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diff --git a/memos/WM-080.txt b/memos/WM-080.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..4c86bb9 --- /dev/null +++ b/memos/WM-080.txt @@ -0,0 +1,183 @@ + + + + + + + +Document: WM-080 P. Webb +Category: Computing 2026-01-05 + + Using Old Tech in the New Age + +Abstract + + Don’t call it a comeback + +Body + + Keyboard + + Vintage tools tend to be on the expensive side so I’ve always + looked at Apple’s Extended Keyboard (AEK) II as one such device. + Imagine my surprise then when I found that I could order one from + eBay for less than $100! In the original packaging!! + + 📸[Packaging for the AEK II][IMG1] + + If you look close you can see that it previously lived at + "Computerland Corporation[1]," which was a Radio Shack-esque + chain of stores. I looked it up out of curiousity and man, what a + timeline...the drama! + + When I opened the box I was happy to see how great the keyboard + looked. I know yellowing is to be expected but mine isn’t + egregious. If I go through with restoring the original color, I’ll + update this memo. + + 📸[Bean and Cocoa checking out the AEK II][IMG2] + + This thing is a CHONKER and I love it. But why use this instead of + the very pretty, customized Womier RD75 pictured here? + + 📸[Comparing my Womier RD75][IMG3] + + For whatever reason, the system key would reset on my Womier and + I’d waste time trying to get it to how it was before, using the + VIA web app (which is only useable in Chromium browsers). I’d much + rather not deal with that...although in hindsight, I could + probably just use an app like Karabiner Elements[2] instead. In + any event, I enjoy having a numpad as well. All the new fancy + keyboards like to be minimal but I’ve come to realize I’m a + maximalist, at least in this area. + + The quirk with the AEK II though, is that it comes with + proprietary ports, Apple’s ADB. Of the adapters I found, only one + appealed to me; a pre-assembled TMK ADB-USB converter I purchased + from a person on a forum[3]. It felt sketch as hell but I figured, + why not? My keyboard is also coming from a random person across + the country, why not some doohickey from another country entirely? + + 📸[ADB adapter connected to my MacBook and keyboard][IMG4] + + Something that befuddled me on first use was that the button next + to the USB port needed to be pressed before the keyboard + would work. + + 📼[Apple Extended Keyboard II typing test][VID1] + + The only downside to AEK II was media controls not working; the + function keys not doing things that modern Mac keyboards do, like + changing volume, pausing music, &c. Fret not, mhoye[4] reminded me + that I could probably use Karabiner Elements to fix this and + indeed it has! One thing KE has no idea about is the Power button + on this keyboard, which makes sense because it’s not a key. + + 📸[My Karabiner config][IMG5] + + There _is_ a way to make the Power button do something but that + involves flashing the chip[5] on this ADB adapter. I would want it + to operate like the emoji or globe/fn key. I have no idea how to + do that just yet...another future project, maybe. + + Watch + + I ~~use~~ used my Apple Watch daily, most often to set a 15-minute + alarm between my kittens’ eating times (they lack self-control so + we feed them half their meal and make them wait for the other + half), and unlocking my computer and security/password prompts. My + watch is a Series 7 (2021) and I need to charge it every day-ish. + It’s _fine_ but I feel meh about upgrading it. + + SegamanXero[6] told me about the round Pebble watch being made + available for pre-order[7], which prompted me to look at Casio + watches, LOL! I found two super dope ones and ordered them both. + + The Casio LF-20W-8A[8] ($30) and Casio LF-30W-8A[9] ($40). + + 📸[Casio LF-20W-8A][IMG6] + + 📸[Casio LF-30W-8A][IMG7] + + I’ve been wearing the former for a few days now and what I dislike + the most is needing to type my password all the time. 😭 The + convenience of a wrist-based authenticator is fantastic. Sure + would be nice if Apple would sell a standalone Touch ID thingy! + Something like that would increase "customer sat" so maybe someone + could convince Tim Cook this is a great idea? "Services" seems to + be the most important metric these days so maybe not...alas. + + Another plus of using an Apple Watch is not needing to have my + phone on me when doing things around the house. At worst, my wife + will be inconvenienced with waiting for me to get to my phone to + answer her text about what food items we’re low on while she’s + out shopping. + + Oh, and being able to raise my wrist to tell Siri is set a timer. + + The plus of using a Casio is having a cool fucking watch on + my wrist. It costs 13x less than the cheapest Series 11 and is + objectively rad. + + CD Player & Wired Headphones + + 📸[Coby CD player and Marshall headphones][IMG8] + + My wife got me a CD player for Christmas because I’ve been yapping + about old tech for a hot minute (and I’ve never stopped buying CDs + either, to rip FLACs to then play in Doppler[10]/IINA[11]). + + The Marshall Major V headphones[12] I purchased a few weeks prior, + because I never had them in brown (and got a great deal)! I had a + pair in black when Marshall first released these (oh god) nearly + two decades ago...I’m not fact-checking this, I know I had hair + then. Anyhoo, these headphones are wireless (Bluetooth) and + support wired use. + + 📸[Assortment of Samurai Champloo CDs][IMG9] + + The same day my Marshalls arrived, so did several Samurai Champloo + soundtracks. My 2006 self would not be surprised at my 2026 self. + Once the rainy weather lets up, I’m gonna have to take some walks + with my anti-skip CD player. My Nintendo GameBoy fanny pack is in + disarray (ripped) but I do have other side bags I could use. + + I’m a dad, this is my life now, and I’m satisfied. 😎 + + Phone + + I haven’t made the jump to a flip phone yet but I’m still + considering it. At best, it’d be a second phone, not a replacement + for my iPhone. The utility of a wireless supercomputer in my + pocket in 2026 is simply too great. + + All in all, I really enjoy this keyboard. It’s a joy to type on and I + am happy that I got media controls working on it. I would love if + future computers had keyboards like this. In any event, I’m getting + ideas for systemSOFT[13] hardware. 🕸️ + +References + + [1] <https://www.encyclopedia.com/books/politics-and-business-magazines/computerland-corp> + [2] <https://karabiner-elements.pqrs.org> + [3] <https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=14290.0> + [4] <https://mastodon.social/@mhoye/115817308947489505> + [5] <https://www.tmk-kbd.com/tmk_keyboard/editor/unimap/?adb_usb> + [6] <https://bsky.app/profile/segamanxero.com> + [7] <https://repebble.com/blog/pebble-round-2-the-most-stylish-pebble-ever> + [8] <https://www.casio.com/intl/watches/casio/product.LF-20W-8A> + [9] <https://www.casio.com/intl/watches/casio/product.LF-30W-8A> + [10] <https://brushedtype.co/doppler> + [11] <https://iina.io> + [12] <https://www.marshall.com/us/en/product/major-v?pid=1006834> + [13] <https://systemsoft.works> + [IMG1] <https://cdn.webb.page/blog/2026/wm-808-a.JPG> + [IMG2] <https://cdn.webb.page/blog/2026/wm-808-b.JPG> + [IMG3] <https://cdn.webb.page/blog/2026/wm-808-c.JPG> + [IMG4] <https://cdn.webb.page/blog/2026/wm-808-d.JPG> + [IMG5] <https://cdn.webb.page/blog/2026/wm-808-e.png> + [IMG6] <https://cdn.webb.page/blog/2026/wm-808-f.JPG> + [IMG7] <https://cdn.webb.page/blog/2026/wm-808-g.JPG> + [IMG8] <https://cdn.webb.page/blog/2026/wm-808-h.JPG> + [IMG9] <https://cdn.webb.page/blog/2026/wm-808-i.JPG> + [VID1] <https://nickel.video/embed/i311knnEC0k4> |