Homebrew external MacNTouch
One of the things that I’ve missed a lot since I got my 12” PowerBook is my old MacNTouch keyboard. I had grown very comfortable with using the keyboard, but the only downside to getting my new 12” was that the keyboard wouldn’t fit in the new machine. It is about the right dimensions, but the USB ports are on the right side of the machine, rather than the back as before, so the keyboard couldn’t be plugged in in situ. This was something of a downer.
However, one day (and I’m very disappointed with myself for not thinking of this before) I realised that it should be possible to use the MacNTouch as an external keyboard (like Fingerworks TouchStream LP). Sure, it’s not as convenient as having it built-in, but it’s a heck of a lot better than not using it at all. The keyboard itself is basically some clever electronics sandwiched by a circuit board on the bottom and a sheet of thin Perspex (Lexan for my American readers) on top. The only physical connection to the Mac comes through a very short and thin USB ribbon cable. If I plugged the cable into a USB extension cable, I ought to be able to use the keyboard with it just sitting on the desk.
