Baralier ([info]baralier) wrote,
@ 2007-02-24 04:37:00
Previous Entry  Add to memories!  Tell a Friend  Next Entry
Current mood: chipper
Entry tags:computer, geek, steampunk

The third item in the hunt for a steampunk computer
Someone had taken a lot of time and care to put this together. But coupled with the modded tower, and the flatbed scanner from other people is close to completing the whole package.

One day!



Full details at Vonslatt.

A real update real-soon-now.


(9 comments) - (Post a new comment)


[info]marquesate
2007-02-23 08:36 pm UTC (link)
Does it make me very weird that it took me quite a while before I even realised there was something raher different about this? O_O

(Reply to this)


[info]spider_kitten
2007-02-23 10:49 pm UTC (link)
i want one! how awesome!

(Reply to this)


[info]pinque
2007-02-23 10:58 pm UTC (link)
Oh, we very much like. It works so very well in that structure too!

(Reply to this)


[info]raven_
2007-02-24 02:47 am UTC (link)
That's SEXY!

(Reply to this)


[info]damien_wise
2007-02-24 03:03 am UTC (link)
While reading that article yesterday, I found myself getting really annoyed.

Firstly, he's advising people to use and modify tools in dangerous ways.
His use of materials leaves something to be desired -- two typewriters' worth of keys, yet he also resorts to mocking-up more keys from plastic/metal buttons. Aesthetically, I'd have preferred it he had gone for a consistent look.
Worst of all, though, imagine all the beautiful vintage Underwood typewriters that will be mangled from having their keys scavenged by people that lack the talent to pull-off such a project. Given that some of the keys in the project were made from plastic shirt-buttons, I'd be happier if it occurred to people to just stick with them for all the keys (instead of destroying two Underwoods -- many of those on eBay are still in working order).

The design of the metalwork looks very nice from the side but doesn't do much for me from the front. Perhaps it's just the way the flash-photography has lit the felt background and made the differences between keys from various sources more evident.
IMHO, the space-bar needs an overhaul, perhaps a bar of brushed/polished brass with rounded ends and gently chamfered edges.
And, I'd swap the curly plastic cable with something like this:

(Reply to this) (Thread)

[info]kits_the_dm
2007-02-25 10:33 pm UTC (link)
Yeah I agree with you.
There's a more efficient way to do a keyboard mod than the way shown (not to mention destroying decent working typewriters in this manner is just wrong)

One of these for example would make a better starting base (its a flexible keyboard, so you can just remove the outer casing, and embed the key-pad sensors under whatever keys you've made (pity it is ps2)

I'd rather do this as it doesn't totally destroy the actual typewriter, even though due to the way the keypresses are mapped, this is a much more involved process than simply transposing keys from a typewriter to a PC keyboard.

(Reply to this) (Parent)

[info]misskittiness
2007-02-24 03:31 am UTC (link)
people have amazing creativity. i love it.

(Reply to this)


[info]kits_the_dm
2007-02-25 10:22 pm UTC (link)
someone's done a leadlight casemod for their PC. Link here

(Reply to this)


[info]shrydar
2007-03-02 03:32 am UTC (link)
Beautiful at first glance, but I do agree with [info]damien_wise that it's a shame to destroy a perfectly good Underwood to build it, and I also think the plastic key bottoms look pretty tacky from the side.

Methinks I'll wait until I can find an affordable way to get nice shiny keys built from scratch :)

(Reply to this)

(9 comments) - (Post a new comment)

Create an Account
Forgot your login or password?
Login w/ OpenID
English • Español • Deutsch • Русский…