Looking for NeXT and other classic keyboards layout files

[Barry Manilowa]

By any chance, is there a repository of .keylayout file available for the NeXT and other classic keyboards such as Dell AT!01, Apple Extended Keyboard, Apple Standard Keyboard, etc. IYes, we're not dead yet and won't be upgrading anytime soon. We'll be clicking and clacking on our mechanical keyboards until they're pried away from our cold dead RSI ridden hands!

[Gé van Gasteren]

On Sat, Aug 19, 2023 at 7:38 AM Barry Manilowa <joebea...@gmail.com> wrote:

By any chance, is there a repository of .keylayout file available for the NeXT and other classic keyboards 

Do you mean that you (want to) use old hardware keyboards on a computer running macOS? 

Firstly, you’ll need quite an intelligent device to even connect them:

https://hackaday.com/2012/12/09/usb-next-keyboard/

Compared to that, creating a keyboard layout with Ukelele is a breeze, I’d think.

Or, if there’s a problem with some keycodes, you might need software like Karabiner:

https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org

But to answer your question :-)     

I have no idea if there is such a repository.

And I must confess that I can’t understand why people would want to go such a difficult route, as there are very good mechanical keyboards on the market today with a USB connection.

[Barry Manilowa]

I take it that you haven't experienced what it's like to type on a true mechanical keyboard made during the golden age of keyboards. It's truly an orgasmic experience! Yes, they do make modern mechanical keyboards, but few if any, can capture the typing experience of ALPS key switches used on vintage mechanical ones. As a result, vintage keyboards with these switches fetch a premium.

[Gé van Gasteren]

I take it that you haven't experienced what it's like to type on a true mechanical keyboard made during the golden age of keyboards.

Maybe I haven’t … but how can I make up for that lacuna in my education, without spending a fortune, that is?

So far, I am quite happy with this pretty old Packard Bell that makes the Mac think it’s an ANSI keyboard even though it’s actually ISO:

But let’s close the circle:

What happens when you connect your NeXT keyboard (and others) to the Mac that makes you need or want a custom keyboard layout, or even a whole repository?

[John Brownie]

I'm wondering about the original question, and whether keyboard layouts are what you're after. They are independent of hardware, so maybe you are thinking of the on-screen display to match the keyboard. At this point, Ukelele doesn't have the capability to display anything but what has been built in, which are all Apple keyboards up to some years ago, when they stopped making them available in the old format. It uses my own XML format, so in principle it could be opened up for others to use their own keyboards if they can describe them in that format, but it would need some work to make it happen.

John 

[Gé van Gasteren]

John, thanks for this "thinking out of the box". I bet this is what Barry is looking for.

Barry: To explain John’s question a little further:

When Ukelele shows a keyboard diagram that’s different from your hardware, you can still use it to edit the behavior of all the keys, even those that are not displayed. 

If you go to the Ukelele menu View and choose Keyboard Type …, you can select one of the listed keyboards and try how it matches your hardware. Also remember to pick ANSI or ISO on the right!

On Mon, Aug 21, 2023 at 11:36 AM John Brownie <john_b...@sil.org> wrote:

I'm wondering about the original question, and whether keyboard layouts are what you're after. They are independent of hardware, so maybe you are thinking of the on-screen display to match the keyboard. At this point, Ukelele doesn't have the capability to display anything but what has been built in, which are all Apple keyboards up to some years ago, when they stopped making them available in the old format. It uses my own XML format, so in principle it could be opened up for others to use their own keyboards if they can describe them in that format, but it would need some work to make it happen.

John 

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