A fun keyboard modification, steampunk style

[Adam Israel]

I came across this neat tutorial the other day: the Steampunk Keyboard (http://steampunkworkshop.com/keyboard.shtml)

I don't know if I have the skill or patience to do this, but it sure looks neat!

[PeeDee]

Oh my god...

I want one. That's amazing. I have neither the patience or the supplies for it, but I want one. That's sheerly awesome. You could even combine it with the downloadable "typewriter" noises to really make something nifty.

Actually, I wouldn't mind one of those old IBM keyboards. Those things stood up to some abuse. I have three keyboards in this house and I only use one of them because it can stand up to it when I start hammering and going excessively fast. The others get too stiff after awhile. Like laptop keyboards (a pox on them all.)

[benbradley]

I have many Model M's I've bought at thrift stores in the $2 to $5 range. When one gets too much jelly and breadcrumbs in it, I set it aside and pull out another one. They're sometimes still found in the same thrift-store bin as the pile of cheap lightweight plastic PS/2-interface and "modern" USB-interface computer keyboards. I'm typing on a Model M now. I also have a couple of IBM AT keyboards, they rock but they're also very clickity-clack loud. The AT keyboards work on modern "PS/2" interfaces with an adapter for the AT's large DIN connector. Don't try to use a PC or XT keyboard on an AT or more modern machine, the connections and data format are different.

I'm not into case mods or any of that carp, but this "typewriter keys" think does look neat. What I'd really like to do is my own microcontroller in the keyboard, add a small LCD display, and make "macro" keys like a macro key program on the PC, but all embedded in the keyboard. Adding a little more ram/flash and a battery, and the keyboard could make a self-contained computer/word processor.

[Shadow_Ferret]

Cool! Steampunk magazine! issue #1! With an interview with Michael Moorcock!

*scurries off to read his new find*

[PeeDee]

For Ferret, "steampunk" just brings back memories of his happier times, in the roaring (18)20's.

[Shadow_Ferret]

And your point is?

[PeeDee]

It was just a reminder for members of our live studio audience is all.

[ChunkyC]

WOW! I just love the look of the old round keytops. And that he chose roman numerals for the function keys is just such a perfect touch. Neato!

[JBI]

I need one. My birthday is coming up people so don't hesitate.

No, but seriously damn, that's a sweet key board. I wonder at the quality of the typmatics of the keyboard, and how well it buffers out unwanted strokes.

[TsukiRyoko]

Oh man, that's a beauty! Now I'm in a crafty mood. Thank God I have an old crappy business computer around here (doesn't work at all. I can't even type 500 words without the whole system crashing), so I think I'm gonna go play around with that for a little bit....

[Lyra Jean]

I could never make something like that myself. I'll pay someone else to make it for me though.

That is a sweet, sweet keyboard.

[TSByrne]

Quite possibly the coolest thing ever today. And it gives my brain monkeys a much needed prodding...

Thank you, StoneTable, for prodding my brain monkeys.

[Just Me]

I feel like watching Fullmetal Alchemist now. (And yes, the keyboard does rock.)