Worst computer keyboard ever made built from scratch

I bought this retro 8 bit computer for $15. The "monitor" stand contains the power supply and disk drive only, the mainboard is usually housed in the keyboard housing but both the keyboard and the housing were missing.

By following the keyboard matrix and schematics I built a rough and ready keyboard. The "keys" are operated by shorting the two posts with a metallic object most commonly described as a screwdriver.

The biggest problems are the non-qwerty layout (though adapting to it was remarkably easy) and "key" debounce... oh and it's FUGLY as hell.

If you can work out what computer this is from the clues I have given, post a comment!

Category:

Education

Tags:

• Geek
• Technical
• Electronics
• Ever
• Worst
• Robot
• Computer
• Worlds
• Gadget
• Keyboard
• Computer Keyboard
• Home
• Made

[SFsc616171]

Dear Gerardus,

You, my friend, are looking at how 'we of the first generation home computers', rolled. This was BEFORE the Timex 1000/Sinclair ZX-81; BEFORE Bill Gates put out a commercial computer; BEFORE Steve Jobs' model, (yes, I know they worked together). Hell, while I was with General Dynamics in the early '80's, we were making our OWN 'chips', with the 8088 as the base! "First Generation" electronics usually do look crude, but you have to start SOMEWHERE, and that was ours!

[Gerardus1970]

@SFsc616171 Thanks for your insightful comments. 

[WarSpigotProductions]

BBC Master Compact(cheated, say it on HaD)

[Gerardus1970]

@WarSpigotProductions Bingo! Collect your prize at the door.

[Gerardus1970]

@DarrenXVanXDerXMerwe More than that because you bothered with a pointless comment!

[Christozz777]

@SantaAssassin99 @tryharder3000 I used to make arrow to the knee jokes... then I met an actual girl... with boobs and everything

[Christozz777]

@786Bowman but me... i prefer my books, and my kitteh memes

[EnragedSephiroth]

So did you create the universe before you started building this from scratch?

[jshowa7]

@Gerardus1970 uhhh... so a switch essentially lol.

[alieninplanetidiot]

Why?

[jesuisfait]

what

[TheOne42]

did you used 8021's for this or simple FFs?

[kreefalicious]

Holy shit, well played dude. I thought I was smart when I modded my PS 2, but this. wow

[MarkAJAgi]

@WarSpigotProductions

The BBC modal B, BBC compact and Acorn Electron use proper keyboard switches mounted on a PCB.

I expect the BBC modal A and the American version of the BBC B also use the same system.

The mains transformer is inside the computer, except the Acorn Election which is in the plug.

[overdriven77]

make a mouse too :)