Imagesource: https://github.com/swetland/

If there's one thing about the ZX81 that could be considered... let's say less than thrilling, it's the keyboard. (Well, apart from the color scheme, the form factor, the peculiar instruction set of the CPU... but what would I, a 6502 fan, know about that. 😜)

OK. Keyboard we said.

Well, one could solve that by simply building their own. And what if you wouldn't have to reinvent the wheel completely to do that?

Great, right? Then you should send a thank-you note as well as a bag of chewy candies to Brian Swetland aka @dnaltews. Because he did exactly that. He spared no expense or effort to provide the little machine with a large, fully functional, mechanical keyboard. And he's sharing all the necessary design files. On github. Incredible. Right?

But let's get back to the serious side of things, as we're talking about the ZX81 here. 😐 The machine's modern reincarnation - the Plus38 is also supported, so there's really nothing stopping you from having some DIY fun.

So, if you happen to be an owner of a ZX81... your life can only get better (the one or the other way). 😘