deskthority

This is good stuff guys! I love it when folks dig in and start peeling back the layers of the onion. It would be really cool to know what all those codes mean. You'd think that the Unicomp folks would have some knowledge of this.

I wonder how you repair this kind of switch. I have a IBM RT board (the early square silver label variety) and many of the keys don't register easily. I'm not sure if it's soarer's converter or the electrical contacts.

I think those are replacements...

From my understanding (I have talked to them before myself) when in requested the numeric Function key set. They were super kind enough to do them! Apparently they did a larger batch because after I requested I found them on their site for sale. However, as nice as their sales and support people are...

Here here for a full size nova touch. Don't Cooler Master folks lurk here? Where is the full sized nova touch????

They IMHO are the best boards, as far as mechanism goes. I'm biased I guess. I've typed on them for 22 years. First was an M2 in 1993 that came with my first computer an IBM PS/1 (age 15), then I got an 1391401 in 1996 and have used it ever since. Best boards ever. Just spent a bank on a Topre HiPro...

Yeah I'm not sure about the whole label situation. I'll use key words like "my observation" to open a door for someone to correct me. So please someone chime in and tell me if that's a good assumption or not!

Now that we have identified 3 specimens of the same PC-compatible controller, it seems like we have discovered a new species here. :) That is, this PCB has as socket and a tape-covered EEPROM instead of a normal chip found on normal late '85 early '86 1388032, 1390120, 1390131, etc. This is a new '8...

Oh wow, just saw your reply here... That date makes that guy a very very very early model! I've seen two old boards that folks have labeled "prototype": clickykeyboards: http://www.clickeykeyboards.com/model-m-gallery/preliminary-draft-august-1985-model-m-keyboard-30-years-old/ eTwentyNine: https://...

I'm in central US. It took only 4 days to arrive, totally shocked at that. I paid out my nose for it. But my "logic" if that's what you want to call it was "spend a little more once and save money in the long run so you won't buy more..." Like that'll ever happen, lol.

I just got a HiPro-UK (the Korean variant). I didn't get knocked with a customs penalty (got from widebasket on eBay). It's 45g also. I think it would be much better as a 55g. I find myself accidentally pressing left home keys with my left hand as it rests above the board. I've come from 20 years on...

Date codes on chips of the bottom board date it to late '88. The top board looks like an original run AT board. The bottom board looks like perhaps a remanufactured board. The plate has date codes consistent with original boards but the PCB has clearly had new components attached. The PROM on the "p...

I don't hate MX. I hate bullshit! There's a subtle difference. Follow your nose! MX is okay. Cherry did a good job adapting it to clicky and tactile versions in a couple of weights. Then they sat on it for a long, long time. While China woke up and started cloning them, first badly, but now better ...

Okay so it arrived today. S. Korea to Houston, TX in 4 days. I'm a bit surprised! Typing on it now. Reminder that I've been pretty much a Model M user for the past 20 years, when not using an M, I've used an F-122. Never owned a Cherry board, I have a few Apple AEK and AEKII. I liked those boards a ...

I just discovered widebasket myself on eBay last week...hunting for a source of the 104UK..thought I'd discovered a secret...then I find this thread... :) His auction had expired but I contacted him and he was able to acquire more to sale. I think when he reopened the auction, he sold 2 boards. He i...

This is a really cool board!!! Did you say that it was missing the sticker on the back? While that's a shame, something really cool about these is that they have TONS of things that help you identify when they were made. Looking at your pictures, I say this board is from late '85 to mid '86. If I ha...

My first keyboard ever was a buckling spring M2 that came with my very first computer, an IBM PS/1, in 1993. I had fond memories of it. But, that being said, I obtained another board more recently and almost tossed my lunch right on it when I started typing with it. I like the look and size, however...

(Double posted)

They are rubber dome but very solid feeling. I use IBM model F and model M daily (to give you a clue of my taste) and I like the feel of this board. It is very tactile. I have one myself.

That board (you just posted a picture of) do you know who manufactured it? It looks like it shares the same DNA as my '86 edition, in that the keycaps and body molding looks almost identical (the caps, the bottom body, speaker grille, etc.) It looks like an evolution of my board. One more thing-- I ...

Update: I now have it working. Soarer v1.12 with Teensy 2.0. USB port fit right in opening for cable. I've attached some pics. This board is the original RT board from '86. ICs inside have date codes from late '85. The board looks like a cross breed between a Model F 122, Model M 101, and Wheelwrite...

Okay I found one of these elusive IBM RT boards. It is identical to this one, even has a cable! http://deskthority.net/photos-f62/ibm-rt-e57888-t4101.html After seeing that Soarer added support for the IBM RT boards with v1.11 of his converter, I got this thing. I have not received it yet however, s...

That model M is an AT keyboard, not a terminal model. You can plug that thing right into a pc if you have a model M PS/2 cable laying around.

I think the feel is like others have suggested, more about the springs and sliders. I have an April 1986 M and it is the stiffest board of all I've touched. It seems like brand new. I've tore apart and rebuilt a few and I think the plate has not much impact on feel unless rivets are missing. Plate h...

You guys looking for testers for this new board?

Speaking of which: what's the preferred material for patching up / replacing a flaky Model F's foam? My Kishsaver needs a spring replaced and I'm shy to take it apart with that stuff flaking as much around the edges. I've been asking myself the same question. I dimly recall seeing a post on this or...

The terminal boards are the only F boards with a modern ANSI style layout. Those would require a bit of work to convert to true ANSI, would they not? I'm referring to the short left shift and big enter key. I just got done converting an M-122, and it was a pain because you have to bolt mod it in th...

If you want a really nice model F with a good layout, and have plenty of desk space, you cannot beat the "super-carrier" 122-key terminal model F. Go get a teensy and convert it to USB with soarers converter. I have two of these and they are a dream to type on. The size and weight make them very sol...

They can produce custom keys with any word you want. They actually have a machine that prints out a template that they then use to do dye sub with. It is a manual process, and different than how they produce their normal dye sub keys that are produced all at once (per keyboard layout). The quality i...