Tech Tangents | Gateway 2000 AnyKey Macro Keyboard @TechTangents | Uploaded July 2019 | Updated October 2024, 16 minutes ago.
In 1990 this keyboard would have been the bee's knees. But it isn't without its flaws.
I did enjoy my time with the keyboard but I am happy to be back to the comfortable layout of the Model M now. The changes to the AnyKey make typing without looking a frustrating experience to say the least. If you really tried to re-learn for it, it's definitely possible to overcome. But I don't think the trade offs are worth it compared to keyboards that are just higher quality.
I didn't end up using the macro features all that much anyway other than to rebind some of the weird layout choices. One thing to note is that while it does have a key where the Windows key would be and it is a macro keyboard, it is not possible to bind one of those keys to a Windows key. You have no other key to copy from for that. Trying to copy from another keyboard isn't going to work either. If you were really determined you could possibly rebind it to "ctrl+esc" which at least opens the start menu in Windows ("alt+f1" for most Linux DEs).
I didn't state this as much in the video as I would have liked so I'll put it here. A real hardware macro rocks. This is how all keyboards should be, not just specialty ones. It could be done with a single extra key to enter remap/macro mode and all keyboards are using far more advanced processors than the AnyKey was. It's a much better solution than driver or other software based macro solutions. It's portable, reliable, and easy to program when ever you want.
If the PS/2-XT becomes available again, you can find it here: monotech.fwscart.com/PS2_to_XT_Keyboard_Converter/p6083514_19714002.aspx
If you want to get one of these and support the channel you can use this link:
ebay.to/2XFdNTf
Playlists of more stuff like this:
1990s: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJVwF78cppBgFZG7xmmvAeerrjv1jiCvM
Other Links
Youtube: youtube.com/AkBKukU
Github: github.com/AkBKukU
Thingiverse: thingiverse.com/AkBKukU
Patreon: patreon.com/AkBKukU
Discord: discord.gg/E6xgGs6
In 1990 this keyboard would have been the bee's knees. But it isn't without its flaws.
I did enjoy my time with the keyboard but I am happy to be back to the comfortable layout of the Model M now. The changes to the AnyKey make typing without looking a frustrating experience to say the least. If you really tried to re-learn for it, it's definitely possible to overcome. But I don't think the trade offs are worth it compared to keyboards that are just higher quality.
I didn't end up using the macro features all that much anyway other than to rebind some of the weird layout choices. One thing to note is that while it does have a key where the Windows key would be and it is a macro keyboard, it is not possible to bind one of those keys to a Windows key. You have no other key to copy from for that. Trying to copy from another keyboard isn't going to work either. If you were really determined you could possibly rebind it to "ctrl+esc" which at least opens the start menu in Windows ("alt+f1" for most Linux DEs).
I didn't state this as much in the video as I would have liked so I'll put it here. A real hardware macro rocks. This is how all keyboards should be, not just specialty ones. It could be done with a single extra key to enter remap/macro mode and all keyboards are using far more advanced processors than the AnyKey was. It's a much better solution than driver or other software based macro solutions. It's portable, reliable, and easy to program when ever you want.
If the PS/2-XT becomes available again, you can find it here: monotech.fwscart.com/PS2_to_XT_Keyboard_Converter/p6083514_19714002.aspx
If you want to get one of these and support the channel you can use this link:
ebay.to/2XFdNTf
Playlists of more stuff like this:
1990s: youtube.com/playlist?list=PLJVwF78cppBgFZG7xmmvAeerrjv1jiCvM
Other Links
Youtube: youtube.com/AkBKukU
Github: github.com/AkBKukU
Thingiverse: thingiverse.com/AkBKukU
Patreon: patreon.com/AkBKukU
Discord: discord.gg/E6xgGs6
