Basilikos
08-18-2008, 01:21 AM
After having decided that I'm not going to try to multicast a Nostromo N52, I'm going to go with the X-Keys Pro.
Firstly, I know that the X-Keys Pro (I'm going to use the PS/2 model) can record a complex macro into a single key. Can it also handle having multiple keys down at the same time? For example, I want to keep macros AS WELL AS the modifiers and the keys they modify in certain cases programmed into the X-Keys. If I were to assign SHIFT to a key and the "one" key to another key, would pressing the SHIFT key and the "one" key be sent to the computer in the same manner as having pressed SHIFT + 1 on the regular keyboard? Obviously, I can't think of a reason why not. I just want to know what I'm getting up front so can start to plan my key / macro arrangement while I wait on the device to arrive.
Secondly, I seem to be running out of PS/2 ports on the computers running my alts. Right now, each of the alt machines has attached one of the outputs from a KVM which uses PS/2 outputs. I have observed a number of decent options to get around the fact that I will use the Vetra 4-port PS/2 keyboard multicaster, but they all have their shortcomings.
Basically, there are a number of options that involved either adding another set of PS/2 ports to the computer (either internally or externally, using USB) or using a y-mouse (or similar device) to connect both keyboard outputs (one from the KVM and the other from the Vetra) to the keyboard port on each computer. Has anyone tried anything like this? If so, what device did you use? I have been able to determine that my computer will tolerate having different devices than what it expects plugged into the PS/2 ports without problem. What is bugging me about these devices is that they would need to tolerate KVMs as well as not do anything freaky (like randomly reset things like caps lock or the mouse position). I have not been able to find reliable reviews on the PS/2 "streamliners" (keyboard and mouse into a single PS/2 port). The PS/2 keyboard/mouse to USB devices I've found are either expensive beyond belief, or have been shown to be of poor quality. The one internal solution (i.e. add more PS/2 ports to the computer) I've found is really nothing more than an internal version of the USB devices and I cannot find decent reviews for it, either.
Advice would be appreciate.
Thanks.
Firstly, I know that the X-Keys Pro (I'm going to use the PS/2 model) can record a complex macro into a single key. Can it also handle having multiple keys down at the same time? For example, I want to keep macros AS WELL AS the modifiers and the keys they modify in certain cases programmed into the X-Keys. If I were to assign SHIFT to a key and the "one" key to another key, would pressing the SHIFT key and the "one" key be sent to the computer in the same manner as having pressed SHIFT + 1 on the regular keyboard? Obviously, I can't think of a reason why not. I just want to know what I'm getting up front so can start to plan my key / macro arrangement while I wait on the device to arrive.
Secondly, I seem to be running out of PS/2 ports on the computers running my alts. Right now, each of the alt machines has attached one of the outputs from a KVM which uses PS/2 outputs. I have observed a number of decent options to get around the fact that I will use the Vetra 4-port PS/2 keyboard multicaster, but they all have their shortcomings.
Basically, there are a number of options that involved either adding another set of PS/2 ports to the computer (either internally or externally, using USB) or using a y-mouse (or similar device) to connect both keyboard outputs (one from the KVM and the other from the Vetra) to the keyboard port on each computer. Has anyone tried anything like this? If so, what device did you use? I have been able to determine that my computer will tolerate having different devices than what it expects plugged into the PS/2 ports without problem. What is bugging me about these devices is that they would need to tolerate KVMs as well as not do anything freaky (like randomly reset things like caps lock or the mouse position). I have not been able to find reliable reviews on the PS/2 "streamliners" (keyboard and mouse into a single PS/2 port). The PS/2 keyboard/mouse to USB devices I've found are either expensive beyond belief, or have been shown to be of poor quality. The one internal solution (i.e. add more PS/2 ports to the computer) I've found is really nothing more than an internal version of the USB devices and I cannot find decent reviews for it, either.
Advice would be appreciate.
Thanks.