I was able to grab a whole bunch of Tipro keyboards some time ago
(and I do have to thank CeeSa for letting me have them):
viewtopic.php?f=11&t=443

One of them (and the reason why I wanted the whole bunch) was a staggered keyboard, here Tipro's original picture of it:

I now use it as my daily driver, connected with a 8x8 matrix keyboard on the left and on the right a 16x8 matrix keyboard with a touchpad affixed on it:

(please excuse the bad picture quality)

That's a 80 cm keyboard with more than 300 keys. I'll never understand why people want space savers

I'm still in the process of planning and re-planning, designing and re-designing, programming and re-programming, trying to get keys which will functionally and optically fit.

There's a whole lot I would have to comment, but this is supposed to be a photo section, so perhaps I'll post a few details in the workshop section if anybody is interested.

By the way, no need to ask - the key on the left of the second upper row of the alphanumerical keyboard is not for sale

That is a keyboard !!
What do you use it for ?
can i translate this to the french section ?

Gilgam wrote:What do you use it for ?

I have to type quite a lot, it's part of what I do for a living.

can i translate this to the french section ?

Of course, and please do not forget the part saying "trying to get keys which will functionally and optically fit" - it's a French keyboard and I still specifically miss double-shot Ctrl, Alt and AltGr keys

I am so glad I asked you for this...thats an amazing board. If you happen to stumble over another, please let me know.
I would love to have one of these as my work board on my autocad machine...The entire left panel as my shortcuts...what a dream.

I think im going to have to copy your idea of the program shortcuts on the right as well for my access board...sadly it is a lot smaller^^

Another one? I'm afraid the staggered one is not very likely ever to appear again.

But you can of course use one of the matrix keyboards in addition to your normal board. Just plug the Tipro into your computer and your keyboard into your Tipro, and you will have all the functionalities of both keyboards. Programming is easy and versatile, and it's just great having all shortcuts transferred from your memory to your fingertips.

But it will not have that terrific look, of course

I think I will soon start selling the Tipros I don't need. Just have to find the time to make an inventory of them, take a few pictures, write a few descriptions, decide on prices, open a thread, manage PMs and mails, wrap and ship...

Yeah...I still have a Jarltech and an Access matrix boards, but the programmable software for both is driving me nuts. I still have not been able to get the AltGr layer to work on the staggered access board, which is why I am currently on my Model M. I need my € sign^^. What I like with the tipro is that you can chain the boards together without more and more cables, which is why i really love your solution. Once I set up my new desk and have some space next to my 24" CRT I will most likely start6 trying to get one of the Jarltech boards going as my shortcut-box. Best part is that I wont have to mod the sucker, since it already has MX Blues^^.

very nice. this is the proof for the real deal tiproman.
the only one who deserve this title

what touchpad is it? (and USB or PS2?) are you satisfied with it?

It's a USB Touchpad which of course is... programmable
Well, here "programmable" means you can choose between different functions the touchpad executes when you use your fingers in some definite ways like rotating two fingers or swiping with three fingers.
Putting one finger on it and then tipping it twice with another finger opens the magnifiying glass.
Quite a gimmick.

Unfortunately, the integrated numeric pad is non-standard
and the two buttons are quite hard to operate - probably something like 2$ on the ripometer
which makes I don't use them at all.
But it's quite comfortable for scrolling and even navigating.

It costs (incl. shipping) about 32€ on eBay: http://cgi.ebay.de/360194533445
and about 23€ there: http://www.pearl.de/a-PX3206-1002.shtml
(Pearl displays good pictures and a video)

Ascaii wrote:(...) I still have not been able to get the AltGr layer to work on the staggered access board, which is why I am currently on my Model M. I need my € sign^^.

Have you thought of programming it using the Ascaii... sorry, the ASCII table?
I'm sure I don't need to explain, but ich tue es trotzdem
Press and hold the Alt key, press 0128 (on the numpad!) and release the Alt key.
That could be a way of programming the € sign on another key without using AltGr.

hmmm really nice idea...must try that. Though i am quite used to having it on alt e...thanks for the tip

kbdfr wrote:Another one? I'm afraid the staggered one is not very likely ever to appear again.

I'm pretty sure I have one, I'll have to check tomorrow.

Edit: There seems to be a similar one on ebay right now. I must be missing something here... irony, maybe?

Here it is:



Unfortunately, the right case side part has a broken clip at the front.

lowpoly wrote:There seems to be a similar one on ebay right now. I must be missing something here... irony, maybe?

If you mean this one:
http://cgi.ebay.de/160495348571
then be aware it is a non-standard staggered keyboard.
It has the CAPS LOCK row staggered by 0.5 instead of 0.25 unit.

And it is ugly

lowpoly wrote:Here it is:



Unfortunately, the right case side part has a broken clip at the front.

Congratulation, that's the one
The tiny plastic part holding the front part of the covers nearly always breaks. Nothing tragical, the cover still remains in place.

kbdfr wrote:If you mean this one:
http://cgi.ebay.de/160495348571
then be aware it is a non-standard staggered keyboard.
It has the CAPS LOCK row staggered by 0.5 instead of 0.25 unit.

And it is ugly

That was the one. You have good eyes.

lowpoly wrote:

kbdfr wrote:If you mean this one:
http://cgi.ebay.de/160495348571
then be aware it is a non-standard staggered keyboard.
It has the CAPS LOCK row staggered by 0.5 instead of 0.25 unit.

And it is ugly

That was the one. You have good eyes.

Good eyes? No, but good memory - of excellent pics made bey CeeSa:
viewtopic.php?f=8&t=87

lowpoly wrote:Here it is:



Unfortunately, the right case side part has a broken clip at the front.

Now i know who overdbidded me as a was not at home and had to let someone else bid for me.
The chance that you are gonna sell it soon is pretty low right ?

Spharx wrote:The chance that you are gonna sell it soon is pretty low right ?

No, this one has to go. I'm just not sure about the keycaps yet (and the value).