24 Jul
2007
24 Jul
'07
10:04 p.m.
On 7/24/07, Ethan Dicks <ethan.dicks at gmail.com> wrote:
Since I find odd input devices fascinating, I've
been following this
thread even though I don't happen to own anything like it (but I'll
certainly be keeping an eye out for things like this in the future).
One question I do have is how one would typically use a light-up
matrix keyboard on a 3D workstation. I know how dialboxes are used,
but how would keyboards like this be used?
Thanks for clearing up the mystery,
-ethan
I have never used the HP button and dial boxes. I picked them up at
Boeing Surplus a couple of years back just because they looked cool
and I thought I might find something interesting to do with them some
day as they are simple serial interface devices.
I imagine the button box might be used to select different functions
or modes in some CAD software running on an HP-UX workstation. Seems
like CAD software would likely have large tool palettes that might be
easier or quicker to select using a button box than a mouse or normal
keyboard.
I got a manual for the button box, but not the dial box. It came with
a DDS tape labeled: Dial & Button Box Driver for A4362A & A4363A P/N
A4362-10001 REV A.01.00 HP 9000 SERIES 700 HP-UX.