IBM Model F 1397950 "Bigfoot"

webwit · 17 Feb 2011, 00:57

One of the weirdest looking IBM Model F terminal keyboards. 1994 edition by Lexmark. I named it the Bigfoot.

daedalus · 17 Feb 2011, 16:17

For those interested, this is an IBM 5291 terminal keyboard.

http://www-03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhib ... _4018.html

(The Woman's head obscures the keyboard in the picture)

Pylon · 17 Feb 2011, 23:38

I have the 21-Nov-85 833677 with pretty much the same layout (right key cluster may be different though) and same case. The three part feet are fun.

Does yours have a 15-pin connector with 1 or 2 pins missing?

Crazy9000 · 18 Feb 2011, 02:52

Is that a backspace and home right next to each other, that look almost the same (top pic)?

daedalus · 18 Feb 2011, 14:27

It's a backspace and a backtab. Technically shift + Tab on a PC keyboard is backtab, but in reality it's never used or implemented.

webwit · 19 Feb 2011, 21:57

Pylon wrote:I have the 21-Nov-85 833677 with pretty much the same layout (right key cluster may be different though) and same case. The three part feet are fun.

Does yours have a 15-pin connector with 1 or 2 pins missing?

Yep, big 15-pin connector, 1 pin missing.

Grond · 07 Mar 2012, 21:36

I may be able to get one of those for cheap. Should I?

webwit · 07 Mar 2012, 21:40

Not unless you collect IBM or have a wish to make it compatible with a modern computer.

rodtang · 07 Mar 2012, 21:58

webwit wrote:Not unless you collect IBM or have a wish to make it compatible with a modern computer.

Or just save it for the future.

7bit · 07 Mar 2012, 22:02

Going by its optics, layout and hat caps, it looks more like 1984.

Grond · 07 Mar 2012, 22:31

Maybe I could use it as a coffee table!

Icarium · 07 Mar 2012, 22:53

Grond wrote:I may be able to get one of those for cheap. Should I?

If you can get one like in the OP I'm interested.

Grond · 07 Mar 2012, 23:04

Yes, it's just like that. I'll let you know asap.
By the way, does this sport two-piece keycaps?

JBert · 08 Mar 2012, 16:47

It's likely one-piece, just like other model Fs.

I'd love some Qwerty keycaps, but shipping a few kilograms of keyboard around for just the 100 grams of plastic on top of it sounds terribly expensive.

Grond · 08 Mar 2012, 17:05

According to the wiki some model Fs have two-pieces keycaps, that's why I asked.

xbb · 08 Mar 2012, 20:33

my F terminal has two-pieces keycaps

Grond · 19 Mar 2012, 23:33

I can now confirm the Bigfoot has single piece keycaps, though.

daedalus · 22 Mar 2012, 20:19

The 122-keys were the first buckling spring board with two piece keycaps (and the only Model F keyboard I can think of that uses two piece keycaps)