A test for Haata.

[486]

I wanted to see how much Haata knows about vintage keyboards.
Haata, can you guess this keyboard? I assume you don't have it.


Anybody else is welcome to guess aswell.
hint, the bell G key is a giveaway.

[stevedreams]

[HaaTa]

Hmm, it looks familar.

Font looks like my Kaypro 1 keyboard (with SMK/Maxi Switches), but there's no texture on the keys here...
Though, the keycaps reminds me of vintage NMB/Stackpole, hmm...

*Does some quick internets searching*

Hmm, looks close to an Apple II Plus keyboard, but not quite. Perhaps a variation? Maybe an Apple clone?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/VINTAGE-APPLE-I ... 500wt_1414

It also sorta seems like my Amkey keyboard, in terms of the font and keycap shape (Foam'n'foil), but I'm edging toward more the Apple, due to the Bell key.

P.S. I don't check the forums all that much, so PM me if I'm needed for input somewhere

[The_Ed]

I googled and got "Osborne 1 keyboard". What's my prize?

[nathanscribe]

I think it probably is the Osborne, looking at the panel behind the keys. Nice work!

[486]

Well done to The_ed. The keyboard was made by Oak switch systems. Full travel. MMM.

[The_Ed]

What's my prize? Homemade cookies are fine.

[HaaTa]

Ah yes, the Osborne keyboard. Uses those Oak FTMs.
Almost picked up a Sun keyboard with those switches a while back.

Nice job The_Ed

[The_Ed]

COOKIES!...

I never would've gotten it without google. But that apple II didn't show up in my search... That was a very good guess by you as it has a BELL G key as well.

[kps]

The Apple II is bit-paired though, so it obviously wasn't that.

[486]

alright, the ed, here is a challenge.
This is open to anyone.
If you guess which keyboard this comes from, I will award you with the crown.

Code: Select all

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              _\ /_
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       .---._  /_\  _.---.
     /`.---._`{/ \}`_.---.`\
    | /   ___`{\_/}`___   \ |
    \ \."`*  `"{_}"`  *`"./ /
     \ \  )\  _\ /_  /(  / /
      \ *<()( >_X_< )()>* /
       |._)/._./_\._.\(_.|
       |() () () () () ()|
       <<o>><<o>><o>><<o>>
      `"""""""""""""""""""`

This key could come from any keyboard.
The key is doubleshot and from the early 80's.
I will give clues as to what keyboard it comes from every so often.
Front of cap.

Back of cap.


`"""""""""""""""""""`

[The_Ed]

Alright... Gimme a clue... I have no fucking idea what to search in google for that...

[486]

Clue 1: The mount is crucial. Very rare, used only for this brand. The cap is cylindrical and stepped. Also, someone mentioned one of these at GH about two months ago.

[fim]

?

[kps]

What does bit-paired mean?

It refers to how the characters are assigned to unshifted and shifted locations on the keyboard, mostly for the numeric keys.

paired.png (14.03 KiB) Viewed 6854 times

The bit-paired layout corresponds directly to ASCII codes.

ascii.jpg (65.93 KiB) Viewed 6854 times

This means that the shift key always toggles one bit of the unshifted key code, which is simple enough to do without electronics.

Teletype-ASR-33-keyboard-waiting-to-dry-300x239.jpg (21.06 KiB) Viewed 6854 times

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[nathanscribe]

@fim: can't be that, there's no matching key.

[fim]

Hm, indeed. Didn't notice that before.

[HaaTa]

I'm not familiar with this particular one.
Some extra info though.

It uses a Typewriter style keycap mount.
I own at least 2 keyboards with these (and 1 typewriter ), with the same style of mount.

IBM Beam Spring Keyboard
Vintage Cherry Linears M8? or was it M7?

Now, 486, when you say stepped, do you mean that each keycap row has different height keycaps, or that the pcb/plate/mounting is angled, or both?

Now there are some other rare keyboards that I know of and do not have:
http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~hisao/image/IMS.htm

Probably not this one, but if it is, I want it: http://www7.ocn.ne.jp/~hisao/image/gold.htm

[486]

No guesses are correct.
Clue 2: Keyboard is on an electronic typewriter. Keys are stepped the same amount but the mount is higher with every row. If it helps, the electronic typewriter is made in Japan. It is almost a clone of the selectric III. It uses a golf ball head.

[mostwanted]

Here's my guess:

Brother Correct-O-Ball XL-I

[486]

Here's my guess:

Brother Correct-O-Ball XL-I

So..so close. It is a Brother Correct O ball but not an XL 1. It looks a bit different.
Clue 3: Brother Correct o Balls are rebadged in Australia as the Super series. The typewriter is in the super series. My Brother super series typewriter starts with 7x00. The x can either be a 3, an 8 or a 9.

[The_Ed]

It has been a month so spill the beans already.

[486]

Brother Super 7800