[ARCHIVED THREAD] - Computer gurus: Mouse or Trackball? (Page 1 of 2)
Posted: 2/11/2009 5:53:01 PM EDT
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After 22 years of three, four, and five button mice, I just got a Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan. It's a beast.
It's like learning to drive a stick all over again. What's your choice? |
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I am NOT accusing anybody here of anything (I don't know you), but there was something strange I picked up on back from my days doing on-site work in people's houses as a service tech: The people with the most fucked up machines, and the most unbelievable ways of jacking their shit up, always had trackballs. It got to the point, where I knew what their computer was going to look like once I turned it on, just by noticing they used a trackball. And I have no idea why. It's just a strange correlation I found. The reason I prefer a mouse, is because I can move it around MUCH faster with pinpoint accuracy. I'm not saying it means using a mouse makes your computer any better. I'm saying if you have a knack for jacking your shit up, you will be attracted to the godforsaken trackball for reasons I really do not understand.  Admit it. Your desktop is covered in icons. Your system tray has north of 15 applications running in it. You like "extra" toolbars and improvements in your web browser. Your Start Menu takes up two columns when you open it. Your computer doesn't run as well as it did when you bought it. Admit it, damn you!  |
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Subnet to the contrary, I use a trackball. Not the thumb type though, I hate those. Working on laptops I frequently don't have room for a mouse and touchpads are even worse. Also I don't get the tendinitis type thing with a trackball.
It's a touchy subject around the lab, almost as divisive as ergonomic keyboards. At a guess maybe 10% of the people I work with use either one. |
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Quoted: Subnet to the contrary, I use a trackball. Not the thumb type though, I hate those. Working on laptops I frequently don't have room for a mouse and touchpads are even worse. Also I don't get the tendinitis type thing with a trackball. It's a touchy subject around the lab, almost as divisive as ergonomic keyboards. At a guess maybe 10% of the people I work with use either one. Ergonomic keyboards are another work of the devil. My Thinkpad has that red stick thing (I forget the proper name), and I LOVE it over a trackpad. I still pack a mouse in my bag though, and if I've got 8x8" to spare, I use it. Speaking of keyboards, behold! The greatest keyboard ever made:   It also doubles as a weapon, in a pinch. |
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Quoted: I am NOT accusing anybody here of anything (I don't know you), but there was something strange I picked up on back from my days doing on-site work in people's houses as a service tech: The people with the most fucked up machines, and the most unbelievable ways of jacking their shit up, always had trackballs. It got to the point, where I knew what their computer was going to look like once I turned it on, just by noticing they used a trackball. I spent two years in the late nineties doing the same job, and had the same observation. I also learned I am perhaps the only person on the planet that cleans their keyboards and mice on a regular basis. |
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Quoted:
I am NOT accusing anybody here of anything (I don't know you), but there was something strange I picked up on back from my days doing on-site work in people's houses as a service tech: The people with the most fucked up machines, and the most unbelievable ways of jacking their shit up, always had trackballs. It got to the point, where I knew what their computer was going to look like once I turned it on, just by noticing they used a trackball. And I have no idea why. It's just a strange correlation I found. The reason I prefer a mouse, is because I can move it around MUCH faster with pinpoint accuracy. I'm not saying it means using a mouse makes your computer any better. I'm saying if you have a knack for jacking your shit up, you will be attracted to the godforsaken trackball for reasons I really do not understand.
Admit it. Your desktop is covered in icons. Your system tray has north of 15 applications running in it. You like "extra" toolbars and improvements in your web browser. Your Start Menu takes up two columns when you open it. Your computer doesn't run as well as it did when you bought it. Admit it, damn you!
nope. i use nlite to take shit OUT of my windows installs, do regular maint on em, and my 8-port KVM has what attached to it? yup, a trackball. but maybe i dont count. while i may not be a guru, im certainly not a "user". if youre a lazy bum with back problems, trackballs are great for reclining, you can just set the thing in your lap and go. no mousepad, no flat surface, and especially no leaning forward for hours. ETA: METAL CONTACT KEYBOARD! greatest thing ever. anybody still make those? mine shit the bed years ago. using a shitty HP. nice sharp keys, but its still not the same. |
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Quoted: nope. i use nlite to take shit OUT of my windows installs, do regular maint on em, and my 8-port KVM has what attached to it? yup, a trackball. but maybe i dont count. while i may not be a guru, im certainly not a "user". if youre a lazy bum with back problems, trackballs are great for reclining, you can just set the thing in your lap and go. no mousepad, no flat surface, and especially no leaning forward for hours. Lies! All lies! Actually, you do have to keep in mind that I had a self-selecting group of idiots. The only people I was likely to see, where people who already fucked their machines up. And of those, the ones who did it in the most creative ways possible, used trackballs. Obviously, I never got to meet people with working machines that also used them. So, there you go. Not a single person in my office uses one (most are computer dudes, like me)...except one. Our admin assistant has one. And she's the only one who actually needs help with her machine, every now and then. I'm telling you, it's really uncanny. When I'm at customer sites, I also noticed that Sales guys are really attracted to the things, along with ergonomic keyboards. If they do use a mouse, they also have those mousepads with the wrist wrest on them. Another feature of the desk with the trackball on it, is the little plastic angled thing you put your feet on. And a small portable heater in the cubicle, usually right next to the PC. Swear to God. It's just something I've noticed. Don't hate me. It has nothing to do with you.  |
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Quoted:
Speaking of keyboards, behold! The greatest keyboard ever made: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/ModelM.jpg/800px-ModelM.jpg
It also doubles as a weapon, in a pinch. I used one of those for years. Still have its carcass running around. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Speaking of keyboards, behold! The greatest keyboard ever made: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/ModelM.jpg/800px-ModelM.jpg It also doubles as a weapon, in a pinch. I used one of those for years. Still have its carcass running around. Mine died, and I will be buying another one. |
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Quoted: Quoted: Subnet to the contrary, I use a trackball. Not the thumb type though, I hate those. Working on laptops I frequently don't have room for a mouse and touchpads are even worse. Also I don't get the tendinitis type thing with a trackball. It's a touchy subject around the lab, almost as divisive as ergonomic keyboards. At a guess maybe 10% of the people I work with use either one. Ergonomic keyboards are another work of the devil. My Thinkpad has that red stick thing (I forget the proper name), and I LOVE it over a trackpad. I still pack a mouse in my bag though, and if I've got 8x8" to spare, I use it. Speaking of keyboards, behold! The greatest keyboard ever made: http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/5/57/ModelM.jpg/800px-ModelM.jpg It also doubles as a weapon, in a pinch.  Mine came with my IBM PS/2. I purchased about 20 others through the years, used at first, then from the company that bought the tooling from IBM after they stopped making them. ETA: http://pckeyboards.stores.yahoo.net/ |
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Quoted: me too. i love my trackball. its a microsoft trackball explorer i bought for 40 bucks a few years ago, now they are 200.00 on ebay. once you master them; you wont go back. Same here. I dont wanna move the damn thing all over the desk to get something done when all it takes with a trackball is to move my thumb. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
nope. i use nlite to take shit OUT of my windows installs, do regular maint on em, and my 8-port KVM has what attached to it? yup, a trackball. but maybe i dont count. while i may not be a guru, im certainly not a "user". if youre a lazy bum with back problems, trackballs are great for reclining, you can just set the thing in your lap and go. no mousepad, no flat surface, and especially no leaning forward for hours. Lies! All lies!
Actually, you do have to keep in mind that I had a self-selecting group of idiots. The only people I was likely to see, where people who already fucked their machines up. And of those, the ones who did it in the most creative ways possible, used trackballs. Obviously, I never got to meet people with working machines that also used them. So, there you go. Not a single person in my office uses one (most are computer dudes, like me)...except one. Our admin assistant has one. And she's the only one who actually needs help with her machine, every now and then. I'm telling you, it's really uncanny.
When I'm at customer sites, I also noticed that Sales guys are really attracted to the things, along with ergonomic keyboards. If they do use a mouse, they also have those mousepads with the wrist wrest on them. Another feature of the desk with the trackball on it, is the little plastic angled thing you put your feet on. And a small portable heater in the cubicle, usually right next to the PC. Swear to God. It's just something I've noticed.
Don't hate me. It has nothing to do with you.
its ok. the last 'service tech' time warner sent over wanted (demanded, actually) to inspect my computers/network to make sure it was connected properly to their transceiver. his skull and anti-static wrist strap now adorn the spikes on my CRT perimeter. now if youll excuse me, ive gotta go install bonzi buddy again. |
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Quoted: its ok. the last 'service tech' time warner sent over wanted (demanded, actually) to inspect my computers/network to make sure it was connected properly to their transceiver. his skull and anti-static wrist strap now adorn the spikes on my CRT perimeter. now if youll excuse me, ive gotta go install bonzi buddy again.  The last dork that came over to my house (back in California) to install a cable modem was a real winner. He came with "Install" Cd's and everything. He also demanded that I do a virus scan. On my Linux box. We got it connected and working "together".  I think they just pull them off the streets, these days. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
its ok. the last 'service tech' time warner sent over wanted (demanded, actually) to inspect my computers/network to make sure it was connected properly to their transceiver. his skull and anti-static wrist strap now adorn the spikes on my CRT perimeter. now if youll excuse me, ive gotta go install bonzi buddy again.
The last dork that came over to my house (back in California) to install a cable modem was a real winner. He came with "Install" Cd's and everything. He also demanded that I do a virus scan. On my Linux box. We got it connected and working "together".
I think they just pull them off the streets, these days. best punchline ever. did you have to show him where "C" was? i always wondered what exactly is on one of those cds anyway |
Cordless Trackman Wheel. I haven't had to have anyone's help with any of my self-built PCs. I am a lazy fucker. I have to move my whole lower arm with a conventional mouse. With a trackball, I just have to move my thumb. Been using one for at least ten years now. |
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Quoted: best punchline ever. did you have to show him where "C" was? i always wondered what exactly is on one of those cds anyway From what I can tell, a flash tutorial thing, and some add-ons to IE. Ever sat at somebody's computer and saw "Internet Explorer, by <Cable Company Name>"? That, and weird shit like "download accelerators" and I don't know what else. Apparently, "plug this ––> here, open your web browser and read what it says" is too much. |
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Quoted: http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/ss2nv/DSC_0127.jpg Cordless Trackman Wheel. I haven't had to have anyone's help with any of my self-built PCs. I am a lazy fucker. I have to move my whole lower arm with a conventional mouse. With a trackball, I just have to move my thumb. Been using one for at least ten years now. My wrist, arm, elbow, etc stays completely put when I use a mouse. Up the tracking speed a little. You should be able to move your mouse pointer to any point on the screen nearly instantly, without repositioning your hand. |
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Quoted:
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v388/ss2nv/DSC_0127.jpg Cordless Trackman Wheel. I haven't had to have anyone's help with any of my self-built PCs. I am a lazy fucker. I have to move my whole lower arm with a conventional mouse. With a trackball, I just have to move my thumb. Been using one for at least ten years now. Looking at your avatar, you probably shouldnt even be moving your thumb...
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Quoted:
My Thinkpad has that red stick thing (I forget the proper name), and I LOVE it over a trackpad. I still pack a mouse in my bag though, and if I've got 8x8" to spare, I use it. Yea I got a my first Lenovo about a year ago, I used the red nub (what I call it anyways) exclusively from day one. Love it now, no need to take your hands off the keyboard. I do pack a VX Nano, which I also absolutely love, the USB receiver is so small I just leave it plugged in. My vote however goes to mice, specifically logitech mice. I do run across trackballs and touch pads with some old server racks though 
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Quoted:
My wrist, arm, elbow, etc stays completely put when I use a mouse. Up the tracking speed a little. You should be able to move your mouse pointer to any point on the screen nearly instantly, without repositioning your hand. I started using my trackball with autoCAD 11, err 12?, they beat the snot out of mice for drafting. |
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Quoted:
Quoted:
nope. i use nlite to take shit OUT of my windows installs, do regular maint on em, and my 8-port KVM has what attached to it? yup, a trackball. but maybe i dont count. while i may not be a guru, im certainly not a "user". if youre a lazy bum with back problems, trackballs are great for reclining, you can just set the thing in your lap and go. no mousepad, no flat surface, and especially no leaning forward for hours. Lies! All lies!
Actually, you do have to keep in mind that I had a self-selecting group of idiots. The only people I was likely to see, where people who already fucked their machines up. And of those, the ones who did it in the most creative ways possible, used trackballs. Obviously, I never got to meet people with working machines that also used them. So, there you go. Not a single person in my office uses one (most are computer dudes, like me)...except one. Our admin assistant has one. And she's the only one who actually needs help with her machine, every now and then. I'm telling you, it's really uncanny.
When I'm at customer sites, I also noticed that Sales guys are really attracted to the things, along with ergonomic keyboards. If they do use a mouse, they also have those mousepads with the wrist wrest on them. Another feature of the desk with the trackball on it, is the little plastic angled thing you put your feet on. And a small portable heater in the cubicle, usually right next to the PC. Swear to God. It's just something I've noticed.
Don't hate me. It has nothing to do with you.
I have to agree with the trackball to fuckkitup ratio. I've managed and worked on a LOT of networks, and it's always the same story. Common trackball users: The 75-lb overweight Italian lady in AR, or HR. Subject usually appears in a Muumuu and has a beaded eyeglass chain. The Sales manager that cranks out Powerpoint and Crystal Reports all day whilst soaking in Polo Sport, or DG. The ready-to-retire assistant to the VP who is about to croak (also a high probability cantidate for the space heater and Webshots) The know-nothing office manager who got the position by cashing in BlowjobBucks™ and spends her time pricing pens out at Staples vs. Office Depot, then complaining that the firewall blocks YouTube and Facebook. The only productive person I've seen with a trackball is a woman at my company in AP/AR. Granted, she spends a lot of time in Excel and uses more keyboard shortcuts that anyone besides me. It's a real pain to work on her machine, so even though she's 30' from my desk I try to Bomgar into it when I can.
I will, however, own up to previously owning an original Logitech Trackman Marble (no scroll) and using it for DOOM. I got my ass handed to me for several months before I converted to a mouse/keyboard combo and I haven't looked back. |
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Quoted: BAN HIM.  They're nice, but they're way too noisy. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H-WdHYoHEDk I use one of these Keytronics, which is quite similar to the IBM. The only major difference is the large enter key and location of the backslash. I was sad when my old 101-key Keytronic died and had to replace it . Windows keys are useless.  |