Title: Prototype non-ADB keyboard
Post by: barcher174 on February 17, 2018, 01:25:52 AM
Post by: barcher174 on February 17, 2018, 01:25:52 AM
Today I got a nice package from Rob containing a prototype nonADB keyboard.
The first indication is the nonstandard key layout:
Notice the '~' and 'esc' keys are swapped. Additionally the power key lacks the text labeling. I have seen this layout before on other early boards. Fun trivia: the original way to enter the ROM monitor is with 'CMD' + 'ESC'
The back has no serial number or label:
Further, there is no next logo on the connector:
The switches are white ALPS:
Note the May 1987 controller chip:
The Mouse connector has a different silk screen:
A different board ID:
And finally the money shot:
The first indication is the nonstandard key layout:
Notice the '~' and 'esc' keys are swapped. Additionally the power key lacks the text labeling. I have seen this layout before on other early boards. Fun trivia: the original way to enter the ROM monitor is with 'CMD' + 'ESC'
The back has no serial number or label:
Further, there is no next logo on the connector:
The switches are white ALPS:
Note the May 1987 controller chip:
The Mouse connector has a different silk screen:
A different board ID:
And finally the money shot:
Title: Prototype non-ADB keyboard
Post by: pergamon on February 18, 2018, 04:02:15 PM
Post by: pergamon on February 18, 2018, 04:02:15 PM
Neat! Thanks for sharing!
I gotta take an extra look through mine now :)
I gotta take an extra look through mine now :)
Title: Re: Prototype non-ADB keyboard
Post by: cubist on February 18, 2018, 04:31:17 PM
Post by: cubist on February 18, 2018, 04:31:17 PM
Quote from: "barcher174"Once booted, does the '~' key produce a tilda or are the keycaps simply swapped?
Notice the '~' and 'esc' keys are swapped.
Title: Re: Prototype non-ADB keyboard
Post by: barcher174 on February 18, 2018, 08:29:50 PM
Post by: barcher174 on February 18, 2018, 08:29:50 PM
Quote from: "cubist"Quote from: "barcher174"Once booted, does the '~' key produce a tilda or are the keycaps simply swapped?
Notice the '~' and 'esc' keys are swapped.
The keycaps are just swapped. The keys function with the default keymap, so rather than change the hardware , it looks like they just changed the meaning of the scan code. I have noticed this config in keyboards below serial ~120.
Title: Prototype non-ADB keyboard
Post by: eagle on February 19, 2018, 06:41:33 AM
Post by: eagle on February 19, 2018, 06:41:33 AM
I originally had one of those (it came with my prototype Cube), but as with other of my NeXT keyboards, some of the keys quit working. In my younger and foolish days, I threw away that keyboard and bought a new one, rather than replacing the switch.
Title: Prototype non-ADB keyboard
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on February 20, 2018, 11:46:20 PM
Post by: Rob Blessin Black Hole on February 20, 2018, 11:46:20 PM
Hello Brian: I knew it ! So I'm wondering if the default keyboard setting in .8 or .9 used that keyboard layout in preferences ? Also talked with Larry , when he started there was a .7 but I've never seen it. He ran the Openstep side of things over at Sun. Enjoy. Best regards Rob Blessin