Admiral Shark
@sharktastica.co.uk
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
Website: https://sharktastica.co.uk
Socials: https://linktr.ee/sharktastica
Subreddit: /r/modelm
Pinned
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
Site: sharktastica.co.uk
Socials: linktr.ee/sharktastica
Reddit: reddit.com/r/modelm
Not only can't I sleep, but I'm more irritable than usual. I can't just let loose. Even now, as I type this, I'm getting worked up with how awful it is to type on a smartphone. Autocorrect is also fucking batshit. Honestly, take me back to the Sony Ericsson K320i I had in primary school...
Can't sleeeeeeeep
December 4, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Not only can't I sleep, but I'm more irritable than usual. I can't just let loose. Even now, as I type this, I'm getting worked up with how awful it is to type on a smartphone. Autocorrect is also fucking batshit. Honestly, take me back to the Sony Ericsson K320i I had in primary school...
Some polite ThinkPads
December 2, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Some polite ThinkPads
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.)
November 30, 2025 at 12:23 AM
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.)
Reposted by Admiral Shark
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
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...
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
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...
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!
November 28, 2025 at 11:51 PM
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!
ThiccPads (mostly).
L: T480, Z61m, W530, W700
R: G40, G41, G50, A30p
L: T480, Z61m, W530, W700
R: G40, G41, G50, A30p
November 26, 2025 at 5:19 AM
ThiccPads (mostly).
L: T480, Z61m, W530, W700
R: G40, G41, G50, A30p
L: T480, Z61m, W530, W700
R: G40, G41, G50, A30p
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/
November 22, 2025 at 2:41 AM
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/
Reposted by Admiral Shark
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
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
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
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
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...
November 19, 2025 at 6:06 PM
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...
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
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 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
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...
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
Only took 20 years to name them! www.firefox.com/en-US/kit/
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
YAY, a migraine! 😊 I honestly feel like taking Corey Taylor's advice to push my fingers into my eyes.
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!
October 30, 2025 at 11:01 PM
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!
Reposted by Admiral Shark
Gotta make sure they are comfy and tucked in for the night.
October 21, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Gotta make sure they are comfy and tucked in for the night.
4:23am. Who needs sleep, anyway?
October 24, 2025 at 3:23 AM
4:23am. Who needs sleep, anyway?
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!
October 16, 2025 at 10:52 PM
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!
Oh my, an original IBM Model B!
October 14, 2025 at 7:44 AM
Oh my, an original IBM Model B!
I miss Lower Decks so much. Thank you for creating such a wonderful series and entry to the franchise, my favourite modern Trek.
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!!
October 14, 2025 at 12:13 AM
I miss Lower Decks so much. Thank you for creating such a wonderful series and entry to the franchise, my favourite modern Trek.
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
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.
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...
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
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...
sharktastica.co.uk/topics/paten...
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
The IBM 024/026 Card Punch design patent turns 76 years old today! sharktastica.co.uk/topics/paten...