Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic
Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic
*edit to correct a spacing error in some keys*
So Commodore fans are going to get a rather nice looking C64 themed 10 keyless mechanical keyboard courtesy of the people at 8BitDo https://www.8bitdo.com/retro-mechanical-keyboard-c64/
This got me thinking about a modern keyboard that is similarly Acorn themed, I know there is not a market for it as the ex user base and therefore potential customers are limited but it allowed me to adapt something I've been thinking about over the last few years, using 8BitDo's layout and general themes.
I guess it could have the moniker: UK80S Classroom.
Moving on from that idea, I still have the muscle memory, even after 35 years of not having used a BBC Micro in the flesh, of needing to have the * symbol accessible near the right shift key, especially when using emulators so came up with this Frankenstein ISO/ANSI layout with the minimum amount of extra key caps by:
- Moving the * to top left of the right shift key above the single quote, transposing it with the @.
- Making the left shift 1.25U to get an extra key in the row.
- Move the #~ key above the Enter key.
- and of course starting the function keys at 0.
Still no Copy key though.
I'd call it something like the "Ours go to eleven" variant.
Well it was an amusing diversion if nothing else.
Peter
So Commodore fans are going to get a rather nice looking C64 themed 10 keyless mechanical keyboard courtesy of the people at 8BitDo https://www.8bitdo.com/retro-mechanical-keyboard-c64/
This got me thinking about a modern keyboard that is similarly Acorn themed, I know there is not a market for it as the ex user base and therefore potential customers are limited but it allowed me to adapt something I've been thinking about over the last few years, using 8BitDo's layout and general themes.
I guess it could have the moniker: UK80S Classroom.
Moving on from that idea, I still have the muscle memory, even after 35 years of not having used a BBC Micro in the flesh, of needing to have the * symbol accessible near the right shift key, especially when using emulators so came up with this Frankenstein ISO/ANSI layout with the minimum amount of extra key caps by:
- Moving the * to top left of the right shift key above the single quote, transposing it with the @.
- Making the left shift 1.25U to get an extra key in the row.
- Move the #~ key above the Enter key.
- and of course starting the function keys at 0.
Still no Copy key though.
I'd call it something like the "Ours go to eleven" variant.
Well it was an amusing diversion if nothing else.
Peter
- Attachments
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- Retro-modern Keyboard Layouts.pdf
- (47.93 KiB) Downloaded 21 times
Re: Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic
If you like your function keys red and the break key on the right perhaps there is a USB keyboard for you after all?PeterC wrote: ↑Sat Mar 30, 2024 5:56 pm So Commodore fans are going to get a rather nice looking C64 themed 10 keyless mechanical keyboard courtesy of the people at 8BitDo
This got me thinking about a modern keyboard that is similarly Acorn themed, I know there is not a market for it as the ex user base and therefore potential customers are limited
Sprow.
Re: Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic
Thanks. it's not just the colours, those SA profile key caps 8BitDo are using are really nice too.If you like your function keys red and the break key on the right perhaps there is a USB keyboard for you after all?
If I ever win the lottery I might get in touch with Signature Plastics and inquire about getting a custom set, but even their off the shelf SA key cap profile sets are north of $100 for a full set, so heaven only knows what a full set in custom colours plus special keys would cost.
Peter
Re: Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic
Grrr.... why won't Wikipedia images display?
Edit: Ah ha! Fixed it!
Code: Select all
$ bbcbasic
PDP11 BBC BASIC IV Version 0.45
(C) Copyright J.G.Harston 1989,2005-2024
>_
Re: Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic
I prefer keyboards with a bit more edging around them, like this, also ECMA23 layout:
Code: Select all
$ bbcbasic
PDP11 BBC BASIC IV Version 0.45
(C) Copyright J.G.Harston 1989,2005-2024
>_
Re: Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic
Here is my daily driver:
Lee.
Lee.
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Re: Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic
Bright orange keys, not to my taste, sorry, no thank you...
Mark
Mark
For a "Complete BBC Games Archive" visit www.bbcmicro.co.uk NOW!
BeebWiki - for answers to many questions...
Fault finding index • Acorn BBC Model B minimal configuration • Logic Levels for 5V TTL Systems
BeebWiki - for answers to many questions...
Fault finding index • Acorn BBC Model B minimal configuration • Logic Levels for 5V TTL Systems
Re: Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic
I know what you mean!
I wanted red (obviously), but couldn't find one at the right price...
It is nicely 'clacky' though...
Lee
I wanted red (obviously), but couldn't find one at the right price...
It is nicely 'clacky' though...
Lee
Re: Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic
They havebaz4096 wrote: ↑Mon Apr 01, 2024 8:21 pm I'm surprised nobody has mentioned this?
https://shop.elesar.co.uk/index.php?rou ... duct_id=60
Please subscribe to the ABug YouTube channel!
Re: Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic
Bah! So they have, thanks Dave. Have been so behind on Stardot stuff, I skimmed this thread and totally missed that one. Drat!
I'll try redeem myself by mentioning that Simulant were taking pre-orders/register interest in retro themed keyboards, but Archimedes style (amongst a few others):
https://www.simulant.uk/shop/register-i ... -keyboards
I'll try redeem myself by mentioning that Simulant were taking pre-orders/register interest in retro themed keyboards, but Archimedes style (amongst a few others):
https://www.simulant.uk/shop/register-i ... -keyboards
Re: Mechanical keyboards with a retro aesthetic
And if you want a Windows driver to give you the ECMA23 layout, here we are:
https://mdfs.net/Docs/Comp/Keyboard/Layout/ECMA23.zip
Get out your craft knife and Letraset(tm) transfers, install, enjoy!
https://mdfs.net/Docs/Comp/Keyboard/Layout/ECMA23.zip
Get out your craft knife and Letraset(tm) transfers, install, enjoy!
Code: Select all
$ bbcbasic
PDP11 BBC BASIC IV Version 0.45
(C) Copyright J.G.Harston 1989,2005-2024
>_