Model MF - GB CLOSED

Pick our controller... Voting ends on Friday

The mini-xWhatsit that WCass shrunk down. It uses the same mini-controller design as Ellipse's F62/77, but with a connector meant to slip onto our PCB (inverted running parallel to the backplate)
19
31%
The CommonSense that DMA has recently put together. This is young yet, but has the most long term promise (not a question). It will have a very similar connector (possibly perpendicular vs. parallel slip-on mount)
43
69%
 
Total votes: 62

User avatar
E TwentyNine

19 Dec 2016, 22:08

Is that newline and extra quote intentional on the Soarer sticker?

(Edit: see the extra quote is outside the bound box, so that doesn't matter....)

User avatar
lot_lizard

19 Dec 2016, 22:14

E TwentyNine wrote: Is that newline and extra quote intentional on the Soarer sticker?
It is... :ugeek:-ing it up a bit. The one to the left (outside the red line) is a mirror image of the image in every direction they must be using to eliminate any screw-ups with white space on the user's end. Ignore it.

But yes... "On the Shoulders of Giants.\n"; was the desire

User avatar
lot_lizard

20 Dec 2016, 03:42

Can I ask a favor... as much as anything so that it is not me doing it... can someone make i$ an avatar? I have put something together as a fun little gift to everyone that participated in the GB, but I need everyone to have an avatar to make it work. I would make him something, but would prefer someone else did it "just cuz". Doesn't have to be legendary or anything, and I doubt he will ever use it, but since he is tied up for a while... he is either going to be left out (I don't want), or he needs an avatar. Just something simple that makes it obvious who it is.

If you feel more comfortable PMing me with whatever you come up with, that is fine too. I appreciate the help in advance.

User avatar
Darkshado

20 Dec 2016, 08:17

lot_lizard wrote: I need everyone to have an avatar to make it work.
Didn't have one either, took a quick photo of one of my red «Échap» (Esc) keycaps, if you need something with more contrast let me know. (I have a yellow Pause cap with more punch.)

FWIW, I vaguely recall a series of logo sketches from a project I$ was involved in, but couldn't find them using the DT search engine.

User avatar
POTV

20 Dec 2016, 11:16

Avatar as requested :-)

User avatar
tentator

20 Dec 2016, 21:34

i$.png
i$.png (813 Bytes) Viewed 5266 times
ahaha :)

User avatar
Phenix
-p

20 Dec 2016, 22:18

Image

Maybe change the text/remove it ;)

User avatar
lot_lizard

21 Dec 2016, 01:45

hahaha... I have never spoken with i$ on the phone, but this is my impression... am I close?!?

Image

Playing. The reason for the avatar request is a couple of fold. I have one little sticker to celebrate our accomplishments as a group (think it turned out nice thanks to chzel). The second... I want to experiment a little. I want to use this opportunity to play a little more in the laser engraving space: other-f61/laser-engraving-key-caps-t148 ... ilit=laser

Each of you that participated in the GB will get an etched cap with your avatar similar to the following on the left (likely a 1u though). Not sure the color just yet, could be random. It gives me an excuse to experiment with numerous images and let me really dial that process in. Hopefully they produce nice results.

Image

User avatar
Techno Trousers
100,000,000 actuations

21 Dec 2016, 01:55

lot_lizard wrote: Each of you that participated in the GB will get an etched cap with your avatar similar to the following on the left (likely a 1u though). Not sure the color just yet, could be random. It gives me an excuse to experiment with numerous images and let me really dial that process in. Hopefully they produce nice results.
Wow, that is super cool!! Even if it doesn't turn out perfectly, it'll be a unique little piece of keyboard bling.

User avatar
ohaimark
Kingpin

21 Dec 2016, 02:14

Funny thing... You'll be dying an IBM style cap and lasering an IBM XT A onto it. :roll:

User avatar
lot_lizard

21 Dec 2016, 02:14

Techno Trousers wrote: Even if it doesn't turn out perfectly, it'll be a unique little piece of keyboard bling.
If it turns out completely ghetto for a given avatar, I'll reach out to that person asking if they would like to try something else. Again, when I thought about it... this was a great way to dial in that engraving process. It is currently SUPER close, but 5% differences in several areas I could tweak might make improvements, and I appreciate the opportunity to dial it in.

User avatar
Colnor

21 Dec 2016, 03:07

If it pans out, put me down for a lot_lizard cap! I work for an appraisal firm that does truck stops...er, provides valuation services...uh, just send the cap please

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Darkshado

21 Dec 2016, 04:51

That means I've got roughly the same problem as ohaimark... I'll try to think of something.

User avatar
Techno Trousers
100,000,000 actuations

21 Dec 2016, 05:07

ohaimark wrote:Funny thing... You'll be dying an IBM style cap and lasering an IBM XT A onto it. :roll:
You'll be allowed to put it anywhere on your MF. Except in the "A" position.

User avatar
POTV

21 Dec 2016, 09:28

Perhaps the personal avatar keycaps could match the number of bought M/F's - against additional payment?

User avatar
alh84001
v.001

21 Dec 2016, 09:50

This is a gift that just keeps on giving. For those using those positions between ctrl and alt this is just a godsend.

User avatar
Phenix
-p

21 Dec 2016, 11:58

if used for the 1us between ALT/CTRL:
I can imagine a second, mirrored image would look awesome (for some avatars)

andrewjoy

21 Dec 2016, 13:11

I don't have an avatar , as far as i know :P i have them disabled.

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E TwentyNine

21 Dec 2016, 13:18

Wow. Great idea, thanks for doing it!

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micrex22

21 Dec 2016, 19:30

lot_lizard wrote: but I need everyone to have an avatar to make it work.
Oooh, if that's the case it's time for the Maxi-Man.
He fights crime, establishes world peace and ensures your foam and foil keeps-on foaming-- he's.. Maxi-Man.
tentator wrote:
i$.png
ahaha :)
Nice.
Spoiler:
I remember when ClearType was announced as some revolutionary technology and Bill Gates was proclaiming how amazing it is; just like MIcrosoft Bob. Except, all it does is smudge fonts with red and blue. First thing I turn off when I install Windows on something.

https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/Typogra ... eInfo.aspx

andrewjoy

21 Dec 2016, 19:33

Clear type did help on early poor quality LCD screens.

With a modern display or the kind of hardware smoothing a CRT does its pointless.

User avatar
Ray

21 Dec 2016, 19:52

if it helped with LCDs, it was early subpixel rendering then? I mean subpixel rendering is still a thing on modern TFTs (at least on mine...)

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livingspeedbump
Not what they seem

21 Dec 2016, 22:18

Well, it was time for a new avatar haha.

The only GB that gives you MORE than you ordered. No complaints about that haha.

User avatar
tentator

22 Dec 2016, 00:05

you see very nice avatars popping up very quickly! :)
anyway I also kind of find cleartype very funny especially with console fonts on a terminal window!!
I of course love 3270 terminal fonts.. one of my favourite fonts on terminals is the original amber on black of the old ampex terminals.. I thin the 210 series or so.. have to search.. most probably that font is now lost together with that term unfortunately..

of course not even close to some emulated ones try to simulate:
Spoiler:
Image
edit: found an ad of it

User avatar
tentator

22 Dec 2016, 01:45

I've a question, also to go back on topic.. :)

The real plate will actually have at least one hole more than what I see on the picture on the first post, right? More or less where the red circle is, right?
IMG_8071.jpg
IMG_8071.jpg (1.72 MiB) Viewed 4973 times
Most probably also another hole under the space bar for that famous code key and maybe even a third for the space key next to the code key, am I right?

Basically I'd like to know if you have precise measurements of that bottom row, since I'm still fighting here with my unicomp based MF conversion (short space bar, menu key, 1.25 winkeys, actually also the alt keys are 1.25 unluckily!) that I'm doing in preparation for the real MF.. ;)

tent:wq

User avatar
lot_lizard

22 Dec 2016, 02:45

There are actually three new holes. Before we had 1 key (spacebar) with 2 barrels. Now we have 3 keys with 2 needing stabilizers.

Image

There are a lot of renders of the finals, but am purposely waiting until I can test our new controller with the revised PCBs I have in hand. I don't want to have to make further updates after announcing this next "final" round. I am literally holding my finger on the "buy 7 parts" button (not counting SSK/Full-Size variances), but I just need to verify the new the controller/PCB fit and function against everything.

We have refactored several things against the new controller since it is so nifty, but we want it right, and I don't like changing up things after announced as a "final". Sorry to be vague, but how I operate. Just know plans have been made to account for everything assuming it works (and we can be nimble as needed)... but won't be revealed until they are fully validated.

Again... there should be massive appreciation to WCass for turning this into something lovely (productized) on the tail end. Also, as a reminder, all unused holes in the top plate can be covered by 19mm sheet metal plugs

User avatar
fohat
Elder Messenger

22 Dec 2016, 04:14

lot_lizard wrote:
There are actually three new holes.
And to address tentator's question and to clarify (correct me if I'm wrong):

The space bar is the standard legacy 7u type, Right Shift and Code are 2.75u, Controls and Alts are legacy standard 1.5u, and the Windows keys that fit the gaps between Control and Alt are both 1u.

This is legacy Model M based gear, not those new-fangled Unicomp creations.

User avatar
Muirium
µ

22 Dec 2016, 04:25

All as it should be. This is an IBM restoration and evolution project!

For what it's worth: I'm going with the classic SSK layout for my MF. I know that layout well and it has proved itself many times in battle. As much as I like the look and concept of itty-bitty spacebars, I shine my spacebars on the right so I imagine I'd have a hard time adapting to the Code + 1.5u arrangement here. They meet right around my right thumb's hotspot. I did consider it though. Unlike those Windows keys!

As much as I appreciate the seamless bottom row layout on my Kishsaver, no way am I chopping an original SSK shell just to add extraneous modifiers. In my years on mechs, I've gotten so used to Control on Caps Lock (HHKB style, of course) that the winkeyless layout is second nature to me. Especially on the SSK. I even remap Caps Lock to Control on my modern boards so I don't drive myself nuts! It's a nice location for it.

But options are always nice. When I first got into IBMs, I'm sure I would have thought different.
lot_lizard wrote: Also, as a reminder, all unused holes in the top plate can be covered by 19mm sheet metal plugs
Speaking of which: can I have some? And how easy are they to install / remove? Just in case I get ideas someday…

andrewjoy

22 Dec 2016, 10:46

Winkeyless looks better , but the little space between control and alt is crying out for a win key one side and a Fn the other :)

User avatar
tentator

22 Dec 2016, 11:25

andrewjoy wrote: Winkeyless looks better , but the little space between control and alt is crying out for a win key one side and a Fn the other :)
Completely agree!

The unicomp work is just to warm up.. also not loving that bottom row but would live with it because im interested in the nice trackpoint possibility that case offers to me.. so will just leave the bottom row as is.. but @lot_lizard: do you know if there is some tolerance accepted if the flippers are not completely centered above the capacitive sensing area and roughly if you already tested how much off it would still register? You know maybe there is some play..

Maybe one day I will be lucky enough to get one of those industrial m with trackpoint I think from Lexmark times?

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