I like the slogan "Yes, we can." Like, not respect. I respect "we cannot do it." Because the latter is much harder to know than the former. The former is knowledge, the latter is wisdom.
Recently I've got some wisdom about Android app development.
1) In some cases, we cannot root Android device. Really CANNOT. Is it possible to unlock the bootloader on the Verizon Moto G (xt1028) on android 4.4.4?
2) Recent Android has USB host function. Apps can communicate with USB devices. But there is one, only one exception. In the case of HID and its subclass is boot interface (all usual keyboards fall under this case), apps cannot do. Can an Android Expert Explain Strange USB Host Behavior
3) Apps cannot handle Alt-Tab. It is intercepted by PhoneWindowManager#interceptKeyBeforeDispatching.
I've tried to make a keyboard transmitter app. Classic Bluetooth and current Android Bluetooth stack (Bluedroid) cannot do it (Bluedroid lacks L2CAP support), so there is no such app now. But I thought that Bluetooth LE, Android 5.0, and Bluetooth LE peripheral capable device (very limited so far) can do.
And then, I've got some wisdom.
It is still possible. But deprived of Alt-Tab, does it have any value?
My hacking went bad. Framework, security, unexpected usage... I miss the date of PEEK / POKE.
Apr 8, 2015
Mar 9, 2015
It isn't Helvetica.
I cannot make keycaps just look like original Model M. This photo is a good example.
Left is my test piece. The typeface is Helvetica Light. Right is original Model M's. Letter spacing differs, but it isn't serious problem. A serious problem is 'g' letter. Compare the proportion of the upper part and the lower part. It differs much, and it is a strong evidence. Original Model M's typeface of modifier / system command keys isn't Helvetica family.
So what is the typeface? I cannot find it yet. I have a book, "Rockledge's classic international typefinder." This book contains many typefaces of 80's. But I couldn't find the typeface.
Around 1980, IBM was close to Monotype. So I guess the typeface is Monotype's unpopular typeface. I guess that it is made for photo-typesetter and not converted to font yet, because it is very unpopular.
By the way, the 'R' is very Helvetica-ish.
The tail of 'a' is Helvetica-ish too, but the head isn't so Helvetica-ish. From this earmark, I've doubted Monotype Abadi Std Light, but 'R' differs.
Another earmark is very short descender. Usually these earmarks are enough to find the typeface, but I cannot yet. This is a circumstantial evidence that the typeface was unpopular.
Left is my test piece. The typeface is Helvetica Light. Right is original Model M's. Letter spacing differs, but it isn't serious problem. A serious problem is 'g' letter. Compare the proportion of the upper part and the lower part. It differs much, and it is a strong evidence. Original Model M's typeface of modifier / system command keys isn't Helvetica family.
So what is the typeface? I cannot find it yet. I have a book, "Rockledge's classic international typefinder." This book contains many typefaces of 80's. But I couldn't find the typeface.
Around 1980, IBM was close to Monotype. So I guess the typeface is Monotype's unpopular typeface. I guess that it is made for photo-typesetter and not converted to font yet, because it is very unpopular.
By the way, the 'R' is very Helvetica-ish.
The tail of 'a' is Helvetica-ish too, but the head isn't so Helvetica-ish. From this earmark, I've doubted Monotype Abadi Std Light, but 'R' differs.
Another earmark is very short descender. Usually these earmarks are enough to find the typeface, but I cannot yet. This is a circumstantial evidence that the typeface was unpopular.
Feb 22, 2015
Arrow keycap set
New item arrived!
Recently I've found my technique for making black keycaps shows much lower yield than I expected. I'm searching better masking material now.
Recently I've found my technique for making black keycaps shows much lower yield than I expected. I'm searching better masking material now.
Jan 26, 2015
New technology to reduce ink bleeding
Gill Sans typeface keyboard should reproduce typefaces clearly. But dye-sub causes ink bleeding and it makes thin lines bold noticeably. So I developed a new technology.
Please look at the upper image. Just one pixel width of the inside of outline is gray. This image processing reduces ink bleeding. And please look at the lower image. No trace of gray pixels! Ink bleeding fills gray pixels. Thanks to that, Ink bleeding doesn't go the outside of outline.
As you see, the fidelity isn't perfect. I tried more sophisticated image processing, but failed. Such processing can make bodies thinner, but it erases serifs.
By the way, the height of the 'Shift' is about 7pt. Please compare the bellow photo with your keyboard.
Please look at the upper image. Just one pixel width of the inside of outline is gray. This image processing reduces ink bleeding. And please look at the lower image. No trace of gray pixels! Ink bleeding fills gray pixels. Thanks to that, Ink bleeding doesn't go the outside of outline.
As you see, the fidelity isn't perfect. I tried more sophisticated image processing, but failed. Such processing can make bodies thinner, but it erases serifs.
By the way, the height of the 'Shift' is about 7pt. Please compare the bellow photo with your keyboard.
Jan 24, 2015
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