A proposal for a new SSK

[M'er Forever]

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[matt3o]

Yeah, that's how I fancy myself, exactly! In the late 80's I was one of the "kickstarters" who motivated Intel to reveal their "math error"...

SNIP

well it seems we have quite the man

PS: I was referring to this of course http://www.kickstarter.com/ for financing the project

[M'er Forever]

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[M'er Forever]

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[Muirium]

Kickstarter is all the rage. It's got a good few hardware projects off the ground, too. But beware the need for gaining attention before running a campaign there. Kickstarter is where you go once you've all the pieces and budgets in place, and need the vital spark to get it running.

[M'er Forever]

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[M'er Forever]

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[M'er Forever]

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[Kurk]

Nice as always...
But I was wondering if a dedicated eject key is really necessary. Shouldn't that be in a secondary layer? Besides, how long do you think the eject key will be present on Mac keyboards? Most Apple computers don't have a built-in optical drive anymore.

[Muirium]

Exactly. My MacBook Pro right here doesn't have an Eject key, as it has no drives to eject. Neither does the new Mac Pro! Apple's killing optical drives with fire. Might as well keep the function key spacing right, in three groups of four instead. Yes, there's still EJECT keys on Apple's external keyboards, but don't count on those lasting long! Eject is Command+E on Macs anyway, so it's always been a touch superfluous.

Incidentally, Macs have a few more differences besides the Command and Option modifiers:

I highlighted these three keys for 7bit, which differ from their ISO UK counterparts on the PC. Apple's version of ANSI US is right in line with your renders, with the notable exception being that the function row extends above the arrow keys:

Macs have no use for Print Screen, Pause etc. so just remap them to F13 and beyond instead. Don't think many people use these, however. I can't go beyond F12 on my laptop or Bluetooth keyboard anyway.

You might have also spotted that Macs don't use Insert either. That's become the Fn key on modern full size USB keyboards. It could be a nice touch on an SSK, to enable media keys and F keys to share the function row, just as Apple does.

[snoopy]

Hell freezes over before Unicomp releases a new SSK

[M'er Forever]

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[M'er Forever]

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[M'er Forever]

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[Muirium]

The EJECT key could just as easily be a SLEEP key or some other function. There is no compelling need to put the F keys in 3 groups of 4 each IMO. I honestly can't imagine that causing problems for anyone, and it's the way Apple did it.

Even as a veteran Mac user, I much prefer the function keys to be grouped. It really does help me find my way around without looking. Apple's keyboards are all unnecessarily cramped up there. My SSK, meanwhile, feels roomy in comparison. Indeed, I rely on the backlight on my MacBook Pro largely when fiddling around with those keys. They just run into each other too much. And aren't even the same width as the number row beneath them!

Apple's USB keyboard isn't a great starting point, by the way. >75% of Macs sold are laptops, which all use the smaller layout, and Apple's desktops ship with the Bluetooth TKL by default. I rarely see Apple's full-size board. Most people either go with the little one or use a third party keyboard.

The ideal place for a power key is the top right, full stop. (That's what I do with my SSK and custom boards.) No need to change the physical layout at all that way.

By the way, I liked the alternate views your first renders had. A side or perspective view can tell a different story from the straight overhead version. Mix 'em up! Both have their advantages.

[M'er Forever]

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[matt3o]

less renders, more keyboards

[M'er Forever]

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[Muirium]

I post because I am keen that you get somewhere with this project. The SSK badly needs to make a comeback!

One SLEEP key is enough, as that's what Macs do nowadays, and USB doesn't have complete support for turning on a computer from cold. (A subject that's been discussed before here, it's really down to the host's USB and not the keyboard.) Pressing that key brings up a menu on OS X for sleep, shut down and restart anyway.

[wcass]

Regarding function keys placement, my hands know that F4 and F5 are left and right of the first cluster devisor.

"Eject" could be placed where "Insert" is on the PC or (if you want to keep Fn) as a chord such as Fn + Esc.

[wcass]

less renders, more keyboards :D :P

I'll drink to that -- of course, I'll drink to just about anything... :lol:
But alas, I can't make these, I can only draw them... :(

I have a crazy idea; lets make one.

Yes, the first one would be expensive. But if everyone watching and posting here were to donate some cash to see that this gets done – it would get done. We also have some skilled programmers, designers, builders, and problem solvers here. When it is done, we can show it around for some time and then raffle it off to those that helped create.

[M'er Forever]

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[M'er Forever]

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[snoopy]

Why even redesign the original SSK? In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful keyboards ever made. I love every edge and every curvature on it. It has that retro charm, but it doesn't look "too" retro. It still looks good in an modern environment; outstanding, but not incongruous.

I'm not sure if a new designed SSK can ever gain so much interest like the original.

If I had a wish: Unicomp builds the ssk in its original design, with the same plastic (not that cheap new stuff). They add a new, more modern controller. Offer it in iso and ansi with different keysets (blank, printed, color-variations). And offer it in the original beige, industrial and additionally in black.


To be honest, I would also buy a redesigned tkl bs keyboard, but I think it couldn't replace the original in my heart.

[M'er Forever]

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[snoopy]

Why even redesign the original SSK? In my opinion it is one of the most beautiful keyboards ever made. I love every edge and every curvature on it. It has that retro charm, but it doesn't look "too" retro. It still looks good in an modern environment; outstanding, but not incongruous.
Well, I won't argue with you on this point. But a new and tasteful style might help gain new customers who have no prior experience with, or perhaps no knowledge of, the original. Commercial and corporate accounts are very important to Unicomp and I suspect many of their big customers want something "fresher" and more contemporary-looking in their offices.

To be honest, I would also buy a redesigned tkl bs keyboard, but I think it couldn't replace the original in my heart.

So if you don't already have one of the originals, buy one when you find a nice one on eBay or elsewhere, just so you have one of these little beauties in your possession. I do have a number of extra SSK's (some new and some used) that I'll be selling in the near future, but I'm not quite ready to part with them yet. If and when the new one comes out and if you also like it, buy one of those as well. If Unicomp chooses to use my design, you'll be able to say you had the "privilege" of discussing the new design with the guy who designed it! (for whatever that's worth, of course )

I currently have six SSKs. My calculation (not 100% serious): If every one of them lasts 10 years, then I have enough SSKs for the rest of my life. (But I wouldn't say no to a cheap one, an industrial one or a nib one)

If they really make one with your design, I will buy two of them and get one autographed by you and display it in a showcase.

[Muirium]

(But I wouldn't say no to a cheap one, an industrial one or a nib one)

I have one original SSK. That's enough… with the same list of exceptions! I like building my own keyboards, see, and I really like my Kishsaver too. (Soon to be turned to USB, I hope!)

I'd get one of these new ones, though. Especially in good colours. Not a truckload of them, mind.

[M'er Forever]

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[M'er Forever]

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[M'er Forever]

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