Author Topic: Largest number of keys? (Read 7886 times)

bombcar · « **on:** Tue, 23 February 2010, 23:04:15 »

It seems that the 122 key Model F and the modern equivalent offered by Unicomp are the largest keyboards available.

Does anyone know of any beasts that are even larger? If I start journeying down the path of madness that is modernizing a Model F I want to make sure I get the most keys possible.

bombcar · « **Reply #1 on:** Wed, 24 February 2010, 01:21:14 »

I found this 132 Key Programmable Keyboard along with its weird 176 key brother but I am suspicious.

MsKeyboard · « **Reply #2 on:** Wed, 24 February 2010, 10:41:56 »

Quote from: bombcar;160330

I found this 132 Key Programmable Keyboard along with its weird 176 key brother but I am suspicious.

This keyboard is not a good example of what you are looking for. It is basically a programmable work station style input device. Membrane, flat surface, slight tactile feel, and fully programmable and customizable. Kind of like what you would see at McD's or elsewhere.

Great product if you have the need, but not for the typical user (not that everyone here is TYPICAL)

bombcar · « **Reply #3 on:** Wed, 24 February 2010, 21:54:18 »

I want as many keys of wonder and glory as I can get.

I found the Avant Stellar which is in the running at 116 keys, but I think I can get higher.

Maybe I could tape two keyboards together and have one always use some modifier key or something.

HaaTa · « **Reply #4 on:** Wed, 24 February 2010, 22:35:06 »

At that point just use multiple keyboards and just remap everything on the other ones.

TexasFlood · « **Reply #5 on:** Wed, 24 February 2010, 22:45:09 »

Quote from: bombcar;160587

I want as many keys of wonder and glory as I can get.

I found the Avant Stellar which is in the running at 116 keys, but I think I can get higher.

Maybe I could tape two keyboards together and have one always use some modifier key or something.

It's not for me, but maybe your cup of tea:

Mental Hobbit · « **Reply #6 on:** Wed, 24 February 2010, 23:30:36 »

The layout sucks.
Which museum is that? I need a set of Alps doubleshots.

bombcar · « **Reply #7 on:** Wed, 24 February 2010, 23:35:50 »

I bet it's not even N-key.

TexasFlood · « **Reply #8 on:** Wed, 24 February 2010, 23:38:30 »

Quote from: bombcar;160605

I bet it's not even N-key.

Credit card test? Need a -big- credit card.

ricercar · « **Reply #9 on:** Thu, 25 February 2010, 01:05:22 »

Nah, not a credit card. That board would need a 4x8 sheet of plywood for the rollover test.

ch_123 · « **Reply #10 on:** Thu, 25 February 2010, 03:04:02 »

HaaTa · « **Reply #11 on:** Thu, 25 February 2010, 06:05:09 »

Quote from: ch_123;160618

Show Image

Hmm, now how to remap Colemak on one of those...

lowpoly · « **Reply #12 on:** Thu, 25 February 2010, 12:32:36 »

Tipro with 128+64=192 keys (Cherry black, Euro 49,-):

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190360949225&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.de%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D190360949225%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

sethstorm · « **Reply #13 on:** Thu, 25 February 2010, 17:22:18 »

Quote from: lowpoly;160655

Tipro with 128+64=192 keys (Cherry black, Euro 49,-):

Show Image

http://cgi.ebay.de/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=190360949225&ru=http%3A%2F%2Fshop.ebay.de%3A80%2F%3F_from%3DR40%26_trksid%3Dp3907.m38.l1313%26_nkw%3D190360949225%26_sacat%3DSee-All-Categories%26_fvi%3D1&_rdc=1

Question is, does it have NKRO? It's fine and all that until you find out it only cares about 2 pressed keys at a time.

ricercar · « **Reply #14 on:** Thu, 25 February 2010, 19:00:39 »

That's the key switch my CHPAYKEYS were designed for.

mr_a500 · « **Reply #15 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 12:03:31 »

Quote from: Mental Hobbit;160603

The layout sucks.

:rofl:

Specter_57 · « **Reply #16 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 12:47:33 »

Fentek certainly has some interesting toys...took a rather extensive look through their site finally...the left-hand keyboard, mentioned in another thread is something I'd want to play with...but I especially like the the idea of the DigiMemo Digital Writing Pads.."Digitally Capture and Store Everything You Write on Ordinary Paper"... YEAH!!!!

and the wrist-operated roller mouse is interesting too.
..........
spec57

quadibloc · « **Reply #17 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 13:52:00 »

I know what we need.

A normal 104 key keyboard.

And on the top right, a big wheel that you use to turn a big drum.

Along the top of the keyboard, a long slit through which you see a row of characters printed on the drum.

A pointer you slide along the window with a button on it to select a character.

When you do that, it's as if you typed Alt+(four digit hex number).

Type anything directly, reasonably small keyboard.

kishy · « **Reply #18 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 13:56:12 »

Quote from: quadibloc;160947

I know what we need.

A normal 104 key keyboard.

And on the top right, a big wheel that you use to turn a big drum.

Along the top of the keyboard, a long slit through which you see a row of characters printed on the drum.

A pointer you slide along the window with a button on it to select a character.

When you do that, it's as if you typed Alt+(four digit hex number).

Type anything directly, reasonably small keyboard.

That's a ridiculously good idea.

Implementation...complex and probably costly though.

A "line" on that roll that could be custom mapped (in the keyboard controller) would be a feature to add to that concept.

TexasFlood · « **Reply #19 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 16:43:04 »

Quote from: ripster;160663

That Ebay one looks like it has a "SUPER SIZE ME" key. Get ready for some serious greasy keyboard cleaning.

"SUPER SIZE ME" key? WHERE?
{For itlnstln}

itlnstln · « **Reply #20 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 16:44:48 »

Strong. I like that.

That kid has no neck.

ricercar · « **Reply #21 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 17:29:14 »

The heck with the keyboard cleaning. Does that boy ever wash the folds in his skin?

Quote from: Specter_57;160932

Fentek certainly has some interesting toys...took a rather extensive look through their site finally

visit to Fentek is a rather expensive look...

ricercar · « **Reply #22 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 17:30:57 »

Quote from: Specter_57;160932

Fentek certainly has some interesting toys...took a rather extensive look through their site finally

visit to Fentek is a rather expensive look...

msiegel · « **Reply #23 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 17:35:28 »

Quote from: kishy;160949

That's a ridiculously good idea.

the drum could be emulated using a 2-line graphic lcd and a salvaged scroll wheel

this would make a neat hack

kishy · « **Reply #24 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 17:44:03 »

Quote from: msiegel;161021

the drum could be emulated using a 2-line graphic lcd and a salvaged scroll wheel

this would make a neat hack

:O you're right. And it could have virtually limitless numbers of 'rows' too...not physically limited to what fits on a drum.

Specter_57 · « **Reply #25 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 17:58:23 »

..

Ha...Quadi's suggestion a few posts back made me think of an Enigma machine for some reason...and also a Jefferson disk...

hmmmmm

..........
Spec57

TexasFlood · « **Reply #26 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 18:10:08 »

Quote from: Specter_57;161030

..

Ha...Quadi's suggestion a few posts back made me think of an Enigma machine for some reason...and also a Jefferson disk...

Hah, I was thinking the same thing. Made in Germany and surely had good mechanical switches, way before Cherries though I guess.

msiegel · « **Reply #27 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 18:14:03 »

sweet!

Specter_57 · « **Reply #28 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 18:23:49 »

...

Have you guys actually read Quadi's page, the cryptography section?

Do so for an interesting read...or a buffer overload.....

............
Spec57

vils · « **Reply #29 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 18:34:08 »

A propos the enigma machine and cryptography. Simon Singhs The Code Book is a magnificent read.

Specter_57 · « **Reply #30 on:** Fri, 26 February 2010, 18:39:45 »

..

As is The Codebreakers, by David Kahn.

......
Spec57

bombcar · « **Reply #31 on:** Sun, 28 February 2010, 14:01:37 »

Well, I got a Model F dirt cheap, and a soldering iron.

Now the madness begins.

lowpoly · « **Reply #32 on:** Mon, 01 March 2010, 13:09:30 »

Quote from: sethstorm;160727

Question is, does it have NKRO?

On a POS keyboard? Not likely. I can open mine if you really need to know.

sethstorm · « **Reply #33 on:** Tue, 02 March 2010, 11:27:09 »

Quote from: lowpoly;161367

On a POS keyboard? Not likely. I can open mine if you really need to know.

Expecting only 2KRO, I usually go by the key-test. Mine make it painfully obvious.

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Author Topic: Largest number of keys? (Read 7886 times)