Sun Keyboards

[terrpn]

question..........i know these are RD, so please forgive me- but other than a ps2-usb converter these will work on a pc right?

were there ever any sun's that were alps? i thought i read somewhere that type 3's were?

[Findecanor]

From the Wiki:

Sun Type 3. OAK linear switches.
Sun Type 4. Key Tronic capacitive switches.
Sun Type 5. Standard Fujitsu rubber dome internals. High-quality keycaps.
Sun Type 6. Standard Fujitsu rubber dome design in Sun's layout.
Sun Type 7. Standard Fujitsu rubber dome design in Sun's layout.

AFAIK, Type 7 and some Type 6 were USB.
Before that there was a proprietary protocol based on RS-232. There are a few DIY adapter schematics and source code available, to which there should be a link to on the Wiki somewhere.

I heard not long ago also that Sun would have licensed Apple's ADB protocol, but I can't confirm that. I know that Sun did had some deeper cooperation in the '90s - for instance, I have seen Mac programs run on a SparcStation, but I have never seen any Sun keyboard with ADB. I don't know about Sun mice or other peripherals, though..

[terrpn]

thanks!!

so then there should be no problem running a type 5 on a pc then?

[Findecanor]

No, you would need an adapter for a Type 5. Check the wiki.

[terrpn]

got it

thank you

[dorkvader]

In addition to that the sun 1 keyboard is either a keytronic (VT100 layout) or a microswitch hall effect (model 103SD32-2 specifically). I haven't' found too much info on the Type2, but it appears to use oak switches like the type3.

here is another source

THe Sun 1 manual has this to say about it:

"SUN-1 SYSTEM REFERENCE MANUAL



Page 9



(1) The Micro 5vitch 103SD30-2, a microcomputer-based Hall Effect key-
board which has been modified to produce full up/down keystroke
encoding.

(2) The KeyTronic model P2W , a low-profile keyboard meeting German
ergonomic requirements and featuring the DEC VT-100 key layout.

Though one source seems to indicate a micro switch keyboard was available for the sun2 alongside the oak keyboard.

[terrpn]

bummer though............even though it is a hybrid RD the type 5 is a great looking keyboard IMOP

seeing the type 7's r usb can i assume they will run on a pc?

just looking to switch up my office KB with something that is quiet, people can't take a joke

[terrpn]

since i am here asking.........if a type 7 (or even a 6) will function on a "pc" then are type 5 and type 7 keycaps interchangeable?

[terrpn]

so after a little digging around it seems like the type 6 and type 7 (usb) will function on a regualar pc vs the unix, etc. like the old type 5's............albeit many of the function keys to the left, etc. will not work.

still trying to decipher though if type 5 and 7 keycaps for the most part can be swapped?

[Findecanor]

still trying to decipher though if type 5 and 7 keycaps for the most part can be swapped?

On the Type 5, the Lock keys and Compose have LEDs in them and those keys fit only special sliders, but those sliders should fit in a standard shaft.
I think that Type 7 has the exact same type of sliders, but I am not entirely sure. I don't know about stabilisers.
Also make sure that you get the same layout on the Type 5 and 7 - as both exist in Unix layout and in PC layout, and I think that some versions may have Alt and Meta swapped compared to others.
Nice keycaps on the Type 5.

You might have to do some Autohotkey remapping to get the keys in the Function cluster to work. I think Windows recognizes other USB codes than Sun does.

[terrpn]

right..........

thank you- you have been a great source of info

from what i can see it looks like they are all fujitsu, however you are correct that the led keys are different and am not sure abt the stabs

i found a shot from ripsters page, etc. of a sun with fujitsu switches

i don't know if the type 5 are pbt, ds or not but they sure look nice

[Findecanor]

i don't know if the type 5 are pbt, ds or not but they sure look nice

I did a quick acetone test on a keycap from my Type 5, and it passed!
My Type 5's space bar is a bit more yellowed than the others, but I did not test that.

[terrpn]

no kidding!

thank you for checking