Arch Linux

Bob-Hur

Member

Registered: 2007-12-09

Posts: 43

Have you tried a Unicomp 122-key KBD with Arch?

The keyboard description is here: http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/122keyterkey.html
I'm considering the PC/5270 version, since according to the site it accepts "normal" PC keycodes, and if I'm understanding what I read in the Arch Wiki it should be little trouble to get it set up to suit me. Has anyone tried it? I'm not a gamer, so that isn't a factor for me.

Due to severe arthritis (RA) my fingers are stiff and a little jerky at times and I make a lot of false/wrong keystrokes with a modern soft-touch KBD - Ctrl/Alt/Shift combinations are especially difficult at times. I tried an old IBM Model M and it really helps, but the used one I found is a little glitchy due to age as was the one before it. I want to buy a brand new buckling-switch "clicky" KBD and was browing the Unicomp site when their 122-key version caught my eye. I've spent some time with the IBM version in the past and I really liked it. If I can get a new Unicomp to work well with Arch, I'll be elated, but I don't want to buy yet another keyboard I don't like or can't fully utilize.

Thank you for any light you can shed on the topic.

edited to add - I'm running 64-bit Arch, I don't think it matters but it might.

Last edited by Bob-Hur (2007-12-25 01:17:08)

krazyshane

Member

Registered: 2007-01-18

Posts: 113

Re: Have you tried a Unicomp 122-key KBD with Arch?

I can't really answer your question as I have no experience with it... but I do sympathize with your situation.

As a suggestion, you may want to try ebay:  http://search.ebay.com/search/search.dl … category0=

Searching for "clicky keyboard" produces many results, most vintage.. Some of them though are still new and never used.  It would save you some money and they'd be the standard form factor -- and therefore, definitely compatible. 

Good luck on your search, and Merry Christmas.

-Shane

elliott

Member

Registered: 2006-03-07

Posts: 296

Re: Have you tried a Unicomp 122-key KBD with Arch?

I have had many Model M's, I have never had a problem with a single one of them, I have one from 1986 that works fine. Only reason I don't use it is because it is AT, I have a 1993 PS/2 one that I use every day. Finding one faulty Model M is possible, even though nearly 20 have gone through my hands and I have yet to see a problem with any of them, having more than one bad seems very odd. I might even suspect the computer being at fault, Model M's pulls more power than the average keyboard, if your computer can't handle it, you will see problems.

Bob-Hur

Member

Registered: 2007-12-09

Posts: 43

Re: Have you tried a Unicomp 122-key KBD with Arch?

I've handled/owned quite a few myself, but this one has a bad downarrow key and a few more keys that have intermittent problems. The box is a new Lenovo with good tight clean PS/2 plug receptacles so I'm not losing any connection integrity from jury-rigging adaptors ... I'm guessing it's the keyboard. It also turned out to be a "soft touch" instead of "buckling spring" kbd when it got here from the eBay seller and it would cost more than the refund I'd get to send it back. Some days you eat the bear, some days the bear eats you.

Ahhhh, no worries, I found a nice 1995 IBM Model M 82G2383 brand NEW in the original box from clickykeyboardss.com, it was $80 but it will likely outlast me. It doesn't have all those neato extra keys, but it's a bit cheaper, and it's a real IBM. Shame he didn't have any left in black ...

Thanks for the comments, and a Merry Christmas to all!

elliott

Member

Registered: 2006-03-07

Posts: 296

Re: Have you tried a Unicomp 122-key KBD with Arch?

Well, not to disappoint you, but it is really a Lexmark, but it is closer to a true IBM than a Unicomp clone. I've had a few Lexmark made boards, and they are just as nice as a true IBM made board, the mechanics of them are identical.