Older Model M with odd keys - What happens?

[Altis]

Hello all,

I've been toying with the idea of getting a Model M that came alive before I did (mid 80s). I've come across some boards that have funny keys on them that I'm not sure how they would work today, so I've always avoided them.

Here's an example in the photos on this site:
http://sandy55.fc2web.com/keyboard/42h0468.html

Keys like "Send" and "Reset" instead of "Alt", or "<-Tab" instead of "End", etc etc.

It's strange because "Del" is front-printed on the "Home" key.

How would these keys work if I plugged it into a modern computer? Would they work as the keys in that location that my computer is set up for (US English layout)? Or would they simply be ignored?

Thank you for the help. It might end up broadening my search scopes later on, although I don't think I would want a keyboard that has all those keys not functioning.

PS I tried to search but have yet to figure it out. 

[fohat.digs]

You can do a lot better than that. Some people like M2s but they are generally considered inferior.

If you are patient you can probably get very close to a birthday that is 1986 or later.

[hwood34]

It would work in the way the keyboard was designed, not in the way your computer tells it. So yes, all the keys would perform the function listed on the cap, unless it's some command no longer in use, but that's a different issue entirely

[Altis]

Hmm that's too bad. There's one new-in-box mid-1987 on ebay that would have been perfect, but it has all the funky keys that I'm not sure what they would do. Still kind of neat though..

I wonder if they could be remapped?

[E TwentyNine]

It would work in the way the keyboard was designed, not in the way your computer tells it. So yes, all the keys would perform the function listed on the cap, unless it's some command no longer in use, but that's a different issue entirely

Not at all. In most cases on M's the code sent is the same for a key in the same position.   You can tell your OS that your M is a different language or layout and that will change what a key press registers as. 

For example, if I tell Windows my QWERTY keyboard is AZERTY layout when I type Q I'll get an A. This is how dvorak is implemented so easily.  Tell the OS it's something different, then move keycaps around.

The problem here is if it's a terminal keyboard is not the caps, but the controller.   If you had the correct PS/2 cable wired up I don't know if the M2 controller for a terminal keyboard (should be 3) can correctly output a mode compatible with a PC (extended set 2).

As you'd need a USB converter anyway you could soarer it and get it done that way, wouldn't matter, and you can remap keys however you want.

If the auction you're talking about is the 1987 for $99, that's not an M2 but an M.  Nice, but it is a terminal keyboard and would need a soarer converter setup.  You can find cheaper and find one that's pc native which you can get working with a simple converter.

[hwood34]

Hmm that's too bad. There's one new-in-box mid-1987 on ebay that would have been perfect, but it has all the funky keys that I'm not sure what they would do. Still kind of neat though..

I wonder if they could be remapped?

It would work in the way the keyboard was designed, not in the way your computer tells it. So yes, all the keys would perform the function listed on the cap, unless it's some command no longer in use, but that's a different issue entirely

Not at all. In most cases on M's the code sent is the same for a key in the same position.   You can tell your OS that your M is a different language or layout and that will change what a key press registers as. 

For example, if I tell Windows my QWERTY keyboard is AZERTY layout when I type Q I'll get an A. This is how dvorak is implemented so easily.  Tell the OS it's something different, then move keycaps around.

Oh yeah, sorry, it can be remapped if you choose, just like most other boards. I didn't really stop to think why you might be asking the question

[berserkfan]

Hmm that's too bad. There's one new-in-box mid-1987 on ebay that would have been perfect, but it has all the funky keys that I'm not sure what they would do. Still kind of neat though..

I wonder if they could be remapped?

Please! Don't worry, just buy!

Soarer converter will solve all your problems for you! I have several Ms of different ages and layouts and everyone can be handled by the converter. Soarer is a TRUE GENIUS.

[Altis]

It would work in the way the keyboard was designed, not in the way your computer tells it. So yes, all the keys would perform the function listed on the cap, unless it's some command no longer in use, but that's a different issue entirely

Not at all. In most cases on M's the code sent is the same for a key in the same position.   You can tell your OS that your M is a different language or layout and that will change what a key press registers as. 

For example, if I tell Windows my QWERTY keyboard is AZERTY layout when I type Q I'll get an A. This is how dvorak is implemented so easily.  Tell the OS it's something different, then move keycaps around.

The problem here is if it's a terminal keyboard is not the caps, but the controller.   If you had the correct PS/2 cable wired up I don't know if the M2 controller for a terminal keyboard (should be 3) can correctly output a mode compatible with a PC (extended set 2).

As you'd need a USB converter anyway you could soarer it and get it done that way, wouldn't matter, and you can remap keys however you want.

If the auction you're talking about is the 1987 for $99, that's not an M2 but an M.  Nice, but it is a terminal keyboard and would need a soarer converter setup.  You can find cheaper and find one that's pc native which you can get working with a simple converter.

Yeah that is the one I'm looking at. The date is right and it's NIB, but I have no experience using Soarer converter. The Model M I'm using now is standard layout with PS/2 connector on it, so no converter needed.

Thanks for the info, all. I still don't know exactly what would happen with some of those keys without any kind of converter.. but I'll bank on using a converter if I end up getting it.

One thing always leads to another around here..