estes@tty3b.UUCP (09/01/83)
Sorry not to post this to net.micro.apple, but inews throws it
away without complaint if I do.
A while ago I posted a request for information about installing
a full ASCII keyboard on my Apple II+. I received a few suggestions,
got a few requests on what I found, and did some research of my own.
...tekid!dennisw suggested looking at the keyboards advertised
in Byte by various vendors. These ads have keyboards ranging in price
from $80 to $100. The descriptions for the above say something like
"Apple II compatable" or "ASCII keyboard for Apple II", etc. They do not
say how many keys are on the keyboard, or if one can get {}[]\|~` with
the keyboard, or if one has to hack at the case to accommodate extra keys
(which one would assume are necessary to get a full ASCII set). I was
therefore very skeptical. If anyone has bought one of these, and found
it to offer a FULL ascii set, let me know via netmail.
...tekecs!davids sent a nice summary of various options for those
desiring a new keyboard. These options included 1) replace keyboard with
one of those separate, detached units, 2) buy and ascii keyboard and build
into the Apple case, and 3) install Videx Keyboard Enhancer and Funtion
Strip. Dave disliked the detached units because the $300 price tag did not
buy one many extra options. I don't like them because I already have a
computer, monitor, 2 disk drives, printer, paddles, joystick, modem, etc.,
taking up room on my computer stand, and cannot spare the extra space needed
for a detached keyboard.
Dave recommended the Videx Keyboard Enhancer. It gives the user
full ascii, plus keyboard macro edit/download capability. The full ascii
set is realized by control key sequences, which Dave assured me was a very
workable solution to the problem. The Function Strip adds 16 user programmable
keys. The Keyboard Enhancer is about $130, I believe.
I have decided, however, to go with an Apple IIe keyboard and hack
it into my case. My reasons for this decision included 1) compatability with
existing software, 2) esthetically pleasing, 3) usable by a novice, and 4)
I was looking for a hardware project. The IIe keyboard can be purchased from
an Apple dealer for about $88. Also necessary for the project are an
AY-5-3600-PRO keyboard encoder from General Instruments (about $11) and a
2716 EPROM (price variable, depending upon whether or not you buy it). Find
a IIe manual and copy the schematic for the keyboard encoder from it. (Note
that AKD means "any key down".) I will not recommend how to get the codes
to program into the 2716, but will point out that it gives you total
flexibility as to where you map your codes. Also a decision needs to be made
about repeating characters, as this function is provided by a custom MOS chip
in the IIe. All this extra stuff needs to be stuck on a little piggy-back
board. I am in the process of ordering the necessary items. When I get a
working version, I will post my results, and offer a schematic of the final
design.
Thanks to those who responded,
Ted Estes
Teletype Corp., Skokie, IL
{otuxa, we13, ihnp4}!tty3b!estes