Difference in feel between IBM model M's and F's?

[andb]

I was just wondering if anyone here has used both the Model Ms (buckling spring / membrane switches) and the earlier Model Fs (capacitance switches)? I'm wondering if there is a significant difference in feel.

If there is a significant difference and the Fs are interesting to still use today, what about wiring the actual switches to the controller board of an M, for example? I can also look into having a batch of converters made, while professional versions are pretty expensive at around $100 I've read, I think they could be homebrewed for a pretty low cost.

http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cfm/fa/items.main/parentcat/11066/subcatid/0/id/176955 has links to instructions for making these converters,  I'm sure I can get a whiz EE student at the technical university to cobble a few together.

But is it worth it? I started on an old XT keyboard but I really can't remember what it was like.


Links about the AT protocol and conversion (most of these deal with RS232 or serial communications, which would only be useful for Linux users I suspect)
http://www.hth.com/filelibrary/TXTFILES/keyboard.txt
http://www.cs.cmu.edu/afs/cs/usr/jmcm/www/info/key2.txt
http://www.xs4all.nl/~loosen/memorex_telex/index.html
Actual Microcode: http://www.xs4all.nl/~loosen/memorex_telex/keyboard_controller.rar

[Mercen_505]

I picked up an old XT keyboard a few weeks ago, and it's quite a different experience. It's quieter, and less force is required to fully depress the keys. I'm eventually going to break it down and give it a thorough cleaning, as the seller said it was dusty, but neglected to explain that it was downright filthy, with a veritable forest sprouting from 'neath the keys. Perhaps I should take some pics or something.

[bhtooefr]

What about the AT keyboard?

It's a Model F with a different layout and an AT controller.

[andb]

Yeah that would be a lot easier! I sort of forgot about the AT model F boards, they seem to go for around $50. I think I'll look for one of these to try out. I'm still interested in conversion between various keyboard types, it looks like I might have a lead on a garage full of various terminal keyboards, which are probably all serial interfaces of some odd type.

[wellington1869]

I was just wondering if anyone here has used both the Model Ms (buckling spring / membrane switches) and the earlier Model Fs (capacitance switches)?

I have! Though its been about 20 years since I used the F, I can tell you what I remember (I do have an M now, so that part is fresh  
Basically there are two things about the F that I remember: One is that the layout didnt have the arrow cluster, just the numpad. (I rather like that layout since I never use the arrow cluster).
As for feel and sound, IIRC the F is much more noticeably "metallic" and "pingy", and in terms of volume, seems louder too as a result. But all in a good way so long as the noise doesnt bother the folks around you, you'll probably enjoy it. With the F you can also hear the springs more clearly as they ping and squeak and other noises that springs make. But again the cacophony is quite charming.
The M's in comparison are a touch more muted I think, more meaty or bassy, though not by much, but I think the difference might be noticeable.
Again take all this with a grain of salt since I havent laid my hands on an F in a while. But thats what I remember in terms of my impressions.

In terms of feel (tactile feel) the two are probably very similar, IIRC.

[Mercen_505]

As an update to what I said earlier, I got home and noticed that the model F is fairly louder then the M. My crack-addled brain just got that backward, or something. The keys on mine take less force to push than an M, but it might just be age or excessive use. Who knows what abuse this keyboard suffered before it landed in my hands?

Still, for loudness nothing I have compares to an M2. Typing on that bastard can wake the dead.