minute

CEO of MNT Research. OSHW laptop MNT Reform: https://mntre.com | https://shop.mntre.com | FOSS, ARM, OSHW, FPGA, Amiga, RISC-V | batcave, cyberpunk, industrial, synth/darkwave | non-binary, queer, vegan, sober

Pronouns: they/them
Private Alt (No work questions please): https://merveilles.town/@minute
MNT Research: https://mntre.com

Public Key

npub1sl789umqy3kylr9ar8qq5y2ln4hhypk6jmjfkdq0va4uj4xzxx6s8tlnx3

NIP-05 Address

mntmn_at_mastodon.social@momostr.pink

Profile Code

nprofile1qqsg0lrj7dszgmz03j73nsq2z90e6mmjqmdfdeymxs8kw67f2nprrdgprpmhxue69uhhyetvv9ujumt0d4hhxarj9ecxjmntepmmdc

Publishing to

relay.momostr.pink

Author Public Key

npub1sl789umqy3kylr9ar8qq5y2ln4hhypk6jmjfkdq0va4uj4xzxx6s8tlnx3

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Last Notes

2024-10-23 13:31:41

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thanks for all the input, after checking all the (pretty complex/big/expensive) options i settled on CY7C65215-32LTXI and a DIP switch to select on of two UARTs that can have the console depending on the chosen CPU module (most use UART 1, but on some like BPi CM4 and 8mplus i had to use UART 2).
also this is the next level of "don't accidentally swap RX/TX!"
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/113/356/976/025/717/113/original/ef2cf2b530643a39.png

2024-08-29 23:19:10

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(background: we have a pretty complicated custom web app in rust running all our financial stuff, and reform-setup-wizard is rust&gtk4. our shop is rails. and i need to deal with C on a daily basis in the kernel etc. i also have a hobby DAW which is a mess of C and C++. all the languages are fun if they work!)

2024-08-29 23:13:10

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i write and like both c and rust but i write a lot less rust because the mental effort and compile times are higher, and c is so simple for just quickly doing dirty stuff... actually i have someone to write most of the rust for me *ahem* (and it rarely has bugs/very low maintainance cost vs for example ruby on rails which often causes hairy issues)

2024-08-22 15:10:19

for security reasons i'm hesitant to design a microphone into MNT Reform Next. and for a call i would rather use a clip-on or bluetooth headset mic. what's your take on this?

2024-08-14 17:32:54

MNT Reform Next prototype update:
—it runs from batteries
—it can charge the battery pack via usb-c
—system contoller firmware can talk to the new batterypack and report voltages
—system controller can talk to the charger
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/961/569/729/047/655/original/d1f3cc2935acc97e.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/961/570/134/239/418/original/ce1bce5dbde18edc.jpeg

2024-07-08 20:20:59

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speaker works, toooo

2024-07-08 19:36:53

MNT Reform Next status: keyboard and display work, and we can go on the internet
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/752/552/197/315/515/original/2cbb595409c81bb2.jpeg

2024-07-08 11:21:02

first rough proto of MNT Reform Standalone case, 3D printed, floppy for scale
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/750/602/424/088/699/original/2d6b3c1af2cf5b83.jpeg

2024-07-07 16:41:05

tuesday evening i will be at @npub1ajs…40ga in berlin and will talk about MNT Reform related things in an informal setting (the permacomputing meetup). are there any special topics you would like to hear about?

2024-07-05 12:23:23

anyone have the Realtek RTS8522 datasheet? :3

2024-07-05 08:42:53

just read a longer post by @npub1mzh…dh9t reminding me about all the things we've been dealing with :D https://community.mnt.re/t/system-image-stable-vs-sid-wifi-recent-disconnects/2226/4

2024-07-03 19:54:16

surprise, surprise, now stocked at @npub1v2g…u0xx:
—MNT Reform USB Camera! https://www.crowdsupply.com/mnt/reform#product-3749
—Our last 6 ultra rare NXP LS1028A Open Hardware Processor Modules for MNT Reform! https://www.crowdsupply.com/mnt/reform#product-3748

2024-07-03 19:11:58

we prepared and packed the first 21 Hyper MNT Pocket Reforms for shipping today. the company was again decimated by COVID (not me this time though), so [@holo_memory](https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@holo_memory ) jumped in for some prep&packing duty

2024-07-02 18:53:08

👀
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/718/404/126/275/241/original/fec643331538c47d.png

2024-06-25 15:07:48

as non-native speaker i'm confused (together with [@holo_memory](https://mastodon.gamedev.place/@holo_memory )) about the use of the term "USB stick" in the US and UK, referring to "thumb drive/flash drive". recently i was told this is a germanism (like "Handy" for cellphones). but could it also be a UK-ism? where are you based and which term(s) are you familiar with?

2024-06-22 14:12:12

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maybe interesting for you as you pointed me to this issue a while ago

2024-06-22 14:10:43

video demonstrating performance impact of CSS change on the scrolling and mouse stuttering in @npub1mr6…0pq0 on non-high end hardware cc @npub1fx9…z4hg @npub133l…pfxe
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/660/671/321/916/235/original/74d8d56fb0e1d598.mp4

2024-06-21 15:27:36

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it works, we have linux on serial with the imx8mp module (easiest for testing because it runs from emmc). internal usb hub and rp2040 work, too. but now we need to wait for the port board(s) to make this really useful.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/655/312/341/173/024/original/4ac8c2e986a3cc5b.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/655/312/663/069/794/original/9858cfb443ff5ac3.jpeg

2024-06-21 15:09:17

booted i.MX8M Plus module in Reform Next motherboard. idles at 2.3W :0

2024-06-21 12:00:30

the first ever MNT Reform Next motherboard was just assembled by @npub12gl…frt9
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/654/497/686/919/732/original/d072fca6cebfadc7.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/654/498/013/311/986/original/294ca3e1bcff2462.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/654/498/316/887/185/original/93ff87ba58553663.jpeg

2024-06-20 19:52:45

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but the wind changes. more and more people come to your place and slap a McOpen on your kitchen table and are like, have you SEEN THIS? can't you put the McOpen tomatoes and cucumber modules in your burgers? they are totally the future, so open minded and aligned with the latest cool vegan trends! or maybe you can work together with McOpen corporation, i'm sure you could both profit a lot from that somehow?!
you don't care about any of this. you just want to run your little shop.
3/3

2024-06-20 19:51:41

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some ex McDonalds managers see what you're doing and are like, what a nice new trend, vegan burgers! lets quit mcdonalds and make a startup with investor money from our meat industry buddies. but lets streamline it and brand it so it looks like we're totally not mcdonalds, instead we do this new vegan trendy thing, but not so home cooked looking! McOpen! the vegan burgers are premade in the meat factory and we give customers the option to exchange the cucumbers for tomatoes themselves! amazing.

2024-06-20 19:51:25

imagine you're not a trained cook, but you burned out on something else and you open a tiny vegan burger shop in a metropolis and you take great care of the ingredients and you have your special sauce but you share it with anyone interested in making the burgers at home. you have a small group of regular customers and even if you work 11 hours a day and the rent is really high you somehow make it work. 1/3

2024-06-19 11:25:36

the first Reform Next motherboard PCBs (and components) are here. the board says Reflex but that's just my internal codename.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/643/036/395/394/673/original/839cf4b57758189e.jpeg

2024-06-17 23:16:54

> The Border Gateway Protocol was sketched out in 1989 by engineers on the back of "three ketchup-stained napkins"

2024-06-14 10:24:47

here is @npub14e8…4xpy signing and numbering the Pocket Reform art prints that are included in the Hyper versions.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/614/485/800/333/802/original/1533db722c6e0033.jpeg

2024-06-13 16:10:05

density intensifies... but by cutting away the keyboard PCB strategically, we can have a full-size HDMI and a USB-A port
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/610/173/912/861/317/original/b73842fd3e0e8d22.png

2024-06-12 19:07:42

54 more MNT Pocket Reforms are packaged and will be sent out to Crowd Supply on friday, including purple ones (non Hyper). Next shipment will include Hypers. Our shipment progress is now at 102 units.

2024-06-11 16:11:36

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people who are used to building and modding PCs won't have a hard time customizing the Reform Next.

2024-06-11 16:09:23

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there's no clever plug and play mechanical solution for this like on the framework laptops—instead you'll have to turn some screws and plug some cables—but you'll have a lot more flexibility and higher port density

2024-06-11 16:06:01

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you'll be able to make your own port boards in KiCAD (as long as the components fit in the constraints) and wire them up via flat cables to the motherboard.

2024-06-11 16:04:06

working on the first (default) port farm boards for MNT Reform Next. currently my configuration is:
—left side: USB-C (+PD), ix industrial Ethernet, microSD, headset jack
—right side: HDMI, USB-A, 2x USB-C
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/598/822/370/866/540/original/0ca841de354d21fd.png

2024-06-10 21:55:56

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also, finally working WiFi again, 200mbit/s download at speedtest dot net with ye olde ath9k card

2024-06-10 21:54:49

my personal MNT Reform finally has a see through acrylic bottom plate again (needed to go with full metal plate for a few months for lack of the shiny new copper heatsink). nice!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/594/549/709/517/541/original/392b4e4ea4257cb5.jpeg

2024-06-10 10:04:23

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bead blasted copper has unexpected color/texture and also copper is really heavy lol

2024-06-10 09:58:45

copper and aluminum test heatsinks for the RCORE RK3588 processor module arrived!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/591/734/152/219/795/original/e28f933935f08125.jpeg

2024-06-10 07:30:07

laptops i had before MNT Reform:
—Toshiba Satellite 1410
—Apple iBook G4
—Apple MacBook (white polycarb, the one with many issues)
—Apple Retina MacBook Pro 2013

2024-06-09 09:26:06

if you can, please vote in the EU elections today—let's stop fascism in europe.

2024-06-08 08:47:44

hmm, this is really creative (voodoo 4 as mxm laptop gpu) https://www.vogons.org/viewtopic.php?t=100871

2024-06-07 17:00:10

OK, MNT Reform Next motherboard rev D-1 done, but will sleep the weekend over it before i order samples ^^
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/576/398/861/450/379/original/4c81a755483e443b.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/576/399/366/284/773/original/b7aff77960821e31.png

2024-06-06 08:01:08

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average 0%,,,

2024-06-05 12:27:04

👀
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/564/002/140/756/825/original/951dfffb1f04099b.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/564/002/138/774/939/original/39f56238f1b8583c.png

2024-06-05 10:52:59

i can't stress how cool it is by @npub1ywu…w6u4 to put out this SOM as real open hardware with KiCAD design files: https://github.com/OLIMEX/iMX8MP-SOM
if anyone needs a more advanced KiCAD training project, adapting this for the MNT Reform module format would be a nice challenge ^^

2024-06-04 14:06:24

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(yes, we are available for customized hardware/software solutions like this from time to time)

2024-06-04 14:04:50

MNT Reform DisplayPort breakout. going out to an industrial customer.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/558/727/571/218/871/original/600cf11d0872e9da.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/558/727/941/113/945/original/c85cb0cba068d525.jpeg

2024-06-04 07:10:33

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hmm i'm sorry but that can't be right, so far we shipped only black pocket reforms to crowd supply (with both red pro and white keys though). purple shipment is coming up

2024-06-03 21:46:32

MNT Pocket Reform update is out at @npub1v2g…u0xx: https://www.crowdsupply.com/mnt/pocket-reform/updates/mnt-pocket-reform-is-being-shipped

2024-06-03 11:30:35

the MNT Pocket Reform Operator Handbook is out as a free PDF: https://mntre.com/documentation/pocket-reform-handbook.pdf
edited and illustrated by @npub14e8…4xpy and me, pixel tina graphic by @npub12gl…frt9

2024-06-03 08:40:43

i would like to make a graphical tool (gtk4) for configuring Pocket Reform's mouse button assignment, keyboard backlight colors (with gradients etc), and probably keyboard scancode assignment. when i get the time. or maybe someone can contribute.

2024-05-31 16:33:37

AFAIK all writing is done for the MNT Pocket Reform handbook

2024-05-31 13:21:23

did you know? MNT Pocket Reform has a port for Qwiic on the motherboard (connected to RP2040) https://www.sparkfun.com/qwiic

2024-05-31 11:39:39

[x] posters/art prints for Hyper MNT Pocket Reforms submitted to riso print shop

2024-05-31 08:11:51

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awesome that you replicated the keyboard! the caps are custom made for us by FKcaps, we also resell them. the price is a bit high at the moment because we don't have a lot of excess stock https://shop.mntre.com/products/mnt-pocket-reform-keycap-set-100-pieces
i also have STL files somewhere and FKcaps might have sold some to other shops, you could ask them.

2024-05-30 18:00:05

someone should write a high performance vector graphics editor

2024-05-30 13:03:10

computers are little devices that make people wait

2024-05-30 09:56:26

some pix from MNT Research crew visiting @npub1yyz…a6kf's closing party yesterday, where we had a little gathering to celebrate our shipping of Pocket Reform and also the opportunity to show 'em to interested members of a different audience. it was very nice!
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/529/438/416/455/393/original/e0fa9c394aebb685.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/529/438/824/807/435/original/f2770200e4d11eb6.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/529/439/223/217/728/original/12dc9fed5740d0fd.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/529/439/602/792/875/original/f10a22526618f84c.jpeg

2024-05-29 15:20:26

PSA Pocket Reform: HDMI output regressed in our kernel 6.8 update, sorry. Fix is currently in the pipeline and will be available later through `apt upgrade`: https://source.mnt.re/reform/reform-debian-packages/-/merge_requests/38

2024-05-29 11:20:38

did this Y2K-era (ok 1998) graphic design have a name? it reminds me a bit of david carson of course, but...
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/524/097/531/517/803/original/dd980350db71e943.png

2024-05-29 10:17:44

pocket reforming in the berlin sbhan
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/523/861/007/284/999/original/74dec58ee5676453.jpeg

2024-05-28 21:15:01

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i guess there's still stuff going on over at x-com (enemy unknown) but i don't wanna check

2024-05-28 21:12:58

i'm always baffled when new things launch and they don't have a fediverse link but instead still on birdsite and maybe instagram, it feels somehow antiquated

2024-05-28 14:07:04

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currently half with red switches, half with whites

2024-05-28 11:51:24

MNT Pocket Reform Purple version assembly is in full swing by @npub12gl…frt9
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/518/558/604/865/131/original/59e1137efce6a2cd.png
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/518/558/850/957/951/original/f1098d5d679ff071.png

2024-05-28 11:46:30

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update: we deployed a fix for this in the latest version of the `reform-qcacld2` package, which installs a post-installation hook in /etc/kernel/postinst.d that takes care of updating itself after a kernel upgrade.
but to get this rolling, you need to `apt update && apt upgrade` once or at least upgrade the `reform-qcacld2` package.
the updated version is preinstalled on production devices only from around the 190th device. sorry for the inconvenience!

2024-05-28 09:18:24

most of the MNT Research crew will hang out at the @npub1yyz…a6kf yard tomorrow (wednesday) evening from 19h for some socializing and celebrating the shipping of Pocket Reform. happy to meet (un)familiar faces there!

2024-05-27 19:58:07

MNT Pocket Reform PSA: Some package installs appear to pull in a kernel upgrade. Unfortunately, this doesn’t automatically upgrade the matching WiFi driver package `reform2-qcacld`.
After installing software with apt, make sure to run `apt install reform2-qcacld` or `apt upgrade` so that you have the latest WiFi driver.
Otherwise, you can't connect to WiFi after reboot and will need USB/Bluetooth/Ethernet (or a MicroSD bootdisk) to get it back. We’re working on an automatic hook to fix this.

2024-05-27 15:34:58

PSA: MNT Pocket Reform survival guide until the real manual is done (evolving): https://community.mnt.re/t/mnt-pocket-reform-essentials/2094

2024-05-27 11:39:37

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when will you unbox it? :D

2024-05-27 11:16:34

can't wait for people's MNT Pocket Reform unboxing pics and videos! i just heard from the first person who received one.

2024-05-25 18:56:22

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did you order hyper or non hyper?

2024-05-25 13:36:22

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yep! that is just waiting for a driver to be upstreamed (for MIPI-DSI of RK3588)

2024-05-25 12:56:25

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it pleases me that with the RK3588 processor, this laptop definitely has enough resources to create its next version on it

2024-05-25 12:53:53

did a bit of Reform Next routing at home
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/501/825/848/506/550/original/f4d5323bfd5a62ae.jpeg

2024-05-24 20:42:43

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i think there will be some in the next shipment!

2024-05-24 18:10:05

i have word that the first 18 MNT Pocket Reforms have started shipping to backers (non-hyper, black case, white kailh choc switches). anyone got a notification?
also, we have packed another shipment of 30 Pocket Reforms that's going out on tuesday (after customs clearance). that one also contains devices with Red Pro switches.

2024-05-22 10:58:35

sneak peek at the purple MNT Pocket Reform aluminum color
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/484/385/544/419/132/original/7af1c6e2ddf3ef23.jpeg

2024-05-22 09:05:05

since i'm watching voyager i have seven living rent free in my head saying "irrelevant" when reading weird stuff on the internet

2024-05-21 17:36:55

working on rendered illustrations for the MNT Pocket Reform manual ^^
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/480/254/423/049/170/original/c333654fde07c95c.png

2024-05-21 09:13:58

Microsoft suddenly going to town again with ARM/qualcomm surely will be good for us in terms of more arm64 software compat and Linux mainlining efforts for Qualcomm hw.
also, people who are tired of all these AI anti-features can be sure that the MNT Reform family will be free of that stuff.

2024-05-19 11:33:23

most underrated text editor: micro

2024-05-18 22:25:49

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ok netevent was a bit tricky to set up (because of permissions), but wow it works well... i can use my MNT Pocket Reform as a wireless keyboard+mouse(trackball) now :0

2024-05-18 21:51:25

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hadn't seen netevent yet. the setup seems a tiny bit involved https://github.com/Blub/netevent

2024-05-18 21:43:40

what's the ~easiest~ way to forward input events (mouse, keyboard) from a wayland (wlroots) session on one computer to the other (also wayland/wlroots)?

2024-05-16 11:05:06

ok, customs release was one day early so the first 18 MNT Pocket Reforms are going out to Crowd Supply ~today~

2024-05-15 14:03:41

there's a MNT Pocket Reform and a MNT Reform both installing more MNT Pocket Reform motherboards.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/445/477/232/985/305/original/6858e18ebd94dc6b.jpeg

2024-05-15 14:01:27

the first 18 MNT Pocket Reforms are fully packed and declared and will go out to Crowd Supply this friday. these are all "single" (non-Hyper), black case, white (clicky) kailh choc key models. many more to come.

2024-05-14 17:27:38

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the recommended modem for EU is the Quectel EM06-E.

2024-05-14 17:24:31

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yes, they are supposed to be in there :D

2024-05-13 09:00:17

wanted to go to work but the studio is barricaded with boxes of MNT Pocket Reform aluminum case parts
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/432/959/572/070/751/original/68838f7739a0b40d.jpeg

2024-05-11 14:50:02

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yes, that's not a problem

2024-05-11 14:49:57

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online with Mac OS9.2 on MNT Reform (with RK3588 processor)
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/423/006/938/790/891/original/97c3eecdd0325228.png

2024-05-11 14:36:47

me, procrastinating to go grocery shopping
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/422/955/064/809/439/original/eb3679d03a9eb7d7.png

2024-05-08 18:05:43

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hey looks like i was also around
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/406/792/715/220/411/original/9628db67cc13b03d.jpeg

2024-05-08 17:55:33

here are @npub12gl…frt9 (first pic) and @npub1xse…lgk3 (second pic) assembling and testing your MNT Pocket Reforms
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/406/752/411/935/151/original/8d22a4d31ae86b09.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/406/752/780/418/795/original/4f27508b987422a1.jpeg

2024-05-08 12:11:41

MNT Pocket Reforms are being assembled
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/405/400/643/392/598/original/0287a776fc99ff24.jpeg

2024-05-06 19:19:36

we packaged the very first MNT Pocket Reform today.
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/395/758/193/367/964/original/4ca97710645942e0.jpeg
https://files.mastodon.social/media_attachments/files/112/395/758/631/732/935/original/a0390ab49661e860.jpeg

2024-05-05 19:39:00

cool: we were featured in this article by iFixit https://www.ifixit.com/News/94927/how-open-hardware-empowers-users

2024-05-02 20:17:35

i tested negative today so i went to the mnt studio in the afternoon to work for a few hours (masked). it's weird but good to be back and solving problems. taking it slow. today i fixed a last minute hdmi issue that had been a showstopper for pocket reform shipping.

2024-05-02 14:08:10

it's awesome that this youtube short (by @npub1zsz…4f77) about MNT Reform is closing in on 9 million views and 2500 comments. it's also weird/interesting that this doesn't translate into more interactions here or elsewhere, like youtube is kind of its own ecosystem
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KOgYCeMMpuc

2024-04-30 18:34:49

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i think the port areas should be wider to accomodate moar poarts