Idea for Endurapro

[Oqsy]

I have been considering a unicomp spacesaver or endurapro for a while now, and I have an idea concerning the left and right mouse click functions for the endurapro.  I've never had a stick, but the placement of the mouse buttons (below spacebar) seems very counterproductive.  My idea is a little complicated and might not be possible, but if anyone knows if it can be done and how, it's you guys, so here goes:

I'd prefer it if the left mouse button was mapped to the J key and the right click to the K key, and were only active when the keyboard's left click button is depressed, like a shift or ctrl type function.  This would make home row typing and cursor manipulation possible with a minimum of hand movement.  The right hand would always rest on the home row, and the index of the left would be used to manipulate the mouse cursor with the stick between the b, g, and h keys, while one of the thumbs is used to depress the keyboard's "mouse" button to enable the left and right click functions of the j and k keys...  even better would be j for right click, l for left click, and k for scroll (with the stick used to actually move the scroll, like pressing the middle button and moving the mouse on a scroll wheel microsoft mouse).  

I realize this might be a strange and unpalatable setup for some, but my big complaint with mice / trackballs is removing my right hand from the home row.  My complaint with the layout of the stick keyboards is button placement and most likely having to remove my right hand from the home row as well.  

Thoughts?

[ch_123]

Unless you have a very short thumb, the current placement is ideal. What you're describing seems to make complicated a very simple and effective design.

[In Stereo!]

Unless you have a very short thumb, the current placement is ideal.

This. The main reason I keep using an outdated Thinkpad R40 for web browsing instead of a modern desktop system. ULTRANAV FTW

[kishy]

I saw some potential in this, then I tried to do it on my M13 (to see how the ergonomics/mechanics of it worked out).

...it's not good, exclusively on the basis of you already pressing a mouse button to activate the mouse buttons. If you're already going to press one, why not just click with it?

Now, if there were a foot pedal, this would be a different story.
I, for one, however would be very opposed to having a foot pedal to activate my mouse buttons when I could just use the foot pedal to click...

[Oqsy]

I do have short thumbs (my wife teases me about my little boy hands), and while i am clicking ONE of the mouse buttons, using both, or three as in the situation i described above becomes another story.  Without the keyboard in front of me to see how it is all laid out i can't say for sure, but I am also very comfortable with the index, middle, ring finger placement for left, middle(scroll function), and right click, and this seems like a way to implement it with a stick.  Those who have a stick and the buttons below the spacebar, which finger do you use for right click?  my left thumb usually rests where it appers that the left button is positioned, but the right button looks like a stretch for my left thumb, and i can see lots of inadvertent clicks, spacebar presses, and awkward hand positions with the layout of the endrapro and similar previous models.

[kishy]

I do have short thumbs (my wife teases me about my little boy hands), and while i am clicking ONE of the mouse buttons, using both, or three as in the situation i described above becomes another story.  Without the keyboard in front of me to see how it is all laid out i can't say for sure, but I am also very comfortable with the index, middle, ring finger placement for left, middle(scroll function), and right click, and this seems like a way to implement it with a stick.  Those who have a stick and the buttons below the spacebar, which finger do you use for right click?  my left thumb usually rests where it appers that the left button is positioned, but the right button looks like a stretch for my left thumb, and i can see lots of inadvertent clicks, spacebar presses, and awkward hand positions with the layout of the endrapro and similar previous models.

I click with either thumb (for either click), generally my right for both. I can understand how you may have difficulty if you have smaller hands; mine are normal to large and at times I find it awkward to click while tracking or to drag stuff. The M13 currently serves as a "lap keyboard" though so my hand positions are hardly correct at any point.

I think what you're suggesting about repurposing keyboard keys would be good, however it seems like an even more awkward hand position which resolves nothing. Seems to me using something a bit more reachable (to correct the original issue you're having) such as Caps Lock or a Windows key would be better for activating "clicking mode" on the keys around the TrackPoint.

[Oqsy]

Duly noted.  As for the thumb clicking, I just don't see that ever being something I'd get used to or care for.  A pinky on caps lock sounds like a winning idea, but that's quite a stretch for me from pinky on caps lock to index on the track point... once again, think little boy hands.  windows key with the outside of my palm on my left hand below my pinky might be the winner.  I'll do some more thinking.  Thanks for the input, kishy!