backlit 101-key mechanical keyboards?

Does anyone know of any available professionally-made backlit 101-key
mechanical keyboards in IBM Model M (now Unicomp) style? (USB or PS/2)

On 10/25/2017 4:25 AM, David Melik wrote:
Does anyone know of any available professionally-made backlit 101-key
mechanical keyboards in IBM Model M (now Unicomp) style? (USB or PS/2)

I have this backlit mechanical keyboard at home. I'm not sure if it
meets your IBM MOdel M style. "Logitech G610 Orion Brown Backlit
Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (920-007857)"

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Back...dp/B01CDYB8F6/

It is ok, not great.

Lynn

On Thu, 26 Oct 2017 15:54:00 -0500, Lynn McGuire
wrote:

On 10/25/2017 4:25 AM, David Melik wrote:
Does anyone know of any available professionally-made backlit 101-key
mechanical keyboards in IBM Model M (now Unicomp) style? (USB or PS/2)

I have this backlit mechanical keyboard at home. I'm not sure if it
meets your IBM MOdel M style. "Logitech G610 Orion Brown Backlit
Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (920-007857)"

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Back...dp/B01CDYB8F6/

It is ok, not great.

Lynn


All the mechanical keyboard switches approximate, through their color
ratings for model switching characteristics, at one extreme, a
buckling action from a spring to relay tactile feedback and
confidence, to the more modern and lesser degrees of coupled tactile
follow-through, other keys designate.

Cherry and Alps switches are the primary providers today for a wide
variety of back-light schemes, of course then entirely unknown to IBM,
both in closest to retaining salience to the popular IBM actual
key-switch construct, within some comparative likelihood, of being
closer than not to an heaviness IBM is as well noted for their
selection of rugged materials contained in a keyboard.

I'm still running in a similar vein on an old Northgate keyboard,
equipped for original DELLs, closest to IBM quality at the time,
having worn that out for replacement with this FOCUS;- FOCUS bought a
residual interest in Northgate keyboard facilities when they folded
and went out of business.

Mine, I bought while I could, exclusively for the Northgate
connection;- strangely enough if to predate, by some years possibly
later, from this description this model linked to WIKI:

Focus FK-2001 is a family of Alps SKCL/SKCM series and Alps clone
keyboards from Focus Electronic for IBM PCs and compatibles. The
original FK-2001 keyboard was XT/AT switchable, and used Alps SKCM
Blue switches. The keyboard protocol is selected via a DIP switch
concealed below the badge.

For an tangible FCC listing of 1988, guessing mine is then in the
neighborhood of slightly older than twenty years. Of course, an
incessant thumping given the NORHTGATE was duly noted, upon my part,
which I suppose I've managed insensibly to tone down, from a
perspective of the FOCUS, in order now to make that claim.

On 10/27/2017 6:49 AM, Flasherly wrote:
On Thu, 26 Oct 2017 15:54:00 -0500, Lynn McGuire
wrote:

On 10/25/2017 4:25 AM, David Melik wrote:
Does anyone know of any available professionally-made backlit 101-key
mechanical keyboards in IBM Model M (now Unicomp) style? (USB or PS/2)

I have this backlit mechanical keyboard at home. I'm not sure if it
meets your IBM MOdel M style. "Logitech G610 Orion Brown Backlit
Mechanical Gaming Keyboard (920-007857)"

https://www.amazon.com/Logitech-Back...dp/B01CDYB8F6/

It is ok, not great.

Lynn


All the mechanical keyboard switches approximate, through their color
ratings for model switching characteristics, at one extreme, a
buckling action from a spring to relay tactile feedback and
confidence, to the more modern and lesser degrees of coupled tactile
follow-through, other keys designate.

Cherry and Alps switches are the primary providers today for a wide
variety of back-light schemes, of course then entirely unknown to IBM,
both in closest to retaining salience to the popular IBM actual
key-switch construct, within some comparative likelihood, of being
closer than not to an heaviness IBM is as well noted for their
selection of rugged materials contained in a keyboard.

I'm still running in a similar vein on an old Northgate keyboard,
equipped for original DELLs, closest to IBM quality at the time,
having worn that out for replacement with this FOCUS;- FOCUS bought a
residual interest in Northgate keyboard facilities when they folded
and went out of business.

Mine, I bought while I could, exclusively for the Northgate
connection;- strangely enough if to predate, by some years possibly
later, from this description this model linked to WIKI:

Focus FK-2001 is a family of Alps SKCL/SKCM series and Alps clone
keyboards from Focus Electronic for IBM PCs and compatibles. The
original FK-2001 keyboard was XT/AT switchable, and used Alps SKCM
Blue switches. The keyboard protocol is selected via a DIP switch
concealed below the badge.

For an tangible FCC listing of 1988, guessing mine is then in the
neighborhood of slightly older than twenty years. Of course, an
incessant thumping given the NORHTGATE was duly noted, upon my part,
which I suppose I've managed insensibly to tone down, from a
perspective of the FOCUS, in order now to make that claim.

I use a Northgate Omni Key/102 GOLD at the office. Best keyboard ever
made. I got mine in 1992 ???

I have used a couple of Focus FK-2001 keyboards at the house. The keys
eventually break off them (I pound hard).

Lynn

On Fri, 27 Oct 2017 16:04:16 -0500, Lynn McGuire
wrote:

I use a Northgate Omni Key/102 GOLD at the office. Best keyboard ever
made. I got mine in 1992 ???

I have used a couple of Focus FK-2001 keyboards at the house. The keys
eventually break off them (I pound hard).

Lynn

Wow, sure didn't expect that. Small world, eh .

I learned my lesson from pounding on the Northgate OmniKey. I was so
ashamed of myself, I took it apart and tried to fix it - resoldering
less-used keys to desoldered keys I'd abusively offended;- a
half-hearted attempt for water already passed under a bridge.

But I have what counts now, the "touch", for the Focus flipping it
over - MODEL: FK 7200 - USB.

That is quite a feat, using an original and dated Northgate, a premier
OnmiKey, especially in an office environment.

The grime and stains on my white Focus keyboard are extraordinary. It
probably would qualify the standard for a world record award the
"Filthiest Keyboard in Existence".

Other than that, FOCUS, shall we say, _should have_ adhered to
engineering precepts when they bought Northgate production materials
and facilities. Unless your model deviated, was redesigned _out_ of
those specifications, to where you can say the Northgate provided
sturdier anchors and/or actual keyswitch-quality procurements. Me, I
really can't tell a difference between this Focus model and my
original OmniKey, not so far as a reasonable and generous allowance
over pressure exerted to engage key tactility;...applying abusive
forces is entirely different, in my experience, to a rugged and
capable capacity the Focus continues to provide, as impeccably built
on Northgate quality.

Might be you're getting "trigger-itch" over multiple lighted (usually
software driver) key schemes, the so-called "gaming" keyboards of
today, across as many as half-a-dozen available grades of
tactile-action switches. Sale prices are good, features options are
wide, and I get it, too.

On 10/28/2017 8:05 AM, Flasherly wrote:
On Fri, 27 Oct 2017 16:04:16 -0500, Lynn McGuire
wrote:

I use a Northgate Omni Key/102 GOLD at the office. Best keyboard ever
made. I got mine in 1992 ???

I have used a couple of Focus FK-2001 keyboards at the house. The keys
eventually break off them (I pound hard).

Lynn

Wow, sure didn't expect that. Small world, eh .

I learned my lesson from pounding on the Northgate OmniKey. I was so
ashamed of myself, I took it apart and tried to fix it - resoldering
less-used keys to desoldered keys I'd abusively offended;- a
half-hearted attempt for water already passed under a bridge.

But I have what counts now, the "touch", for the Focus flipping it
over - MODEL: FK 7200 - USB.

That is quite a feat, using an original and dated Northgate, a premier
OnmiKey, especially in an office environment.

The grime and stains on my white Focus keyboard are extraordinary. It
probably would qualify the standard for a world record award the
"Filthiest Keyboard in Existence".

Other than that, FOCUS, shall we say, _should have_ adhered to
engineering precepts when they bought Northgate production materials
and facilities. Unless your model deviated, was redesigned _out_ of
those specifications, to where you can say the Northgate provided
sturdier anchors and/or actual keyswitch-quality procurements. Me, I
really can't tell a difference between this Focus model and my
original OmniKey, not so far as a reasonable and generous allowance
over pressure exerted to engage key tactility;...applying abusive
forces is entirely different, in my experience, to a rugged and
capable capacity the Focus continues to provide, as impeccably built
on Northgate quality.

Might be you're getting "trigger-itch" over multiple lighted (usually
software driver) key schemes, the so-called "gaming" keyboards of
today, across as many as half-a-dozen available grades of
tactile-action switches. Sale prices are good, features options are
wide, and I get it, too.

My Northgate Omni Key/102 GOLD is in great shape. A few food stains.
Some coffee stains. Some blood (I am on blood thinners and my fingers
bleed all the time). The Gold Omni Key/102 sticker is peeling. Other
than that, great shape. It uses the old 1 inch DIN ? plug which I have
a converter cable for. The key characters are all very visible since
they are permanently etched.

I could care less about lit keyboards and such. I write software for a
living and love mechanical keyboards going back to the old mainframe
operator teletype consoles with the 3/4 inch travel keys.

Lynn