deskthority

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

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

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.

Ascaii wrote: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?

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

The key caps aren't a uniform profile.

Case looked like model f, anyway I bought one.

Anymore thoughts on this?

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

Not compatible with modern computers, though.

bhtooefr wrote: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?

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

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

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.

fossala wrote: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

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

Parak wrote: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?

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

How do you know?

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.

Parak wrote: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?

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.

Still on the hunt for a model f then.

Oh man, how did I miss this?

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.

Mine should be with me in a couple of weeks.

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