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Comment by georgewsinger | Hacker News Reader

I've gotten a lot of use out of using a sim-racing shifter (specifically Thrustmaster THA8) as an input device in Linux: https://photos.app.goo.gl/DksPS2ijo9aPCUi5A

These shifters are normally designed for use in sim-racing/gaming, but I haven't sim raced a single time in my life. The shifts can be reconfigured for various actions, and I use it for things like switching workspaces or various emacs bindings.

It's extremely mechanically satisfying to use.

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That makes me laugh. To imagine how you’re sitting there at your PC switching gears. My grandma would be totally confused, haha.

But I like the idea. Would also be interested to know how you’re using it!

Oh god now I kinda want this. I am saved by the fact that I can't think of a way to use this that fits into what I do but I want this.

Between this and the Simula One, I basically desire to emulate your entire setup. Nicely done

Working on both =]

This looks really interesting. Could you provide more details on your setup?

I use qjoypad (https://github.com/panzi/qjoypad) to configure each shift to a single number press. So for example shifting into 2nd gear sends a single "2" key press to Linux.

After that, I usual xbindkeys & emacs to configure more complex bindings. So for example "WindowsKey + n" is configured to go into workspace n. Or "CapsLock + 8" is binded to close the current tab I'm on.

You could improve on this using F13-F24 as they're pretty much universally supported by X, SDL, etc.

Whoa. Interesting idea!

Add a foot pedal as the clutch to add modifier key to the gear shift!

Angrily shifting gears to go build after a long session seems a nice idea!

Whoa. I guess I now know what to save up for for my birthday.

What a brillant idea... I have sim-racing gear amassing dust in the garage, you make me want to try it out...

I probably won't but only because the Logitech shifter I have requires to be plugged in to the whole steering wheel assembly which would be bulky to have around the desk...

How about mounting the steering wheel on the floor and use it as feet controllers via rotation. Turn right to scroll down, left to scroll up, and turn more to scroll faster!

oh damn...you also need a big red button to kick things into turbo/overdrive for the serious hacking

or use it as the build/test button!

> mechanically satisfying

Magnetic shifters with a direct drive wheel are positively orgasmic then.

That is a very interesting idea my friend.

Does it come with a clutch pedal?

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