[Info-vax] Should VSI commission the production of DEC layout keyboards ?

[Galen]

Jeffrey H. Coffield <jeffrey at digitalsynergyinc.com> wrote:

>
> While trying to resuscitate an LK464 keyboard that had drowned in 
> coffee, I notice the circuit board said "Cherry" on it. I called the 
> company and got someone technical and they said yes they could restart 
> production on them but the minimum order was, as I remember, 10,000.
> .
During my client’s COVID work-from-home period last year, I partially
revived a LK45X word processor keyboard (Ps/2 connector) that I’d picked up
on EBay as is for about $15 US. When I opened it up, it appeared to have
had a cola spilled in it, then been subjected to something heavy sitting on
the keyboard for a good while. 

After I thoroughly cleaned it, it wasn’t much trouble to repair the
conductive tracery. And the circuit board was just fine already. But I was
stymied by the half dozen or so crushed dome “springs”.

Not being able to find another so cheaply for parts, I’ve just been letting
it sit in the closet. It may have something to do with my decision a few
weeks ago to give away my working though seldom used DS10 I’d hoped to use
it with.

I really liked the LK4XX line for its ergonomics.  Among other keyboards,
the older Mac USB keyboards (before the ridiculous low profile ones) and a
numeric keypad are pretty good but harder on my fingers. Mine, which I’ve
had for 21 years, is getting a bit stiff to operate (as are my fingers
themselves).