Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard

Re:Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard by tjoff on Thursday January 03, 2019 @05:15AM (#18814090)

This is not good for me. So... where do one buy a trackpoint? If the folklore is to be believed ibm/lenovo are the only ones worthy.

But ebay only wanted to sell me complete keyboards, which I wouldn't mind but prices were in the ~$100 range and is a bit much for this morning itch.

Perhaps one can buy spares somewhere?

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Re:Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard by acomjean on Thursday January 03, 2019 @05:56AM (#18814240)

They’re essentially strain gauges, with a nub. But I don’t think you can just convert one.

IBM invented them (I worked a tj Watson research where they had a display case dedicated to its development).

When I was a IBM I had a mouse with a nub, it was much better than the wheel for scrolling, but the concept didn’t take off...

They’re seem to be some on alibaba..!?

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Re:Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard by lhball on Thursday January 03, 2019 @07:47AM (#18814677)

"When I was a[t] IBM I had a mouse with a nub.."

I'ver never wanted anything so badly! Link to Alibaba?

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Re:Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard by acomjean on Thursday January 03, 2019 @08:35AM (#18814939)

The mouse doesn’t exist sadly.

I mentioned alibaba because have trackpoint keyboards though (seemingly in lots of 5). my reply wasn’t clear and lamentably too late to edit.

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Re:Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard by devereaux on Thursday January 03, 2019 @08:22PM (#18821177)

The mouse does exist, I had one.

Bing IBM SCROLLPOINT 12J3618

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Re:Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard by acomjean on Thursday January 03, 2019 @09:03PM (#18821382)

Thanks for the model number. I wonder how the driver support is.

I had one at a job too. I remember really liking it. So much better than the wheel. When I said they didn't exist, I meant I couldn't find one on alibaba.. I should reread my posts so they are clearer...

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Re:Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard by diggernet on Thursday January 03, 2019 @09:42AM (#18815383)

That sounds like the ScrollPoint mouse, which was made by both IBM and Lenovo. If it's not a current product, you might try eBay.

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Re:Adding a Trackpoint to an Inexpensive Mechanical Keyboard by Symmetry on Thursday January 03, 2019 @08:11AM (#18814775)

The major patents just ran out so in theory other companies should be able to make decent ones now.

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