Post B0uZT5BiMbd3E3vQFE by grimmware@chaos.social
 (DIR) More posts by grimmware@chaos.social
 (DIR) Post #B0uZSxM3UH9AvohZFg by grimmware@chaos.social
       2025-07-01T19:46:24Z
       
       1 likes, 2 repeats
       
       Built a prototype trackball out of a few screw-in BTUs and https://github.com/jfedor2/rp2040-pmw3360Now that I know the basic construction works I need to make it like, good and have buttons.
       
 (DIR) Post #B0uZT5BiMbd3E3vQFE by grimmware@chaos.social
       2025-07-02T12:49:57Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       ITT: me suddenly bucking the trend of the last 20ish years and trying to use the mouse for everythingThis actually works remarkably well, accuracy is good. I am really missing the pocket reform's scroll button though, so the final design will have a couple more buttons and I'll have to do a little firmware work which I can essentially crib from the pocket reform anyway.Also of MNT lineage: both keyswitches are recycled from my keyboard rework last month.
       
 (DIR) Post #B0uZT5JrsI9PdLjvxA by grimmware@chaos.social
       2025-07-01T20:54:04Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I should throw it out there that I've basically not used this thing in anger yet so probably don't emulate it on the assumption that it's a good user experience.
       
 (DIR) Post #B0uZTD5cz7VtjV8frs by grimmware@chaos.social
       2025-07-02T12:51:49Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Ergonomics also need work but that's turned into a nice iterative problem when I redesign the case as I can add heat-set inserts to the BTU mounts so I can just print off tiny little keyswitch mounts with minimal wastage and iterate on switch positioning that way :)
       
 (DIR) Post #B0uZTKXBJ4iGoz5HHs by grimmware@chaos.social
       2025-07-02T15:03:08Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       There's a small amount of roll-back from friction in the BTUs, so there's a good chance I'm going to have to find something a little higher quality. It's not too terrible but if I had it on a higher sensitivity or was doing higher precision work it would probably get irritating.Still better than the Amazon Basics one I bought second hand though :P
       
 (DIR) Post #B0uZTL6z9xLwc1ps5w by grimmware@chaos.social
       2025-07-02T13:55:24Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       Currently using it with my work mac (ew) and I've just found a karabiner elements config which will allow me to hold ctrl to turn mouse movement into scroll - much more usable!
       
 (DIR) Post #B0uZTSIaRDnAu2JjeK by grimmware@chaos.social
       2025-07-02T15:26:22Z
       
       0 likes, 0 repeats
       
       I've just put in an order for some nylon ones which should allegedly be smoother and quieter.