trackball VS qmk_firmware

For an even more configurable mouse, check out the Ploopy mouse and trackballs: https://ploopy.co/

Fully open source, the mouse (that I own) uses QMK for its firmware. Which means I can use key binding layers rather than single buttons. In other words, one button acts like a shift button that modifies the action of the other buttons. So I have easy access to page up/down, mission control (what was exposé in macOS), paste plain (shift+option+cmd+v), etc etc. I don't have anything Emacs specific on the mouse, but my keyboard (Keychron Q10) has several macro keys that I have meta-x and ctrl-g bound to.

If you truly want a mouse built to last, look into a Ploopy (https://ploopy.co/). You can get trackball ones, or a classic style mouse. It's fully open source and uses 3D printed parts, so not only can you easily get it repaired, you can also modify it to your hearts content. Also possible to remap the buttons or even program the microcontroller with custom code to do specific tasks if you wish.

I have no affiliation with https://ploopy.co, but as an enjoyer of their products, I'd urge you to take a look at their mouse & trackball if you want a proper custom mouse/trackball made for keyboard enthusiasts. 10/10 stuff.

Check out the Ploopy options. https://ploopy.co/

You might be interested in the very unfortunately named ploopy.

Print this to be as loud as possible.

I haven’t gotten around to trying anything from fingerpunch yet (I think their faux fox series is probably their most popular) but I don’t imagine any of their cases meant for trackballs is all that hard to work with (and if you just want a trackball, Ploopy seems to be the go to)

I only use keyboards running QMK or ZMK, so:

My Caps Lock key is a Control/Escape key (when tapped it behave like a Escape, when hold it's Control), and my left Control is a one shot layer switch key [1], which means I tap LCtrl once, and then press Caps Lock + 5 to get Ctrl+F5. Doable with single hand and more ergonomic as I have an unusually small hand.

[1] https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/docs/one_sho...

I agree that reduced finger movement is a crucial step in achieving typing efficiency. This is nicely solved by mod tap modifiers in QMK/ZMK[1] where key acts as a char when tapped and as a layer while pressed.

[1]: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/blob/master/docs/mod_tap...

Separate wireless controller, see the glue code at [0]

[0]: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/compare/master...nuphy-s...

If you have a keyboard that runs QMK firmware[0] with the VIA[1] feature enabled[2], then there is a convenient testing app available from the same place you customize your keys [3].

[0] https://qmk.fm/

I made a layout that I'm happy with. Spanish is my native language, so it has characters like the accents and 'ñ', but it's meant to be used for programming as well. Visual Studio uses a lot of Ctrl and Ctrl + Shift shortcuts, so I left them in the same place as the default Corne layout so I can press them both with my pinkie finger. Perhaps some of the ideas are useful to you.

Also, it would be possible to do this for the RP2040. However, it needs some work to get working. but for example: https://github.com/qmk/qmk_firmware/pull/20999

Ok, it's an ST7735, not too different from the ST7789. You should be able to get running by looking at their files in the QMK repo and going from there. You should also check their resources page.