I've decided to build a 1088XEL

[Gunstar]

Yep, the original equipment upgrades only guy has finally decided to build a 1088XEL. It's because I found a mechanical keyboard that is so cool and retro enough, to make me want to make a matching case and use it all with a 1088XEL inside:

 

https://www.alibaba.com/product-detail/IP65-with-trackball-ESD-mechanical-Keyboard_1695575081.html

 

I will be going with the trackball version, not the touch pad, though I can make either work as Atari trackball or touchtablet.

Edited December 31, 2020 by Gunstar

[+DrVenkman]

Good luck with the funky keyboard - it's USB. Dongle adapters don't work with the XEL/XLD/NUC+ machines (or the standalone TKII adapters) because the original keyboard firmware has to "speak" the PS/2 protocol.

[Gunstar]

Actually, They are custom ordered and according to specifications (sorry about the format, I cut and pasted and that happened):

 

 

Style:

Multimedia

Type:

Wired

Interface Type:

PS/2, usb

Keyboard Standard:

82 Keys

Wrist Support:

No

Application:

Desktop

Brand Name:

IKB-MKB

Model Number:

K-TEK-A361-TB-FN-MDT

Place of Origin:

Guangdong, China

Products Status:

Stock

wall mounting:

available

trackball:

yes

trackball size:

38.0mm

touchpad:

optional

interface:

USB, PS/2

desk top:

yes

long key stroke:

yes

short key stroke:

optional

material:

metal

stainless steel:

yes

Supply Ability

Edited December 31, 2020 by Gunstar

[xrbrevin]

35 minutes ago, Gunstar said:

a mechanical keyboard

shame its in the "oh crikey" price bracket..! 😮

[Gunstar]

For a project like this, I always intended to put a lot of money into it, cost doesn't matter (meaning around $1000-2000). Once upon a time I was going to use a spare 1200XL motherboard I have and make a cherry wood case with gold-leaf trim and keyboard, etc. But then a friend gave me a case for it and I've since restored it to stock which it will stay. But now I've decided to go with brushed steel keyboard and case and use a 1088XEL instead. Yes, it's a pricey keyboard, and will be the most expensive I ever bought. But to me, this is a project I look at like restoring a vehicle. It's going to cost a lot, and take time as I don't have all the cash up-front. But it's not something I can't afford over time.

 

But apparently, being American, I've got more free money on the way as a Covid relief/stimulus deal was passed and all tax-paying citizens will have another $600 in their accounts soon. With the possibility of even more in the near future. Plus, I was blessed enough to be self-employed in the contractor business, and business has only increased for me as people stay home and need repairs or decide to do improvements they put off or attempted to do themselves and then call me to finish it, etc. So I'm not hurting financially. My land and home are payed off and mine. There were times in the past couple of decades, like the crash of 2007/8, that hit me hard, but not the Covid as it's mostly outdoor work I do.

 

The keyboard will be the first purchase, as I can use it with my PC (which also has legacy PS/2 connections which I am using with a Hi-Tek RT101 AT keyboard right now) in the mean time or I already have a TK-II clone board that I can install in my 800 or 1200XL and use it that way if I want. I use the TK-II board now while repairing and upgrading Atari's until I'm ready to put it all back together with the original keyboard (also in case of a bad keyboard too).

Edited December 31, 2020 by Gunstar

[chevymad]

4 hours ago, xrbrevin said:

shame its in the "oh crikey" price bracket..! 😮

Not as bad as the Steampunk keyboard that popped up on my feed yesterday. Solid brass, and I thought it looked pretty cool, til I saw it was $1k on Amazon.

[Mclaneinc]

Good luck with the build Matt, very funky keyboard indeed...Looks the part!!

[+Mr Robot]

I've built these kinds of keyboards into equipment designed for use on oil rigs, they are not what you'd call tactile, very much the opposite, imagine a roughneck with thick gloves stabbing at metal buttons with one finger to get an idea of how they are designed to be used. The springs required to maintain the IP65 while being used don't allow for finesse. The trackball (if it's a solid metal ball type) is also enormously heavy and makes anything more than rudimentary pointer positioning a real challenge.  I've also seen these things on ATM's and Public access terminals etc.

 

It will certainly be a unique Atari, I can't wait to see the pics of your build, from past photos I know you do quality work!

 

[Gunstar]

Yes, I had my doubts about the keyboard being something I would do heavy typing on, it's more for aesthetics and longevity, but now that I know I'd have to do some heavy typing on it, I won't be using it for heavy typing.

Edited January 1 by Gunstar

[Dmitry]

21 hours ago, Gunstar said:

I've got more free money on the way as a Covid relief/stimulus deal was passed

 

Totally get that.  Last time I gave all the money away, but this time, I bought an XF551.  I guess with enough temptation they finally hooked me on the free money.     OK, this almost sounded political, so I'll bite my tongue.  Anyway, good luck on the project, that keyboard does look magnificent.

[bfollowell]

23 hours ago, Gunstar said:

I've got more free money on the way as a Covid relief/stimulus deal was passed and all tax-paying citizens will have another $600 in their accounts soon. With the possibility of even more in the near future.

 

 

2 hours ago, Dmitry said:

Totally get that.  Last time I gave all the money away, but this time, I bought an XF551.  I guess with enough temptation they finally hooked me on the free money.

 

 

Sounds like you guys did better than my wife and I did. I think we wound up with like $180.

 

[+mytek]

Just something to toss out here as an alternative keyboard: WASD Custom Keyboards. It allows for customizing the key caps to whatever you'd like to have on it, and it would use the very nice Cherry MX key switches. If you go HERE and scroll down the page you will find an example SVG that approximates a real Atari keyboard when based on the ISO key layout. The SVG is a bit dated in some of the labeling for the function keys, so it would be good to edit it for a better match.

 

[+Mr Robot]

I've been playing with a WASD custom design set, it's been on a lower priority for quite a while now because I can't afford to buy the keyboard if I finish the design! One day I'll finish it

 

[+mytek]

You'll notice that Mr Robot's custom keyboard is based on a stock US keyboard layout. The custom layout I showed was based on an ISO keyboard layout, and with the customization comes pretty close to mimicking the layout of a stock Atari A8 keyboard. This would allow for a nearly seamless transition when going from a stock Atari keyboard, over to the PS/2 TransKey version.

 

To enable the A8-ISO mode in TransKey, press CTRL+ALT+F4 to step you through the four possible key maps. You'll see the cursor wiggle back and forth the number of times that equal the present selection, acting as a guide to where you are at. You can also verify which one is selected by being in an editor screen (BASIC) and pressing ALT+F4.

1=US

2=DE

3=UK

4=A8

Note: The key map setting is non-volatile and will be restored to your last selection upon power-up.

 

WASD Custom ISO Keyboard Layout

 

Atari 400 Keyboard Layout

[Gunstar]

3 hours ago, mytek said:

Just something to toss out here as an alternative keyboard: WASD Custom Keyboards. It allows for customizing the key caps to whatever you'd like to have on it, and it would use the very nice Cherry MX key switches. If you go HERE and scroll down the page you will find an example SVG that approximates a real Atari keyboard when based on the ISO key layout. The SVG is a bit dated in some of the labeling for the function keys, so it would be good to edit it for a better match.

 

I'll look into that, thanks. I was actually just noticing that the version of the keyboard I posted pictures of, doesn't have a row of function keys across the top, they have a version with them which I intend to get if I do get this keyboard. But I will admit that it's going to be hard to be sold on another keyboard, I fell in love with this one the moment I saw it, and not being a PC fan had to come up with some reason I needed it, so it's my entire inspiration for a 1088XEL project.

Edited January 2 by Gunstar
typo