Questions about older model Northgate Omnikey/102

[ekeppel]

Hi Folks,

I'm new to the board, and ran some searches here and on Google to try to find answers to some questions I had, but without success.

I have a 1989 Omnikey/102 without the trap door that I picked up a while back, but can't seem to find much on it.  It looks like other 102s I see here on the forum, with the F-keys on the left, and an empty row along the top in place of the modern F-keys. The back has an 8 position dip-switch, however there are only cutouts in the keyboard's case for access to switches 1, 5, and 6.  I have found various user manuals, but none of them seem to apply to this particular version of the 102.

First question:  Switch 5 is supposed to switch the CAPS / CTRL / ALT around to the more common modern layout, but the results don't match what I see in the available user manuals.  The CAPS lock correctly moves to the left of the A key, but instead of "CTRL" "~" "ALT" "SPACE" "ALT" "*" "CTRL" along the bottom row, I get "ALT" "~" "CTRL" "SPACE" "CTRL" "*" "ALT".  I'm not familiar with this layout and would prefer the more common CTRL ALT order of keys.  Is there any way to do that on this keyboard?

Second question:  All of the manuals I find on the various Omnikeys talk about being able to adjust repeat rate, etc. by putting the keyboard into a 'rate adjust' mode using either a key under the trap door (which isn't on my keyboard) or a 'rate adjust' key (which also isn't on this keyboard).  Any idea what I'm missing?  Is this version too old to have programming capabilities or is there a key I'm missing hidden somewhere? :-)

Do I have some sort of oddball version of the 102 or something?  Thanks for any help or advice you guys can offer me.  I can add some photos if needed.

Eric

[mike52787]

My omnikey 101 has the same strange layout when dipswitch 5 is enabled, but ive gotten used to it and couldnt use a board another way now. I actually programmed my customs to this layout because I thought it was so good.

[ekeppel]

Thanks for the reply! :-)

After using this Omnikey for a while, I am finding that my muscle memory is too adjusted to the standard 104 Model M layout.  So as much as I love the feel of this Omnikey, I have trouble getting used to the placement of some of the keys.  For now, I'm going to stick with my silver label model M, and keep my eyes open for an Omnikey with a closer to standard layout.  I know I've seen them around, though whether I want to pay the premium price is another matter entirely! :-P

I do also have a vintage Lite-On branded keyboard with white Alps switches and the usual 104 layout that I was using before I bought this Model M.  It has the same double-shot keycaps as the Omnikey with the colored legends on the modifiers, and to my fingers it feels almost as good to type on as the Omnikey.  The only drawback on that one is that it isn't built with the same heavy metal-backed construction, so it feels lighter and is not quite as sturdy.

Eric

[Hypersphere]

You could try altering the layout using remapping software (such as Karabiner for the Mac or ATNsoft Key Manager for Windows). Alternatively, you could get an Orihalcon Soarer Converter (PS/2 to USB) to remap the keyboard to your liking.

As for standard US ANSI layout Northgate Omnikey 101 white Alps boards, these appear once in a while on eBay. They can be pricey. However, I got one for $60 that looked grimy and yellowed, but it turned out to be an excellent keyboard.