Re: please i need help!max # of functons on a keyboard


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Posted by Sasquatch! on 22, 2000 at 11:47 PM:

In Reply to: please i need help!max # of functons on a keyboard posted by charlie on 22, 2000 at 7:24 PM:

Charlie,

While a keyboard hack *is* the least expensive way to go, it unfortunately does have its limitaions, and the problem that you're having is the most common one. I hate to say it, but there really is no easy way to solve your problem. Believe me, people here have tried for about two years! :)

The most linear "solution" to your problem would be this: the encoder chips from each brand/model of keyboard are usually different, so trial-and-error is pretty much your only way around this problem. You'd have to try one keyboard, and if that doesn't work, try another....and another...and another. Even then, you will have the following problems:
1. It will be VERY time-consuming.
2. Unless you have access to a bunch of free keyboards, you'll have to purchase a whole lot of them, which might end up costing you just as much as an encoder.
3. There's no guarantee even if you hack 20-30 keyboards, that you'll be able to find that one "magical" PCB that will do what you want it to. You might be spinning your wheels.

Like I said before, this is just the nature of the beast of hacking a keyboard. However, if you can find a brand of keyboard that will allow you to have the 8 simultaneous individual keypresses that you're looking for, then be sure to let us know!



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