Anybody familiar with this chinese IBM keyboard?

[discord]

Anybody know the switch type? Can these keyboards even be used anymore? That looks like a db-9 connector is this a serial keyboard? If so how does serial compare to PS/2 or AT ?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/150955754989?ss ... 1438.l2649

[discord]

can anybody hazard a guess about the era / interface / switch type, etc.

[Ascaii]

Never seen it, but it reminds me of the japanese ones...buy one now. Sadly, he wants ridiculous amounts to ship to europe, so I cannot buy one.

[guilleguillaume]

Never seen it, but it reminds me of the japanese ones...buy one now. Sadly, he wants ridiculous amounts to ship to europe, so I cannot buy one.

Yes, he asks for 54,95$ for shipping to europe.

Are those buckling spring?

[Ascaii]

I suspect yes. The 2 piece relegendables remind me of the relegendales for Model M that I owned. I believe there is a reasonable chance it is BS or ALPS. I could also be hammer over dome like the board that ended up on clickykeyboards: http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cf ... /id/551026

Pictures of various IBM boards: http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/mys ... -t123.html
http://www.clickykeyboards.com/index.cf ... /id/551026

[fossala]

The key caps aren't a uniform profile.

[fossala]

Case looked like model f, anyway I bought one.

[fossala]

Anymore thoughts on this?

[bhtooefr]

99% sure, if it's what I think it is, it's a Model F.

Not compatible with modern computers, though.

[fossala]

99% sure, if it's what I think it is, it's a Model F.

Not compatible with modern computers, though.

Yay, won't Soarer's converter work?

[bhtooefr]

Soarer's converter converts from Set 1, 2, or 3 to USB HID.

This ain't set 1, 2, or 3, AFAIK.

[fossala]

Maybe someone else bought one to make a converter, otherwise I will just see if I can trade for a 122 or at model f.

[Ascaii]

Maybe someone else bought one to make a converter, otherwise I will just see if I can trade for a 122 or at model f.

If you dont want to keep it, and if its a BS, I will be glad to make you an offer of stuff you cannot refuse xD

[bhtooefr]

Also, OMG, I just noticed something.

SPHERICALS.

If this is a Model F with sphericals...

The confusing part, though, is the very Model M-like speaker grille.

[REVENGE]

It's rather interesting that they chose a slightly modified layout and new casing for the Chinese market.

Fortunately, if it's what bhtooefr thinks it is, then soarer already has what he needs to work on a converter for it.

[bhtooefr]

It's actually got an additional column.

I'm not sure what it is now. The 611 part number might be a red herring, here.

I'm 99% sure it's for the system that I think it's for, but I wouldn't be surprised if it's a Model M or, worse, a dome.

Had I seen it when they were available, I'd have bought one, though.

And, if it actually is sphericals for an F, that would be highly interesting.

[fossala]

I have asked the seller if it makes a click when pressed.

[Multiple]

Ops, didn't see the stickers, it's chinese, nwm.

[Parak]

Not BS. They are the old linear alps with the tall stems. Still quite rare and unusual to be sure.

[fossala]

Not BS. They are the old linear alps with the tall stems. Still quite rare and unusual to be sure.

How do you know? What alps, got a link?

[Parak]

These alps (pic is not of this specific board)(pic courtesy of HaaTa):

[fossala]

How do you know?

[Parak]

One might say that... is an ancient chinese secret.

Seriously though, I happened to be at the right place at the right time to find out about these boards only a few days ago. Them showing up on ebay was entirely unexpected, as I fully expected the initial discovery to be the only extant stash of these boards.

[fossala]

One might say that... is an ancient chinese secret.

Seriously though, I happened to be at the right place at the right time to find out about these boards only a few days ago. Them showing up on ebay was entirely unexpected, as I fully expected the initial discovery to be the only extant stash of these boards.

OK, thanks. The switches aany good?

[Parak]

You'd have to ask HaaTa, but like with most other switches it's probably going to be a YMMV :p

Also I take no credit for the original discovery of these boards, just the identification.

[fossala]

Still on the hunt for a model f then.

[Half-Saint]

Oh man, how did I miss this?

[webwit]

It's an interesting board. I banned ebay/paypal, but if anyone who got one gets bored with it, I'd be interested in it. Btw, the keycaps seem to look very much like those on beam spring keyboards.

[fossala]

Mine should be with me in a couple of weeks.

[webwit]

Ah, my importer. You don't like this keyboard. Bleh, it sucks.