I have two mice. One for my PC at home, and one for the laptop I use at work. They’re simple–just two buttons and a scroll-wheel thingy in the middle. One of them still has a ball in it instead of the red lights.
Folks have mentioned in other threads that their mice have all sorts of side buttons and such that they program to do different things. I see a potential for increased efficiency (even if it’s more efficient time-wasting like browsing the Dope) and a chance to buy a new toy.
Rechargeable, comfortable, customizable, it rules. Two scroll wheels, the primary one has an awesome quick scroll feature, where if you scroll quickly the ratcheting (clicks, indents, whatever) disengages to a free spin to take you to the bottom of a pit thread in a second.
The second wheel, on the side, I’ve set to control volume as I listen to music constantly.
Every button can be changed, and can be changed with program-specific settings.
I love my trackball. I have to use a mouse at work, but at home, I have a nice Microsoft trackball…I saw a new one with lots of nifty buttons I may upgrade to. But no mice!
How exactly do you use a trackball? I only tried one once and found it awkward, but I probably found a mouse to be awkward the fist time my mother hooked one up to the 486. Do you move the ball with your fingertips or your palm? Is it easy to click while moving?
Another trackball user here. I love my Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman. I prefer fingertip-controlled balls to thumb-balls. Best secondary feature? Watching mouse users slide my trackball around my desk when I loan them the use of my computer.
I have a Logitech optical. Two buttons on top and a wheel. Thumb button on the left that takes the place of the “back” button on the browser. I like it.
It depends upon the trackball and the size of your hand. I have a basic Kensington Orbit Optical. I also have large hands. I rest my hand so the palm sits over the back two-thirds. My thumb rests over the right button, the ball rests between the top two knuckles of the middle three fingers, and the left button is under the little finger but I usually extend my ring finger to click it. Trackballs with a smaller ball at the side require you to use your thumb to manipulate the ball; I’m modestly ambidextrous but mainly left handed so these are more difficult but not impossible for me to manipulate.
I also have a graphics tablet, but having two screens has made using that rather more difficult.
for those who dont want carpel tunnel or want to help with the effects this mouse is the best I have ever used, 5 buttons all programable and super comfy and great for gaming as well as every day use.
I tried something very similar a few years back, but disliked it because of the finger rubbing issue. I see they’ve introduced a lip to prevent it, but it doesn’t look big enough.
That’s the one I use, too. I’m on my second one. I love the programmable buttons and it is much more comfortable to use than a mouse. I hate using mice. It is easy to clean the cat hair out; the ball just pops out.
The only problem I have with them is that the scroll wheel gives up the ghost after a few years. I’ve taken it apart and can’t fix it (and Logitech refuses to honor the warranty on mine because I bought it on eBay). The same thing happened with my first one, too. But it is by far my favorite trackball and I’ll probably buy another.
I used to use trackballs only (and TrackPoint on laptops), but mostly switched to wireless optical mice. Trackballs collect dirt/gunk just like mouse balls (or the rollers for them do), optical mice don’t. And modern mice are very easy on my hand as they are very smooth and require very little force to move.
My current favorite is the Logitech VX Nano. Light, smooth, reliable and good battery life. And the receiver is tiny. I originally bought it for my laptop but ended up using it on my desktop, and recently bought a second one for my laptop.
ETA: It has 11 functions/buttons which can all be customized…
My mouse is set to minimize windows, close tabs/windows, open new blank tabs, open link new tab, volume up, volume down, mute, back, scroll, left click, right click…
Let’s just say it’s very useful for internet browsing… I’d never go back to a typical mouse…
This trackball combined with this keyboard, both at home and work. I really like having the trackball in a the spot that would ordinarily be occupied by the number pad on a full sized keyboard.
Though, if I had my druthers, I’d use a Unix-layout Model M with an integrated three button trackpoint. Sigh.
I use a thumb controlled track ball with 5 buttons and a scroll wheel. I set the ball to super sensitive so a fractional movement of my thumb moves it almost anywhere on the screen. It is much joy to watch anyone else try to use it. I also have wrist (arm) pad to lay my arm on.
