Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!mips!pacbell.com!att!ucbvax!hplabs!hpfcso!rjn
From: rjn@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM (Bob Niland)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.hp
Subject: Re: Impressions/questions on the Hp-720 (snake)
Message-ID: <7370396@hpfcso.FC.HP.COM>
Date: 13 May 91 20:01:40 GMT
References: <126754@unix.cis.pitt.edu>
Organization: Hewlett-Packard/FSY Ft.Collins,CO,USA
Lines: 108

re: > bill@hpb.cis.pitt.edu (Bill Broadly) writes...

> Is their any keyboards of a different layout available?  (I don't want a
> foreign keyboard just a different layout).  I really don't like the
> standard keyboard:  No seperate arrow keys, strange placement of ESC, caps
> lock etc.

There are two PC-101 keyboards that will "work", but are not officially
supported (yet).  I have one of each on the two Series 300 machines that I
use, under HP-UX 7.0.  I also just tried this keyboard on a 720...

C2205A Localization kit,  $100.
Option ABA  U.S.English
Option ABD  German

       This kit just appeared on the price list and is initially intended
       for a yet-to-be-released product, but was also designed with the 700
       in mind.  C2205A includes a "C1429A" keyboard which is in the PC-101
       layout (mechanically identical to the C1405A keyboard used on the
       700/X, 700/RX and HP Vectra) and has a native HP-HIL connector pair.
       The kit also includes a 46060B 3-button mouse, a power cord and some
       documents.

       The C1429A itself is not available separately (yet), nor as a
       purchaseable part (yet), but this is moot, because the C2205A local
       kit will sell in huge quantities, and is priced lower than the
       stand-alone keyboard.  This is also true for the current A1099A kit
       (which contains the 46021A "ITF" keyboard that you don't like).
       Think of it as an inexpensive keyboard and free mouse :-)

       The C1429A identifies itself as a 46021A ITF keyboard, but software
       can make additional inquiries to determine that a PC-101 layout and
       LEDs are present.  An overlay is provided for ITF/PC key mapping.

       ITF-specific key codes are mapped onto PC101-specific caps (e.g.
       Select onto End).  Because the ITF keyboard contains more function
       keys than a PC, the ITF InsertLine, DeleteLine, ClearLine and
       ClearDisplay ITF keys are not mapped at all.  Because the PC101
       keyboard has two Ctrl keys, we assigned an unused HIL scancode to the
       right one.  The right Ctrl key of the C1429A does not yet work in
       Series 300, 400 or 700 boot ROMs, the ITE, X-windows or Windex.  The
       NumLock, CapsLock and ScrollLock LEDs are also not supported yet.
       X-window support of R-Ctrl and CapsLED is planned.  Inoperative
       R-Ctrl and CapsLED have not been a problem for me so far.

       The SoftPC folks know about this keyboard, but I don't know what
       the status is of eliminating/reversing the ITF/PC keycode mapping
       to get proper PC keystroking in SoftPC.

C1427A Option ABA  PC-101 keyboard, MITF-5, U.S.English, plus...
98106A             MITF-5 to HP-HIL adaptor, U.S.English only.

       The 98016A is a special created for our Telecom industry accounts,
       and both line items must be purchased separately.  No prices are
       given because it is a factory special, and a custom quote would have
       to be given.  Hint:  the C2205A/C1429A is cheaper.

       The 98016A is a soap-bar size HIL module that makes the C1427A PC-101
       keyboard from the 700/44 serial "PC terminal" look like a 46021A ITF
       keyboard.

       The C1427A (aka C1408A) keyboard has no LEDs.  There are four
       unlabeled keycaps in those locations, and these were assigned the
       codes for the unimplemented Line/Screen keys above.  Both Ctrl keys
       generate the same ITF Ctrl scancode.  The mappings of other ITF
       keycodes are different than for the C2205A/C1429A.  The mappings are
       also less intuitive, and were done hastily a couple of years ago ...
       we learn.

> The 700 x terminal has a great keyboard.  Seperate arrow keys.  Big shift
> cntrl keys etc.  Are the 700 xterm and the 720 keyboards interchangable?

That's the same C1405A keyboard used on Vectra.  As mentioned above, the
C1429A keyboard in the new C2205A kit is mechanically identical.

> Is there an alternate color screen for the HP?  The standard color screen
> is nice (72 Hz), but is curved much more so than other HP display (and
> others as well).  I can't afford to get the graphics upgrades just to get
> a flatter screen (mucho $).  I am afraid Hp had to cut cost somewhere and
> the keyboard, and screen took the cuts.

We would like to offer a cylindrical-face Sony, but there are apparently
some issues (other than price) that prevent us from doing so at the moment.

> I'd happily pay a reasonable fee for upgraded keyboard and/or screen.
> Even the mouse is a little strange but usable.

If you get a 46094A HP-HIL to Honeywell Quadrature adaptor, you can
interface most types of "bus" pointing devices to our systems.  We even sell
the LogiTech P7-3F mouse (as HP K1410).  I'm using this combo on one of my
systems.

> P.S.  Any truth to HP shipping HP-UX 8.05 with systems ordered today or
> was that just vaporware at the demo 2 weeks ago.

I have no info on that.

Regards,                                              Hewlett-Packard
Bob Niland      Internet: rjn@FC.HP.COM               3404 East Harmony Road
                UUCP: [hplabs|hpfcse]!hpfcrjn!rjn     Ft Collins CO 80525-9599

This response does not represent the official position of, or statement by,
the Hewlett-Packard Company.  The above data is provided for informational
purposes only.  It is supplied without warranty of any kind.

ITF - Integrated Terminal Family: The HP company-wide human interface
      standard of a decade ago.  The 46021A keyboard is the last product
      to be made to this spec.  We are migrating to industry standards.