Admiral Shark
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sharktastica.co.uk
Admiral Shark
@sharktastica.co.uk
280 followers 290 following 390 posts
Hi, I share retro IBM keyboards, PCs & ThinkPads! - Welsh 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿, he/him, software engineer, Debian user, lover of sharks, rock, metal, Star Trek & Stargate! #LLAP
Website: https://sharktastica.co.uk
Socials: https://linktr.ee/sharktastica
Subreddit: /r/modelm
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sharktastica.co.uk
Admiral Shark @sharktastica.co.uk · Nov 16
Hi, I'm Admiral Shark, and I've been on a mission to collect, research and document IBM, Lexmark, Unicomp, Lenovo & TGCS keyboards for 5 years for posterity! I also enjoy PCs, ThinkPads, terminals & POS equipment.
Site: sharktastica.co.uk
Socials: linktr.ee/sharktastica
Reddit: reddit.com/r/modelm
A photo of various 122-key Model M Converged Keyboards from IBM and Unicomp A photo of an IBM PS/2 Travel Keyboard with UltraNav (SK-8840, top) and a Lenovo ThinkPad Compact USB Keyboard with TrackPoint (KU-1255, bottom) A photo showing different "IBM" logos from various Model F and Model M keyboards of various ages A photo of the sides of an IBM PS/2 Space Saving Keyboard (left) and a Unicomp Mini Model M (right)
sharktastica.co.uk
The first two marketable sticks were the #Lexmark force-sensing resistor stick (US5467108A, 1st image) and #IBM #TrackPoint II strain gauge stick (US5489900A, 2nd), implementing it using the sensor techs in their respective names! (Note that both patents were filed after they were released.)
A patent diagram depicting Lexmark's adjustable force-sensing resistor pointing stick A patent diagram depicting IBM's TrackPoint II strain gauge pointing stick.
November 30, 2025 at 12:23 AM
Reposted by Admiral Shark
sharktastica.co.uk
Happy birthday, #TrackPoint! 35 years ago today, #IBM filed the original pointing stick patent (US5521596A), the work of Edwin J. "Ted" Selker and Joseph D. Rutledge. It will then-soon evolve into the staple feature of #ThinkPad! sharktastica.co.uk/topics/keybo...
U.S. Utility Patent 5,521,596 (US5521596A) | Keyboard Patents
ASK Keyboard Patents database entry for U.S. Utility Patent 5,521,596 (US5521596A)
sharktastica.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 9:13 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
Happy birthday, #TrackPoint! 35 years ago today, #IBM filed the original pointing stick patent (US5521596A), the work of Edwin J. "Ted" Selker and Joseph D. Rutledge. It will then-soon evolve into the staple feature of #ThinkPad! sharktastica.co.uk/topics/keybo...
U.S. Utility Patent 5,521,596 (US5521596A) | Keyboard Patents
ASK Keyboard Patents database entry for U.S. Utility Patent 5,521,596 (US5521596A)
sharktastica.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 9:13 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
I've spent most of today taking and editing photos of IBM buckling sleeves from various Model M keyboards and ThinkPads. This is one of the new charts I'm working on for my wiki!
A 'chart' of various IBM buckling sleeve gauges and colours. 11 total sleeve elements are shown, each with a gauge name, what Model M host keyboards they may be found on, a diameter measurement and a key travel measurement.
November 28, 2025 at 11:51 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
ThiccPads (mostly).
L: T480, Z61m, W530, W700
R: G40, G41, G50, A30p
A photo showing various ThinkPads. On the left, there is a T480, Z61m, W530 and W700 stacked on top of each other. On the right, there is a G40, G41, G50 and A30p standing next to each other.
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 AM
sharktastica.co.uk
I wanted a wallpaper slideshow of IBM patent diagrams, so I made it so! I took the patent drawings as seen on Google Patents, inverted them, removed any artefacts outside the bounds of the subject, and then made them 16:9. You can find them all on my FTP: ftp.sharktastica.co.uk/patents/
A patent drawing wallpaper depicting a 75-key IBM Base Keyboard (327X-75 type Model B) A patent drawing wallpaper depicting an IBM 104-key Converged Keyboard (Model F "unsaver") A patent drawing wallpaper depicting an IBM Personal Computer AT Keyboard (Model F) A patent drawing wallpaper depicting an IBM Enhanced Keyboard (Model M)
November 22, 2025 at 2:41 AM
sharktastica.co.uk
We do be clicking
November 21, 2025 at 3:19 AM
Reposted by Admiral Shark
gateworld.net
Amazon Greenlights A New Stargate Series
www.gateworld.net/news/2025/11...

FIRST ON GATEWORLD: A new #Stargate series is now in pre-production for Prime Video, with veteran writer and producer Martin Gero at the helm. @primevideo.bsky.social
Amazon Greenlights A New Stargate Series » GateWorld
FIRST ON GATEWORLD: A new Stargate series is now in pre-production for Prime Video, with veteran writer and producer Martin Gero at the helm.
www.gateworld.net
November 19, 2025 at 5:02 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
On Discord, I've been pinged this meme or a variation of it a few times since yesterday. I cannot confirm or deny I'm the shark in question nibbling on an undersea cable, so please do not blame me for any widespread internet outtages. I am hungry, though...
A screenshot of someone pinging me a meme on Discord depicting "modern digital infrasture" and how the internet is held up by various "chokepoints" such as AWS and Cloudflare that could cripple much of said internet if any of them break. At the bottom is a shark nibbling on an undersea cable that may/may not be me.
November 19, 2025 at 6:06 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
Today is the 70th anniversary of two important #IBM #Selectric #typewriter patents! They helped set the stage for one of the coolest and most beautiful typing instruments every made! I wrote a small something for the occasion! sharktastica.co.uk/articles/sel...
The 70-year anniversary of two important IBM Selectric patents
A celebration of two patents crucial to the iconic IBM Selectric electric typewriter and how it works
sharktastica.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 12:05 AM
sharktastica.co.uk
The IBM Leapfrog prototype tablet computer's design patent turns 33 today! Have a gander at this incredible design from the late Richard Sapper and Samuel Lucente: sharktastica.co.uk/topics/keybo...
U.S. Design Patent 364,144 (USD364144S) | Keyboard Patents
ASK Keyboard Patents database entry for U.S. Design Patent 364,144 (USD364144S)
sharktastica.co.uk
November 13, 2025 at 6:52 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
Only took 20 years to name them! www.firefox.com/en-US/kit/
Say hi to Kit
The Firefox brand is getting a refresh and you get the first look
www.firefox.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:32 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
YAY, a migraine! 😊 I honestly feel like taking Corey Taylor's advice to push my fingers into my eyes.
October 31, 2025 at 2:57 AM
sharktastica.co.uk
A complete rewrite of my IBM Model M6 & M6-1 buckling sleeve keyboard article is just around the corner! I can't wait to finally publish, further celebrating the OG #ThinkPad keyboard and present fresh research on the Lexmark Lexbook. For now, enjoy this comparison of the major M6/M6-1 design types!
A comparison of the six major Model M6 and M6-1 keyboard types
October 30, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by Admiral Shark
nomadnetic.bsky.social
Gotta make sure they are comfy and tucked in for the night.
4 IBM Model M keyboards tucked in and waiting for their bedtime story.
October 21, 2025 at 12:09 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
4:23am. Who needs sleep, anyway?
October 24, 2025 at 3:23 AM
sharktastica.co.uk
Happy 41st birthday to the #Wheelwriter and #IBMModelM keyboard family! On 16th October 1984, IBM announced the Wheelwriter 3, Wheelwriter 5 and Quietwriter 7 electronic typewriters. These typewriters featured a then-new take on the buckling spring keyboard design, the Model M!
A screenshot from my website's timeline feature showing the event that talks about the IBM Wheelwriter 3, Wheelwriter 5, Quietwriter 7 and Model M announcement.
October 16, 2025 at 10:52 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
Oh my, an original IBM Model B!
pocketunix.bsky.social XenXen 💾♠ @pocketunix.bsky.social · Oct 10
I dead ass forgot I got gifted this fucking behemoth
I got gifted this 1950s IBM typewriter awhile ago, it needs a ton of work and I need help from someone way smarter than me because I repair computers, not nearly 100 year old typewriters. This thing was made the same year my house was built lmfao
October 14, 2025 at 7:44 AM
sharktastica.co.uk
I miss Lower Decks so much. Thank you for creating such a wonderful series and entry to the franchise, my favourite modern Trek.
mikemcmahan.bsky.social Mike McMahan @mikemcmahan.bsky.social · Oct 13
Feels weird to not have Solar or Lower Decks in production anymore. So proud of what we accomplished on both shows in very different ways. Thank you to everyone on both productions, and to all the fans who tuned in!!
Star Trek Lower Decks art, four ensigns panicking on a starfleet shuttle with a sparking control panel. A cartoon alien family hugging and being nibbled on, from Solar Opposites.
October 14, 2025 at 12:13 AM
sharktastica.co.uk
RIP mainstream #Windows10. Remember that if 11 says your hardware is "too old", it's probably not true. There are alternatives to help negate the possible e-waste disaster incoming. 10 LTSC is one, but it won't last forever. In the meantime/as an alternative, please consider giving #Linux a shot.
October 13, 2025 at 11:11 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
The original #IBM #TrackPoint design patent turns 35 today! It's not the #ThinkPad "nipple", "nub", etc. you may be expecting, but a mouse for the IBM PS/2 L40 SX laptop that can function as a trackball or a ball mouse depending on what side you use it!
sharktastica.co.uk/topics/paten...
U.S. Design Patent 5,063,289 (US5063289A) | Keyboard Patents
ASK Keyboard Patents database entry for U.S. Design Patent 5,063,289 (US5063289A)
sharktastica.co.uk
October 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
The IBM 024/026 Card Punch design patent turns 76 years old today! sharktastica.co.uk/topics/paten...
U.S. Design Patent 160,720 (USD160720S) | Keyboard Patents
ASK Keyboard Patents database entry for U.S. Design Patent 160,720 (USD160720S)
sharktastica.co.uk
October 5, 2025 at 6:42 PM
Reposted by Admiral Shark
laptopretrospective.com
A very late entry for #ThinkPadThursday, a short tour and discussion about the #ThinkPad R52. Neat machine that gave me an opportunity to talk about some stories I've collected over the years. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy98...
Examining the IBM ThinkPad R52
YouTube video by Laptop Retrospective
www.youtube.com
October 4, 2025 at 1:47 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
I may have caught the #FrutigerAero bug. I also think #WindowsVista and #Windows7 were the best-looking operating systems. Thus, I've been working on a new theme option for Admiral Shark's Keyboards that looks a lot like Aero! Some screenshots of what is to come... WIP, of course.
A screenshot of Admiral Shark's Keyboards' index page with the future Aero theme applied A screenshot of Admiral Shark's Keyboards' timeline page with the future Aero theme applied A screenshot of Admiral Shark's Keyboards' "navigate via image" feature with the future Aero theme applied A screenshot of Admiral Shark's Keyboards' upcoming keyboard layouts page with the future Aero theme applied
October 1, 2025 at 9:38 PM
sharktastica.co.uk
Happy 55th birthday to two literal giants of the IBM keyboard world! sharktastica.co.uk/wiki?id=ibm3...
IBM 3210 & 3215 Console Printer-Keyboards
Information on the IBM 3210 and 3215 Printer-Keyboards for IBM System/370 mainframes
sharktastica.co.uk
September 23, 2025 at 11:32 PM