[Info-vax] LK-style USB keyboard, anyone got a spare for sale?

[urbancamo]

I know Derek, he's attended a couple of my DEC Legacy Events in the past. 
He is the European Cherry distributor, but alas, (as reported earlier) Cherry stopped manufacturing LK464 keyboards last year quoting excessive tooling costs. I believe I have the honour of acquiring the last single unit ordered keyboard. When HP got wind they bought out the remaining stock. Derek described an alternative from HP in the pipeline, but it is basically a standard PC keyboard with the VMS specific keys overlayed. Not a solution for a hobbyist. With regard to his website - generally his enquiries are via established business-business customers so his website is not a priority, however, he is a very nice man and will probably be happy to answer any queries over the phone.

To answer Sampsa's original question, there have been some AB552A kits listed recently on UK ebay for a good price (certainly less than I've seen advertised before or what I payed), see here GBP 60 for the keyboard/mouse: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HP-AB552A-Wired-USB-OpenVMS-Keyboard-and-3-Button-Mouse-Combo-Kit-/220984016830?pt=UK_Computing_Keyboard_Mouse_Bundles&hash=item3373ac7fbe

I have had *no luck* with PS2 -> USB adaptors if trying to use a PS/2 based keyboard (for example the LK450). However, I *have* successfully used an LK450 with Windows 7 when remotely displaying decterms via Reflection. So if you have a PS/2 equipped PC and run Windows you may be in luck with a VT510 et al. PS/2 based keyboard if you can get hold of Reflection. Interestingly the Attachmate solution which does include a keyboard driver for the LK450 doesn't work (well, at least not with a recent version of Windows).

Definitely no GOLD key on any of the USB keyboards and in my experience they come in one colour: graphite (dark gray).