tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993165553021868648.post9130615855605443996..comments2024-03-27T05:39:24.505-04:00Comments on Nerdly Pleasures: Northgate Omnikey 101 vs. IBM Model M KeyboardGreat Hierophanthttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04409413307024477304noreply@blogger.comBlogger7125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993165553021868648.post-30125067911370058982022-03-30T08:55:26.246-04:002022-03-30T08:55:26.246-04:00I've been using my Northgate for over 30 years...I've been using my Northgate for over 30 years now, and the only maintenance has been pulling the keys for a thorough cleaning (about 8-10 years). The keys go in a basin with soapy water -- dish soap or laundry detergent -- for a few hours, and as walk by it I stir the water up a little. After a few hours they come out spotless, and go onto a towel to dry overnight. The metal base gets a cleaning with alcohol and Q-tips, while the plastic cover gets a scrubbing with alcohol and paper towels. Just did it. Good for more years. Love my Northgate!Rick Thompsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00641335985791417365noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993165553021868648.post-61093251346637405262022-01-06T08:16:48.576-05:002022-01-06T08:16:48.576-05:00I have found that a Soarer's converter makes m...I have found that a Soarer's converter makes my IBM Model M work like a charm with my 2021 PS2-less machine.Great Hierophanthttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04409413307024477304noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993165553021868648.post-27043770492730201612022-01-03T19:17:48.235-05:002022-01-03T19:17:48.235-05:00King of compatibility? You understate it. I reti...King of compatibility? You understate it. I retired yesterday; I will probably sell the 101 that I have used daily for the past 30-some years on eBay. I used a DIN to PS2 adaptor, and then a few years ago bought a PS2 to USB adaptor, and it still works like a charm. Tim Boyerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/05542622123641731499noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993165553021868648.post-12231570309495590902020-01-25T00:43:55.554-05:002020-01-25T00:43:55.554-05:00Thank you for the great comparison. As a multi-de...Thank you for the great comparison. As a multi-decade model M user with the opportunity to get a Northgate, I was debating it. Your article helped make my decision. :) Thank you again.Samirhttp://www.huntsvillecarscene.comnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993165553021868648.post-50197238594392884792016-09-22T04:32:46.226-04:002016-09-22T04:32:46.226-04:00Nice thorough comparison. I actually appreciate my...Nice thorough comparison. I actually appreciate my Model M better now, though I still would like a proper nkro gaming keyboard.evktalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02010922034775065868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993165553021868648.post-47107058820753296342016-09-22T04:23:37.353-04:002016-09-22T04:23:37.353-04:00This comment has been removed by the author.evktalohttps://www.blogger.com/profile/02010922034775065868noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6993165553021868648.post-83313210950912227832016-09-04T16:30:07.425-04:002016-09-04T16:30:07.425-04:00It's worth noting, by the way, that the Cherry...It's worth noting, by the way, that the Cherry MX switch and the Alps SKCL/SKCM switch both date back to 1983 - it's just that Cherry was AFAIK more expensive, and wasn't widely adopted until after Alps stopped production of their keyboard switches (including the cost-reduced SKBL/SKBM.<br /><br />As far as removing caps, the Cherry MX switches hold onto caps MUCH less strongly than an Alps SKCL/SKCM/SKBL/SKBM switch. I've actually managed to pull an SKCM switch apart trying to remove a keycap, and that was with directly pulling up on the keycap.Anonymoushttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14079513952888145252noreply@blogger.com