April 14, 2026
Shift+Alt and pray
Installing OpenBSD on the Pomera DM250 Writerdeck
OpenBSD on a pocket writer? Fans cheer, battery panic spreads
TLDR: A developer made OpenBSD run on the Pomera DM250 writing device using custom files, with clear risks and no support for the US model. Commenters cheered the retro flair and debated OpenBSD’s simplicity versus Linux convenience, while dusty DM250 owners plotted a comeback.
A hacker just taught a tiny Japanese writing gadget, the Pomera DM250, a big new trick: running OpenBSD. In a detailed post, dev jcs drops custom files and a warning label the size of Mount Fuji: this is “install at your own risk” territory. The setup involves a secret key combo (hold Shift + Alt + Power and count to three), a custom boot program, and strict “not for the US model” vibes. Also, beware the battery—if it dies at the wrong moment, you may be cracking the case open to resuscitate it. And yet, the crowd is buzzing.
The comments lit up with equal parts joy and chaos. One fan swooned over a surprise retro flourish—“flying toaster” screensaver—as nostalgia broke out like it’s 1995. OpenBSD loyalists went philosophy-mode: one hot take argues the draw isn’t “security” so much as simplicity and hackability, while Linux is “too complex.” That sparked the day’s mini flame war. Meanwhile, exasperated owners admitted their DM250s have been “collecting dust” thanks to awkward menus, now suddenly ready for a second life. A cameo shout to jcs’s ongoing battle with the US version added sequel energy, while minimalists dreamt of a fanless, featherweight travel writer—yes, with a USB-C dongle in tow. Drama, danger, and toasters: the full package.
Key Points
- •Guide provides notes and pre-built images to install OpenBSD-current on Japanese-model Pomera DM250, DM250X, and DM250XY.
- •Installation relies on a custom kernel and custom U‑Boot not yet upstream; stability is not guaranteed.
- •A full eMMC backup is recommended beforehand using tools from EKESETE.net.
- •Factory recovery is triggered with Right Shift + Left Alt at power-on to boot a recovery Linux kernel and run _sdboot.sh from the SD card; timing is critical.
- •After flashing the new U‑Boot, the original Linux and recovery won’t boot; restoration requires EFI to rewrite the backup U‑Boot, and users must avoid fully draining the battery and note USB‑C power behavior.