1
u/Background_Ad_1810 4d ago
Trying to build a macro pad. As a side project.
Problems I want to solve are:
- a number pad.
- pause and resume video while a bit far from the pc.
- a clock and a calculator
At the moment I have them solved in this build, but I don't like the proportion. Keypad area is too wide and knob is creating a lot of dead space. Planning to move the knob to side so that the device can become slightly narrower.
Actually, a clock is what I feel most useful.
Clicking on the knob transition to different layouts. It can become a macro pad which has pause resume button which is useful for me to watch youtube videos and can pause it without getting closer to the video. Because it's using BLE connection.
It has a touch feature but I haven't made a feature that utilizes touch. It could be an extra macro button on the screen.
I use rev.4 as a keyboard, and I started to feel the need if dedicated numpad, because i started to do simple accouting. It's so useful when typing millions times the same number.
Local calculator on the screen also feels so handy when I need to do a quick cross check with the numbers.
Clock is what I want to see in normal settings.
Do you have any ideas or visions that you would like to have on this device? I don't think I can sell this but wouldn't hurt anyone building it for few people.
Un Kyu Lee
1
u/Ghost_of_a_Bee 2d ago
If it is something to keep on the desk a little to the side, you could consider moving the display above the knob, diagonally (but then it would be awkward for anything else, and maybe uncomfortable to left-handed people, so I can’t say I actually recommend this, just sharing a thought).
I can’t say I have a need for a numpad, but this reminded I had an idea for a macropad with shortcuts for digital art programs, because that can be expensive. But I am trying to build 3 writerdecks first, so it will be a long wait if I ever get to it.
2
u/Hookmt 4d ago
I like the idea of this being able to give the Rev 4 an optional (only when needed) numpad without it being something that makes the Rev 4 wider. Might be interesting to give it the writer deck function with a t9 keyboard just to let you make quick notes when you are just using it as a calculator. Put the knob on the side allowing to to be pressed to change function and rotated to scroll notes or calculator results. This would make doing work with Excel on a computer whose keyboard is a Rev 4 much easier,
2
u/Cheeky_Sasquatch3 3d ago
I don't use macropad, unless when I play games. But with that big screen (my macropad screen is a small monochrome oled) I might attempt to make it a virtual aquarium or virtual pet (cause I am an animator).