VisorCentral.com - PC Keyboards with the Visor

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VisorCentral.com (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/index.php)
- Accessories (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/forumdisplay.php?forumid=3)
-- PC Keyboards with the Visor (http://discussion.visorcentral.com/vcforum/showthread.php?threadid=8465)

Posted by Visor Bob on 10-05-2000 12:48 AM:

I'm getting ready to buy a PalmOS computer, and the Handspring Visor is by far my first choice. However, I would really like to be able to attach a full size PC keyboard to it. I've looked at the stowaway and gotype keyboards, but for some reason I feel I need the option of a PC keyboard. Perhaps that's crazy, but finding a hardware solution is bound to be cheaper than therepy.

I've seen the Happy Hacking cradle that works with Palm computers, but there doesn't seem to be anything like this available that works with the Visor.

My question is: Since the Visor is USB compatible and includes a USB cradle, might it be possible to interface a USB PC keyboard through the cradle with some driver software? Also, does anyone know of any other solution for attaching a PC keyboard to a Visor? Having the option of using regular PS/2 keyboards would be even better.

Thanks for the advice.

Posted by MarkEagle on 10-05-2000 01:25 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by Visor Bob
My question is: Since the Visor is USB compatible and includes a USB cradle, might it be possible to interface a USB PC keyboard through the cradle with some driver software? Also, does anyone know of any other solution for attaching a PC keyboard to a Visor? Having the option of using regular PS/2 keyboards would be even better.

While the Visor has USB sync capabilities, it is a USB "slave" device as is a USB keyboard. Therefore, a keyboard interface is not possible (at least at this time). Another problem with standard PC keyboards is that they require 5 volts of power to drive the circuitry. Again, the Visor cannot do this.

The Happy Hacking Cradle is supposed to be released in a Visor version at some point. Until then, your options for using a desktop keyboard are limited to none.

You may want to rethink the GoType and Stowaway options. I have a Stowaway and find it to be very useful for lengthy text entry. Wade through some of the many threads on the Stowaway and GoType. Also, keep in mind that the PalmOS isn't really "keyboardable"... ie. there are no real "navigation" keys, so a desktop keyboard offers no enhancement.

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Posted by Charo on 10-05-2000 01:28 AM:

Look at the KeySync, a full size rigid physical form keyboard.
http://www.visorcentral.com/news.php3?id=571

[Edited by Charo on 10-04-2000 at 08:31 PM]

Posted by BEN on 10-05-2000 03:02 AM:

quote:
Originally posted by Visor Bob
Perhaps that's crazy, but finding a hardware solution is bound to be cheaper than therepy.

Well, with the price of the Stowaway at 100$, a therapist sounds pretty good.
BEN
PS At $100, the stowaway is still a great value.

Posted by jason vergo on 11-11-2000 01:39 PM:

Twiddler+Modem+Visor = Pipe Dream?

I've been trying so hard to figure out how to connect my http://www.twiddler.org to my Visor and use a modem at the same time. The twiddler is ps/2 compabible.

Posted by TromboneKenny on 11-12-2000 10:28 PM:

Re: Twiddler+Modem+Visor = Pipe Dream?

quote:
Originally posted by jason vergo
I've been trying so hard to figure out how to connect my http://www.twiddler.org to my Visor and use a modem at the same time. The twiddler is ps/2 compabible.

Have you seen http://www.1stresource.com/~mistered/twiddle.htm? True, it's talking about the Palm but I bet you could figure out the differences in the Palm vs Visor pinouts and make the appropriate changes. Ideally, though, they'd make a Twiddler with Palm support, so the external power supply and anything more than an easy connector cable would be necessary.

A little off-topic: How do you like your Twiddler? I've been watching them for a while, but they're too pricy and too 'extreme' for me to impulse buy one. The concept is really neat, though -- What's your take on the device?

TBK

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