Simple Questions, Simple Answers (FAQ in the OP)

[Elocutive]

How do I get my 356 mini to work? does it only work on PS2 connection? is there a firmware I have to download? someone please help me out!

[divito]

Sister wants a mechanical for birthday/Christmas with the following:

- Full-size/Num Pad
- Backlit (preferably white, to be used in conjunction with those LED covers)
- Green/Clear switches (after sorta hearing mine)
- Option for English/Hangul key caps (she loves Korean stuff - not as important as the other 3)

My first thought would be a Code. However, I'd prefer to stay a bit lower in the price category. So that would probably mean a Shine 3? Only other option off the top of my head would be a TK, but finding one with Green or Clear switches would be quite difficult.

Any other thoughts?

[BlueBär]

Sister wants a mechanical for birthday/Christmas with the following:

- Full-size/Num Pad
- Backlit (preferably white, to be used in conjunction with those LED covers)
- Green/Clear switches (after sorta hearing mine)
- Option for English/Hangul key caps (she loves Korean stuff - not as important as the other 3)

My first thought would be a Code. However, I'd prefer to stay a bit lower in the price category. So that would probably mean a Shine 3? Only other option off the top of my head would be a TK, but finding one with Green or Clear switches would be quite difficult.

Any other thoughts?

I'd say a Ducky as well.

[CPTBadAss]

Sister wants a mechanical for birthday/Christmas...

Any other thoughts?

I vote for the Ducky.

[dorkvader]

How do I remove the manual cover on an IBM 3278? Usually I'd try a few things myself, but I really don't want to damage this cover!

Illustrated guide.
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=64790.0

Enjoy!

[Lastpilot]

Kind of a paranoid question:

Does UV affect non-white boards? Just brought my realforce to work and I now suddenly realized it's gonna be in direct sunlight most of the day. Is there anything to worry about?

[BlueBär]

Does UV affect non-white boards? Just brought my realforce to work and I now suddenly realized it's gonna be in direct sunlight most of the day. Is there anything to worry about?

Black boards can get a bit bleached out but it will probably take a long time until it's noticeable. Besides, the caps are PBT and will be more durable and less prone to UV damage anyways.

[dorkvader]

Does UV affect non-white boards? Just brought my realforce to work and I now suddenly realized it's gonna be in direct sunlight most of the day. Is there anything to worry about?

Black boards can get a bit bleached out but it will probably take a long time until it's noticeable. Besides, the caps are PBT and will be more durable and less prone to UV damage anyways.

I believe it was the bromine fire retardant that is the primary component of yellowing (and brittleing) of old plastic. I think modern fire retardant formulas are less prone to yellowing. I don't expect you to have an issue.

The only modern plastic I know of that suffered from it was a clack.

[BlueBär]

The cable from my Model F AT is really sticky and I want to use a cable from a G80 instead (I still had it as a spare).

1. Now in this post: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40599.msg815491#msg815491
It shows the pinout of the Model F, however it doesn't show what the 5th pin (green) does. Is it just a dummy pin?

2. Additonally there is a wire that is connected to the backplate, is that just connected to GND?

3. The G80 cable also has 5 wires, but according to Wikipedia, only 4 of them are connected to anything. What's up with that?

[CPTBadAss]

Would this setup be considered to have NKRO?  Not that it matters in function due to the physical constraints of the setup, but the inner geek is curious and I lack the full understanding of shift registers.

http://www.usbtypewriter.com/products/easy-conversion-kit

http://www.instructables.com/id/USB-Typewriter/

I don't think so. But I'm totally guessing.

How do I get my 356 mini to work? does it only work on PS2 connection? is there a firmware I have to download? someone please help me out!

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=6688.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=43838.0
http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=40414.0

According to these threads, it looks like you'll need to use it through ps/2.

[asgeirtj]

Do all cherry keyboards come with gmk as stock keys? (that is thick keys)

[BlueBär]

Do all cherry keyboards come with gmk as stock keys? (that is thick keys)

No. Modern ones don't have them anymore. Earlier ones can have PBT, ABS or POM keycaps (GMK is only ABS), but mostly thick ones.

[Melvang]

two quick questions.

Where can I find the default layout for the JD40?  Swill flashed his giveaway board with it and I have no idea what the layout is on this thing.

Also, anything I need to be aware of before I open up stickered switches?  Thinking of swapping these springs out for clears and a gray on the spacebar.

[HoffmanMyster]

two quick questions.

1. Where can I find the default layout for the JD40?  Swill flashed his giveaway board with it and I have no idea what the layout is on this thing.

2. Also, anything I need to be aware of before I open up stickered switches?  Thinking of swapping these springs out for clears and a gray on the spacebar.

1. Check the layouts listed in the OP of the JD40 thread, that's likely what it is. 

2. I've had experiences where it's harder to get the switch tool inserted properly because the sticker is blocking part of the area where the tool goes, so you may want to be aware of that and be a little more aggressive to compensate.  Other than that, there should be no difference, unless you somehow lift a sticker or something like that.

[CPTBadAss]

1) Where can I find the default layout for the JD40?

2) Also, anything I need to be aware of before I open up stickered switches?

1) http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=47133.0

2) There's nothing to know really unless you're interested in using SIP sockets. The stickers won't work with SIP sockets. Other than that, there is a sticker inbetween the top and bottom of the switch housing. I've not had any problems like Hoff's. However, I don't sticker my switches....just unsticker them.

[Melvang]

Cool thanks a lot guy.

The main reason I am wondering about the layout is because Mrs. Melvang is going to take it to work and plug it into her coworkers computer.  I was going to print out the layout so she at least has a road map.  She didn't even know mech boards existed until a couple weeks ago, has never used one, and has never used anything smaller than full sized.

[HoffmanMyster]

The stickers won't work with SIP sockets.

I don't know why everyone says this, I've done this before with no issues.  The sticker has a slit cut in it and the SIP sockets are just below the level of the sticker, so it's perfectly fine.

[CPTBadAss]

I don't know why everyone says this, I've done this before with no issues.  The sticker has a slit cut in it and the SIP sockets are just below the level of the sticker, so it's perfectly fine.

Shows you what I know about stickers ). Please ignore my previous statement about SIP sockets since Hoff has stickered far more boards than I have.

[Melvang]

Cool thanks guys.  This thing is REALLY weird typing on coming from nothing but full sized boards.  I am ok typing text so far but reaching for backspace feels weird and I can not seem to find the damn quotes.  Even period is weird but I suppose that comes with the territory.

[CPTBadAss]

This thing is REALLY weird typing on coming from nothing but full sized boards.  I am ok typing text so far but reaching for backspace feels weird and I can not seem to find the damn quotes.  Even period is weird but I suppose that comes with the territory.

You can always tweak the layout on the JD40 to suit you better Melvang. Some people, including JD, have suggested using the HHKB layout. So CTRL or Function takes the place of Caps Lock and |\ is Backspace.

[Melvang]

This thing is REALLY weird typing on coming from nothing but full sized boards.  I am ok typing text so far but reaching for backspace feels weird and I can not seem to find the damn quotes.  Even period is weird but I suppose that comes with the territory.

You can always tweak the layout on the JD40 to suit you better Melvang. Some people, including JD, have suggested using the HHKB layout. So CTRL or Function takes the place of Caps Lock and |\ is Backspace.

Me programming?  You are two funny.  Does the AVR deal support the JD40?  Hey, I found the comma and numbers without looking at the road map!!

[CPTBadAss]

Does the AVR deal support the JD40?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51252.0

Looks like a maybe. Worth a shot.

[Lastpilot]

Does UV affect non-white boards? Just brought my realforce to work and I now suddenly realized it's gonna be in direct sunlight most of the day. Is there anything to worry about?

Black boards can get a bit bleached out but it will probably take a long time until it's noticeable. Besides, the caps are PBT and will be more durable and less prone to UV damage anyways.

I believe it was the bromine fire retardant that is the primary component of yellowing (and brittleing) of old plastic. I think modern fire retardant formulas are less prone to yellowing. I don't expect you to have an issue.

The only modern plastic I know of that suffered from it was a clack.

Thank you both! I can rest a little easier tonight. 

[Veridis]

Quick question again

What profile are the keycaps on the Realforce 87u (45g uniform)? They seem to be lower than OEM, are they like Cherry profile?

[HoffmanMyster]

Does the AVR deal support the JD40?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51252.0

Looks like a maybe. Worth a shot.

I've had nothing but good experiences programming my JD40 with EasyAVR.      I flashed a new layout probably 10 times the first day I used it, because everything I thought would be awesome was super awkward.   

[Melvang]

Does the AVR deal support the JD40?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51252.0

Looks like a maybe. Worth a shot.

LOL.  Have you found anything that is comfy yet?

I've had nothing but good experiences programming my JD40 with EasyAVR.      I flashed a new layout probably 10 times the first day I used it, because everything I thought would be awesome was super awkward.   

[HoffmanMyster]

Does the AVR deal support the JD40?

http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=51252.0

Looks like a maybe. Worth a shot.

I've had nothing but good experiences programming my JD40 with EasyAVR.      I flashed a new layout probably 10 times the first day I used it, because everything I thought would be awesome was super awkward.   

LOL.  Have you found anything that is comfy yet?

Sort of.    I basically copied Vibex's function layers, with a more standard base layer (QWERTY with HHKB-like modifiers).   

[CPTBadAss]

What profile are the keycaps on the Realforce 87u (45g uniform)?

Pretty sure they're Realforce OEM. OEM doesn't necessarily mean one profile in my opinion. The Ducky OEM caps are different from the stock Leopold caps.

[HPE1000]

I can take some quick pictures between realforce and cherry profile if you would like. (And OEM)

But I would say realforce/topre is more like cherry than oem.


EDIT: Just checked, they are about OEM. Compared to my keycaps from WASDkeyboards, the only row that really stuck out to me was the shift key row as it is a slightly more angled.

[hwood34]

?

[Veridis]

I can take some quick pictures between realforce and cherry profile if you would like. (And OEM)

But I would say realforce/topre is more like cherry than oem.


EDIT: Just checked, they are about OEM. Compared to my keycaps from WASDkeyboards, the only row that really stuck out to me was the shift key row as it is a slightly more angled.

But they look a little shorter than OEM(ducky,filco, CM, etc). Isn't Cherry profile similar to OEM except shorter?

[yasuo]

i heard topre construction is inspired BS its true?

[BlueBär]

Show Image

?

Unknown bulgarian switch, I have some of those too: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54013.msg1208590#msg1208590
Mine are linear reed switches.

But they look a little shorter than OEM(ducky,filco, CM, etc). Isn't Cherry profile similar to OEM except shorter?

OEM just means that somebody is doing their own profile. There are differences between each OEM profile, there is not one OEM profile.
Usually Cherry is a bit lower than OEM, yes. The angles can differ though.

i heard topre construction is inspired BS its true?

Never heard of that. They're not very similar though.

[CPTBadAss]

i heard topre construction is inspired BS its true?

If I recall correctly, BS came before IBM came out with their proto-Topre boards. I believe those proto-Topre boards came before the actual Topre boards. I don't think this is correct.

Edit: if you check the DT wiki, the patent for BS was put out in 1971. The Topre patent came out in 1984.

[appleonama]

Where can I buy blank topre keycaps sets.

like this one http://i.imgur.com/L0oIOOA.jpg?1

[hwood34]

Show Image

?

Unknown bulgarian switch, I have some of those too: http://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=54013.msg1208590#msg1208590
Mine are linear reed switches.

man, why do all the cool things have to be in Bulgaria, shipping is so expensive...

edit: oh yeah just saw your post on it

[CPTBadAss]

Where can I buy blank topre keycaps sets.

like this one http://i.imgur.com/L0oIOOA.jpg?1

This thread has some links to websites that sell Topre replacement keycap sets. I don't see any blanks in stock though. I think others have bought caps from widebasket but I'm not 100% sure. EK has these blank black HHKB caps too.

[ComradeSniper]

Where can I buy blank topre keycaps sets.

like this one http://i.imgur.com/L0oIOOA.jpg?1

You can still get printed sets, but blank sets are out of production unfortunately. A pink blank set sold for 190+shipping a week or so ago on the classifieds, and that's the only one that I've seen for sale since the one in the pic you posted.

[asgeirtj]

Are GON's keyboarsd pcbmount or plate mount?

[CPTBadAss]

Are GON's keyboarsd pcbmount or plate mount?

Plate mount. Most of his cases are Viky style cases which have the plate as the top of the case.

[HoffmanMyster]

Are GON's keyboarsd pcbmount or plate mount?

Plate mount. Most of his cases are Viky style cases which have the plate as the top of the case.

To elaborate, though, the stabilizers are (AFAIK) always PCB mount.   

[Karura]

Are GON's keyboarsd pcbmount or plate mount?

Plate mount. Most of his cases are Viky style cases which have the plate as the top of the case.

To elaborate, though, the stabilizers are (AFAIK) always PCB mount.   

I am super confused now, please explain. I ordered a bunch of plate mounted winkeyless stabs for my custom builds, I assumed that the plate mounted ones were what I wanted because I plan to use a plate, how to determine?

[Photekq]

Karura, every single Korean custom uses PCB mount stabilisers. PCB mount stabilisers can be used with a plate - you just make cutouts on the plate so that they poke through. Those plate mount stabilisers will not work with GONs or pretty much any other Korean custom.

[HoffmanMyster]

Are GON's keyboarsd pcbmount or plate mount?

Plate mount. Most of his cases are Viky style cases which have the plate as the top of the case.

To elaborate, though, the stabilizers are (AFAIK) always PCB mount.   

I am super confused now, please explain. I ordered a bunch of plate mounted winkeyless stabs for my custom builds, I assumed that the plate mounted ones were what I wanted because I plan to use a plate, how to determine?

It depends on the board you're building and how it was designed.  I know that when I built my GON it had PCB mount stabilizers, despite having a plate (they just poked through the holes in the plate).  What board will you be building?

[Karura]

Karura, every single Korean custom uses PCB mount stabilisers. PCB mount stabilisers can be used with a plate - you just make cutouts on the plate so that they poke through. Those plate mount stabilisers will not work with GONs or pretty much any other Korean custom.

Okay, so I plan to go with a NerD 60 PCB, get a custom plate from mkawa or someone, would my plate mounted stabs still be usable?

[CPTBadAss]

I am super confused now, please explain. I ordered a bunch of plate mounted winkeyless stabs for my custom builds, I assumed that the plate mounted ones were what I wanted because I plan to use a plate, how to determine?

Many Korean customs have PCBs which allow Cherry PCB mount stabilizers to clip into the PCB. These PCB mounted stabilizers will sit into the plate but clip into the PCB. Cherry Plate mount simply clip onto the plate and won't clip into the PCB.

To check, simply find a picture of the PCB. If the stabilizer area has extra holes in the stabilized key locations, then it will accept a Cherry PCB mount stabilizer. If not, use a Cherry plate mounted stabilizer.

In my experience, I find Cherry PCB mount to be stronger than plate mounted stabilizers.

[Photekq]

Yes. If the plate supports plate mount stabilisers you can use them. It's just that GONs plates, KMAC plates, OTD plates, etc. never do support them. So, yeah, if you get a completely custom plate you can use them.

[CPTBadAss]

Yes. If the plate supports plate mount stabilisers you can use them. It's just that GONs plates, KMAC plates, OTD plates, etc. never do support them. So, yeah, if you get a completely custom plate you can use them.

Are GON's keyboarsd pcbmount or plate mount?

Plate mount. Most of his cases are Viky style cases which have the plate as the top of the case.

To elaborate, though, the stabilizers are (AFAIK) always PCB mount.   

And just to be clear, we're talking about Cherry stabilizers. Costar stabilizers are different. They're only plate mount and need a slightly different hole size to snap into.

[whentheclouds]

speaking of stabs, i only recently found out about clipping Cherry stabs so they feel like Costar but still retain the ability to quick swap modifiers. is this worth the effort?

[CPTBadAss]

speaking of stabs, i only recently found out about clipping Cherry stabs so they feel like Costar but still retain the ability to quick swap modifiers. is this worth the effort?

Yes. I clip all my Cherry stabilizers.