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.
Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer
51–60 of 85 posts
Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer
#52Earlier quoted context omitted.
Ploopy does make trackballs. I have an adept and it’s great. Inexpensive too.
Unfortunately drag-scroll is not in enough places to make this work without a dedicated wheel but I do have an eye on these
Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer
#53Ultimate 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...
As a sidenote, I love my UHK. Just a joy to use, and it's so easy to customize. I don't have any experience with competitors like the ZSA Voyager, but the UHK's configuration software and macro language do make it quite pleasant to bend to your will. For instance, I do some funky stuff with macros and lighting here: https://www.cgl.sh/blog/posts/wnl.html
Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer
#54For such a niche area, it's astonishing how many of these projects miss some or indeed all of relevant features of the TrackPoint. In this particular case, it has already been mentioned that this doesn't make any sense outside of the keyboard. Additionally, it looks really awkward to use for someone used to the classic and there seems to be no button suitable for scrolling. It really looks like a "we heard geeks like…
Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer
#55Isn't the point that it's integrated in the keyboard, so that you don't have to move your hands away to use it?
I'm typing this on a Thinkpad Trackpoint II keyboard and have no idea why I'd want an off keyboard pointing stick. If you want to use a pointing stick why not have it right next to your index finger while you're on the home row? If you want your mouse cursor control to be off of the keyboard, why not use a regular mouse?
Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer
#56Ultimate 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...
I originally bought the touchpad for my UHK. But, much to my surprise, I have gravitated towards the keyboard's built-in mouse layer over time! Now I scarcely plug in the touchpad (or even key cluster) modules at all. As a sidenote, I love my UHK. Just a joy to use, and it's so easy to customize. I don't have any experience with competitors like the ZSA Voyager, but the UHK's configuration software and macro language…
But, just wanted to share that I was similarly surprised to land on mouse keys as a preference. I tried most of the UHK modules which were also pretty good and have since tried various other trackballs and pads, but since trying UHK mouse keys, they're what I keep coming back to most, even since switching to new keyboards.
One issue I have with mouse keys is fear of using them in front of others though: every so often, if I need to click something particularly small and don't have a keyboard shortcut memorised (vscode panel resizing is one) it can sometimes take me a fair few embarrassing seconds drawing small squares around my target before I resort to actual mouse hardware.
For the amount of time and thought and effort people have put into alternative mice, I feel mouse keys are massively overlooked and probably have a lot of room for software/firmware innovation without hardware costs.
Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer
#57Earlier quoted context omitted.
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.
I felt most of the extra functionality and polish that I guess makes up the massive costs of UHK and ZSA wasn't actually necessary. It was cool and fun and useful to try a bunch of different stuff, but then over time, I wanted things to be simple and small which UHK and ZSA Moonlander aren't (ZSA voyager wasn't at the time).
All I'm saying is if you've got comfortable with a cheap Corne, I think you might feel underwhelmed if you spend a lot on something a lot fancier.
Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer
#58I don't get benefit of having a trackpoint detached from the keyboard.
What's the advantage over having a mouse or a trackball?
Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer
#59For such a niche area, it's astonishing how many of these projects miss some or indeed all of relevant features of the TrackPoint. In this particular case, it has already been mentioned that this doesn't make any sense outside of the keyboard. Additionally, it looks really awkward to use for someone used to the classic and there seems to be no button suitable for scrolling. It really looks like a "we heard geeks like…
Re: Ploopy Bean: a trackpoint for every computer
#60I 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.