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Homebrewed Macro Keyboards?
MightyMaus asks: "So I've been checking out various hardware websites lately, paging through computer retail catalogues, and basically pining for a better-paying job. But one device that's really caught my eye is the Programmable Keypad. Looks pretty cool, but $140? No way. Even the smaller version carries a hefty $90 price tag. Now, it seems like making one of these should be relatively easy; but the almighty Google returns nothing but more places to buy these things. So where do I turn? To Slashdot. Has anyone hacked together one of these before?"
Gateway used to ship "AnyKey" keyboards with all their systems. You should be able to find one if you look around a little bit. They are basically standard keyboards with a bunch of extra keys that you can program. There's a picture of one here on Google, although it appears the linked site is down. Anyway, they come in both PS/2 and DIN-5 varieties. There should be more information on Google.
Get one of those numeric keypads designed for laptops with a USB interface. Then you can map the keys sung xmodmap.You could even put stickers on the keys.
these arnt cheap, but may be what you are looking for? they have a fairly small keyboard.
You already have everything you need if you run Linux or any other *nix: just remap your current keyboard. For example, you can make a keyboard map of the number pad with whatever macro you want, and then toggle between the regular keypad and the macro keypad with a rarely-used button, like PrintScreen or Scroll Lock.
:Peter
A bit of a dupe, but try this. Meets all your criteria except feel, and they claim to be good for RSI.
Consciousness is an illusion caused by an excess of self consciousness.
Well you did want to know if anyone rolled their own.
6 3
If you are looking for PS/2 keyboard or RS232 serial output, check out the MEMkey board.
http://www.parallax.com/detail.asp?product_id=279
At quantities of 1 they are $40, but as they are programmable this can most likely do anything you need.
It has a 4x5 matrix (20 keys) that you wire to this board. Then you program it to push a value for each key out either the serial or PS/2 lines, you can plug this in directly to the keyboard input if thats what you need, or go the serial route if you want to make your own listener appliaction for it.
PDF datasheets are on their site.
Ive purchased many of these and they are the most handy things ever.
You can also buy keypads and ribbon cables from parallax as well if you dont mind a 4x3 or 4x4 telephone like pad.
Both have 0-9 * and #, and the 4x4 has the letters A-D.
If you make your own, the board can support up to 4x5 grids.
With a few other parts you can easily break out the matrix and wire each of the 20 keys up to pushbuttons to do almost anything.
If you use a serial protocol, and some latch ICs, you can string together 8 or so of these chips into one serial port on the PC.
My application was a MAME joystick that sent PS/2 keycodes that MAME would understand.
(BTW, for real arcade joysticks buttons and whatnot, check out www.happcontrols.com)
Hope this helps