Extend your keyboard!

[fishern3485@cobra.uni.edu]

Just thought I'd let you know something I tried....

I've got an Apple //c, and have since added a Super Expander C (extra
memory) and a Zip Chip 8.  The combination of the two has forced my
keyboard outside the case.  I went to rat-shack and got a 36-wire
ribbon cable and a female block connector.  removed two wires from
the cable (to make 34) and snapped on the block connector.  *carefully*
pried the connector header off the koyboard and **very** carefully
removed the 3" of cable.  Slipped in the new cable and replaced the
header, and voila!  an extended keyboard, up to 6' away from the
computer!

Be afraid, be very, VERY afraid of stacic.  I just found out the hard
way that the keyboard's metal frame gets its ground from the
only static sensitive chip in the whole $%!#$ computer.  (the
keyboard decoder chip)  It's also the only chip that is *soldered*
in. (not in a socket)  I touched the screen to clear the dust off
my new color monitor, and got a snap from my keyboard.  Now I press
keys and see garbage.  *sigh*      $36 mistake.  My keyboard will be
in a plexiglass case before the chip arrives.

-- 
Nathan Fisher
  FISHERN3485@COBRA.UNI.EDU