Simulant retro/new keyboards

[simulant]

Is azerty an option or not ?

Hi thanks, if we can cheat a little simply swap some keycaps to achieve new layouts easily (such as a basic AZERTY but without the additional extra characters to the English layout) then we can offer this as the project stands, however I would like to also include the extra characters, so if demand is there then I will add this as a stretch goal along with other layouts. We will try to definitely add extra keyboard layouts

[remax]

Thanks for your answer

[simulant]

Currently, the 464-like keyboard mock-up don't push me to back the project.
I like a lot the Amiga versions.

Hi hopefully you will like the 464-style one more when we get the renders done of the new design that uses the Full height keycaps instead - as now it looks even more like a 464 with tall keys    This will be published as a Kickstarter Update on the project hopefully soon. Thanks again for the support and glad you like the Amiga ones

[TotO]

Hi hopefully you will like the 464-style one more when we get the renders done of the new design that uses the Full height keycaps instead - as now it looks even more like a 464 with tall keys    This will be published as a Kickstarter Update on the project hopefully soon. Thanks again for the support and glad you like the Amiga ones

Sure, I have read you comment under the keyboard. It is more to let you know the feeling when going to the KS page.

[simulant]

Sure, I have read you comment under the keyboard. It is more to let you know the feeling when going to the KS page.

Thanks TotO - I've put a bold comment at the top for now just so everyone knows they're full keycap height. And I'll get some new photos on their asap hopefully in a few days etc. Thanks again

[Sykobee (Briggsy)]

It's nice - obviously it's just a styling option for a standard PC keyboard so it doesn't retain the CPC layout exactly (which would be ideal for FPGA systems).


It would be good to see a unit with the final keycaps rather than the weird low ones.

[simulant]

It's nice - obviously it's just a styling option for a standard PC keyboard so it doesn't retain the CPC layout exactly (which would be ideal for FPGA systems).


It would be good to see a unit with the final keycaps rather than the weird low ones.

Hi thanks for the feedback - yes the renders of the updated design with the full height keycaps will be coming soon

[arkive]

Umm, I'll pass. ~40 pounds for a slightly-styled KB of an unknown quality is an overkill. But that's me, there are probably quite a few people who'd go for it, this is the retro computing world after all.

But I don't think your target of nearly quarter of a million is in any way achievable on Kickstarter, for this kind of a product. Perhaps it'd be wiser to start with just one/two more popular designs (Acorn =/=popular), for both lower unit price and KS target.

[simulant]

Umm, I'll pass. ~40 pounds for a slightly-styled KB of an unknown quality is an overkill. But that's me, there are probably quite a few people who'd go for it, this is the retro computing world after all.

But I don't think your target of nearly quarter of a million is in any way achievable on Kickstarter, for this kind of a product. Perhaps it'd be wiser to start with just one/two more popular designs (Acorn =/=popular), for both lower unit price and KS target.

Thanks Arkive - you could be right it is a very big goal to achieve yes, however unfortunately factory restraints on Minimum orders mean we can keep the cost down the more designs we try to produce. If the Kickstarter does fail then backers will get full refunds which is nice and no one loses out, we'll then attempt hopefully in another way as you suggest if we can. Let's think positive though and hope it gains traction Thanks again for your feedback, I'm taking it all onboard!

Another point to consider is that a keyboard that looks similar to the CPC is definitely not slightly modified in the factory's point of view, those different colours are a real pain for them as well as the different colour case to your modern "normals". So the price is arguably very good for a bespoke injection moulding of different coloured plastics like that...

[Sykobee (Briggsy)]

Certainly the Acorn design is going to be a tough one to sell - it simply wasn't popular. The QL one is also not really accurate except in colour, but it's not standing out. It might be hard to sell many of these designs to make up their upfront individual design cost. But maybe there is a Raspberry Pi RISC-OS community crying out for them (in which case they will want the native RISC-OS keycaps and arrangement).


Part of me thinks it should be keycaps for existing mechanical keyboards, but obviously then you have to pick which keyboard to put them in, as different keyboards have different key sizes.

[arkive]

Part of me thinks it should be keycaps for existing mechanical keyboards, but obviously then you have to pick which keyboard to put them in, as different keyboards have different key sizes.

This, plus maybe a set of decal stickers. Much more reasonable & achievable.

[simulant]

This, plus maybe a set of decal stickers. Much more reasonable & achievable.

Yes that sounds like a good project - we didn't go mechanical due to very high production costs, but I really wanted to offer a proper injection moulded colour with stickers being a little bit of a cheap fix in terms of peeling off or getting them straight and such - wear and tear... But thanks again as these are good ideas for additional goals or projects.

[Sykobee (Briggsy)]

Will the CPC version have the original CPC keyboard font (or close to, i.e., big and cheerful) on the keys?


Side idea / add-on idea: spare keycaps to allow a full CPC layout (mostly differences on the punctuation on the right hand side) for FPGA CPC users.

[simulant]

Will the CPC version have the original CPC keyboard font (or close to, i.e., big and cheerful) on the keys?


Side idea / add-on idea: spare keycaps to allow a full CPC layout (mostly differences on the punctuation on the right hand side) for FPGA CPC users.

Hi yes it will have the same/very similar font and the very cheerful large lettering - there is a higher res image of the design on the Kickstarter page about half way down. Good idea too for the stretch goal on the extra keycaps, I'll put it in my notes and check if it is viable.