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From: lishka@uwslh.UUCP (Christopher Lishka)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.cbm
Subject: Looking for a replacement C64 keyboard...
Message-ID: <238@uwslh.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 6-Mar-87 12:14:21 EST
Article-I.D.: uwslh.238
Posted: Fri Mar  6 12:14:21 1987
Date-Received: Sun, 8-Mar-87 06:36:37 EST
Distribution: na
Organization: U of Wisconsin-Madison, State Hygiene Lab
Lines: 42

Hi there...

I have a couple questions:

1)   I work as a data entry person part-time, and as a result I have had
experience with many different keyboards.  The more keyboards I use
the more I begin to really hate my old, worn out c64 keyboard.  Don't
get me wrong, I still love the computer inside...I am just getting
fed up with the double "L"`s, lack of spaces, and extreme force at
which I have to attack the keys just to get out what I intend.  Not
to mention the number of times I have to hit the delete key.
     So, last week I spied a Commodore keyboard being sold anonymously through
Radio-Shack and figured it would be a good idea to replace my old
c64 keyboard with a new one (I have the REALLY old style keyboard
that was shipped with the very first c64's, the machines that cost
~$400 and weren't as good in the video).  Anyhow, I went down to
the store and found out it was the wrong keyboard...probably one
intended for a Plus-4 or some other machine.  The biggest problem
was that it had way to many lines coming out of the keyboard
itself, so I would never have been able to connect it, even with
modifications. (It was however a Commodore keyboard, with the 
Commodore key in the lower-lefthand corner.
     SOOOO...does anyone know where I can buy or order a replacement keyboard
from, and if so, how much they cost?  I have hacked around inside
the case of the 64 a bit when I installed my own reset switch (which
works amazingly well), so I am not afraid of installation problems.
I would even be willing to change the connector if it needs it, but
I would preferto be able to plug it right into the machine internally.
I have one of the earliest c64's, if that makes a difference.

2)   Assuming I can get a keyboard, I would like to make it external to my
machine, fitting the keyboard into a wood frame (or something like that) and
having the actual computer somewhere else.  As I stated above, I have done
small electrical repairs and woodworking, so this part doesn't bother me.
My question is how long I can make the cord between the computer and the
keyboard for them to work reliably together.  I know that there were problems
with ealier Amiga's and keyboard extensions, so I thought I would ask.

-- 
Chris Lishka                    /lishka@uwslh.uucp
Wisconsin State Lab of Hygiene <-lishka%uwslh.uucp@rsch.wisc.edu
                                \{seismo, harvard,topaz,...}!uwvax!uwslh!lishka