geekhack
geekhack Community => Keyboards => Topic started by: granola bar enthusiast on Fri, 22 April 2022, 10:24:52
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I was told instead of saying hey all to say "sonic keyboard" by my friend so well okay.
Anyways I was looking around eBay and found this (https://www.ebay.com/itm/175229124999?hash=item28cc784187:g:QhQAAOSw6p9iTI5s), it's a Apple Extended keyboard with Salmon Pink Alp's and I was thinking about getting it but then the thought crossed my mind, how the hell do i use this? It dousn't show what port it uses so I was wondering if someone who had experience with the Apple Extended Keyboard could help me out. Thanks!
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You'd need a ADB-to-USB adaptor (also called a "protocol converter"). It should have a Apple Desktop Bus (ADB) port in one end and a USB port (or cable) in the other.
The most common ones are:
* Hasu's (https://geekhack.org/index.php?topic=14290.0). It is programmable so you can change keymap. You can also make one of these from a Pro Micro (or similar board with ATmega32u4 microcontroller).
* Drakware (https://www.drakware.com/shop/p/adb2usb). Pretty recent one with 3D-printed housing.
* The iMate is often available on eBay but pricey because I think they stopped being made some time ago. They stem from twenty-twentyfive years ago when Apple just had switched from using ADB to USB.
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You'll also need an ADB cable, since that particular keyboard doesn't include one. If you can't find an actual Apple ADB cable for a decent price, you can use a standard S-video cable.
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Thank you all so much! I don't know much about "vintage keyboards" or older tech as a whole so this has been really helpful