> my real IBM clicky keyboard does not have usb so I tried various usb > adapters and they could be flaky,... > you would have to start computer then have to unplug and reinsert > keyboard connection etc... > > anyone have a solve for this? thanks Ed#
Yes, if you look on ebay, there is at least one person who makes cables that snap into the IBM Model M plug with USB, I believe it has some sort of in-line electronics near the plug. It's worked flawlessly with the various Model M's I've used it with (and bought some more, all work great). I used it on '86, '89, '91 ones. BTW, I can confirm that Unicomp did buy the molds, etc. from IBM/Lexmark. (spoke to the owner during a call a while ago...) The "innerds" they make are form identical to ones that came from IBM. I can confirm this in that here at work I bought the "guts" and some Mac keycaps (guts with the USB cable hard-wired... that's the only difference) And found an old Model F (which was a UK version of a model M, not sure what else was difference) and the guts dropped in. I did cut off the tabs to allow for the additional keys next to the space bar. This works out because the mold had a cross-beam where the tabs connected to the bottom edge, so you can get a smooth even edge without much cutting, etc. That's the only shortcoming I've found from Unicomp, the "enclosures" are light weight, and definitely not the same plastic as IBM (in composition or weight). So a case from a donator model M fixes that problem. (usually run the case thru the dish washer before to get it squeaky clean... yes, my wife lets me do that, as long as I'm not running dishes too... she's a keeper :-) ) Earl p.s. If you do ever order the "guts" (not sure if they still do that or not, make sure you indicate what you want on the keycaps... I didn't mention and got completely BLANK keycaps... works for me since I'm a touch typist, but had me laughing.... and I did have plenty of spare caps, so put normal ones on and have the blanks in the parts bin)