Re: OT: Keyboard question

On a parallel thought Barbara ..

Barbara wrote:
Hi,

Does anyone know a place where you can buy replacement key caps for IBM (clicky) "M" model keyboards?

This afternoon I was browsing one of our local thrift shops and found an IBM M2 (1395300) keyboard for $1.50! I love these things, and use an M model on my big computer. The M2 is the compact model which I believe originally shipped with the IBM PS1. (I had one of those too...)

The M2 keyboard is in good shape, but it has unfortunately lost its F7
key cap and spring. Not very important so far as function is concerned, but a cosmetic blip. Except for that hole, it will clean up like new.

Don't send me to www.clickykeyboards.com. They have replacement caps for $1, but won't ship unless you order at least $9 worth of stuff. AND I believe they are the larger M keys. The M2 keys are smaller, shorter.

Incidentally, one place I checked was selling a refurbished M2 for $121.12. Good as new, I'm sure, but a bit far from my find.



I'm familiar with the IBM keyboards as well as even the IBM Selectric. There is even still a Selectric in the place here! As well, the actual IBM keyboards are still being made new by a third party supplier about who I heard being interviewed on PBS radio here last Sunday. But I was driving and didn't have a convenient way to write down the URL.

However, there is really a VERY good complete mechanical action keyboard still being made today that I and the people around me have all adopted to maintain the feel, click, and the real service life of the good ones. The old Northgate keyboard was bought out by Creative Vision Technologies and is now called the Avant Stellar keyboard. At least two versions of it are produced. The kind without the left hand F1-F12 vertical row of function keys that have the twelve keys on top in a horizontal row is made. As well, the double row function key model is also still made, though at this time I am told it is only available now in black.

Creative Vision Technologies makes them in larger batches, apparently when there are a collection of orders for them from dealers who stock them. Thus although you can deal with them direct, or could a number of years ago, they might not have stock at a particular time.

After about six years I finally wore out my last new one with very heavy typing all that time. The closest dealer who stocks both models all the time showed up in an internet search up in Allen, Texas, near Dallas. Of all things, when I called them I discovered that the outfit was run by a life-long friend of mine, who a while back sold Midstate Electronics here in Bryan, where I've done business with their family since the 1960's! The then second generation son there had decided to focus the entire family of Texas A&M graduates, now in the Dallas area, for family closeness. And of all things .. totally by coincidence ... I connected with them on the phone to order my new Avant Stellar from the closest dealer to me! Wow ..

www.lonestarkeyboards.com

1210 W McDermott Dr. - Suite 111
Allen, TX 75013-6366
877-383-5040

This is actually a programmable keyboard as well. You couldn't ask for a better Qwerty keyboard in my opinion.


--


--> Sleep well; OS2's still awake! ;)

Mike Luther
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.

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