IBM SSK Reconfigured as HHKB via KRM4MB

Hypersphere · 02 Apr 2014, 18:14

I like look of the Japanese boards, especially the TKL. It would have been nice if the right shift configuration had been reversed to make it more HHKB-like.

The small spacebar would be perfect for me; perhaps the adjacent keys could be mapped to Command.

Hypersphere · 02 Apr 2014, 18:52

Contact Unicomp. They don't normally do custom keys for anything other than single unit keycaps, but it's possible they'd be willing to set you up with what you want.

Thanks again. For the keycaps, to ensure that I am getting IBM dye-sub PBT, I have ordered some from clickykeyboards.com, and I can harvest others from IBM 122-key keyboards that I have ordered from eBay. I won't be able to have my Command keys marked "Command" or with the Apple Command logo or HHKB diamond, but I will probably use other 1.5x keys labeled with something other than "Ctrl", which I will reserve for the true Ctrl in the CapsLock space.

However, I have three SSKs to modify, and I might still be interested in doing some of them using color coding.

I heard back from Fentek, and unfortunately they are phasing out their inventory of IBM keycaps. All they have left are 1x snap caps in various colors (they are, however, continuing with Alps and Cherry keycaps, and the fellow I spoke with was a knowledgeable enthusiast).

My follow-up inquiry to Unicomp is still pending. Does anyone know what material and printing method they use for their custom keycaps? PBT and dye-sub or something else?

Muirium · 02 Apr 2014, 18:59

If their bold new project comes to fruition, you might get just what you want, because they'll be making caps for this, too:

http://deskthority.net/keyboards-f2/uni ... t7739.html

rjrich wrote:The small spacebar would be perfect for me; perhaps the adjacent keys could be mapped to Command.

Absolutely. Itty bitty space bars flanked with Command and Option on either side are exactly what I want. In fact, that's what I'm aiming at with some of my Round 5 choices.

Hypersphere · 02 Apr 2014, 20:18

Mu: We seem to share a fondness for similar features in keyboards.

Hypersphere · 02 Apr 2014, 20:22

Contact Unicomp. They don't normally do custom keys for anything other than single unit keycaps, but it's possible they'd be willing to set you up with what you want.

Hooleon.com got back to me, and their IBM keycaps in various colors are reportedly made from PBT. I will be sending them an order, and I have also placed an order with Unicomp so that I can compare products. When I get the modifications done in a week or so, I will post my results.

Hypersphere · 05 Apr 2014, 19:47

Here are some pics of the IBM SSK with some keycap swaps from a 122-key IBM terminal keyboard along with screenshots of the Mac and KRM4MB configuration windows. Although this is set up on a Mac, my IBM SSK is shared via Synergy with two other computers, one running Linux and the other running Windows. This way, the HHKB settings work on all three operating systems. To save space, the pics are behind spoiler buttons.

Right side of keyboard showing new Backslash(\) and Backspace (--->) keys. The >< key next to the Backslash is a dead key just for aesthetics. The key stem is held at the correct height by slipping a red WASD O-ring over the stem. Alt = Option, and Reset = Right Command; I didn't want to use Ctrl, because the new true Ctrl is in the former Caps Lock position. Pressing Right Command + Option = Fn, which enables HHKB functions, such as the cursor diamond, [ / ; ' .

Spoiler:

Left side of keyboard showing new Ctrl in the former Caps Lock space. Alt = Option; Enter = Left Command.

Spoiler:

Mac Keyboard Preferences Settings.

Spoiler:

KRM4MB Menu.

Spoiler:

KRM4MB Preferences.

Spoiler:

Muirium · 05 Apr 2014, 22:50

All right, I'll unbolt my 122 key and try this for myself. Its highly limited rollover might make some of your combos impossible, but I'd like to try the HHKB style options it allows.

Hypersphere · 05 Apr 2014, 23:37

Just to clarify and to be sure I understand your reply: (1) My reconfiguration was done on an IBM SSK; (2) Some of the keys that I replaced on the SSK were from an IBM 122-key terminal keyboard, which for the moment I used merely as a source of keycaps.

However, I have some questions about 122-key terminal keyboards with big DIN 5 or RJ45 connectors; I will start a separate thread regarding this.

Muirium · 05 Apr 2014, 23:43

Yes, there's a confusing coincidence. My 122 key just happens to be the only Model M that I have bolt modded. It was in a bad state before, and I took the opportunity to convert it from ISO to ANSI when I did. Since it's easy to open on up, I might as well try a few physical layout alterations just to see what that's like. Split backspace comes first to mind and I could try the split right shift trick, too, but it's not as close to the HHKB as I'd like.

Fortunately, I have a good supply of Model M caps, too.

Hypersphere · 05 Apr 2014, 23:59

Ah! Now I begin to understand. I did not attempt to do deep changes on my SSK, such as activating stabilizer barrels. The split Backspace now has a 1x Backslash (\) key. The adjacent (>) key is just a dummy key to fill the stabilizer barrel space.

It would be quite nice if the long right shift key could be split, especially if a Fn key could be placed to the far right, with its right edge aligned with the right edge of the return (enter) key. Just as God intended the Control key to be where the Caps Lock is usually located on contemporary boards, I think the best place for the Fn key is where Prof. Wada put it on the HHKB.

Hypersphere · 06 Apr 2014, 00:09

Muirium wrote:All right, I'll unbolt my 122 key and try this for myself. Its highly limited rollover might make some of your combos impossible, but I'd like to try the HHKB style options it allows.

The HHKB options are really fun. One that I particularly like is hitting Pause/Break and having my Mac pop up a window with Restart, Sleep, Cancel, or Shutdown choices!

Hypersphere · 08 Apr 2014, 17:04

Update: received printed and unprinted RGB sets along with Command/Option keys from Unicomp. Tried them out on my IBM-SSK-HHKB, but they just didn't look right (like putting lipstick on the Venus de Milo). Went back to genuine IBM keycaps harvested from standard and 122-key Model Ms. It's more fun to have a somewhat enigmatic keyboard, and it is not difficult to remember that Enter and Reset are the port and starboard Command keys, respectively.

Muirium · 08 Apr 2014, 17:24

Similarly, this is why I leave my Model Ms with their Ctrls and Alts in place. I know fine well that the keys immediately either side of the spacebar are Command. And I've become used to one Ctrl being Option while the other remains itself. Might as well just enjoy the original symmetry in legends.

Hypersphere · 09 Apr 2014, 01:35

Muirium wrote:Similarly, this is why I leave my Model Ms with their Ctrls and Alts in place. I know fine well that the keys immediately either side of the spacebar are Command. And I've become used to one Ctrl being Option while the other remains itself. Might as well just enjoy the original symmetry in legends.

When I first used a Model M (and later an SSK) with my Mac, I simply used the Mac keyboard prefs to remap Caps Lock as Command, and I left Ctrl and Alt alone. This was particularly good when switching over to Windows or Linux, as not much needed to change. More recently, in part because of the HHKB influence, I went with remapping Caps Lock to Ctrl. Then, to be consistent with the Mac, I also swapped Ctrl and Alt and made them Command and Option, respectively. Therefore, my symmetry on either side of the spacebar is Alt(Opt), Command, Spacebar, Command, Alt(Opt). However, because my Right Command + Right Option = Fn, I decided to use keycaps with different labels for right and left Command.

This remapping/reconfiguring exercise has given me an even greater appreciation of the IBM Model M (and its SSK variant) because of its flexibility. In particular, I was able to swap Backspace and Backslash and find IBM keycaps appropriate for the remapping. I have tried to do this with my other keyboards to no avail. (BTW, one other keyboard of which I am aware enables a remapping and keycap swap for Backslash and Backspace -- the Filco Minila. I do not own this keyboard, but I give it an appreciative nod because of this feature. If it didn't have a 1x right shift, I might consider acquiring one).