

Admiral Shark's Keyboards
Photo of the Day: An IBM 5404/5406 System/3 Operator Keyboard Console (photo by Glenn's Computer Museum, CC BY-NC-SA 4.0)
IBM, Lexmark, Unicomp, Lenovo & Toshiba Global Commerce Solutions keyboard database, wiki, research & review articles, guides and documentation
1/10: Start learning about IBM & family keyboards
If you are completely new toIBM and family keyboards, an introduction is provided, covering the major IBM keyboard families & models, my picks for the "best of IBM", and the companies behind these keyboards. | If you are completely new toIBM and family keyboards, an introduction is provided, covering the major IBM keyboard families & models, my picks for the "best of IBM", and the companies behind these keyboards. |
2/10: See what IBM & family keyboards are out there
The ASK Keyboard Directory is maintained as an illustrated list of known IBM and family keyboards with some basic information, commonpart numbers to look for, at least one photo, and usually a link to where you can find out more a given keyboard. | The ASK Keyboard Directory is maintained as an illustrated list of known IBM and family keyboards with some basic information, commonpart numbers to look for, at least one photo, and usually a link to where you can find out more a given keyboard. |
3/10: Discover & learn keyboard terminology
As keyboards can be a highly technical subject and the community around them has a lot of specific jargon, the ASK Keyboard Dictionary is maintained to help you understand what various technical terms, colloquial names, 'marketing speak', etc. mean. | As keyboards can be a highly technical subject and the community around them has a lot of specific jargon, the ASK Keyboard Dictionary is maintained to help you understand what various technical terms, colloquial names, 'marketing speak', etc. mean. |
4/10: Read about the Model M keyboard family
The Model M keyboard family is likely the most famous series of keyboards. It was also IBM's largest by number of variants and some of them can be the most accessible of IBM's older keyboard designs, thus probably the first family you will want to know more about. | The Model M keyboard family is likely the most famous series of keyboards. It was also IBM's largest by number of variants and some of them can be the most accessible of IBM's older keyboard designs, thus probably the first family you will want to know more about. |
5/10: Learn what to look/look out for when buying
If you are a first-time or generally inexperienced buyer interested inbuckling-spring keyboards, the ASK Buyer's Guide is maintained to tackle various questions you might have regarding Model F versus M, old versus new, where you can buy, and what to look out for. | If you are a first-time or generally inexperienced buyer interested inbuckling-spring keyboards, the ASK Buyer's Guide is maintained to tackle various questions you might have regarding Model F versus M, old versus new, where you can buy, and what to look out for. |
6/10: Look up IBM & family keyboard part numbers
Part numbers are how we identify specific IBM and family keyboards. The ASK Database records these and the known specs and features they can have, helping you find the part number of a desirable keyboard or to verify if a keyboard being sold matches the specs it's known to have. | Part numbers are how we identify specific IBM and family keyboards. The ASK Database records these and the known specs and features they can have, helping you find the part number of a desirable keyboard or to verify if a keyboard being sold matches the specs it's known to have. |
7/10: Identify keyboard plugs & sockets
Whether you need to identify a specific plug or socket or find a pinout diagram to help you with assembling an adapter or converter, the ASK Keyboard Connectors topic is where I put and store all such information I have found or produced. | Whether you need to identify a specific plug or socket or find a pinout diagram to help you with assembling an adapter or converter, the ASK Keyboard Connectors topic is where I put and store all such information I have found or produced. |
8/10: Find out what adapter/converter I need
A section of the ASK Buyer's Guide is dedicated to adapters and converters, devices that enable you to use old keyboards on contemporary hardware. Included is a comparison between passive and active devices (and why it matters) and a breakdown of potential options for given common IBM and family keyboard connectors. | A section of the ASK Buyer's Guide is dedicated to adapters and converters, devices that enable you to use old keyboards on contemporary hardware. Included is a comparison between passive and active devices (and why it matters) and a breakdown of potential options for given common IBM and family keyboard connectors. |
9/10: Join the IBM & family keyboard community
ASK is a part of various active communities centred around sharing interests, photos, and knowledge on IBM and family keyboards. If you wish to participate in this, share photos and what you've learned about keyboards, get help, etc., you can join my affiliated subreddit and Discord! | ASK is a part of various active communities centred around sharing interests, photos, and knowledge on IBM and family keyboards. If you wish to participate in this, share photos and what you've learned about keyboards, get help, etc., you can join my affiliated subreddit and Discord! |
10/10: Explore other websites & resources
Finally, ASK is surrounded by many other interesting and useful websites, singular pages, content creators, and other resources that I believe are worth a look. The Sites, Pages & Resources topic is where I aggregate such links. | Finally, ASK is surrounded by many other interesting and useful websites, singular pages, content creators, and other resources that I believe are worth a look. The Sites, Pages & Resources topic is where I aggregate such links. |
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- In 1993,SNKB-M1993-60K-84 (IBM ThinkPad 700-series & 720-series Keyboard Assembly) was manufactured on this day, turning 32 years old.