Only issue is the apparent noise for my colleagues - they are intrigued with the retro keyboard but dont appreciate the click clack boing clack (although music to my ears).

I'm not going back so they need to get used to it (i'm mostly surrounded by folks I am the boss of so easy for me to be ruthless about it). Interested in the floss mod that I've read a bit about - does it make a difference to the feel of the keyboard - I imagine even the new unicomp "suffers" from the same "issue" for others?

Next stop is another for home (following up a lead at work from a chap who used to install IBM mainframes with his dad in the old days, apparently there is a garage full of bits that never got dumped.... Aladins cave perhaps

I discussed the floss mod a bit here, towards the very end:

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=37753.msg722184#msg722184

In my opinion, the change in feel is minimal.

The actual loudness of the sound may not be reduced all that much, but what it does take out are those high ringing overtones that carry so well. In practical terms, the person next to you might not feel as much difference, but the person 20 feet away will be much happier.

Personally, I like the flossed sound better, now, and have done all but one of my BS keyboards that way. Having gotten used to the attenuated sound, the raw sound is a little harsh to me.

hlehmann · « **Reply #12 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 15:22:15 »

wow, thats someway more than I would expect to take mine!, stickler for authentic look and feel, but, is it ok to do the floss mod in situ - i.e. withough removing the case, just to insert to the spring?

Internetlad · « **Reply #13 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 15:30:25 »

fohat.digs · « **Reply #14 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 15:44:12 »

Quote from: hlehmann on Tue, 12 February 2013, 15:22:15

wow, thats someway more than I would expect to take mine!, stickler for authentic look and feel, but, is it ok to do the floss mod in situ - i.e. withough removing the case, just to insert to the spring?

Last photo in my guide. All you have to do is pull the key.

tehcliff · « **Reply #15 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 15:53:06 »

I think you'll be very happy. Congrats on the purchase! I use the space saver/ultra-classic on my work machine and love it. Luckily I work from home, otherwise my coworkers would have killed me by now.

rknize · « **Reply #16 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 16:02:55 »

I have the similar EnduraPro that I bought a few years ago. It was the first buckling spring I ever tried the "floss mod" on. I personally prefer the grease mod on the Model M as it doesn't add weight to the key the way the floss mod does, but the floss mod is easily reversible and works great on a Model F.

Enjoy!

Number_25 · « **Reply #17 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 16:24:40 »

Just looked into the 'floss' mod.

Seems interesting, but does the added weight reduce the quality of the feel when typing?

snoopy · « **Reply #18 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 16:28:28 »

Quote from: Number_25 on Tue, 12 February 2013, 16:24:40

Just looked into the 'floss' mod.

Seems interesting, but does the added weight reduce the quality of the feel when typing?

In my opinion, it doesn't. I did it on my SSK and I'm very happy with that mod. I often listen to music or watch tv while coding some stuff and with the flossmod it isn't that annoying than before after a while of typing. Like fohat described, it removes that high ringing... And this is very comfortable for your ears...

rknize · « **Reply #19 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 17:04:30 »

If you cut the floss a bit short, it doesn't affect the feel that much. It also does little to soften the sound, but it will cancel the ring unless you cut it really short. If you want the click-clack softened too, the you need to cut them right at or just barely above the spring. Then you start to feel the weight and the feel of the key gets numb. Make it too long and the key won't click at all (but it will register).

Maybe I'm a bit spoiled because I grease-modded my Model M at work many years ago and use it every day. It kills the ring and softens the sound a bit without affecting the tactile feel at all. It also smooths the sliding action of the key a bit.

All of my Model Fs are floss modded and they are great.

Internetlad · « **Reply #20 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 17:32:03 »

What's a BS board without being obnoxiously loud? I thought that was half the point.

Duly so if you're in an office because it's like you're sitting there yelling "HEY LISTEN TO ME, I'M GETTING **** DONE!"

rknize · « **Reply #21 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 17:41:07 »

I know... It sounds like I'm typing twice as fast as I am

Number_25 · « **Reply #22 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 17:44:20 »

Quote from: Internetlad on Tue, 12 February 2013, 17:32:03

What's a BS board without being obnoxiously loud? I thought that was half the point.

Duly so if you're in an office because it's like you're sitting there yelling "HEY LISTEN TO ME, I'M GETTING **** DONE!"

I think there's an IBM-made BS which is pretty quiet, I can't remember the model name though!

rknize · « **Reply #23 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 17:46:42 »

Yes...it had grease in the springs!

Internetlad · « **Reply #24 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 17:52:19 »

Quote from: rknize on Tue, 12 February 2013, 17:41:07

I know... It sounds like I'm typing twice as fast as I am

haha yep, the lady working the desk is always commenting on how fast I type, and even though i'm not setting any records, (Probably a solid 80wps, better than average but not great.) It sure sounds like it.

Number_25 · « **Reply #25 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 18:06:36 »

Quote from: Internetlad on Tue, 12 February 2013, 17:52:19

Quote from: rknize on Tue, 12 February 2013, 17:41:07
I know... It sounds like I'm typing twice as fast as I am

haha yep, the lady working the desk is always commenting on how fast I type, and even though i'm not setting any records, (Probably a solid 80wps, better than average but not great.) It sure sounds like it.

80 wpm isn't bad.

fohat.digs · « **Reply #26 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 18:34:02 »

And when a keyboard is "clicky" that means it clicks twice, once down and once up, so there are twice as many sounds coming out.

rowdy · « **Reply #27 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 18:48:53 »

Quote from: Internetlad on Tue, 12 February 2013, 17:32:03

What's a BS board without being obnoxiously loud? I thought that was half the point.

Duly so if you're in an office because it's like you're sitting there yelling "HEY LISTEN TO ME, I'M GETTING **** DONE!"

The problem with this is when you pause to think or have a slurp of coffee, everyone knows you are not typing and therefore not working.

1839cc · « **Reply #28 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 19:28:22 »

Quote from: rowdy on Tue, 12 February 2013, 18:48:53

The problem with this is when you pause to think or have a slurp of coffee, everyone knows you are not typing and therefore not working.

That always makes me uncomfortable. I'd rather look like I'm working whether people can hear me typing or not.

rknize · « **Reply #29 on:** Tue, 12 February 2013, 20:21:37 »

About 10 years ago I sat next to a fellow that brought his Model M into work. In fact, he was the one that inspired me to go find my Model M in my parents' basement (my only mechanical at the time, bought brand new in 1994 from CompUSA). His was older (grey label) and was particularly "boingy". It got to the point where I could identify some of his keys by the way they boinged. I could tell when he was just scrolling around a web page with nav keys versus scrolling around code with xemacs.

A couple of years later we all moved and I was sort of sharing a cube. That's when I started hearing grumbling about the noise. The Quiet Touch version of the Model M was hard to come by, so I set out and did the grease mod myself. After some experimentation with how to load the grease, I eventually achieved good results. It's posted on my blog somewhere.

Number_25 · « **Reply #30 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 11:36:00 »

Still no delivery, bit peeved off considering I paid for Next-Day delivery.

I'll wait until 6pm and if it isn't here I'm going to send a complaint email.

Number_25 · « **Reply #31 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 11:42:14 »

Just called UKMail and they're insisting that the parcel will arrive before 6pm.

Dgsbllx · « **Reply #32 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 11:43:53 »

Fingers crossed!

Number_25 · « **Reply #33 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 12:32:05 »

I called up earlier on (5:25pm) and they said that they'll contact the driver, should get an reply in a hour.

It's 6:31pm now and still nothing, just called and they said that no reply has been made yet.

Internetlad · « **Reply #34 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 12:34:10 »

yeah that's an annoyance. I know what it's like waiting and waiting for new toys.

Number_25 · « **Reply #35 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 13:07:19 »

7:05pm now, promised a call from UKMail about the delivery before 7 and still nothing.

Tried to call back and the call centers are closed.

Fed up of this, poor service from UKMail once more.

Can't see the parcel arriving today now, waste of the next day delivery fees as far as I'm concerned.

Number_25 · « **Reply #36 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 13:48:49 »

And thats the kicker.

Delivery Status updated to "Delivery Attempted".

No delivery was attempted.

Shocking.

Dgsbllx · « **Reply #37 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 13:56:04 »

I've got my first clack on my way to me and that has already over shot on the delivery by a week or so, so I know how you feel.
Sod's law that you will be out or something tomorrow then they actually do try to deliver

fohat.digs · « **Reply #38 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 14:00:07 »

It amuses me that an object which a person has blissfully lived a full life, without, for years, suddenly becomes the object of such intense desire that mere hours or days without having it become excruciating.

Number_25 · « **Reply #39 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 14:22:22 »

Quote from: fohat.digs on Wed, 13 February 2013, 14:00:07

It amuses me that an object which a person has blissfully lived a full life, without, for years, suddenly becomes the object of such intense desire that mere hours or days without having it become excruciating.

Been wanting one for ages!

Internetlad · « **Reply #40 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 14:26:08 »

Quote from: fohat.digs on Wed, 13 February 2013, 14:00:07

It amuses me that an object which a person has blissfully lived a full life, without, for years, suddenly becomes the object of such intense desire that mere hours or days without having it become excruciating.

The heart wants what it wants.

hlehmann · « **Reply #41 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 16:31:14 »

Quote from: rknize on Tue, 12 February 2013, 20:21:37

About 10 years ago I sat next to a fellow that brought his Model M into work. In fact, he was the one that inspired me to go find my Model M in my parents' basement (my only mechanical at the time, bought brand new in 1994 from CompUSA). His was older (grey label) and was particularly "boingy". It got to the point where I could identify some of his keys by the way they boinged. I could tell when he was just scrolling around a web page with nav keys versus scrolling around code with xemacs.

A couple of years later we all moved and I was sort of sharing a cube. That's when I started hearing grumbling about the noise. The Quiet Touch version of the Model M was hard to come by, so I set out and did the grease mod myself. After some experimentation with how to load the grease, I eventually achieved good results. It's posted on my blog somewhere.

Ok, so now its floss vs grease or floss + grease?

Internetlad · « **Reply #42 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 16:35:37 »

Quote from: hlehmann on Wed, 13 February 2013, 16:31:14

Ok, so now its floss vs grease or floss + grease?

I've never heard of somebody doing both. It basically just mutes the reverb so either, or.

fohat.digs · « **Reply #43 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 17:09:48 »

You can't have 2 things in the same place at the same time.

Visualize the floss gobbed up with stiff grease - ugh

I have never done the grease mod, it seems like a huge amount of work. Floss is easy and I am very happy with it.

In my junk pile is a Model M from ebay with what is probably a botched grease job. The board is dead, so I plan to do a bolt mod and just throw those nasty springs away. Fortunately I have a big jar of extras.

Hard to care about all these M headaches after you start using Fs ......

BucklingSpring · « **Reply #44 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 20:37:31 »

Quote from: Number_25 on Wed, 13 February 2013, 13:48:49

And thats the kicker.

Delivery Status updated to "Delivery Attempted".

No delivery was attempted.

Shocking.

Sorry to hear it... I ordered a RD Ultra-Classic this weekend (my other Unicomps are BS) and they made an attempt as soon as today. Which is pretty cool because shipping from the States usually take much longer.

Unfortunately I was not home :-(

Internetlad · « **Reply #45 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 21:14:36 »

all our mail/parcel carriers know us, so they'll just leave it inside the door. Small town perks I guess.

noisyturtle · « **Reply #46 on:** Wed, 13 February 2013, 22:54:06 »

You make me miss my Wildcat

You're going to have a blast, BS boards are a ton of fun.

Number_25 · « **Reply #47 on:** Thu, 14 February 2013, 10:21:12 »

Still nothing.

Number_25 · « **Reply #48 on:** Thu, 14 February 2013, 11:41:24 »

5:41pm and still nothing.

Internetlad · « **Reply #49 on:** Thu, 14 February 2013, 11:42:20 »

Sheesh. Hope you get it soon man. What a pain.

Till then you can just type on a RD keyboard and say "ping ping ping!"

News:

Author Topic: Just ordered a UNICOMP! (Read 8802 times)