Anyone rigged illumination for their keyboard?

[zeeflyboy]

I guess this is a good a place as any to post this,

My setup at the moment is attached, to give you a better idea of what I want to do...

Basically, I love the illuminated keyboard on the MBP for when I'm using it as a laptop in dim/dark conditions, but the bluetooth keyboard obviously has no such feature which means i can't see the keys if i'm in the dark.

I am thinking about adding some sort of LED lighting strip to the underside of the upper shelf to illuminate the keyboard mouse shelf from above. obviously, this is really as simple as just buying an led lighting strip, perhaps off a battery since it would save cables and last ages anyway with a simple on off switch and stick it to the underside of the desk.

However I just wondered if anyone has got any fancy ideas for how to rig that up to come on when needed? like perhaps when the tray is pulled out beyond a certain distance? I imagine that's the easiest option.... but I know you're all a creative bunch so hit me with some suggestions you clever little peeps you!

 

[peepboon]

I saw a set-up where he/she used IKEA DIODER and stuck it underneath the semi transparent desk surface... looked amazing.

Basically had them position underneath the monitor, keyboard, etc etc

 

[Antares]

Get a light sensor and connect it to a switch with 3 positions: off, "light sensor" and always on. When the switch is in the light sensor position, it will activate the LED lights (that you set up) whenever the ambient light level reaches a specified darkness. You would obviously place the light sensor either to the side or behind the computer. This way, illumination from the computer screen and the LED lights would not interfere with the sensor. Good luck. Have fun.

 

[Spares]

do you really need your keyboard lit up? i rarely look at my keyboard and have no problem with my blackbook typing in the dark

 

[spaceboots06]

do you really need your keyboard lit up? i rarely look at my keyboard and have no problem with my blackbook typing in the dark

I don't find it necessary when it's dark, but I find it necessary when it's dark and I'm sleep deprived.

 

[zeeflyboy]

Good idea antares...

Need is such a strong word... I can touch type for the most part but not perfectly and i don't know where all the non letter keys are (especially since i switched to mac recently, and the bluetooth keyboard is US compared to my UK MBP one)

I just thought it'd be a neat little thing I can rig up for norra lorra dorra....