Re: Found: Special-purpose keyboards, up to 128 keys

Nicholas Bodley wrote:

> These are general-purpose devices, not necessarily for text input, but it
> appears that they are just the berries :) for someone who wants to try
> more than the restricted number of alphanumeric keys in a standard
> computer keyboard. They are not inexpensive, having a limited market, and
> quite likely are of excellent quality. They are programmable (quite
> easily, in some cases), and have "relegendable" key caps, as well as
> removable key tops. Nevertheless, their prices are not hopeless*. They
> also have foot switches, including a triple. (Anybody for a Shift
> footswitch?).
> *Depends upon how you define "hopeless", though.

The 128-key is $300, and "call for availability" suggests they're
custom-made. Mass production would lower the price considerably, and
dedicated functions, rather than "programmability," might reduce the
cost still more. Also eliminating the "8-position key" -- i.e., it's
locked like a cash register.

> <http://www.xkeys.com/xkeys.php>

Of course it's just a rectangular grid, so rather unergonomic, but has
definite possibilities for Vai and maybe even Yi.
--
Peter T. Daniels grammatim@...