Re: Keyboard for IIGS

[Mitchell Spector <mitch2gs@hotmail.com>]

"Alex Freed" <alexf@mirrow.com> wrote:

>I just bought a IIGS on Ebay - mostly to test my MMC/SD based "disk" on
>several platforms before offering it to the world.
>
>Unfortunately it didn't come with a keyboard.
>
>Should I specifically look for a IIGS keyboard or any ADB keyboard will do?
>My guess is any k.b. should work, but are there any special keys etc. on a
>stock one?

    As mentioned, with just a few exceptions, most Apple Desktop Bus
keyboards will work. Note if you connect an extended keyboard (those
similar to PC layout) the function keys, cursor editing keys and special
function keys above it will be ignored (expect in rare cases). Both the
Num-Lock and Scroll-Lock status LEDs too for that matter.

    Missing keys? No, however keep in mind on the newer keyboards
the 'Control' and 'Caps-Lock' keys swapped places, and some even
moved the 'Esc' key near the spacebar. Useable, but makes common
key strokes a little awkward: accessing the Control Panel, self-test,
warm booting the machine, etc.

    The Apple Keyboard (M0116) used by the Macintosh SE is the
closest you'll get to the Apple IIgs keyboard, plus has a small foot-
print and nice feel to boot. For cabling, an S-Video cable works as
a suitable replacement for ADB cabling incidentally.

Mitchell Spector