constructing cp...where to put keyboard???

[hulkster]

im making a showcase cab with a 4 player cp.  i want to have a keyboard accessible obviously, and am trying to figure out the best route to go.  on my old cab i didnt have a pull out drawer type thing in my cp box, i just kept the keyboard in a spot behind the cp, so when i needed it, i just lifted it out and layed it on top of the cp to do work or whatever.  well that kinda scratched the lexan a little..not much, but enough to piss me off.  ive seen like little compartments in the front of cp's where people have locks (like in the UAII) so they have to open a door to get to the keyboard.  thats a good design, but kinda unsightly.  i want my keyboard to be out of the way and i dont want a lock or anything or visible door in the front of the cp where i would access the keyboard/mouse.  does anyone have any suggestions on where i could put a compartment, or where i could put my keyboard so when i needed to use it, it wasnt uncomfortable, yet discreet so that on first glance, you cant see the place where the keyboard resides.  understand?  i want access, but i dont want anybody to know that there is a keyboard accessible.  so whats the best way to do this??

[DrewKaree]

Hulkster, the idea I might be going with (I'm trying to see if there's a way I can bypass the need for a keyboard alltogether, but if not....) is have an opening on the BACKSIDE of your CP.

Since you/I are going to have a podium, we've got the backside of that thing.  If I remember correctly, there is a keyboard tray that slides up/down/in/out that would suit that need perfectly.  You'd slide it out towards your screen and up, mebbe even with a little angle so it'll be easier to type on.  Of course, this depends on your CP depth....mine is gonna be 14-15" so for me, no problem...for you, I don't know how deep, but if you've got an "I gotta have everything on this one panel" CP, it may be too cumbersome.

As a side note, since you're in the building stage, I was going to mount the motherboard on a drawer slide on the back of the podium near where it would connect to the base so as to make accessing that easier.  You may hate that idea, so take it for what it's worth. The other place I thought of placing it was in the "connecting" base itself.  

[hulkster]

well i was thinking about getting one of those crane like thingys for the keyboard, but my cp is like...well i cant remember at the moment but its like 24 or so inches wide.  so it might be a stretch for me.  i have 4 players with a trackball so its not "everything" but its a lot.  anyway, i dont mind putting it in the back, but i need a place to set the keyboard if im doing something with it.  before i just put it on my lap, but if im sitting there trouble shooting, that can get tiresome.  also, where would the mouse go?  i guess i could lay down like a piece of cloth so as not to scratch the lexan...hmmm.....your thoughts?

oh and about the motherboard thing...im going to keep my pc in the case, so i wont have to worry about mounting it anywhere, and it will go under the monitor section.

[hulkster]

what do you think about this keyboard?  it would easy to contain since you can roll it up, and i could basically put it under the cp or something and its soft enough that it wouldnt scratch the lexan.  

[SpamMe]

I thought about using one of these, but I've heard they're difficult to type on (spongy, no feedback etc.), and they tend to be expensive, for a keyboard anyway. I'm just using a dirt cheap low-profile one, and it sits inside my cp, there's plenty of clearance. If I get some money/time, however, I plan on buying a metal one (possibly mini) and countersinking it into the bottom of the control panel box. I just use it for administration, though, it'd be a pain to use for pc games or something like that.

[bluGill]

In addition to the above, remember that USB is designed for hot-plug.  (IIRC you can also hot-plug a keyboard into some of the key encoders but I'm not sure so check).   So you can keep your keyboard in the closet elsewhere and pull it out when you need it.  

You could do the same thing with a wireless keyboard.

Doesn't solve the scratching problems though.  Sorry.

[cdbrown]

scratching problem could be overcome by putting little rubber pads under the keyboard.  Many already have these pads on the front but not the back.

[DrewKaree]

As far as that roll-up keyboard goes, I seem to remember seeing one for about $17 so they weren't all that expensive, HOWEVER, the main drawback to that type of keyboard is this:  WHERE are you going to lay it so that it is supported enough? If you've got enough empty room to lay that thing flat with no interference (buttons lying underneath, joystick curling up an edge, etc.) then you'll have enough room to put a drawer in the backside of your CP for a mini keyboard which should be easier to use.  That's essentially the long-winded version of "that keyboard seems wack, go with another idea".

That crane thingy is exactly what I was thinking of!  I think you'll have to see one in person to see what directions you'll be able to move it in after it's mounted.  That'll also help you figger out if you can move it down and out of site when not in use.  

What I'm picturing on your CP is this:  24" wide leaves plenty of room in the back half to install two drawer slides w/a shelf inside, and mount a keyboard to it.  My keyboard is 7 inches wide, and it's pretty standard, so at most, you've got a keyboard that's 1/3 the width of your CP, so plenty of room to store it inside your CP...also, consider a mini keyboard...even less space.  

The thing I have in mind is herehttp://www.rockler.com/ecom7/product_details.cfm?&offerings_id=55
and instead of using it how they have it pictured, imagine reversing it so it pulled out and angled up, kinda like at a 45 degree angle to you....are you thoroughly cornfused yet?

Lastly, wireless keyboard would be the way I would go in case none of these appeal to you.  I've been using a wireless keyboard for about 6 years now, and with a set of rechargable batteries, the thing is golden!  See if newegg or someone has an older Logitech version on sale.  DO NOT GET THE INFRARED TYPE, ONLY GET IT IF IT SAYS IT'S THE RF TYPE, TRUST ME!  After a week with an infrared one, you'll need to replace your screen after you throw those POS infrared types through it!

[maraxle]

I have a roll-up keyboard, and it sucks.  I think it's that same one in the picture.  You really have to jam on the keys to make sure they register.  I use it on my cabinet right now, but it's not going to be a permanent fixture.  I'm only using it now as I tweak the configuration on various games.   Once I have everything configured the way I want it, it'll be as far away from the machine as possible.

As for your issue, why not get a wireless keyboard?  Then you can stash it anywhere you want, even in a keyboard "holster" behind the monitor.

[hulkster]

i think wireless will be my best bet here.  that way i could store it anywhere i want, and not have to even put it in the cp or anything like that.  

i have a that mx700 or whatever it is, logitech mouse, the one with the charger on it, and its awesome.  however, is this one rf?  im assuming so but im not sure.  it definitely needs to be rf so i can put the reciever thingy in the cab and still be able to have the keyboard out.  what are my options?

[paigeoliver]

How often are you really going to need a keyboard anyway? My cabinets tend to go months (or eternally) without ever needing one.

[hulkster]

yeah you are right, i just do tweaking and stuff, but once i get everything the way i like it, hopefully i wont be having to use the keyboard anymore.  thanks paige...you are absolutely right!  i think ill just keep my wired keyboard, make my adjustments, and then put it away!

[hyiu]

if you have a stand alone control panel.....

I also remember that someone on this board did a motorize keyboard thingy....

his CP is a stand by itself.... and the keyboard is hidden (sort of) in the backside of the cp....

at the push of a button.... a motor wheeled the whole keyboard tray (or something like that) from the back and stop just right above the cp..... )....

I have to say..... that's pretty cool...

you might be able to work from there...

I am going to have a computer desk type cab... (and I'll need to use the keyboard almost daily....)

so.. a drawer is what I need....
but if you do it right.... (and have good wood working skills...)
the drawer won't be obvious at all....

[hulkster]

well that sounds like a pretty cool idea, but a little overkill in my opinion.  id like to think that once i get my cab all setup, as far as config goes, i wont be needing to use the keyboard anymore...at least not very frequently.  so what i will probably do is get it all setup, then just stick the keyboard either in the cp box, or in the monitor base part of the showcase cab along with the computer itself.  thanks though.

[DrewKaree]

yeah, your mouse is definitely RF.  I think Logitech ONLY makes RF cordless components.  

After seeing the posts, I'm thinking in your case you just may be better off at sticking with your wired keyboard.  One other thing I thought of if you go that route is to pick yourself up a keyboard cable extender so you won't have to sit right on top of your screen to use it.  

There you go, problem solved.  Cost: $0-10+

That motorized keyboard tray just gave me an idea!  What about a motorized lift for your Monitor, like on the tonight show?!  Out of sight until you wanna play, then, clapping your hands twice (to activate the clapper you hacked to work the lift), through the fog (get a fog machine for that part) arises your monitor, prepared to do your bidding.  Reaching into your pocket, you press a remote button (hack any old key fob door lock remote) and a hydraulically assisted beer keg refrigerator rises from behind your CP.  From behind comes a beautiful young woman (mebbe even your wife!) bearing frosted mugs for her hard working Mamer, and then.....aw JEEZ Mom, couldn't you just let me sleep for FIVE MORE MINUTES!  Crap, my day just feels like it's gonna go downhill from here!

I know that last part was WAAAYYYY off topic, but I figured it'd take away some frustration from building!

[hulkster]

hmm, not a bad idea.  is it possible to do that without soldering?  

[JoeB]

You can always do what I do..

use the build in "PC Anywhere" that comes with WindowsXP.  My Cab is wired into the router.  When I need to do stuff, I sit at my regular PC and get a remote control session to the cab. Full desktop control at the resolution of your regular PC!

You can also setup file shares over the network, and do updates to the system while people are playing on it!

[hulkster]

well i am using win98se on my mame cab, so i cant use that!  that would be sweet, but unfortunately, cant do it.

[DrewKaree]

Yeah, you could do that without soldering (welding, actually).  Nuts and bolts would work, you just need to use sharp drill bits and some type of cutting oil.  Without using any oil, you'll heat up your drill bit and either snap or dull it.  I seem to remember seeing angle iron that was already drilled (or at least had holes in it) at regular intervals.  What you'd do is get an "L" bracket and use those to stiffen the corners and just use the existing hole in the "L" bracket and some nuts & bolts.  The other alternative to an "L" bracket I can think of is to go to the joist hanger section and pick up a few that will work.  You'll have to see which one you think will work for your particular idea of a frame.  (JEEZ, after looking at all the crap I posted, I'm realizing I spend FAR too much time at Home Depot!)

AWESOME idea on the PC Anywhere idea!  I hadn't even thought about that!  Ya learn somethin' new every day.  As far as setting up a remote administration session, since you're using Win98SE, you could use Remote Anything which is WAY easier to set up.  Still requires a LITTLE bit of head-scratching, but it'll work just like PC Anywhere.  It sems to be free to try, with unlimited demo, but the version I downloaded was flat out free, no demo bunk, and if you want it, drop me a message and tell me where to send it.  It's only ~500 kb, but still too large to post here.

[DrewKaree]

woops, forgot to post a link for Remote Anything.

Here:

http://www.twd-industries.com/en/downloads.htm

[hulkster]

well it looks like my sarcasm didnt come across right.  read your post about the crazy beer refidge, etc. and then read mine.  i was referring to that crazy post with the soldering...haha...joke joke....get it?  

yeah that remote anything sounds cool...ill PM you

[DrewKaree]

now that I re-read it, I got it and LMAO!  just a Tim-Taylor-ization of a MAME cabinet!

[hulkster]

the Man's Arcade....complete with midgets inside holding up the monitor!

[NoOne=NBA=]

You could build a simple shelf like a kitchen cutting board into the bottom area of the CP, and use a USB keyboard with a hub hidden under the CP somewhere to plug it into.