[praisetheone]

UPDATE: so it's been about 18 months with this "prototype" and it's still working great! I use it almost everyday and travel with it 2x/week. I've dropped it and kicked it around a number of times. The batteries have been changed maybe once. I found a cardboard jewelry box that fits it perfectly. I still plan to add a little mass to it or rubber pad so it doesn't slide around so easily. I could add more functions but haven't had a need yet.

One minor thing that still worries me is the wireless dongle. Although it's low profile I worry that it may break off the laptop because I travel with it often.

I can easily just buy a commercial foot pedal but I haven't found one that I really like and works well with my chromebook.