From ad8ff77f29d95def0ede38f82275b72244d9fc76 Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: "netop://ウィビ" Date: Sat, 5 Sep 2026 19:05:48 -0700 Subject: new memo --- memos/WM-102.txt | 154 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ version.txt | 2 +- 2 files changed, 155 insertions(+), 1 deletion(-) create mode 100644 memos/WM-102.txt diff --git a/memos/WM-102.txt b/memos/WM-102.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..21dd87e --- /dev/null +++ b/memos/WM-102.txt @@ -0,0 +1,154 @@ + + + + + + + +Document: WM-102 P. Webb +Category: Computing 2026-09-05 + + Customizing my Compaq MX-11800 keyboard + +Abstract + + It took a long time to get this keyboard the way I wanted so here’s + everything I learned to help you not deal with my nonsense. + +Body + + The beginning + + Back in January[1] I bought an Apple Extended Keyboard II from + eBay and had a blast typing away on old-tech. That keyboard is + still my main keyboard today. A few months ago though, I was on + Mastodon and saw a photo of a weird keyboard layout I’d never seen + before; the Compaq MX-11800[2]. Double function rows, a numpad, + AND A BUILT-IN MOUSE BALL?!! No way, I absolutely HAD to get + this thing! + + I went on eBay again, bought one, and thought how cool it’d be to + also buy custom switches for it too! After doing some research I + settled on Gateron Milky Yellow Pro[3] V2s…this ALSO meant I’d + have to buy soldering tools and deal with that for the first time. + Easy-peasy right? WRONG + + Soldering + + I de-soldered the old switches, soldered the new switches, plugged + in the keyboard and…only a handful of keys worked. WTF!! I spent + far too much time trying to figure it out where I went wrong + because my soldering looked decent. + + Annoyed, I chalked up this failure to my naivete and looked into + Mill-Max 3305 sockets[4], which allow you to hotswap switches on + mechanical keyboards. Buying these would cut down on soldering and + ensure I wouldn’t be locked into a switch type for the board I + install them into! I also bought another MX-11800 from eBay and + hoped I wouldn’t destroy this one (in my troubleshooting of the + first one, I stripped the lil’ rings from several places). + + When the sockets arrived I set out to do a more careful job of + de-soldering the original switches and soldering the new Mill-Max + sockets. Added my new Gateron switches, plugged in the + keyboard and…THE SAME ISSUE OCCURRED. Most of the keys didn’t work + but the keys that _did_ work WERE THE SAME HANDFUL AS THE FIRST + BOARD. Relieved I wasn’t a failure of a nerd, I inspected the + original switches and the new Gateron ones[5]. The Gaterons only + have two prongs while the original switches have four. The + originals also have diodes in them. + + So, these four prongs are all doing something which means my fancy + Gaterons are gonna sit in their container until I buy a MODERN + keyboard (I did take a keycap off my AEK II when I first got it, + to put new keycaps on them but the thingies are too wide). + + My beautiful board + + All this to say, I was able to solder the original switches back + (without issue) and every key works; even the mouse! You got this + far without seeing how my keyboard looks, here you go! + + 📸[left side of my keyboard][IMG1] + + 📸[right side of my keyboard, featuring Bean the cat][IMG3] + + 📸[top view of my keyboard][IMG4] + + I wanted the keyboard to have a classic Mac look so I discovered + that the color closest to the original Mac color is Pantone’s PMS + 420 C. MyPerfectColor[6] is an online service that will mix you + any color they have access to, which seems to be no limit. I + impatiently awaited for delivery. I use a combination of sandpaper + grit (I think 1000 and 800) before using Rust-Oleum primer, + letting that sit for a few days, and then the MPC Pantone spray. + + As you can see in my glamour shots though, I forgot to spray the + mouse buttons (different piece that could detach from the + keyboard) but the people love it, it looks intentional! + + The keycaps are Classic Light by MVKB[7]. I could not find them + anywhere and when I was able to give up, I found a distributor in + Australia who had ’em! Thank you, Keebz N Cables[8]! + + Usage + + Being that the Compaq MX-11800 was typically used in server racks + running Windows, the typical three-button layout to the left of + the spacebar doesn't exist…so how does this work on macOS? I code + a lot and depend on shortcuts like swapping between tabs in my + codebase (also, in web browsers). ⌥ + ⌘ + Left/Right is one of + those shortcuts that’s non-negotiable. + + In Karabiner-Elements I made: + + - left control → left option + - left option → left command + + I don't use the Control key often and when I do need it, it’s to + the right most of the Spacebar. Actually, if I don’t use the Magic + Trackpad, I need to use right Control to navigate between spaces. + I also lose the two-finger swipe scroll without the Trackpad so I + need to use PageUp/Down. + + (FUTURE PAUL EDIT: I apparently use Control to stop local servers + as well so okay, I use Control a lot. Will take getting used to, + using this key in a different place.) + + The loss of the third key to the right of the Spacebar throws my + muscle memory off so I’m often pressing the wrong keys when using + shortcuts. I may just ignore the trackball if I don’t find a way + to make it move the cursor further when I flick scroll. There was + less lateral scrolling to do back when this keyboard was modern! + + Because this is an old keyboard WITH a mouse, I had to look around + for a dual PS/2 adapter and I finally found one on Newegg[9]. It + took forEVER to ship and then to get to me. I then needed a USB-A + to USB-C adapter so as you can imagine, this looks quite silly + plugged into my Thunderbolt dock. + + 📸[dongle with a dongle][IMG5] + + Something that was supposed to take a few weeks wrt shipping took + several months because I didn't know what I didn't know but now I + know, y'know? That's worth something. 🕸️ + + 📸[Bean again, because he slid himself closer while I was taking pics…he clearly wants his fans to know how he's doing][IMG6] + +References + + [1] + [2] + [3] + [4] + [5] + [6] + [7] + [8] + [9] + [IMG1] + [IMG2] + [IMG3] + [IMG4] + [IMG5] + [IMG6] diff --git a/version.txt b/version.txt index a418ead..c8e058f 100644 --- a/version.txt +++ b/version.txt @@ -1 +1 @@ -2026.09.02 \ No newline at end of file +2026.09.05 \ No newline at end of file -- cgit v1.2.3