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Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard

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Re: Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard

#51

Post by perkee »

Topgamer7 wrote: post #36
splatt wrote: post #31

The idea of a trackpoint on my desktop keyboard is what led me to pull the trigger on one of these: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/

As someone who debugs programs often, and renames files with f2, I like f-keys. It looks like a great keyboard, aside from the lack of f-keys.

I'm on a 56 key split right now but I used to use a 48, which had only F2 (of all the F keys) on any layer because it's used for jumping in Sublime Text or Atom or something. Layers vs dedicated keys becomes a matter of preference over chording vs hand movement; some people prefer one to the other.

Re: Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard

#52

Post by earthicus »

Does anybody know if there's been a keyboard with dual trackpoints, analogous to dual joysticks on game controllers? I'm almost certain this is whats required for precision mousing.

A software controller might look like this: one nub would move a modest sized circle (playing the roll of the hand) quickly around the screen, while the other would make precision movements within that region (playing the roll of fingers), snapping to clickable regions.

Re: Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard

#53

Post by zrobotics »

shittyadmin wrote: post #42
nikanj wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I find it interesting that your criteria for selecting a laptop seem to be primarily aesthetic. I would guess that you are in a small minority here on HN, with most people selecting based on price, feature-set, and possibly brand loyalty/aversion (i.e. "Never buying an Acer again!"). Even if they don't use the nib personally, it's quick to disable and then it's just a visual feature on the keyboard.

To be fair, the main brand that uses them these days is Lenovo and they generally ship absolute trash now. I had one and broke the hinges just past my warranty period... I'm also confused as to why anyone would find it functionally better than a trackpad.

One reason: once you are used to it, it is wonderful not having to leave the home row to use the mouse.

Re: Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard

#54

Post by toast0 »

jbb999 wrote: post #27

That annoying ugly "button" in the middle of the keyboard is the main thing that makes me rule out lenovo laptops in general before I even look at them. I find it very hard to understand why anyone would want to add one!

In a world where track points were widely accepted, you could go without the big track pad, and put the keyboard to the edge of the laptop, and not have to reach over a big wrist rest. Alternatively, you could make some much smaller laptops, with regularly sized keyboards (and probably overly wide monitors)

Re: Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard

#55

Post by ghthor »

earthicus wrote: post #52

Does anybody know if there's been a keyboard with dual trackpoints, analogous to dual joysticks on game controllers? I'm almost certain this is whats required for precision mousing. A software controller might look like this: one nub would move a modest sized circle (playing the roll of the hand) quickly around the screen, while the other would make precision movements within that region (playing the roll of fingers)…

I've done this using 2 trackballs, it works really well.

Re: Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard

#56

Post by sleepybrett »

There are a couple of off the shelf mechanicals I've seen over the years that include a trackpoint.

I think these are the two I'm aware of presently:

https://mechanicalkeyboards.com/shop/index.php?l=product_det... (built in)

https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/ (as a module)

I have used neither. But i've considered trying to hack a trackpoint into one of my modded Kinesis Advantages ( I'm thinking at the intersection of RTFG or YUHJ.

Re: Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard

#58

Post by rjplatte »

eykanspelgud wrote: post #41
lathiat wrote: post #39

Earlier quoted context omitted.

On the flip side if you use a Mac track pad for a week you’ll never need a track point.

I disagree. I have both a MBP and ThinkPad. I'm probably in the minority, but I prefer the trackpoint.

I also have both, and I love both. I'm about as fast with both, although gaming with a trackpoint is a positively joyful experience.

Re: Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard

#59

Post by sleepybrett »

arkh wrote: post #9
th0ma5 wrote: post #8

I wish more keyboards had the trackpoint, ideally a brown switch or clear switches.

Trackball under one thumb would be awesome. Then split the keyboard to have two independent parts so you can type with your arms parallel (even better, add a half-keyboard holder at the end of each of your chair armrests).

I have not used this thing, and it's ugly as sin but this might do you: https://ultimatehackingkeyboard.com/ it has trackpoint and trackball modules.

Re: Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard

#60

Post by npmaile »

I'm currently typing this from a Tex Yoda II, and I can say that at least for me, the trackpoint keyboard on my work desktop is very nice. The biggest problem I have is that I more or less sit in exactly the same position for hours on end without moving any joints beyond my hands. Also, whenever someone needs to take over for me on my machine, they are always taken aback by the lack of mouse.
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