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Forum Index : Microcontroller and PC projects : Anyone consider making a intagraed keyboard and case to for CMM2

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mclout999
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Joined: 05/07/2020
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Posted: 03:52pm 20 Jul 2020
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I can see a nice project to put the CMM in a C64 like case with the front of the MB on one side and a some extionion cable from the back to the back of the case. I think that may be one of my first hardware hacks.  This would make it so much more like a 8bit Basic box. I do not know if I want to make a small fourm factor or a full size keybord case.
 
Amnesie
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Joined: 30/06/2020
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Posted: 04:00pm 20 Jul 2020
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I would like this idea, too. In general this is no problem. There are so many open source keyboard projects, even with the pcb "free to edit" via easyeda (JLCPCB) in the library. I think the problem is the custom case...
 
mkopack73
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Joined: 03/07/2020
Location: United States
Posts: 261
Posted: 04:03pm 20 Jul 2020
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  Amnesie said  I would like this idea, too. In general this is no problem. There are so many open source keyboard projects, even with the pcb "free to edit" via easyeda (JLCPCB) in the library. I think the problem is the custom case...


Nothing that can't be solved with a 3D printer and some talent with Fusion 360 or SolidWorks
 
abraxas
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Joined: 16/06/2020
Location: Canada
Posts: 99
Posted: 04:35pm 20 Jul 2020
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I want a CMM2 laptop. Badly.

Coding MMBasic at a coffee shop = nerdparadise.
 
Amnesie
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Posted: 05:14pm 20 Jul 2020
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Nothing that can't be solved with a 3D printer and some talent with Fusion 360 or SolidWorks



I really hate these 3d printers. It looks just stupid for me; I mean this ALWAYS looks like a toy. The filament, even with acetone smoothed, looks just awful. NOthing against plastic... but not this way. It should be a real case, I think. All those 3d-printer bullsh*** reminds me on all those youTube videos, kids putting their projects with some hot glue together...  


Here is the problem. I have got a CNC machine, but not everyone something like this at hand.
Edited 2020-07-21 03:17 by Amnesie
 
Decoy
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Joined: 02/08/2019
Location: Denmark
Posts: 109
Posted: 05:15pm 20 Jul 2020
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I just decided to build a case with an internal keyboard and CMM2 last week! :)
 
mclout999
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Posted: 05:42pm 20 Jul 2020
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I thought about a Laptop too just after I posted this thread.  I look at all the PI projects that are avalable for Desktop allinones and laptops.  I think all of those could be very good projects to follow.  Maybe some of thoes caces can for those can be modded for the CMM2.
 
mclout999
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Posted: 05:46pm 20 Jul 2020
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TEST
 
mkopack73
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Joined: 03/07/2020
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Posted: 06:02pm 20 Jul 2020
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Well, there's this, but you'd need some way to convert the VGA to HDMI:

https://nexdock.com/

I have one of the upcoming Touch models on order, that I got for playing around with the RasPi and other small board computers. If I can find a VGA->DVI adapter then I don't see any reason why this wouldn't work with the CMM2...
 
mkopack73
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Posted: 06:06pm 20 Jul 2020
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  Amnesie said  
  Quote  

Nothing that can't be solved with a 3D printer and some talent with Fusion 360 or SolidWorks



I really hate these 3d printers. It looks just stupid for me; I mean this ALWAYS looks like a toy. The filament, even with acetone smoothed, looks just awful. NOthing against plastic... but not this way. It should be a real case, I think. All those 3d-printer bullsh*** reminds me on all those youTube videos, kids putting their projects with some hot glue together...  


Here is the problem. I have got a CNC machine, but not everyone something like this at hand.


Eh, you must have seen some really crappy prints then... My Prusa Mk3 makes some REALLY nice looking prints. Some of the stuff I've made you'd have to touch it or look REALLY closely see the layer lines to tell it's printed vs. injection molded.  Unfortunately there are a lot of really crappy 3D printers out there that produce HORRIBLE prints with lots of layer inconsistency and such.

Ok, you have CNC, it's basically the same thing only in reverse... I have one that I built using 3D printed brackets and a Dremel for cutting that I can do some stuff with, but I haven't done much with it (it's SO damn loud to use and I live in a condo...)
 
Poppy

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Joined: 25/07/2019
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Posted: 06:43pm 20 Jul 2020
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Why not pimping up a simple suitcase:

Something like THIS

This also includes enough space for a battery!
Andre ... such a GURU?
 
Amnesie
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Posted: 07:09pm 20 Jul 2020
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Hi Andre,

I like your "suitcase" kind of idea. I did this before the pricy way. With a military grade Pelican Case in desert color with my raspberry pi (and built in keyboard).
The case alone was about 120€ then the CNC aluminium parts... :D But it was fun!

So yes! suitcase would be an idea! But $$$
Edited 2020-07-21 05:09 by Amnesie
 
realbobele
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Joined: 09/07/2020
Location: Germany
Posts: 23
Posted: 07:28pm 20 Jul 2020
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Only a PET-Style Case could do the CMM2 justice, if you ask me.  
 
Amnesie
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Posted: 07:37pm 20 Jul 2020
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PET-Style is cool, too! No question about that. I would love to see if anybody would do some cool work :) Besides: I really hope the CMM2 will be popular around the world :) I have a feeling that the CMM2 has got some potential to do so :)
 
mclout999
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Posts: 489
Posted: 08:11pm 20 Jul 2020
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  Amnesie said  PET-Style is cool, too! No question about that. I would love to see if anybody would do some cool work :) Besides: I really hope the CMM2 will be popular around the world :) I have a feeling that the CMM2 has got some potential to do so :)

They do make new C64 cases and keybourds for It but they also have a C64 KB to USB addapter.  You could have a new c64 case with a real retro KB that would work and give you a real clasic retro look and feel CMM2.
 
abraxas
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Joined: 16/06/2020
Location: Canada
Posts: 99
Posted: 09:09pm 20 Jul 2020
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I think CMM2 has a massive potential as an intro to programming type of machine. The existing STEM products that compete in this space are very flawed in various ways. The way I stumbled on CMM2 was while doing research on a good teaching environment for my 9 year old.

Everything else is either too much "on rails" or has too many layers of cruft on top (OS, GUI etc) . Usually both.

A well physically packaged CMM2 and a spiral bound manual would be the perfect machine for schools to use in their computer labs.
Edited 2020-07-21 07:11 by abraxas
 
mkopack73
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Joined: 03/07/2020
Location: United States
Posts: 261
Posted: 10:28pm 20 Jul 2020
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  mclout999 said  
  Amnesie said  PET-Style is cool, too! No question about that. I would love to see if anybody would do some cool work :) Besides: I really hope the CMM2 will be popular around the world :) I have a feeling that the CMM2 has got some potential to do so :)

They do make new C64 cases and keybourds for It but they also have a C64 KB to USB addapter.  You could have a new c64 case with a real retro KB that would work and give you a real clasic retro look and feel CMM2.



Yup the KeyRah v2+... I have one and used it to take the case + KB from a dead C64 and put a RasPi inside it running the VICE emulate.

HOWEVER - be aware there are a lot of keys missing from the C64 keyboard that would make doing some things very difficult.. For example, when I have to do some maintenance on that VICE setup, I usually have to plug in another USB keyboard to be able to work in Linux effectively. So be aware going in...
 
mclout999
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Joined: 05/07/2020
Location: United States
Posts: 489
Posted: 02:44am 21 Jul 2020
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  mkopack73 said  
  mclout999 said  
  Amnesie said  PET-Style is cool, too! No question about that. I would love to see if anybody would do some cool work :) Besides: I really hope the CMM2 will be popular around the world :) I have a feeling that the CMM2 has got some potential to do so :)

They do make new C64 cases and keybourds for It but they also have a C64 KB to USB addapter.  You could have a new c64 case with a real retro KB that would work and give you a real clasic retro look and feel CMM2.



Yup the KeyRah v2+... I have one and used it to take the case + KB from a dead C64 and put a RasPi inside it running the VICE emulate.

HOWEVER - be aware there are a lot of keys missing from the C64 keyboard that would make doing some things very difficult.. For example, when I have to do some maintenance on that VICE setup, I usually have to plug in another USB keyboard to be able to work in Linux effectively. So be aware going in...


I have considered the C64 KB issues.  I just know some would love that combo even if it was not perfect.  I think the most useful setup would use a USB KB's guts with wireing to a header on the CMM2 MB USB port and all the front and back ports rounted to one side and to the back.  This would best be dune with extention cables from the back of the CMM2 to the back of the cumstom KB case.  That is the way I envisioned it to being with.
 
capsikin
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Joined: 30/06/2020
Location: Australia
Posts: 341
Posted: 06:08am 21 Jul 2020
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One idea for an integrated keyboard and case - have the circuit board to the right of the main keyboard, with the SD slot facing the front. Similar layout to the Amstrad CPC6128 and its disk drive. Then the rear ports could be accessed from the rear.

For myself I'm happy enough with a separate wireless keyboard.
 
bigmik

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Joined: 20/06/2011
Location: Australia
Posts: 2949
Posted: 08:04am 21 Jul 2020
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Hi All,

I wonder why you would `want' a CMM2 mounted inside a kb? You would turn a pretty low profile keyboard into a thick, ugly chuck of plastic!

Why not mount your CMM2 on the back of a VGA monitor instead? You can use the VESA mounts that are generally on every one. If you have a USB on the monitor it could probably power the CMM2 as well.

Then you just have your kb which could be a wireless jobbie.

Just saying!!


Kind Regards

Mick
Mick's uMite Stuff can be found >>> HERE (Kindly hosted by Dontronics) <<<
 
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