My new computer is a Power Macintosh G4. It doesn't have a PS/2 port.
On my PC, I used an old Wang keyboard, a model 724. I really like that
keyboard. I also have some of the IBM PS/2 Model M keyboards, the
clicky ones. I like those too. I bought a PS/2 to USB adapter, but it
would not work with the Wang keyboard. Also, with other keyboards, I
don't have an Open-Apple key (pronounced "Meta"). If I connect a PC USB
keyboard, the Windows key serves this purpose. The problem here is that
the only PC keyboards with a Windows key are the membrane type. In
other words, if I want to get a decent, yet compatible keyboard, It
looks like I'll have to build it. Besides, I love projects like these.
Ian Primus
ian_primus_at_yahoo.com
On Sunday, November 24, 2002, at 07:48 PM, Patrick Finnegan wrote:
> On Sun, 24 Nov 2002, Sark wrote:
>
>> Actually, I've been planning on building my own. I am currently
>> tracking down old, broken keyboards from terminals, etc. to get
>> keytops
>> and switches from, and I am going to canniballize a cheap PC USB
>> keyboard for it's encoder chip and associated circuitry. Basically,
>> I'm
>> going to build a new key matrix from real switches, to replace that
>> membrane and rubber disc thing modern keyboards use. I've done stuff
>> like this before, rewiring a very old PC keyboard to replace a broken
>> TRS-80 Color Computer 3 keyboard. With any luck, I'll have something
>> that won't wear out nearly as fast as others, and be comfortable to
>> type on as well. The only thing I might run into is contact bounce. I
>> don't know if there is anything in a USB keyboard to deal with this,
>> as
>> I don't think membrane keyboards have quite the problem with contact
>> bounce as mechanical switches do. Any ideas?
>
> I know Mr. Duell may not like my suggestion... but why not just find
> yourself an IBM PS/2 'clicky' keyboard and use that, plugged into the
> PS/2
> keyboard port on the back of your computer? Or are you unlucky enough
> to
> have a machine that doesn't have a PS/2 keyboard connection? Sure,
> it's
> not the same as the keyboard on, say, and ADM-3A, but it's 'more
> authentic' than modern keyboards.
>
> Of course, sometimes I like the fact that my keyboard is fairly quiet
> when
> I'm typing on it. It may still be louder than my other machines in the
> room, but it's nowhere near as obnoxious as a 'real' keybard.
>
> Pat
> --
> Purdue Universtiy ITAP/RCS
> Information Technology at Purdue
> Research Computing and Storage
> http://www-rcd.cc.purdue.edu
>
Received on Sun Nov 24 2002 - 19:20:01 GMT