Thinklight alteration...

[thinklad]

I think it is a great idea to have a built in light to illuminate the keyboard but has anyone thought of taking it further... Me and a co-worker were brainstorming and thought of two feasible options:

1) Replace the membrane beneath the keyboard with an indiglo substitute. This would softly glow out of the gaps between the keys.

or

2) Replace the thinklight with a UV led which would not noticeably illuminate the screen/keyboard area much but combined with a fluorescent paint for the letters/numbers they would light up brightly. (try this with a UV led and the markings on a watch face).

This would be fantastic in my opinion.

Thinklad

[Kenundrum]

i like the thinklight as it is because it lights up your surroundings. So if i'm working and i need to read a paper or a book sitting next to my thinkpad, i can do so. you can't do that if the keyboard itself is backlit. however i do agree- a backlit or apparently backlit keyboard would look very classy

[James314]

I disagree, I think a backlit keyboard in the mannor you suggest would look tacky - like some vamped up street race car. If anything, Apple have the right idea with the lights that light up the letters on the keys only. But in my opinion, this is more style than substance; like Kenundrum said I need the light for surroundings also e.g the odd open book etc. IBM have got it right, again for them its about function.


James.

[syhead]

this is kind of off-topic, but I think that IBM should place a webcam right next to the thinklight. There seems to be enough space for that... I use it all the ttime when talking to friend and would love to leave my snake webcam at home and have everything in one package.

[gazingwa]

It's called the ultraport camera.... locks right on top of the monitor.

[ehd]

whats the quality on the ultracam thingy.. is it anywhere near the isight?..

[ThinkPad]

I think the lighted keyboard would be kinda neat. Something different.

[Bob Collins]

UV would most likely be a problem with prolonged use, not to mention how it may effect the finish of the keyboard and surrounding areas.

A backlit keyboard is interesting, but if you cannot see the letters, it would be almost useless, or so it seems....

[ThinkPad]

Wouldnt the UV draw more power as well? I think the current LED light draws minimal power from the battery.

[Bob Collins]

You can get a UV LED. They do come with cautions about looking into them and such! They can be dangerous....

[Kenn]

Hey, I'm all for easy, efficient and nondestructive modding. The UV light sounds like a good idea, I just wonder what you could use on the keys that wouldn't rub off with normal typing...if you replaced it with a backlight, the existing white keys would light up pretty brightly, no?

[syhead]

It's called the ultraport camera.... locks right on top of the monitor.

yep, I got something similar... but it's not the same as having a built-in camera...

[slagmi]

I like idea 2! Has anyone else done that?

[Kenn]

Wouldnt the UV draw more power as well? I think the current LED light draws minimal power from the battery.

No reason why it would draw more power than a visible light LED. LEDs are typically so low power that they could be left on constantly without significantly affecting battery life. In fact, in mobilemonitor, turning on the thinklight while on battery power has absolutely no discernable impact on power drain.

[beeblebrox]

The UV LED illuminating the keyboard is the most stupid idea I have ever heard of.

Sure, do it and then consult your eye doctor after some time.

I think that's the best way to ruin your retina and eyesight.

Potentially you might wear sunglasses to protect from UV light.
At night, when it is dark, yep, right....

Come on guys, come to your senses.

[Leon]

gently, gently

[JHEM]

gently, gently

Catchee monkey.....

The things your brain dredges up when you're not using it!

Regards,

James

[slagmi]

Blacklites and other low-intensity UV light isn't harmful, that's not the sort of UV light that you're supposed to wear sunscreen for... and not all that's fluorescent paint has to be gaudy-looking.

I wonder if anyone from IBM ever reads this forum.

[Leon]

several do

[RonS]

Many companies don't allow cameras in their facilities. Since the Thinkpad is a business-oriented notebook, it makes more sense to make the camera an add-on (ultraport) rather than built in.

If my thinkpad had a built-in camera, it wouldn't be allowed in my building. I'm pressing my luck already by having a built-in microphone.

[Leon]

and, in some companies, having built in wifi is pushing your luck.....

[syhead]

Many companies don't allow cameras in their facilities. Since the Thinkpad is a business-oriented notebook, it makes more sense to make the camera an add-on (ultraport) rather than built in.

If my thinkpad had a built-in camera, it wouldn't be allowed in my building. I'm pressing my luck already by having a built-in microphone.

good point...

[Bob Collins]

Blacklites and other low-intensity UV light isn't harmful, that's not the sort of UV light that you're supposed to wear sunscreen for...

There are plenty of outlets selling UV LEDs and they all are marked with caution notices, they are indeed harmful, although it might take direct viewing of the source and some length of time. Although as pointed out prior, the Thinklight also allows for some illumination beyond the keyboard for books and the like.....

It might be acceptable to use 375nm or UVA light, which is safer than the UVB or UVC.

Now the blacklight idea might be very interesting to make the letting "GLOW" when the light is on.

Just my 0.02

[mattfromomaha]

The UV LED illuminating the keyboard is the most stupid idea I have ever heard of.

Sure, do it and then consult your eye doctor after some time.

I think that's the best way to ruin your retina and eyesight.

Potentially you might wear sunglasses to protect from UV light.
At night, when it is dark, yep, right....

Come on guys, come to your senses.

At least your hands could get a nice tan....but then again, I'd have a mark where my watch is!