deskthority

That’s great news. I am not normally a custom board guy… but if you are going to offer a full-size ANSI Keymacs kit with a full-size ANSI layout, I got some blue Alps stashed just for such an occasion!

Wait, does it mean that there is a full-size ANSI 104 keyset available for purchase? And/or a full-size or TKL keyboard with ANSI layout?

UnrealKeyboards made a custom dye sublimated keyset for my Topre (middle board in the picture), which required a lot of trial an error but ended up looking very nice. I even used the C-stock keycaps from this project to make an extra keyset for my TKL, because even the C-stock with its imperfection...

John Doe wrote: ↑

07 Apr 2024, 02:45

You also need put a classic Acer KB101 there!!!

Yeah, I keep looking for one of these, or, better yet, the black Deltagold variant. In a good condition these are real unicorns.

I also got lucky on eBay with an FK-2002. Definitely a project board: some parts (cover, AT/XT switch) were missing, there are a few rusty spots on the plate, a couple of switches weren't consistently registering, pad-printed keycaps were showing a lot of shine, and one of the plastic standoffs hold...

I finally found a DC-3014 that did not cost an arm and a leg and was in a good cosmetic condition - outside, that is. The plate was extremely dirty and rusty; this was the first time I have seen cobwebs woven in between keycaps and switches. Yet, funnily enough, the Alps in it still feel OK, so even...

As far as pad printing colors, I would love an option of a bilingual or trilingual set with white, red, and blue legends.

xxhellfirexx wrote: ↑

25 Feb 2024, 23:33

Maybe more sellers should try this strategy to get more views.

Review: “The tactility is awful! What is the tactile element made of, silicone? I’ve typed on rubber domes that felt better than this!”

Rayndalf wrote: ↑

23 Feb 2024, 21:59

SKCM/SKCL are very easy to open with the right technique.

They are, but the "Monterey" switches are a whole different thing.

I wondered if there are any common remedies to bring them back to life? You can try the method that sometimes works on dusty Alps: get a Datavac blower or some canned air and blow into the switch through the plunger while pressing and depressing it repeatedly. If that does not work… they are notori...

Nice. 3014 is such a great board: blue Alps, sturdy chassis, a roomy case that amplifies sound, ANSI layout… one day I am hoping to get one and outfit it with key caps from SGI Granite.

Thanks everyone for detailed replies, this is good to know.
Does anyone know if xwhatsit controller on the Repro F keyboards have enough EEPROM memory to implement this functionality without too much of a pain?

Does anyone know what prevents modern QMK/VIA/Vial-compatible keyboards from having onboard programming/remapping? Like, is there a hardware limitation that would prevent using having one of the buttons programmed as a "Remap/Program/Record Macro" and allow the user to program macros or remap keys o...

I finally installed Vial on my F77 to make some layout changes, and I have to say I am impressed. I mentally prepared myself for going through the same PITA I went through with QMK, but everything was much quicker and more painless than I expected. From what I understand, the command file (flash-all...

Why buy one with a square badge for 130 Euro if you can buy one with an oval badge for a measly $3599.99?
https://www.ebay.com/itm/375098291844

I would like some as well. Without knowing the price, I am not sure how much I can buy though.

An exceptionally clean Leading Edge DC-2214. Unfortunately, unknown if blue or white Alps.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/204560544360

Interesting. At one point I tried putting a blank 24C16 chip into one of my Gen4 keyboards (can't remember which one though) and it didn't work. Maybe it wasn't formatted/erased correctly? At one point I emailed Michael Lueck (who used to repair Omnikeys before Bob Tibbetts) and he said that the chi...

engr - when you took the chips from the Prime/Stellar and tried putting them into the Northgate-branded keyboards, do you mean the 40-pin controller chip or the 8-pin memory chip, or both? When you did that, did the Northgate keyboards work normally except for not being able to program them through...

Muirium wrote: ↑

17 Nov 2023, 21:11

If it’s rubberdome: bounce it back!

Did AT101W ever come with rubber domes? I've never seen one like this, and the wiki doesn't mention them either.

Correct me if I'm wrong, but the difference between the black and orange alps mostly comes down to the slider, click leaf and possibly the spring isn't it? Wouldn't it then be simpler to switch (no pun intended) those between the Dell AT101W switches and the ones in the AEK and achieve the same thi...

Yes, there are differences. I think the earliest ones have salmon ALPS and also PBT key caps - these are highly desirable. I think that the PBT caps outlasted the salmon switches by some time, but my memory may be weak on all this. But these were AT101, not AT101W. I'm pretty sure all the variants ...

Some Omnikey boards had passthrough PS/2 ports though I am not sure how exactly they worked. Unfortunately, those versions did not have Windows keys.

I have successfully transplanted an EEPROM chip from Avant Prime into Avant Stellar (or was it the other way around?), and both functioned OK in terms of programmability. However, when I tried transplanting these chips into Northgate-branded Ultra-TP or 101P, the programmability did not work. That i...

It's a shame KBParadise slopped selling the DIY Alps kit. That was a nice modern Alps platform for those who like the TKL-sized boards.

I want a clicky full size or AT layout alps board with clean switches (ideally new, but I'll take what I can get) for $150. What do we reckon I can get? You can get a NOS or a very clean beige Dell AT101W, but it will be tactile (black Alps), not clicky. Here's one that has already been partially c...

Has anyone figured out a good way to modify Alps PCBs for hot-swapping? I think there was some discussion or even an IC years ago either here or on GH but I don't know what came out of it.

The prices for these industrial Model M's are getting crazier and crazier. $1,099 for one with a black oval badge.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/186163841713

The most objective measure of tactility would be something along these lines: Tactility = (force drop at tactile event)/(peak force) By that measure, buckling springs are somewhere around 30-50% (I'd have to check the HaaTa's measurements for the exact number). Chyros mentioned some unnamed Alps clo...