Comments on: Apple Adjustable Keyboard USB hack

By: Rob Base

Rob Base — Wed, 23 Jun 2010 07:38:01 +0000

Hello,

I wanted to ask: is this keyboard still functioning 100% a year later?

The reason I ask is because the Apple Adjustable Keyboard was, as I understand it, known for being relatively failure-prone. That being the case, I’m curious to know if the keyboard is still fully functional after daily use (assuming it is the author’s workaday keyboard).

By: retepvosnul

retepvosnul — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 13:44:11 +0000

I Used one of those on my PC and Mac a couple of years ago.. Just plug in a ADB to USB converter ( like the iMate ) and you are go.

The keyboard is really nice, and looks good too, especially with the numeric part attached.

By: Mimohodom13

Mimohodom13 — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 12:05:17 +0000

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By: daemonyk

daemonyk — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:13:16 +0000

Firstly, to Peter, and anyone else who questioned the validity of time spent on this project, you have no clue what else WAS accomplished during those couple of months. Did you even check out his website? It’s called multitasking. Also, “useful” is a matter of opinion. If he’s happy with it, and it does e-x-a-c-t-l-y what HE wants, it’s useful.

Unsupported, I agree. The internet is overflowign with people who are always more than willing to let you know how stupid or useless your hard work is, but never seem to have any exploits of their own to contribute. If it’s a matter of what’s “easier”, wouldn’t it be easier to NOT post a message that has nothing to do with the actual significance of the project?

By: I_rus_man

I_rus_man — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:01:46 +0000

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By: unsupported

unsupported — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:51:13 +0000

@RobotGuy – *hanging my head in shame*

By: unsupported

unsupported — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 18:50:49 +0000

@RobotGuy -

By: Mr Poo

Mr Poo — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 17:56:31 +0000

fsamurai – actually, that keyboard is pretty much fully supported under the latest version of OSX, as long as you use an iMate and the new iMate driver you can find here : http://code.google.com/p/imate-osx/

Might require a recompile of AppleADBKeyboard.kext under Snow Leopard, I dunno.

By: RobotGuy

RobotGuy — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 16:13:35 +0000

unsupported, your comment isn’t a hack, sucks, and is a waste of time.

You should be ashamed.

By: unsupported

unsupported — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:15:03 +0000

Ok, ok… I think I get it now! The internet is full of naysayers, who just are never happy with anything, right? If a hack is posted, you say it sucks and is a waste of the creators time. If you deem something is not a jack, you say it sucks and is waste of your time.

I totally misjudged this internet thing.

By: fsamurai

fsamurai — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 15:04:12 +0000

I think you guys are missing the point a little bit.

The project is not only a adb to usb converter but it also maps the keys to work with windows and not os x (btw, this keyboard is not fully supported in the recent version of os x). and you cant buy that for 20 bucks.

(actually my adb to usb converter was more than 20 dls, since they have been discontinued people are charging whatever they very well please for them.)

By: McSquid

McSquid — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 11:42:43 +0000

this is sweet and i understand how nice it is to have the perfect keyboard, but i feel like the wooden keyboard took less effort than this. was it really worth all the time and effort?

By: Peter

Peter — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:31:57 +0000

Josh, a bit of elbow grease? Quote from the article, “few months of hard work to figure out, modify, solder and construct this bad boy” vs several ADB to USB adapters available on ebay for $20 or less.

Don’t get me wrong, like I said before, there is something to be said for designing and making something but I think that you have to pick your projects carefully. Imagine what he else he could have done with a “few months of hard work.”

By: nubie

nubie — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 06:29:05 +0000

Not to mention (@ Peter), that every solution you can work yourself allows for a learning experience.

I remember back when I put Microsoft Sidewinder guts in my digital Playstation pad, and learned of button matrices and “anti-ghost” diodes.

(Why can’t Microsoft get ergonomics right? I think they are very close with the X360 controls, but they are still too big and bulky.)

By: Josh

Josh — Wed, 08 Jul 2009 02:36:21 +0000

Peter, those adapters are hard to find as most places have discontinued them. Even so, dropping $20 on something when you can repurpose what you have to do the job for pretty just a bit of elbow grease and know-how is nonsense.