How do I avoid enshitification of my keyboard and mouse
How do I avoid enshitification of my keyboard and mouse
I have been using Logitech peripherals for years. Logitech gear always just worked.
Now they demand internet accounts to use the features of the keyboard and mouse that I purchased. WTF?
Not only that, have to use wide-open-to-snooping Chrome to adjust the settings. You cannot adjust/use your mouse and keyboard if you just use Firefox.
This only makes sense if they are planning (or are already) tracking my every move online to sell to advertisers or spooks.
What are the good options?
Also, if anybody sees how these changes could be benign, please let me know.
EDIT:
By popular demand:
The keyboard I bought that started this journey: MX Keys S
The key feature that first demanded cloud access: Swithing between computers, now it is requires it to adjust the receivers. I have both a Bolt and a Unifying receiver.
Mouse (actually a trackball) that now is requesting that I use a Chrome Browser to adjust it: M570
Software:
The Logi SetPoint Settings I open from Windows now requires you to log into your Logitech account to make changes to your Unifying or 2.4 ghz usb receiver. This link takes you to a screen that says Logi Web Connect. It does not work unless you use the latest version of Chrome, Edge, & Opera, but reccomends Chrome for the best experience.
Logitech + used to require this to enable options, but I don’t see it on my Windows computer anymore. It is still on my Mac, but upon opening it to confirm for this message, it seems to be announcing that it is now able to incorporate AI into everything I type. (ugggh)
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Just build your own keyboard. That's what I did (and it turned out fantastic) 🤷
Mice are much easier to deal with since there's 500 million of them to choose from. Just pick a generic, no-name brand that doesn't need drivers and you're all set.
Aside: Building a keyboard isn't rocket science. It's just a bit tedious (buy a kit). Unless you invent your own 3D printable keyboard switch and stabilizers from scratch then design an analog circuit board to work with them (also from scratch). Then it's a bit more like rocket science 🤣
Handwired keyboards with a Raspberry Pi or Arduino are achievable: https://github.com/joe-scotto/scottokeebs
I've made 2 keyboards with kits (see my post history) and it was good fun and an easy way to get a QMK compatible custom board. Would recommend.
I use RP2040's for all my homemade boards. Deeply satisfying, and one of the few DIY projects where you can come away feeling like you've got something absolutely as usable as a commercial offering.
I'm keen to make a handwired macro board, but the learning curve of programming of QMK from scratch is not something I'm prepared to deal with right now.
I use KMK, which doesn’t require compiling, but instead uses human readable Python, and now there is POG, which I’ve used on my last two and runs you through the process.
I've had a kit for a gherkin for years but my soldering skills suck. It might be that my iron doesn't get to the correct temp though. I have no idea. Every time I've soldered stuff it feels random what's happening. It makes me wonder if the tip is not at a consistent temperature.
https://i.redd.it/8023bd3la6n11.jpg
Clean your soldering iron tip on a sponge before every joint.
Just build your own keyboard.
Just build one, huh? It's super simple and easy. Doesn't require special tools or anything. No special skills. Surely it's cheap too. 🙄
Not hating on building your own keyboard at all, but it's definitely not so simple as to suggest it like "just build one" lol.
Seriously. I'm really into keyboards with QMK, but I buy prebuilt keyboards and mice that are capable of running it because if using QMK required me to solder something, I wouldn't be able to. Soldering is a skill that most people don't have.
What are some examples of mass produced ones (if any)? I've got some fancier ones but idk if there are normal ones that are easier to buy.
I have the ZSA Moonlander and Voyager keyboards. I like them a lot.
I also have the Ploopy Adept and Nano mice that also run QMK.
I bought all of them preassembled. I'd love to know what other brands are out there that sell preassembled peripherals that can run open firmware.
You don't have to solder if you use hot swap sockets for your switches. Even if you never plan to swap the switches the hot swap sockets mean you'll never have to solder a thing 👍
I'd like to find a small bluetooth keyboard with mechanical switches that I could use with both my.phone and my 2009 MBP running MX. I need stowable and chargeable with C.
I have time, where would I find a kit for something like that?
At this point the suggestions are getting pretty out there. So far I’ve heard in this thread that I should switch to Linux, download this and that code from GitHub, build my own keyboard and design a circuit board for it.
I think I’ll just take the adware.
Building your own keyboard is supposed to be fun. You do some research to figure out what you want. Maybe order some sample switches to try out, pick out a keycap set you like, and eventually settle on a kit.
When you order your kit it'll include a case, a top plate, and a circuit board. If you get one with hot swap sockets you will not have to solder anything. You can literally just press the switches in.
Then when you're done you screw everything together, put your keycaps on, and you have a working keyboard. Sometimes you have to flash the firmware as a final step but that's not rocket science. You do not have to know how to program.
