Unbelieving it

[yakko]

I bought a wired Apple keyboard last month because things changed to where I didn't need a KVM switch at my desk anymore. It's a USB keyboard with a built-in hub (which has 2 ports

Comments

[yakko]

Fortunately, I have a Y adapter just for that purpose. It plugs into the strip and gives me 2 outlets that don't have impossibly close distance.

It just seems to me like there's very little innovation in the wall wart market. :o)

[yakko]

I'm just going to use a USB 2.0 powered hub. The high-power USB 1.1 devices will work without slowing everything down, and I get more USB 2.0 ports.

I tried putting a bus-powered USB 1.1 hub on the keyboard, but even without the scanner, it will go overcurrent if looked at funny. I didn't have a suitable wall wart for that thing (no polarity markings, and how ironic that I have a whole BOX full of the stupid things but none that have current ratings of 2A or more and the correct tip), so I bought another Belkin 7 port hub.

[yakko]

All my USB mass storage is USB 2.0. The iPod in particular demands a self-powered connection to charge the battery. I found that out the hard way as the iPod's battery went flat when I hooked it up to a bus-powered port (and probably did the same thing this time around when I had it hooked through the keyboard; I just didn't notice).

The good thing about these Belkin hubs is the 2 ports on top that can directly take wide things like my JumpDrive and Kingston USB keys. I still have to carry a short extension around for those tight USB ports. And oh, they can be stacked on top of each other. Bonus for keeping desk clutter at bay.

[captain18]

"When this baby hits 88 miles an hour, you're gonna see some serious shit."