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Tiny keyboard for a MAME cab

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Mario:
I want a very small keyboard to use with my MAME cabinet. I often play PC games on my MAME cab, and many games require one to input names to start, or to use the Enter key, or require other actions that cannot be simply done without a keyboard.
I have an Ultimarc Mini-Pac installed, and I can use special moves to simulate the Enter key and some other keys, but it's not very intuitive. People who visit and play the cab don't know the moves. Besides, this doesn't cover all situations. No, I need a real keyboard.

I want a keyboard that is readily accessible. I have seen many other people's cabinets with pull-out keyboards. But I want a keyboard right there on the control panel, in plain site and ready for use at any time.

After searching the web for small keyboards, I found nothing small enough. Then I had a thought. I used to use a Motorola PageWriter pager at work, and I thought that maybe its keyboard would be workable. I got a hold of some old units and began looking at the possibility of using one.

I put details about my progress here:

http://www.dalessio.ws/PW/

I don't yet have anything working, but I believe that it can be done.

Comments and help in getting this working are welcome.

Mario

MikeDeuce:
Very interesting.

Would this mini keyboard have met your needs?

http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=COM%2D005

It's pretty small, 3"x2" according to that page, has function keys, but no ctrl or option, and is USB.

Mario:

--- Quote from: MikeDeuce on October 19, 2006, 01:34:13 am ---Very interesting.

Would this mini keyboard have met your needs?

http://store.mp3car.com/ProductDetails.asp?ProductCode=COM%2D005

It's pretty small, 3"x2" according to that page, has function keys, but no ctrl or option, and is USB.

--- End quote ---

Yes, this may work. But where's the fun in simply buying something pre-made?  ;D

Thanks for the link.

Mario

michelevit:
i like to use a wireless keyboard and mouse. i use it to cofig games and such and
then simply stash it somewhere when the kids or worse friends come over for
some gaming.

its too easy to screw up a cabinet if you don't know what you are a doing.
a wireless keyboard solves that problem.

once the keyboard is gone, the cab looks like a cab, and not a pc.

NoOne=NBA=:
I would second the wireless idea.
You can leave the receiver plugged into the cab, and use the keyboard anytime you want to just by getting it close enough.
I have a large enough flat spot on the top of my cab that the keyboard can stay up there until needed.

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