tetratronic rippler (mk. 1)

dtopping in tonight with a brief cyberdeck update!

UPS power supply makes a huge difference. the module i bought included a barrel jack adapter and a push-button switch, which gives me a proper tactile response turning it on/off!

usb hub will make routing the controls & potential i/o much easier.

the macro-pad keyboard is out. despite being a good-sized shell, squeezing a pi5 and the stuff needed to make it functional is genuinely difficult. this is gonna be a “carry a keyboard with you” luggable type of gizmo.

trackball does not come with firmware flashed to it, so i have to navigate that process. MNT was definitely designed for folks above my current skill ceiling. i may have been rash to get it, but damn if it doesn’t look cool despite the hacked-together mounting panel.

fold-down screen is going to be a challenge. physics are against me and my testor’s model glue.

new list of needs:

• UPS battery cells for portability
• redone mounting panel for trackball
• bezel/lid for screen
• add fan mesh
• more stickers
• mox stripes

this is the first time i’ve closed it up and felt like there was something to the idea. we’re getting there, bit by bit.