Marcin WicharyMay 7, 2023
So excited!
Show threadMarcin WicharyMay 7, 2023
In the museum store of National Museum of Computing you can buy a framed magazine. I spotted one issue with Lillian Malt (!) so I bought it and ditched the frame.
Show threadMarcin WicharyMay 7, 2023
“Keystrokes” don’t mean much to most people
Show threadMarcin WicharyMay 7, 2023
I think this describes the beginnings of the Maltron keyboard. I’ll scan it all once at home!
Show threadMarcin WicharyMay 7, 2023
Petition to have more British English in tech
Show threadMarcin WicharyMay 7, 2023
Teletype/Calculator/Public phone/Terminal
Show threadMarcin WicharyMay 7, 2023
Finally, one bit-paired keyboard that’s not afraid to tell the whole truth.
Show threadMarcin Wichary
Double soft keys, a very peculiar molly guard, and an arrow key layout from hell.
May 7, 2023 at 8:23pmWeb
Show threadMarcin WicharyMay 7, 2023
Show threadWilliam H. GroverMay 7, 2023
@mwichary Please keep the Bletchley Park pics coming! I've always wanted to visit, but your keen eye for photos is the next best thing.
Show threadHypertalkingMay 8, 2023
@mwichary nice — I plan on getting back there soon. I'll be at your talk at St Bride next week, looking forward to it :-)
Show threadPaolo AmorosoMay 7, 2023
@mwichary The vi arrow key layout is not much different.
Show threadResunaMay 7, 2023
@amoroso @mwichary That's because the ADM3a arrow keys were based on credibly interpreting ASCII control codes. If you have a really strange vertical tab, and think about pages like in a book not like in fanfold.
Show threadBenMay 7, 2023
@mwichary
That guard reminds me of a Thérac 25 console, in a way.
Show threadMarcin WicharyMay 7, 2023
@ben_zen Tell me more!
Show threadBenMay 7, 2023

@mwichary
The Thérac 25 was a computer-controlled radiation therapy device, which took an earlier design with manual interlocks and… removed those interlocks. It turned out the delete key did not clear fields (amongst other issues that led to horrifying consequences), and instead of fixing the software the key was blocked off.

It's one of the pivotal cases of software failures resulting in loss of life. https://ethicsunwrapped.utexas.edu/case-study/therac-25

Therac-25 - Ethics Unwrapped

Providing radiation therapy to cancer patients, Therac-25 had malfunctions that resulted in 6 deaths. Who is accountable when technology causes harm?

Ethics Unwrapped
Show threadMarcin WicharyMay 7, 2023
@ben_zen Thanks! I am familiar with the story – thought maybe this type of guard had a specific meaning (for Therac 20 or 25). As far as I understand they asked the operators to remove the keycap and tape over the switch of the key.
Show threadBenMay 7, 2023
@mwichary
That's what I thought, but it still had that vibe of "oh, this key totally doesn't do what we expected."
Show threadHenry WilkinsonMay 7, 2023
@mwichary 8 Bit Guy released a good video on some wacky cursor key layouts recently... Though I feel like you may already know about many of them! https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=BytowtVycc0
The History of Cursor Keys

YouTube
Show threadMarcin WicharyMay 7, 2023
@hank Thanks! I saw that. If you liked that, my book will have quite, quite a few more. 😀
Show threadErikMay 8, 2023
@mwichary the 8-Bit Guy did a video on all the different variations of arrow keys
https://youtu.be/BytowtVycc0
The History of Cursor Keys

YouTube
Show threadDr. Juande Santander-VelaMay 11, 2023
@mwichary you have to use two hands to play games with that… (clearly not the first time I’ve seen that layout 😉)