1990 meet 2022

I had thought about what to do with some old Apple Extended Keyboard IIs (AEK II) that I had in storage but was at a loss due to their ADB protocol.

USB protocol has been the standard for quite some time, and ADB is essentially no more.

The ergonomic USB keyboards I have used for decades have given me mixed results.

There was always the thought in my mind of whether the hype was real.

They seemed to relieve some of the aches and pains of keyboarding for several hours.

However, there was never a time when I felt completely comfortable or primarily pain-free.

I altered my typing technique to help alleviate some of the pain.

Nothing helped relieve pain and fatigue like periodically stepping away from the computer.

Until now, that is.

The Wombat is the ADB to USB converter device that I recently ordered to try out the Apple Extended Keyboard II again to remember how to type fatigue- and pain-free.

I do not have the most straightforward setup for how I work.

I share one keyboard and mouse with four computers (a Mac, two WIN 10 PCs, and a Giada mini PC running Zorin OS 16).

My setup features a Trendnet KVM and a two-port VGA switch with another computer using one of the ports on its own (and not as one of the computers on the KVM).

Anyway, it all works great for always having one machine available if one is receiving updates or unavailable.

When the Wombat arrived, I took it out of its packaging and installed the cover that would protect its essential circuit board components.

There were jumpers on the board that I thought I could leave as is when trying it out for the first time.

That ended up being a mistake as I did need to adjust the jumpers to get it to work.

The first time I tried the AEK II with any computers, it didn’t work.

Not anything but slightly disappointed, I made the jumper adjustments, put the cover back on, and tried it again.

Success!

The AEK II is what I’m using as I type this on the Mac Mini running Apple’s latest and greatest macOS Big Sur.

The typing experience is pretty fluid, easy, and flows better than the contortions and reaches my hands have to make when typing on ergonomic USB keyboards.

It’s pretty mind-boggling to consider that a 32-year old keyboard works well with Apple’s current operating system.

The Wombat is a third-party solution, and if you ask me, these keyboards are still not ready to be recycled.

There is so much nostalgia I am feeling right now. But, wait, maybe not nostalgia as much as something like how the passage of time is all relative when it comes to things like technology.

Where there is a will, there is a way is the best way to say it.

I can only hope this good trip back in time continues when I see Elton John in concert later.

More to come on that.