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Open source computer mouse by Ploopy (lemmy.ml)

submitted 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago) by lightrush@lemmy.ca to c/opensource@lemmy.ml

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I needed another corded mouse and this time around I thought of @PKL@mastodon.social and @pronk@mastodon.social instead of Logitech's shareholders. These guys make open source mice among other open source hardware under the brand Ploopy. You can order one from them, assembled or as a kit, or you could print and build it entirely by yourself.

The mouse itself is pretty great. Coming from a long line of Logitech (MX518/G5/G500/G502), it's a bit larger than what I'm used to but I think I'm getting accustomed to it.

Here's another shot of it:

A picture of a computer mouse by Ploopy.

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[-] MrSmith@lemmy.world 40 points 3 days ago

Those layer lines look like a perfect place for all sorts of shit to gather and stick to.

If one has sweaty hands - stay away from 3D-printed / soft plastic shell mice.

[-] justme@lemmy.dbzer0.com 7 points 3 days ago

I couldn't agree more. I also hate when mice or keyboards can not be easily disassembled to be properly cleaned. In this case I guess it's a matter of printing precision and/or material (don't have my own printing experience, so maybe somebody else can comment on it)

[-] MrSmith@lemmy.world 22 points 3 days ago

Many people will say "just sand it down". But the extruder-printed plastic is still going to be porous as heck. A perfect place for germs.

Personally, I'd use the 3D model to create a negative mold of sorts, and then cast it out of something more human-friendly. But I haven't looked at the complexity of this model, this would have to be designed accordingly.

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[-] CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org 1 points 2 days ago

Maybe you could vapour-smooth it.

[-] TheLowestStone@lemmy.world 80 points 4 days ago

I've got to say "Ploopy" is one of the absolute worst names I've ever seen. Before I even saw the picture, I thought "I bet it looks like shit."

[-] null_dot@lemmy.dbzer0.com 24 points 3 days ago

Opensource projects often have terrible names.

Gimp, libreoffice, lemmy, Apache... just the ones that come to mind.

[-] TheLowestStone@lemmy.world 7 points 3 days ago* (last edited 3 days ago)

Gimp is a funny acronym that explains exactly what the software does. Libreoffice also tells you exactly what the product is. Lemmy is quick, catchy, easy to remember, and has a story behind it. Apache is... pretty bad.

Ploopy is literally "poopy" with an extra letter.

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[-] lightrush@lemmy.ca 30 points 4 days ago

It's like an alien name out of Rick and Morty. 😂

[-] umbrella@lemmy.ml 16 points 4 days ago

you mean you dont like my plumbus? what about glorp?

[-] Teppichbrand@feddit.org 17 points 4 days ago

Ploopy fills my hand really well

[-] anomnom@sh.itjust.works 12 points 3 days ago

“I like resting my hand on my Ploopy”

It almost sounds like a vintage game sound, like “bleep bloop”, but worse, fecally worse.

[-] tdawg@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago

I'm sorry but that's such a ploopy take. You can't just judge something by it's name 🙄

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[-] Feathercrown@lemmy.world 20 points 3 days ago

[-] AndyMFK@lemmy.dbzer0.com 26 points 4 days ago

Super cool and I totally see the appeal, but at nearly 3x the price of my Logitech g502 for a 3d printed mouse with a technically inferior sensor, it's a big ask.

[-] 18107@aussie.zone 44 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I bought a Ploopy Thumb a few years ago. I assembled it myself, and was pleasantly surprised at how easy it was (when actually following the instructions).

The small button on the right has broken twice, which wasn't a problem because I just downloaded the stl file and reprinted the button assembly.

I wanted horizontal scrolling, so I used QMK to make the trackball a scroll wheel when the right side button is pressed (that may explain the faster button wear). It was surprisingly easy, and there was even a comment in the source code pointing out which line I should modify for horizontal scrolling support. I guess they expected people to want this feature.

The price is high, but I don't expect to buy another mouse unless my needs change. The open source hardware and software is excellent, making repairability 10/10. The edges of the buttons are slightly rough, but I have the 3d printing files, so I get to choose what material it's made of and what post processing / smoothing is used. It hasn't bothered me enough to do anything about it.

While I can't recommend a trackball mouse to anyone, I can recommend Ploopy. It's one of the few products that I feel like I actually own.

Ploopy Thumb next to a keyboard

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[-] Vex_Detrause@lemmy.ca 26 points 4 days ago

Now do printers.

[-] umbrella@lemmy.ml 32 points 4 days ago

pretty stupid that we can print in 3 dimensions well, while 2-dimension remains locked behind capitalism.

[-] JustEnoughDucks@feddit.nl 26 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

I have written a more detailed comment on it before, but 2d printing is much more technically complicated than 3D printing, and the resolution is literally an order of magnitude difference (0.2mm vs <42um) and the printer has to print full color on any surface with microdots in a very very short time. People would throw the printer out if it took 10 minutes for a single paper like a large first layer takes in 3D printing.

[-] Vex_Detrause@lemmy.ca 15 points 3 days ago

We were ok with dot matrix printers. We are and will be ok with black and white prints. Open Source community will be ok with a slow and ugly print. The company just need to allow their monopoly to be broken. I don't think they will.

[-] Ensign_Crab@lemmy.world 7 points 3 days ago

I often wonder how difficult it would be to create an aftermarket control board for existing printers.

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[-] PalmTreeIsBestTree@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago

3D printed stuff looks so uncomfortable to hold.

[-] apprehensively_human@lemmy.ca 30 points 4 days ago

Is it comfortable in the hand? The surface looks super rough

[-] floofloof@lemmy.ca 20 points 4 days ago

All Ploopy's stuff looks rough. I think they're 3D-printing them. Maybe one day they'll progress to something that gives a nicer result.

I was looking at their trackballs but the ambidextrous ones look awkwardly tiny and have rattly bearings, in addition to the rough finish. I support what they're doing but I wish the products were a bit less prototypey.

[-] lightrush@lemmy.ca 16 points 4 days ago

Yeah, definitely 3D printed.

[-] maxprime@lemmy.ml 7 points 3 days ago

The whole point is that it’s open source and they want people to be able to print them themselves.

[-] BuboScandiacus@mander.xyz 14 points 4 days ago

I think they're 3D-printing them. Maybe one day they'll progress to something that gives a nicer result

Yes they are 3D printed

Poorly 3D printed.

The layering issue could be solved by orienting the object at a 45° angle

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[-] 18107@aussie.zone 15 points 4 days ago

It looks rough, but it's actually fairly comfortable.The only bit that bothered me was the edge of one of the buttons, and a nail file fixed that in seconds.

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[-] Bosht@lemmy.world 7 points 3 days ago

Isn't there severe issues with micro plastics doing this? Serious question. I've just heard in general on 3d prints that they're more prone to shedding.

[-] Adalast@lemmy.world 8 points 3 days ago

If you do the smoothing steps it can be OK, especially if you sand it in a sealed environment or with a HEPA vacuum handy to suck up all of the particulates. Once it is sanded you can do a short acetone treatment and the surface will be melted smooth. It can take some practice, but you can seal it up pretty well without sacrificing quality. Just be mindful of air quality and filtering at each step so you don't undermine your goal.

Also, no matter what the microplastic impact on the environment is less than a mouse made in a factory thar doesn't pay attention to any of its air quality standards.

[-] Bosht@lemmy.world 2 points 2 days ago

Gotcha. Thanks for the type up!

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[-] Coelacanthus@lemmy.kde.social 5 points 3 days ago

I want an open source mouse with electromagnetic resistance wheel like one in Logitech MX Master 3S.

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[-] jet@hackertalks.com 9 points 3 days ago

I've been using this mouse for almost a year now. No complaints.

[-] muusemuuse@sh.itjust.works 4 points 3 days ago

This stuff is nice. Are there any plans for a vertical mouse for those of us with cranky old man wrists?

[-] BastingChemina@slrpnk.net 5 points 3 days ago

I'm waiting for my MX to die to get one! I really like the idea of open hardware and this looks like a good mouse.

[-] termus@beehaw.org 4 points 3 days ago

This is pretty cool. I make and 3d print pieces for my G502 to make it fit better for my hand/nubs. This seems like it has a lot of potential to design something better for me. That price is steep though but being disabled that's nothing new to me.

[-] zod000@lemmy.ml 4 points 3 days ago

I am also a big fan of the MX518 lineage mice, so I hope someone make a version that has that shape. When Logitech released an updated MX518 several years back I bought a couple of them, so I will be good for years hopefully.

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