APR.18.2026 - #66

Hi all 👋, this week while writing clicks 'n clacks I didn't have too much time to wander the cyberspace. But I still managed to build my new Eave65 keyboard, play a bit of the new LEGO Fortnite Ninjago update, read about Cybersecurity and AI, and check in on the Mode Designs team and their 2026 keeb lineup (again).

Here's what I rounded up for y'all this week!

→ I'm a big fan of anything that Oregon-based design company Grovemade puts out, and their newest rolling desk accessory is no exception. This new desk cart acts as a companion to the rest of their office furniture line-up, adding more versatility, more storage, and more organization. Now, the price of this new piece—and many of their other products—starts ridiculously high, and I don't want to breeze past this. Their products are pricey, and pulling the trigger on something like this should not be taken lightly—it took me years to finally commit to purchasing their desk stand. But I am very pleased with the build quality of the stand, and the durability/longevity is something I don't think you'd get in any dupe or cheaper alternative. Grovemade's design ethos, commitment to high-quality components, and transparency in the creation process are what initially drew me in, and keep me a long time fan. Other more reasonably priced options from them are the desk tools—pens, pencils, notepads, trays, etc.—which are all staples that have found their place in my setup.

→ Helping me write the newsletter this week was Typibara, a simple macOS utility that is the “work buddy you didn't know you need”. It adds a customizable animated Capybara that lives anywhere on your screen, hangs out with you, and mimics your keystrokes as you type. Totally private, totally fun, and dev Edward Chiang has teased more capy-skins and themes coming soon. I know it seems silly, but I love featuring little companions like this—they're harmless, cost next to nothing compute-wise to run, and always bring a smile to my face when I'm deep in productivity mode.

→ There are some great studying/focusing music videos I love to listen to when working that aren't on any streaming services, and I prefer not to have a RAM-hungry YouTube tab constantly running. So when I found ShellBeats, I was delighted to discover it could solve my problem. Using its super lightweight terminal interface, I can play the audio from any YouTube video, search, create playlists, and control everything without my hands ever leaving the keyboard. With ShellBeats and a previously discovered command line app called Yatoro in my arsenal, I can play anything from Apple Music and YouTube directly from the terminal. And for those who aren't comfortable digging around in the command-line interface, a GUI version is available for macOS and Windows.

→ The Listening Museum is an interactive online exhibit and archive of 36 different mechanical switch sounds. The audio samples and recordings are curated from across the mechanical keyboard community, and I think this piece does a great job at highlighting its references and giving credit where it's due. This is a solid start for anyone looking to learn more about switch sounds and their history—keeping in mind these recordings are a mere snapshot of the full sound-profile every switch and setup can produce. The essay is entry number 49 in an online series called The Data Drop—self-described as ”Not a newsletter. Not a chart. A visual essay you'll actually finish”. This was the first Data Drop I read, and after digging into their archive, The Dunder Mifflin Social Network, LEGO Colours, and Every Block Ever Added to Minecraft are my standout picks. An instant subscribe for me and I can't wait for future issues.

→ Three years after its initial run, the Sonic170—a 10% macropad and 65% board all-in-one—is coming back for a second round. Designed by Keynex Studio, the Sonic features a unique left-side macro cluster that contains a customizable LED module which can be placed along the top or bottom of the cluster (or removed entirely if you like more keys). It also features a rotary encoder (knob) but in an orientation not commonly seen on boards—mounted to the side of the case instead of on top. This creates a visual blank space on the board that nicely balances out the macros on the left and allows for an aesthetic light bar to be added in. A nice touch in this second iteration, which I like to see on my boards, is an offset USB port. This just means that the main plug for connecting the keyboard is closer to the right side rather than dead centre, leaving room to show off any fancy cable (coiled or otherwise) you may have in your setup.

→ Mayo-fiends rejoice, the perfect keycap set is here for you! DSA Mayorā (named after the Japanese term for “mayonnaise freaks”) is an adorable in-stock collection from creator Uchu Club. Loving the combo of the whites, off-whites, and the red-orange accents here, along with the modifiers featuring artwork of mayo bottles, mayo dollops, and assorted mayo squiggles. And yes, because I know you're dying to find out, you can get a 18 inch tall mayo plushie to go along with your mayo-everything setup.

That’s all for this week! I hope you enjoyed it, and now it’s time to hear from YOU 🫵. I want to know your opinion—what you liked, what you loved, what you didn’t like, what you skipped. Email [email protected] (or reply to this issue!) and have a great weekend!!