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Building Your Own Extra-Large Keyboard
Ant writes "ModAsylum.com has an article on how to make your own extra-large homemade keyboard." Or, if you're handy with tweezers, extra-small.
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a one-hand keyboard maybe more immediately useful for many :-p
If you don't want to wade through 9 pages with two sentences in each and sometimes even a picture, this is the last page with the picture of the finished keyboard: http://www.modasylum.com/guides.php?guide=37&page= 10
Looks like they wasted a whole bunch of effort for nothing. Did they even bother to call up Rick Moranis before trying to make a keyboard big?
It would be cool if it didn't suck.
I've noticed a trend from the last few years. As PC companys like dell and gateway stuck little extra 'multimedia' keys on the top of the keyboard, they also slowly began to shrik key size.
It was slightly noticeable that the 'full size' keyboard on my powerbook was bigger than the one on my girlfriends PC, but the kicker came when i dug my old Amiga 500 out of storage. The keyboard seemed so massive!
So i ended up taking a very old keyboard from a server in my attic and using that. It's so old it has no windows keys, and the big clunky keys are heavenly compared to the modern flat logitect styles.
The extra-large trackball. If you've ever seen one of these things, it's soccer-ball-sized!
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
They had better built an extra-big server.
Is this like those gigantic fucking calculators and phones with big buttons that are designed for old people? Computers designed for old people....hmmmm.
Don't be so smug. One say you too will be old, and when you are, the kids with their direct brain computer interfaces will look at you type on your small keyboard and use your small calculator and say "hmm, move on Grandpa".
Respect your elders, you'll be one too some day.
"A door is what a dog is perpetually on the wrong side of" - Ogden Nash
Even the best keyboards are at about 85% of the size of optimum because they were modelled after typewriter keyboards to make it easier for typists to adapt.
The first typewriters actually had properly sized keys, but they discovered that an unfortunate degree of jamming would occur as efficient typists would outpace the little hammers with the letters on them! Rather than trying to use some revolutionary alloy in the hammers to decrease their weight, it was determined that a cheaper solution was needed for mass-production -- and they settled on shrinking the keys, which slowed down even the best typists to an acceptable 50-60WPM (although later models did decrease hammer timing.)
So today we are left with an antiqutitated model, and as with dvorak key layouts larger keys provide a technically better alternative that is unfortunately incompatible with what most current typists are comfortable and efficient with.
The site seems almost to be slashdotted, so here is the text of the first pages... from a Karmawhoring Anonymous Coward ;-)
:
Today: Building your own X-Large Keyboard
by
Since the modding world interested me, I always wanted to create real objects that aren't using premodded stuff. Not to say that I got my own opinion about that kind of stuff =P. Anyway, many modders have always wanted to create an object then others never think about. In that same way, I decided for myself to make a one of a kind keyboard that would be unique. There are certainly others reasons why I created it, like for helping people who need it for any physicals problems that require big-key keyboards for helping them with access to computers. After having created it and having many comments about it, I decided to write a little guide about how it works and how it is possible to build your own. I hope that it will give you ideas about creating your project using PS/2 or other interface via a controller. If you have any comments or question feel free to ask me.
DISCLAIMER
This guide is presented for informational purposes only. By reading this and attempting any of the modifications/instructions within, you agree that the author, Modasylum.com, its staff, and affiliates are released from any liability from any damages resulting from said modifications/instructions performed.
Material
* Plexiglas sheets (6mm thick for the keys, 4mm for the top and back sheets, 2mm for the inside sheets)
* Wires (suggested 2 colors, 24agm, 200 feet)
* Old Keyboard controller (USB, PS/2 or DIN)
* 12, 3 inches bolts
* 96 nuts (same size as the bolts)
* Thin metal sheet (1 foot square)
* Wood rod (1/4 inch thick)
* Epoxy glue
* Plexiglas glue
* Tiny wood screws or micro electronics switches
* Memory foam
* Polishing kit (for plexi)
* Letters stickers
* Different pieces of wood and metal (optional for making templates)
Tools:
* Table saw
* Drill press
* Solder gun
* 1/4" drilling bits (flat end)
* 1 1/4" hole saw (depends on the key size)
* Everyday tools (screw drivers, bits, etc.)
* Clamps
How it works
The main part of a keyboard is the controller that links the keys to the computer. Every controller has different interfaces (USB, PS/2, DIN, etc.) and input pin orders (those that are connected to the keys). Basically, all keys are little push switches that are linked between two input pins; when the switch is activated, the controller sends an encoded signal to the computer. With that information we know that's it's possible to make a keyboard out of switch linked to the PCB. The concept for the project will be to fabricate them in manner that when a key is pressed, there is a contact made between the two inputs pins. For our project, we'll need to have the chart of which pins correspond to which letter or keys on our keyboard. I suggest using the two plastic sheets that are in your keyboard and check where all contacts are going and write it on paper for future use. Here are those for my controller, but I highly suggest you check yours because they could be different from one keyboard to another.
The plans
Before beginning the construction on a project like this one, it's important to make some drawings and be sure that everything will fit perfectly. The concept is really simple: two rods are attached under a Plexiglas square (top of the key). Those rods pass through two thin sheets of Plexiglas and a little piece of metal is attached under the base of the rods so that an electric contact can be made when the key is pressed. Another sheet of plexi will be under the metal pieces with tiny electronic switches or screws on it. When the key is pressed, the pieces of metal will make a contact between two screws, or press the micro switch (depends on your preference and budget).
from Bigkeys
Why is it that sites linked from slashdot almost never work?
Intolerance for ambiguity is the mark of the authoritarian personality.
...or does this keyboard kind of suck?
I mean, I was thinking of a big QWERTY style keyboard.
This one just looks like it is designed for very old/young/simple people. The letters are all in alphabetical order and it is decorated with primary colors that harken me back to the McDonald's Play Areas of yore.
If you really want to impress me, make a keyboard out of the spare parts from several Dance Dance Revolution dance pads.
A giant keyboard you have to step on to get to work, now that would be cool, not practical, but cool none the less.
The preceding message was based on actual events. Only the names, locations and events have been changed.
We'll ship you your own keyboard enlargment pills! No mod nescessary. Minimum 3" guaranteed!!
You'd never find a screen huge enough where those those big letters would fit on :-]
I used to have a Cherry ML4100, which I really liked, but I just wore it out (letters wore off, unreliable action).
Now I switched to the really slick looking Blu Illuminated Keyboard. But I am not that happy with it: The feel is too hard and inconsistent, and worst of all, where I'd expect the left Ctrl key, is the "Fn" key (for alternate keys). Still, the looks make up for it.
Under capitalism man exploits man. Under communism it's the other way around.
I've seen a few posts about general keyboard designs. What I dislike most about the whole thing is having constantly to transfer my right hand back and forth between the keyboard and mouse. What a waste.. allocating 5 fingers for 2 buttons. I'm personally waiting for this to come out - http://www.combimouse.com Also does anyone remember when the F-Keys were on the left hand side of the keyboard? So much easier for all key cominations with the F-Keys on the left
They're still being made, with a little variation (you can get the original, in black, with 104 keys, with a trackball built in,122 key models, wireless, with mag stripe reader, etc. )
I have no experience with the company, I just know they exist. [I still have a couple more original Model Ms in storage.
Build it, and they will come^Hplain.
"Account for domain modasylum.com has been suspended" is the cryptic message now appearing on the site. It thus appears that the site has either been hijacked by some uncanny aliens, or has been impounded by the CIA, the FBI, the NSA and the Home Security Dept for revealing Pres. Bush's equipment (in which case I'm wondering about his mouse ;-))
/. Is it not a good idea for the /.-team to quickly mirror the small sites so that, in the event of the site being ./-ted, the authors at least have the pleasure of having their work, plan, initiative still shown (even though the price of ./-fame is the closing of their account)?
./ have an ethical responibility towards smalltime websites being shown?
However, what I wanted to say is the following:
It isn't the first time that a site has been slashdotted to such an effect. In this case the number of hits were so extraordinary that the provider decided to close the site.
I don't think this was the sitemakers' intention. Nor slashdot's. Or was it?
Isn't it time we start wondering about the ethics of showing mentioning certain sites?
For example: some amateurs invent something new for fun. Due to the slashdot effect their allocated and paid for bandwith is drastically drained because some nerd or other thought this might be fun to mention on
In other words: does
Let's ponder on this for awhile...
MadMan
--
What does a fish know about the water in which it swims all its life? (A. Einstein, Memoirs)
Peace & Long Life,
MadMan-2