Hacker News new | past | comments | ask | show | jobs | submit login
USB NeXT Keyboard with an Arduino Micro (adafruit.com)
81 points by jwcooper on Dec 8, 2012 | hide | past | favorite | 14 comments



liked this? want more? you might want to also read my kinect reverse-engineering how-to article at http://learn.adafruit.com/hacking-the-kinect


It even has a Facebook like and unlike button. Amazing!


Quite a large number of keyboards, including some surprisingly obscure ones, have available USB converters using free software on hardware of this class. http://deskthority.net/ is probably the best place to find out more.


What I'd love is a kit that converts PS/2 keyboards to wireless.


I will gladly buy a Space Cadet keyboard converter. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Space-cadet_keyboard


Apparently someone already built such a converter for a different type of symbolics keyboard. http://netzhansa.blogspot.com/2009/04/how-to-convert-your-sy...


I would love to buy such a converter, but first I would need a Space Cadet keyboard.


I found the first NeXT keyboard was very uncomfortable to use, as the keys had very little spring and you would ram home hard against the 'end stops' all the time. I suppose keyboards are pretty subjective.

They did a second ADB based version for the later model NeXTStations, which I found a lot better to use. It had an interesting 'command bar' feature too, with a long bar like a space bar at the bottom for typing command sequences.


This is great...I have a full NeXT Turbo Slab (Color!!), and I was wondering if this had been done. The NeXT Keyboard is on-par with Model M's in my opinion.


"But the Model M has more stopping power."


i wish there was an easy to use NeXT emulator for my Mac — it's somewhat sad to me that i'm running Windows in VMware yet trying to emulate NeXTstep is major pain (i tried to find the OpenStep CDs on eBay too!!!).


mmm. The original NeXT keyboard had one of the most physically pleasing feels to it ever, along with a beautiful sound.

Just a shame it didn't have pgup/dn, home/end keys for fast maneuvering. Otherwise, so very tempting.


You can get "similar" Model M retros from Unicomp: http://www.pckeyboard.com/

They're 104 key (pg up/down, win key, etc). I had one until my cat killed it with a cup of water, I got a das keyboard afterwards.


Not quite. The unicomp/model M's were clicky. The NeXT keyboard had a nice plastic "thonk", with an echo to it, but no click. It also had a very solid (no twist/wiggle) travel.

I am considering getting one of those keyboards with the coloured Cherry key switches.




Consider applying for YC's Spring batch! Applications are open till Feb 11.

Guidelines | FAQ | Lists | API | Security | Legal | Apply to YC | Contact

Search: