2 keyboards 1 PC

Mr_love_monkey · 01-11-2007, 13:56

I'm trying to get my son to make some use of the pc, but I have an ergonomic keyboard, which I don't think is ideal for him to learn on.

So I want to get him one of these : http://www.scan.co.uk/products/produ...oductID=697148

so what I'm looking for is a splitter that let me connect both keyboards to the pc, and let me switch between the 2 - I don't need something fancy like the belkin one that lets you run both at the same time - I just want a physical switch that will let me swap them over, without unplugging.

Anyone know where I can get them from?

01-11-2007, 13:57

just use it as usb will just work (had to add a bit cuz i left my post half finished)

Stuart · 01-11-2007, 13:57

If they are both USB, just plug them into two slots (or a usb hub). Windows supports multiple keyboards and mice.

Mr_love_monkey · 01-11-2007, 14:03

ah, ok - I didn't know that - you learn something new every day.

I'll use that as a last resort, but I'd prefer something that would 'turn off' the other keyboard - so that it can't be used accidentally whilst the main one is being used

Alien · 01-11-2007, 14:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

aI'll use that as a last resort, but I'd prefer something that would 'turn off' the other keyboard - so that it can't be used accidentally whilst the main one is being used

Have you got a front USB slot on your PC? If so, just plug the kiddy-keyboard in when you want to use it, & unplug it when you don't. The first time you plug it in it might want you to install a driver for it [though with a keyboard that basic I doubt it], but after that you can plug it in or unplug it as & when necessary; it's not like using a PS2 port [little round 1], where you're supposed to shut down the PC before connecting/disconnecting a keyboard.

superbiatch · 01-11-2007, 16:32

How old is your little one Mr L_M?? Is he of an age where the 'function' buttons might get used? Cos that keyboard doesn't seem to have any

Mr_love_monkey · 01-11-2007, 16:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by superbiatch

How old is your little one Mr L_M?? Is he of an age where the 'function' buttons might get used? Cos that keyboard doesn't seem to have any

nah, he's 3 - so it's very basic usage - just some educational games, java development and so on

JediMaster · 01-11-2007, 16:34

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

I'd prefer something that would 'turn off' the other keyboard - so that it can't be used accidentally whilst the main one is being used

Search for a "USB Switch" like this on eBay
The multi-function USB 2.0 share switch allows you to share either up to 4 devices with 1 computer or 1 device with up to 4 computers. A common use for this item would be to share a USB printer between 2 computers.

Graham M · 01-11-2007, 16:40

Why not just unplug the keyboard when not in use and put it out of harm's way - if you're worried about your PC's USB ports getting abuse, get a cheap hub?

Mr_love_monkey · 01-11-2007, 16:47

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zeph

Why not just unplug the keyboard when not in use and put it out of harm's way - if you're worried about your PC's USB ports getting abuse, get a cheap hub?

a ) 'cos I don't want to be going under the desk plugging/unplugging things - (little) monkey see - (little) monkey do - I've got enough problems with him turning the pcs on and off because that's what he sees daddy doing - so the least playing around the better

b ) anything that involves plugging/unplugging anything will put my wife off doing it for him - although my wife works in IT, she's a technophobe - to the extent where when she got her first pc, her sister (an accountant) had to put it together for her... (and by 'together' I mean plugging in the mouse & keyboard and so on...)

Alien · 01-11-2007, 17:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

nah, he's 3 - so it's very basic usage - just some educational games, java development and so on

LOL, sounds a bit like Dilli's son, who was rather technologically precocious at that age.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

although my wife works in IT, she's a technophobe

Bit of an odd career choice then.

Graham M · 01-11-2007, 18:00

Quote:

Originally Posted by Alien

Bit of an odd career choice then.

Yeah I was just thinking that myself

Saaf_laandon_mo · 01-11-2007, 18:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

nah, he's 3 - so it's very basic usage - just some educational games, java development and so on

Have you got any that you can recommend (educational games)

02-11-2007, 06:16

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

I'm trying to get my son to make some use of the pc, but I have an ergonomic keyboard, which I don't think is ideal for him to learn on.

So I want to get him one of these : http://www.scan.co.uk/products/produ...oductID=697148

so what I'm looking for is a splitter that let me connect both keyboards to the pc, and let me switch between the 2 - I don't need something fancy like the belkin one that lets you run both at the same time - I just want a physical switch that will let me swap them over, without unplugging.

Anyone know where I can get them from?

I like that keyboard, I'm going to get one I love the colours and the big buttons.

Well I do have finger like telegraph poles.

Graham M · 02-11-2007, 08:33

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nidge

I like that keyboard, I'm going to get one I love the colours and the big buttons.

Well I do have finger like telegraph poles.

As do I

Could do with a 1.5x size normal keyboard to stop "mashing"