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Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer

ploopy.co

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Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer

#21

Post by jbaiter »

toast0 wrote: post #14
mattas wrote: post #7

I'm on the lookout for a wireless ball mouse. I want to relive the glory days of cleaning out the little cylinders on the inside of the mouse without being constrained by wires.

They do make wireless (optical) trackballs. I don't think they attract grunge anywhere near as fast as a real ball mouse though.

I've been using a Logitech trackball for two years now and they're incredibly easy to clean and don't accumulate much dirt on the surface (since they're very smooth), just a little bit on the ceramic balls that they rest on in the case. You just pop out the ball every few weeks, remove the dirt with a cloth and that's it, doesn't take more than a minute.

Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer

#22

Post by nine_k »

tra3 wrote: post #18

Ultimate hacking keyboard has modules that include a track point, touchpad or a trackball. I’ve been eyeing it for a while: https://uhk.io/ Kanata has mouse emulation so you can drive a mouse using arrow keys: https://github.com/jtroo/kanata/blob/main/docs/config.adoc#m...

Any keyboard can drive the mouse pointer. But trackpoint is an acceptable drawing device, while a keyboard is sadly not.

Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer

#23

Post by ornornor »

bigyabai wrote: post #16
albert_e wrote: post #15

I need a variation of this that can be strapped to hand and used with a couple fingers while still leaving the hand and fingers mostly free for normal natural fuction. also integrate push-to-talk for voice inputs. use case is to use it while standing up and moving about -- with a large display screen at a distance. Or my specific interest -- work for extended time on a treadmill.

Consider a trackball. I got a Kensington Expert Wireless a while back and really recommend it if you prefer to keep your wrists somewhere static.

Ploopy does make trackballs. I have an adept and it’s great. Inexpensive too.

Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer

#25

Post by jauntywundrkind »

Ploopy is killing it. The trackpad and knob are also both very very high quality. The open firmware is just so ace, makes these devices so so so much better than everything commercial. The future is open source. Why make life bad for your customers? Why spend so much effort to do so so so much worse than high feature + freedom? QMK or bust. https://ploopy.co/knob/ https://ploopy.co/trackpad/

Keychron and System76 are also on the QMK train with their recent keyboards too. (I'm not 100%, would love to know if each of these can be flashed by users.)

Framework is also on the QMK open-source firmware train, for their keyboard + trackpad combo. Also not a new trend for them: their newer laptops I believe all run Zephyr OS for the embedded controller (EC), & are themselves open source too. Before that, the open-source Chromebook EC. I believe it's possible to compile - flash your own. https://frame.work/blog/previewing-the-framework-wireless-to... https://github.com/FrameworkComputer/EmbeddedController/tree...

These companies are both loved, in ways very very few companies are. It's obvious why.

Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer

#26

Post by Zetaphor »

tra3 wrote: post #18

Ultimate hacking keyboard has modules that include a track point, touchpad or a trackball. I’ve been eyeing it for a while: https://uhk.io/ Kanata has mouse emulation so you can drive a mouse using arrow keys: https://github.com/jtroo/kanata/blob/main/docs/config.adoc#m...

The UHK also supports mouse keys. I own both the 60v2 and the newer UHK 80 (I was a beta tester), these keyboards are my final destination. The only reason I would consider a change is if they released an ortholinear layout.

Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer

#28

Post by tra3 »

Zetaphor wrote: post #26
tra3 wrote: post #18

Ultimate hacking keyboard has modules that include a track point, touchpad or a trackball. I’ve been eyeing it for a while: https://uhk.io/ Kanata has mouse emulation so you can drive a mouse using arrow keys: https://github.com/jtroo/kanata/blob/main/docs/config.adoc#m...

The UHK also supports mouse keys. I own both the 60v2 and the newer UHK 80 (I was a beta tester), these keyboards are my final destination. The only reason I would consider a change is if they released an ortholinear layout.

Yes, of course. I’ve accidentally fallen down the split keyboard rabbit hole and now I can’t get out. UHK seems like it’s got everything that I might ever need but I’m going to stick with my Aliexpress Corne for a bit longer before I take the plunge.

Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer

#29

Post by hakfoo »

toast0 wrote: post #14
mattas wrote: post #7

I'm on the lookout for a wireless ball mouse. I want to relive the glory days of cleaning out the little cylinders on the inside of the mouse without being constrained by wires.

They do make wireless (optical) trackballs. I don't think they attract grunge anywhere near as fast as a real ball mouse though.

Tne trackball rides a couple of bearings and they do pick up scrunge. It doesn't affect tracking unless it gets to the sensor window, but you'll feel it getting progressively stiffer.
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