New Zaurus Successor?, Kohjinsha SA1F00A/B UMPC 7'', x86@500MHz Options

[dougeeebear]

KeyTweak is is a "user interface" for modifying the "Keyboard Layout\Scancode Map" registry key. I had some problems with it mapping some of the "extended" keys, but once I understood what it's doing (and knew the scancodes for the various keys), it was pretty easy to modify the registry by hand to accomplish what I wanted.

KeyTweak lets you substitute one scancode for another but it won't let you change how a scancode is interpreted. For that you need Microsoft Keyboard Layout Creator (MKLC). Yeah, the .NET requirement is annoying ... that's why I keep a "throw-away" Win2K VMWare virtual machine on one of my Linux boxes. Take a snapshot, install a bunch of bloated stuff, use it, when I don't need it any more I roll back to the snapshot

I have an evaluation copy of PowerShadow.
Thanks for the idea.

[Capn_Fish]

It appears new Kohjinshas are coming out:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/13/kohjins...100-and-dmb-tv/

[Snappy]

It appears new Kohjinshas are coming out:

http://www.engadget.com/2007/06/13/kohjins...100-and-dmb-tv/

Yeah ... saw that and was like thinking ...
1) That's a forward thinking company who trumps themselves with a quick turn-around-time for new designs,
2) Why did I have to get the 1st gen ... the curve edges look kinda groovy (may be a bit too applish to some) though the 1st gen has some character in them,
3) That is one funky antennae there ... will it snap out,
4) I'm still glad I got the 1st gen and I'm pretty happy with it, though handwriting support could be better.

So, I promise to myself, I will use this 1st gen Kohjinsha Origami (I still like Origami over UMPC) until at least 2 ~ 3 years later.

Also, I may need to find a new owner for some of the other gadgets soon, since it is working out real nice.

If someone can answer the ubuntu or pdaXrom on Kohjinsha question on the other thread, it would be great!

[adf]

the new K looks really nice, and so does the via nano reference design mentioned in the article. I'd be interested in one of these if they ran linux --and i mean fully, not mostly, or in progress. If it doesn't support linux (and it is a computer of some sort)i won't pay for it, however cool it might be.
The Asus eepc (also mentioned) seems more like what I'm looking for, or an OLPC

[fpp]

I'm not sure I like the rounded shapes, looks more like a toy, and seems much thicker from the pictures too. I have no need for the TV and the stupid antenna either... but maybe the keyboard has improved ? :-)

[tg]

Way too much waisted space around screen - also probably as a result of that resolution is only 1042x600.
But I still like the fact they are coming out with version 2 so soon.

[dougeeebear]

Well, the keyboard arrived today for my Kohjinsha.
The only problem is, the seller sent a substitute make/model, and the keys are made differently.
Now I have to deal with an ebay seller selling merchandise from Hong Kong.
Probably $20.54 down the drain.
Just my !@#$% luck!!!!

[kopsis]

Well, the keyboard arrived today for my Kohjinsha.
The only problem is, the seller sent a substitute make/model, and the keys are made differently.

Ouch! I hope that wasn't the same seller I recommended in my article. If it was, let me know so I can add a warning.

[dougeeebear]

Well, the keyboard arrived today for my Kohjinsha.
The only problem is, the seller sent a substitute make/model, and the keys are made differently.

Ouch! I hope that wasn't the same seller I recommended in my article. If it was, let me know so I can add a warning.

It doesn't look like it.
This is the ebay page I ordered it from.
If you scroll down the page, you'll see the item number KB-8571.
The item I received has the same looking keys until I pulled one of them off and the underside of the keycap was made totally different.
The keyboard I received is a Cross Mark model 59373003888 according to a white label stuck on the outside of the blister pack. On the card inside the blister pack is the number 2366 with no mfgr name.
That item sale was ended right after I placed my order with a quantity of 85 still available, and the pictures have been removed from the page.
I'll see what this guy will do for me, and then take it from there.

[dougeeebear]

I have had correspondence with the seller of the keyboard.
He wants me to provide pictures of what I received so he can help me.
At the moment it's looking positive.
With 17217 ebay ratings since Dec-30-03 and 99.5% positive feedback, I think he will do what he can to take care of me.
It's not my intention to give the seller negative feedback just because I was upset at the time.
I'll let it play out and see how it turns out.
I'll keep you posted.

[dougeeebear]

Here's the scoop regarding my keyboard:
The seller only has the type he sent me.
He said he will refund my money if I return it to him at my expense.
It would cost over half what I paid for it to send it back to China.
All I can say at this point is this:
Buyers beware ... the item you see may not be the item you receive.
Be prepared to expect a substitute.
Ask questions first, and buy later.

This is the keyboard I actually received.

Doug

[speculatrix]

in UK/Europe that would be illegal to supply the wrong goods and then to not pay the return fee - under the "distance selling directive".

unfortunately when the seller is not in the UK you've very little recourse. Your only chance is to force a full refund from paypal, but I believe they will not recover delivery charges (I had this one when I bought something listed as new and it wasn't, had to pay GBP10 to have it professionally assessed to prove it was used, and ended up only being refunded the cost of the item by paypal, worse, the seller didn't have sufficient funds anyway to cover the refund).

so, basically, on ebay, if the seller is unreliable you're screwed.

[kopsis]

He said he will refund my money if I return it to him at my expense.
It would cost over half what I paid for it to send it back to China.

That's really unfortunate. Who would have thought there are actually multiple OEMs making keyboards in this form factor?!

But I have to say that I am curious about the "feel" and accuracy of this different model. Have you tried it out using the USB port? How does it compare to the SA1's keyboard? It looks like it's about the same size so an entire keyboard transplant may be theoretically possible.

[moi]

Here's the scoop regarding my keyboard:
The seller only has the type he sent me.
He said he will refund my money if I return it to him at my expense.
It would cost over half what I paid for it to send it back to China.
All I can say at this point is this:
Buyers beware ... the item you see may not be the item you receive.
Be prepared to expect a substitute.
Ask questions first, and buy later.

if you paid using paypal then you can fill one of their forms asking for the refund of the money you paid because you received a different product than the one you paid for. Even if the seller signed off ebay, this will work (it worked for me once, two weeks ago, same problem). Give it a try, and good luck.

[Snappy]

I had a no-show for something from ebay, via paypal as well. A few emails and days later, paypal refunded me in full.

Delivery charges when the item was sent, are usually non-refundable, though some sellers will absorb the return shipment for problematic goods.