Great/Interesting Finds

[thefarside]

Not sure what the switches are like but here’s a Datacomp / Dauphin DCK-84 with tall black SKFR alps:
https://www.ebay.com/itm/255989407026

[Dingster]

The prices for DC-3014s are getting insane. A few years ago you could get a NOS one in that price range.

Just because someone is asking an absurd amount doesn't mean that's the price. You have people asking over 1000$ for ordinary model Ms and that's not an "absurdly priced board"

[engr]

Just because someone is asking an absurd amount doesn't mean that's the price.

Yes, but DC-3014 have actually been sold on eBay at pretty steep prices recently, like $500 or so.

[TessierAshpool]

Found this thing on Japanese yahoo auctions:
https://www.jauce.com/auction/x1060733880

i-img1200x596-1660620653rrnedj396887.jpg

Its way too expensive for my taste but it appears to be a touch screen IBM with editable layout

Whoa, never seen one of those before! Any idea what kind of connector that is?

[Muirium]

Whoa, never seen one of those before! Any idea what kind of connector that is?

Looks to be a (regular IBM-issue) SDL socket:


Unusual to see it alongside a mains plug!

[webwit]

[thefarside]

I thought this IBM 2260 was interesting. Seems to use a Selectric-style mechanism instead of beam springs:

EA1084D9-D9C4-4B2F-BDD6-1E66E18498D0.jpeg (1.31 MiB) Viewed 31519 times

68FF9CC9-ABD9-48B2-BBC3-337278ADC91F.jpeg (1.49 MiB) Viewed 31519 times

Link to listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/125789594914

[Muirium]

Aw, so cute!

[Scarpia]

Wow, look at those keycaps!

[thefarside]

Symbolics keyboard:

1F96203E-B016-468F-AB08-8F00F8623368.jpeg (500.88 KiB) Viewed 29941 times

https://www.ebay.com/itm/115723621634

[inozenz]

Symbolics keyboard:
1F96203E-B016-468F-AB08-8F00F8623368.jpeg
https://www.ebay.com/itm/115723621634

im not sure, is it really worth that much? i mean there are plenty good space invader keyboards.

[thefarside]

Symbolics keyboard:
1F96203E-B016-468F-AB08-8F00F8623368.jpeg
https://www.ebay.com/itm/115723621634

im not sure, is it really worth that much? i mean there are plenty good space invader keyboards.

Not worth it for me. For the money I’d get a Keymacs version, but I’d have a hard time with the layout.

[JP!]

im not sure, is it really worth that much? i mean there are plenty good space invader keyboards.

Is it worth it? That all depends on who you ask. Anything Symbolics related is highly sought after even in bad condition. At least replacement Space Invader switches are available to refresh this keyboard. Also for someone with the actual hardware and needs a keyboard there isn't much alternative.

[thefarside]

I thought this was interesting. It looks like this F122 was converted to an M122? I first thought it was an F122 because it has the black metal bottom case:

0510AC25-8529-4632-A5A4-20A873C94018.jpeg (530.99 KiB) Viewed 29683 times

But after looking at the label it appears to be converted to a Model M:

47D96909-6C26-4CFD-8284-B1E29BD33751.jpeg (170.08 KiB) Viewed 29683 times

I don’t know much about the 122 key battleships, but am curious if that means they would have replaced the entire internal assembly, or just the PCB, foam and flippers?

Link to listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/285172996458

[JP!]

But after looking at the label it appears to be converted to a Model M:

That is wild. I've seen a number of F122's mistakenly labeled as Model M's but never one as being labeled as converted to a Model M with a specific part number. It does have the right angled keyboard cable connector that matches what a type II M122 has with this part number. Maybe it is still a Model F at heart but with slight modifications such as the controller and cable. That would be the best scenario for any prospective buyer but of course is mere speculation at this point.

[fohat]

It does have the right angled keyboard cable connector that matches what a type II M122 has with this part number. Maybe it is still a Model F at heart but with slight modifications such as the controller and cable.

That would be my guess, too. One possibility is that the controller was modified to allow the earlier Model F to work on a somewhat later processor that usually expected to be talking to a Model M.

[thefarside]

It does have the right angled keyboard cable connector that matches what a type II M122 has with this part number. Maybe it is still a Model F at heart but with slight modifications such as the controller and cable.

That would be my guess, too. One possibility is that the controller was modified to allow the earlier Model F to work on a somewhat later processor that usually expected to be talking to a Model M.

Forgive my ignorance, but do the Model F and M battleships talk to different terminals/computers? I always thought it was the switch type that differentiated between F and M, but could see the controllers also being a factor.

I asked the seller for a closeup of the barrel with the cap removed but I’m not hopeful I’ll get a response.

[JP!]

Forgive my ignorance, but do the Model F and M battleships talk to different terminals/computers? I always thought it was the switch type that differentiated between F and M, but could see the controllers also being a factor.

I asked the seller for a closeup of the barrel with the cap removed but I’m not hopeful I’ll get a response.

Not sure on all of the nuances but I think most early M122's and most F122's are generally compatible with various terminal models. The type I M122 uses the same connector (240 degree 5-pin DIN) as an F122 and the type II M122 is essentially same thing but with a right angle connector. What distinguishes an F from an M is not the switch type as they both use the famous bucking spring mechanism but rather the primary difference comes down to the internal construction. The F uses a curved metal plate and a capacitive PCB for sensing while the Model M is the later design conceived as a cost saving measure and uses a plastic barrel plate and a membrane sheet for sensing. The F uses larger black flippers and has slighly lighter springs.

wiki/IBM_122-key_terminal_keyboards
wiki/IBM_Model_F#IBM_122-key_Model_F_Keyboards

[thefarside]

I know barely a thing about Cherry MX but I remember hearing about mystical Nixie switches. Is this Nixdorf one of the mythical boards?

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Link to listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/125798286969

[kbdfr]

I know barely a thing about Cherry MX but I remember hearing about mystical Nixie switches. Is this Nixdorf one of the mythical boards?
[…]
Link to listing: https://www.ebay.com/itm/125798286969

No.
The "mythical" switches have a translucent switch top:

wiki/Cherry_MX_Black#Nixie_2

[thefarside]

Thanks! Meant to say “mythical” but didn’t catch it before posting. Damn iPhone audio transcription!

[Muirium]

You're speaking your posts? And I thought I was nutty for tapping many of mine on my phone!

Back on topic: Nixies are indeed mystical because they are superb. Supposedly, they are simply Cherry MX blacks of a certain noble vintage, with the helpful identifier of Nixdorf's mysterious demand that they all have a clear top shell. (What were they up to?) A Nixdorf board with regular black topped MX blacks may well have switches of a similarly good age, so I'd consider taking a punt on it in any case. They won't be worth nearly as much as iconic clear topped Nixies, but they may be just as good, for all I know…

[thefarside]

You're speaking your posts? And I thought I was nutty for tapping many of mine on my phone!

Yes, 99% of the time if I can (like this reply) I will speak, and I often forget to check what Siri has interpreted!

Nixie’s sound interesting and I’d take a shot at this board to see what vintage MX blacks are like, but shipping is too high for me.

[fohat]

nutty for tapping many of mine on my phone!

I will speak

Blasphemy! This is a proper KEYBOARD forum!

[thefarside]

nutty for tapping many of mine on my phone!

I will speak

Blasphemy! This is a proper KEYBOARD forum!

Sorry I should have added that it’s when I’m on my phone. Rest assured on a computer everything I write is on an alps or buckling spring, and I write often!

[Muirium]

I often forget to check what Siri has interpreted!

Nixie’s …

Impressed she understood Nixies. So impressed I’m dubious!

[thefarside]

She did! Along with Nixdorf!

[zrrion]

Blasphemy! This is a proper KEYBOARD forum!

we have a board for mice so I think clicking on an on-screen keyboard would work too

[kmnov2017]

Hahahahah
https://www.ebay.com/itm/175688521398

Spoiler:

Untitled.png (370.59 KiB) Viewed 22169 times

[Muirium]

Think how much it would cost with an Xwhatsit already installed.

Nice setting, btw.



Mine just works in front of a screen for a living.