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Re: quality keyboards



On Mon, Aug 31, 2015 at 9:38 PM, Gian Uberto Lauri <saint@eng.it> wrote:
> Joel Rees writes:
>  >
>  > Say what? Since when does a keyboard need a firmware update?
>  >
>  > Hmm. Maybe the USB controller stuff, but still, ...
>
> Nope. Check the item before engaging the fingers :).

Well, actually, I was responding to Petter, I think, whose keyboard
does not have the colored lights?

Even so, ...

> These keyboard have some on board controller that is responsible to
> controlling the color of each key according to a fixed or dynamic
> pattern. "Very useful things" [1] like color pattern changing with
> time or keys that change the color when you type them - was not it
> easy enough to peek a secret password watching the fingers typing it?

... reprogrammability is one thing. I think updates from the
manufacturer is another.

Random reprogrammability is a security issue, but one generally
doesn't try to deal with the security issues inside the keyboard.
Updating vulnerable keyboard drivers in the OS, yes. In the keyboard
itself, I can't see that.

> Furthermore they should allow some form of "macro". I am not sure of
> what they are, but they smell like the programmable keys of the
> venerable Qume 102 I used hooked to an AT&T 3B2,

Heh. I have a couple of 7300s (I think it was) sitting in the basement
somewhere in my sister's house in the states. Fifteen years ago, I
often found myself wishing they were here, not there. Just to play
with, of course.

> a long time ago.

But isn't this also about reprogrammability?

>  > Can you tell what the micro-controller is? Maybe try re-programming it?
>
> They are working on reverse-engineering the communication protocol and
> re-programming instructions.

Do tell: Who are _they_? And do they have a website?

> [1] they could be used for some blinkenlights at boot time.
> "Das computermachineboot ist gestaren, relaxen und watchen das
> blinkenlichten."

Fun stuff.

> --
>  /\           ___                                    Ubuntu: ancient
> /___/\_|_|\_|__|___Gian Uberto Lauri_____               African word
>   //--\| | \|  |   Integralista GNUslamico            meaning "I can
> \/                 coltivatore diretto di software       not install
>      già sistemista a tempo (altrui) perso...                Debian"
>
> Warning: gnome-config-daemon considered more dangerous than GOTO
>

-- 
Joel Rees

Be careful when you look at conspiracy.
Arm yourself with knowledge of yourself, as well:
http://reiisi.blogspot.jp/2011/10/conspiracy-theories.html


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