[HN Gopher] How to integrate a trackpoint in a mechanical keyboard
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How to integrate a trackpoint in a mechanical keyboard
Author : cgeier
Score : 98 points
Date : 2022-08-05 10:00 UTC (1 days ago)
(HTM) web link (github.com)
(TXT) w3m dump (github.com)
| nhance wrote:
| I'm using a track point with https://uhk.io/ but find it's a
| little too "fine" compared to the clunky manual nature of the
| keyboard. It feels like a piece of jewelry placed atop a heavy
| duty durable piece of hardware.
|
| I love it, but think that a joystick more similar to what is
| found on an Xbox controller would fit the feel of the keyboard
| better.
| freshhawk wrote:
| I love my UHK too but the trackpoint is pretty disappointing,
| even after you mess with the movement settings to make it
| slightly less janky. The thumb modules are a huge drop in build
| quality compared to the excellent keyboard.
| wcunning wrote:
| I read through this a while ago while deciding on a design for my
| next dactyl-manuform build, and I'm unfortunately struck that in
| 5 years, we still don't have a good opensource trackpoint design.
| I wouldn't necessarily expect that one would pop up in a vacuum,
| except for these three data points:
|
| 1) The _Cambrian explosion_ of 3D printed, custom, hand wired
| keyboard designs -- dactyl - > dactyl-manuform -> tracktyl
| (trackball based), entire companies build around kits and designs
| that have to be hand assembled, r/ergomechkeyboards, discord
| channels for things like bastardkb.com, etc.
|
| 2) The similar, if earlier days, explosion of trackball designs:
| see the long discussion at the Verge [0].
|
| 3) Equivalent popularity when available of trackpoint style
| pointers -- thinkpad keyboards and Unicomp clone Model M's with
| trackpoint built in (though with the cardinal sin for Linux use
| of not having a middle click option.
|
| It seems like we're overdue for a good trackpoint module that I
| can build into the frame of a serious manuform style keyboard
| without having to use a 16mm piercing to extend the point past a
| full mechanical key.
|
| [0] https://www.theverge.com/22958439/trackball-diy-building-
| plo...
| mtlmtlmtlmtl wrote:
| I had the Unicomp with the trackball. The trackball was
| terrible, and in an annoying spot(above the numpad?!) where
| moving my hand to a mouse was more ergonomic anyway. Never got
| used past trying for the first few days. Complete waste of
| whatever the extra cost was. YMMV.
| dharmaturtle wrote:
| I obtained a Charybdis [0] last month - the trackball is
| right at your thumb. My hands virtually never leave the
| keyboard. Honestly I'm still trying to get my WPM back up to
| where it used to be, and my homerow mods are occasionally
| misfiring, but on the whole it's been a positive experience.
|
| [0] https://github.com/Bastardkb/Charybdis
| mtlmtlmtlmtl wrote:
| Damn, that's pretty close to my dream keyboard right there,
| thanks! Though Ideally I'd prefer something like a clit
| mouse near the home row, with 3 click buttons on their own
| row under the modifier row. With the Atreus design which is
| what I'm using currently.
|
| Switched to a split ortholinear keyboard to force myself to
| relearn typing with touch, because I had this crazy ad hoc
| 5 finger system that was typing at up to 110wpm, but really
| messing with my nerves. Back up to 100+ WPM and my wrists
| are much happier.
|
| Keep at it, you'll be flying again in no time.
| boomskats wrote:
| I think that (like me) you overestimate the size of population
| looking for an opensource trackpoint design. For your trackball
| example there's the Ploopy [0], but even there we're still
| dependent on something like the PMW3360 sensor board (which
| afaik isn't open).
|
| I just can't picture how designing and manufacturing a new
| trackpoint board from scratch - one that competes with the
| excellent Trackpoint IV modules that are used in the also
| excellent TEX[1] trackpoint keyboards - would ever be
| profitable, or worthwhile given that there are patents and
| licensing issues to deal with.
|
| If, OTOH, you're just after a trackpoint module and a stem
| extension that works, check out the Sprintek SK8707 on Jonas
| Lang's Trackpoint Groupbuy discord [2].
|
| [0] https://ploopy.co/
|
| [1] https://tex.com.tw/products/shinobi?variant=16969883648090
|
| [2] https://discord.com/channels/812728566940303362/
| fragmede wrote:
| Lenovo also makes a NON-MECHANICAL keyboard that otherwise
| hits the mark - https://www.amazon.com/Lenovo-ThinkPad-
| Compact-Keyboard-Trac... that also pulls down demand for an
| opensource trackpoint design that attaches to a mechanical
| keyboard.
| stevesimmons wrote:
| Also available in a cordless Bluetooth version, btw.
| zeknife wrote:
| If you're DIYing an ergonomic keyboard I don't see why you'd go
| for a trackpoint over a trackpad or trackball. Personally it's
| one of the least comfortable and precise input devices I've ever
| used
| bombcar wrote:
| I'm thinking massive trackball built from a bowling ball that
| you operate with your feet.
|
| Guitar or organ pedals for the buttons. All hands and feet on
| deck!
| progman32 wrote:
| As a heavy user of both, may I suggest the answer lies right in
| your post: "personally" :)
|
| I like not leaving the home row. That's possible with a pad or
| ball, but then you have to use your thumbs. My index finger is
| much more dexterous.
| boomskats wrote:
| "Personally", as someone who currently has... (counts
| trackpoints)... _eight_ trackpoint enabled devices in the
| house, I would highly recommend the Rollermouse Red [0] to
| anyone who doesn't want to leave the home row, but doesn't
| like trackpoints. It is a stellar device. Seems to have gone
| up in price in the last few years though.
|
| [0] https://www.contourdesign.com/product/rollermouse-red/
| gedy wrote:
| I did a more unusual approach by using an MX switch casing to
| hide the Trackpoint behind an unused key:
| https://imgur.io/a/0VHce
| jdoss wrote:
| For those that want a trackpoint with mechanical keys and don't
| want to DIY it, I highly recommend a Tex Shinobi which has the
| SK-8855 Thinkpad keyboard layout.
|
| https://tex.com.tw/products/shinobi?variant=16969883844698
|
| I have had mine for a couple years now and I love it so much that
| I bought a second one as a spare.
| boomskats wrote:
| I own a Yoda, a Kodachi and as of a few weeks ago, a Shinobi. I
| can't recommend Justin & the guys at TEX enough.
| fooker wrote:
| Can you press on the trackpoint for a click?
| jdoss wrote:
| No, the mouse controls are on the three buttons below the
| space bar.
| smoldesu wrote:
| +1 for this. Recently picked my Shinobi up a few months ago,
| and I'm also thinking about picking up a spare now too. It's an
| expensive keyboard, but worth every penny once you get it in
| your hands. The trackpoint is more precise than any of the
| laptop ones, and horizontal/vertical scrolling is supported on
| every OS. Pretty much my endgame keyboard, besides maybe a
| detachable numpad?
| dannyobrien wrote:
| I can vouch for TEX and the Shinobi in particular. I'm pretty
| sure it's my endgame keyboard after a few years of
| experimenting with others.
|
| Plus Justin and his team are very responsive.
| tbrock wrote:
| Why aren't there more external keyboards made with a trackpoint?
| Yes I know about the Lenovo ones, they are not great.
| seltzered_ wrote:
| 32 years since this study comparing mouse vs. trackpoint...
| https://www.microsoft.com/buxtoncollection/a/pdf/trackpoint%...
| eyeball wrote:
| Or just buy the ultimate hacking keyboard with track point
| module.
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