USB Lower Case Keyboards

[Busybub]

Does anybody have any suggestions for a keyboard with lower case letters, different colour keys for letter numbers and primary keys such as enter,shift and space?

I've seen an RM jobbie which is cheap but only comes on PS/2

I have investigated getting keycaps custom manufactured to spec but I am looking at over 100 bucks each for 25 sets, going down to 75 for over 100 sets.

I am looking at dedicated units rather than stick-on labels. Any thoughts?

[Norphy]

Get the RM ones and some PS/2 to USB convertors? Hills sell them for a couple of quid each iirc.

[Midget]

/me wonders who is "special" enough to require lowercase letter keyboards

[Elky]

We have lower case USB keyboards in stock but they are in black, they don't have different colour keys I'm afraid.

[Lee_K_81]

Get the RM ones and some PS/2 to USB convertors? Hills sell them for a couple of quid each iirc.

Sounds like the best idea to me. PS/2 to USB convertors also usually have 2 connectors so you could connect a PS/2 mouse and keyboard to the same USB socket.

Unless somebody in an infants school etc. has any contacts.

[Geoff]

who is "special" enough to require lowercase letter keyboards

Quite a common request by primary school teachers. Especially KS1. Kids are taught using lowercase first then move on to capitalised letters later (KS2?). Thus when presented with an upper case keyboard they simply do not recognise some of the letters.

A cheap but time consuming alternative is to get a set of lower case keyboard stickers. For example.

http://www.inclusive.co.uk/catalogue..._stickers.html

[Busybub]

Get the RM ones and some PS/2 to USB convertors? Hills sell them for a couple of quid each iirc.

That did cross my mind, assuming that the keyboard itself can actually operate through a USB adaptor. I have a few here which simply refuse to do anything through USB... Should get confirmation from RM soonish.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming!

[webman]

There are some on the Keyboard Company website - scroll down to the 'Education' section near the middle of the page.

[Norphy]

Get the RM ones and some PS/2 to USB convertors? Hills sell them for a couple of quid each iirc.

That did cross my mind, assuming that the keyboard itself can actually operate through a USB adaptor. I have a few here which simply refuse to do anything through USB... Should get confirmation from RM soonish.

Thanks for the suggestions, keep them coming!

I think that is dependant on the convertor you're trying to use. If it is just a plain straight through convertor like you get with some mice, it probably won't work. However, if it is a convertor which has some logic which turns the PS/2 device into a proper USB one like this it should work fine. I actually own the item linked, it's worked with all the keyboards I've tried it with from the cheap and nasty things we get with PCs to decent Microsoft and Cherry keyboards.

[Busybub]

Cheers Norphy

That explains a lot, been using the widgets we use with our older Smartboard leads to try it out! *DOH*

Looks like this is a goer despite getting a useless reply from RM which didn't answer my question at all!

[chrbb]

We bought lowercase covers that go over existing keyboards, then they are removed for the children that don't need them.

[crc-ict]

Quite a common request by primary school teachers. Especially KS1. Kids are taught using lowercase first then move on to capitalised letters later (KS2?). Thus when presented with an upper case keyboard they simply do not recognise some of the letters.

A cheap but time consuming alternative is to get a set of lower case keyboard stickers. For example.

http://www.inclusive.co.uk/catalogue..._stickers.html

I can vouch for this - the stickers work pretty well, although they need quite a bit of patience to get them stuck on straight! We stuck 5 sets on Apple iBooks and they seem to be holding up reasonably well.

[titch]

We got these ones from RM. RM.com Shop: RM Multicoloured Lowercase Keyboard - USB

Are everything you asked and reasonable price

[Jon]

RM do the keyboard you are talking about with a usb connection.

I have recently fitted a load in one of the primary schools I work in.

[Jamo]

[ame=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Optimus_Maximus_keyboard]Optimus Maximus keyboard - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia[/ame]

Just get one of those!!! Does everything you need plus MORE!!!!

Whats that you say? Over $1000 dollars too much? Damn.....