Path: utzoo!utgpu!jarvis.csri.toronto.edu!rutgers!usc!elroy.jpl.nasa.gov!peregrine!ccicpg!cci632!rit!ultb!clf3678
From: clf3678@ultb.isc.rit.edu (C.L. Freemesser)
Newsgroups: comp.sys.atari.st
Subject: Re: New Atari ST keyboard
Summary: New keyboards
Message-ID: <2048@ultb.isc.rit.edu>
Date: 30 Jan 90 05:00:22 GMT
References: <1129@carroll1.cc.edu>
Reply-To: clf3678@ultb.isc.rit.edu (C.L. Freemesser)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Information Systems and Computing @ RIT, Rochester, New York
Lines: 34

In article <1129@carroll1.cc.edu> dnewton@carroll1.cc.edu (Dave Newton the Late) writes:
>
>   I know this has been discussed, but I was wondering if anyone has the
>canonical list of replacement keyboards for the ST.  I'd like to put the
>beast in a new box, get one of those cute curly cables for the keyboard,
>and get a real keyboard.
>   If anyone knows of a replacement, or anyone has done one, please tell
>me.  If there are sufficient replies and/or requests for info, I'll summarize.
>   Thanx in advance.
>
Well, there aren't any REAL replacement keyboards for the ST.  You can
buy those awful spring-things to stiffen up the keyboard, but they don't
work.

I've been kicking the idea around of building a new keyboard with REAL
key mechs (like the Mega and STacy have) for my 520.  It's only an idea,
but seems quite feasible.  Of course, I'd have to make my computer into
a detached-keyboard type (but I need the extra room for upgrades
anyways).  I'd also make some fundamental changes, like removing the
slant to the function keys (their shape is impractical and a waste of
space) and moving the joystick ports to the external keyboard itself,
thereby cutting down the number of wires going to the motherboard from
22 to about 8.

How do people feel about such a thing?  I'm surprised it has not been 
done yet.  From what I hear, quite a few people would like something
better than this rubber crap we use now.


Chris Freemesser, Rochester Institute of Technology :BITNET:%clf3678@RITVAX
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