The Sinclair QL Forum

Hi everyone

Whilst not top of my list of things to do with my BBQL, I have been wondering whether hacking-off the trackpad mouse from an old laptop might prove a novel way to add a mouse to a BBQL.

With a MDV unit removed, the trackpad mouse - by nature low-profile - could be fitted under an aperture in the RHS of the QL case and, assuming some simple PS/2 type interface is used on the trackpad mouse, might be fairly easily interfaced with the QL.

I don't actually like trackpad mice myself, preferring IBM's 'nipple' mouse variety, but would make for a neat, self contained mouse - assuming a simple interface design was viable...

Anyone else toyed with such an idea before?

Sounds like a great project. Those IBM style ones give me RSI just thinking about them!

There was the original QL Trackball (very rare though):

http://www.rwapadventures.com/ql_wiki/i ... ll&lang=en

But, yes, fitting it into the QL case would be really nice - this was much too big to fit!

Hi,

If we had a serial to digital converter and we could use modern laptop touch pad, which could be installed in the QL case at a an appropriate place.

I remember the Spectrum had an addon numerical pad, I am wondering if a roller board could be added to the joystick port, then we need a driver to decode the movement of the ball.

How would this integrate into the Extended Environment or mICE...

I have got this track ball for the QL in a box somewhere, when my workshop gets done is when I will stat using it.