Joe Williams

@[email protected]
53 Followers
93 Following
77 Posts
NASA Rocket Scientist by day, classic Mac tinkerer by night
Joe WilliamsJun 21, 2025

I recently wrote about my experience with building a tiny Mac using a Raspberry Pi Zero 2W and a 3D printed case.

https://tinkerdifferent.com/threads/building-a-tiny-mac-from-a-raspberry-pi-zero-2.4429/

Building a Tiny Mac from a Raspberry Pi Zero 2

Hi everyone! James Wages @JDW reached out to me about sharing my experience with building a tiny mac, powered by a Raspberry Pi 2W and running Mini vMac from the Gryphel Project. It was a fun build, and I worked through a few kinks that I wanted to share with you should you decide to tackle...

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Show threadJoe WilliamsMay 29, 2025
@hannahpatellis @MuseumJoe Joe, do you know of any?
Show threadJoe WilliamsMar 10, 2025
@mejs me too.
Joe WilliamsDec 31, 2024

Here is a nice visual proof showing the relationship between the square of the sums and the sum of the cubes, also known as Nicomachus’s Theorem, for n=9.

https://youtu.be/7DznMIzn_nA?si=6-yjWLBHjVfDdGUo

A Math Fact for the New Year 2025!

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Joe WilliamsDec 29, 2024
@vga256 I use the built-in duplicate finder built into the Mac Photos app, plus will also use PhotoSweeper from time to time. This approach is not foolproof but does catch most duplicates.
Show threadJoe WilliamsDec 29, 2024
@RetroViator Cool. Once you return to your Macs and try out your TechStep, let me know how it goes for you.
Joe WilliamsDec 28, 2024

Recently I obtained a recreated TechStep to test my working vintage Macs. I found a few surprises and mysteries!

https://tinkerdifferent.com/threads/playing-with-a-recreated-techstep.4038/

Playing with a Recreated TechStep

Recently I obtained a recreated TechStep for testing the variety of compatible vintage Macs in my collection. All of the Macs are functional, and I was curious about what the TechStep would say about each. Here is a summary of my experiences and results, in case anyone else finds the...

TinkerDifferent
Show threadJoe WilliamsDec 23, 2024

@macinjosh I’m running Linux Mint 21.3 in a dual boot configuration with macOS Sequoia via OpenCore Legacy Patcher. This is what I wrote about the original experience on configurations the dual boot when I originally installed Mint 21.2 last year.

https://tinkerdifferent.com/threads/dual-boot-linux-mint-21-2-and-macos-with-opencore-legacy-patcher-and-opencore-bootpicker.3115/

Dual Boot Linux Mint 21.2 and macOS with OpenCore Legacy Patcher and OpenCore Bootpicker

Hello, fellow Tinkerers! Although real life has intruded on my tinkering over the last few months, I’ve managed to squeeze in a small project or two. One of my background projects during this low key period has been testing OpenCore Legacy Patcher (OCLP) on a variety of unsupported MacBooks in...

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Show threadJoe WilliamsDec 13, 2024
@paulrickards I just saw this video from Technight that talks about replacing the rollers on a Macintosh Portable trackball, this might be more relevant? https://youtu.be/47v9GxB199Y?si=njNT4w-rpF4ZBUIf
Macintosh Portable AC Adapter restoration

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Show threadJoe WilliamsDec 13, 2024
@paulrickards Paul, I wonder if this YT might be of help. Mark at The Retro Channel restored several Amiga mice that needed resistor adjustments due to degradation. Good luck! https://youtu.be/bHronYATxII?si=LcqwARqk2SsSI8Yh
Amiga tank mouse repair and calibration

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