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One hack of a solution for Windows XP/2000 is to use a mouse tray application like Labtec Mouse V2.1. Make sure the wheel mode is set to enhanced scroll mode and you get very good scrolling based on where the mouse is floating.

It won't work without administrator privileges unfortunately, so i have a shortcut in my start up folder and set the shortcut to run with alternate credentials. You might also get some weird interactions with other mouse software, which may take some work to resolve.

I only wish knew a way to get the same effect without using an application, or at least not a tray application to do it. In the mean time, this hack is a god send for me at least.

A lot of cheap keyboards such as the Labtec standard keyboard (http://www.labtec.com/index.cfm/gear/details/EUR/EN,crid=28,contentid=631) use a non-standard layout where the Enter key is two rows high and the backslash key is in the top row, even in the US layout.

Why would anybody do that?

And don't get me started on the F-Lock key!

I myself have the biggest 2.0 speakers of labtec (didn't see those in store, but seem to be still made), but the best ones I've seen in the store lately is this set from terratec, it blew me away! Both these sets are 20 bucks each, so pretty affordable.

On a similar note, a family member recently bought a surround dvd player set, and didn't find a real option to turn the subwoofer off! Living in a small house, with neighbours at all sides, and sometimes just not being in the mood for a lot of bass, this pretty much sucks. Always check for a seperate knob for the subwoofer if you are destined to buy surround stuff.

• USB
• USB
• PS/2
• PS/2

• PS/2
• fancy optical
• fancy wireless and optical
• PS/2

Needing to multiplex a console between two machines is somewhat silly. I got into KVM tech when 8-16 machines were involved. My company use Sybex 8 port units and they worked well. You could even slave the units to handle more servers. At home, I have a bunch of PCs (4-8) so I took the plunge with a 4 port OmniView unit (1998). That broke within 18 months. I then replaced it with a 4 port Linksys unit and that seems to be working very well. WinME can see my wheel mouse and linux can see that I have some kind of two button thing. No complains.

The warning about cable management should be taken to heart. I'm nearly drowning in the buggers. I suggest getting a metal rack for storing your PCs, printers, scanners, KVM unit. Use zip-ties or velcro strips to secure the cabling. It's worth the investment. When the cables were loose, my cat starting *eating* through them. That's a different rant...

As for mulitplexing sound, get an audio mixer. I have a Mackie 1402 and love it. My speakers (Labtec Edge 418) are plugged into the mixer, as are the PCs. I can even have my tape deck hanging off the mixer. This mixer/PC system has replaced my stereo.

One last point: I don't have a TV either, just a tv tuner card. Single appliance convergence? Already there!

Logitech and Labtec both make 3D input devices (I think they may be the same company now). These both work very well for manipulating 3d objects, since you can rotate & translate around multiple axes at the same time. They aren't useful with current GUIs and are expensive, but they work well in CAD software.
Before Labtec bought Spaceball IMC, Spaceball made a ~$100 SpaceOrb 360 which is great for first person shooter games. I'm pretty sure they've been discontinued, though.

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You may want to investigate the Spaceball.

Back when I was doing a lot of CAD stuff, I saw a few guys running spaceballs. Basically, a spaceball is something you run in combination with your mouse. Your mouse does most of the selecting and drawing, but the spaceball does all the movement of the part selected.

Another way of moving parts on screen was to click on an icon (for translating & turning). A slight improvement involved a few hotkeys that are held while the mouse is moved, letting the mouse do the work.

I think that the spaceball I used ran on an HP (hpux) box, but I know for sure it was a UNIX flavor.

I would investigate what exactly you're trying to do. Is it really necessary to run 2 mouse pointers, or would a second input device such as a spaceball help you do what you're trying to do.

I expect this technology to be integrated into keyboards and/or monitors over the next few years. Maybe into phones. Probably into car phones.