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The best, most comfortable mouse I have ever owned was a Logitech Mouseman Wheel. It's secret is twofold: first, it slopes very much downward to the right, following the natural shape of your hand. Second, it's very long. Check some pictures here and here, and a review here. I unfortunately had to give up my original wired ball model, since I need cordless capability. Logitech made a wired ball version, a wireless ball version, and a wired optical version... but never followed it up with a wireless optical version, opting instead for more "stylish" mice which are much shittier. (They did technically make a wireless optical version, but in trackball form: if you look at this, it has the great ergonomic shape, but with a trackball grafted to the side.)

I look on eBay all the time to try to pick one up, but always end up getting outbid... these mice are highly desirable. I suppose one day I'll save up and just bid $100 for the cordless one, they are that good.

Maybe this will help.

MS speach recognition is awful. Try Naturally Speaking Not great but from what I've seen and read it's the best out there.

Do nott forget to use a high quality headset (NOT a standalone microphone) such as one from Plantronics* or Logitech and try to get it posistioned the same way every time.

A short history on Naturally Speaking.
It was originally created by DragonSoft. Infact there was an article on the company and the Husband and Wife who started in in MIT's Technology Review back in the good ol days (around 1998) when you'd count off the weeks until the 1 issue per quarter would arrive.

They were then bought out by Lernout and Hauspie who had their own speach recognition software. Dragon Naturally Speaking was then integrated into L&H's product. If I recall correctly the integrated product didn't work very well.

L&H was then bought out by ScanSoft where Dragon Naturally Speaking lives today.

I'm not sure why I bothered to write all this (and I've probably got some of it wrong) this early in the morning. Oh well

-TMF

I've found you can get the plantronics headsets _much_ cheaper online. For example the Audio .90 which sells at circuit city for $30 can be had for $15

Uh, I also have the Logitech cordless mouseman optical, and I must say that I don't really like the shape. It was a present, so I kept it and have a corded mouse as a backup if the batteries die. The problem with the shape is when I put my thumb on the rubber thumb pad (with the button), and my little on the right pad so that I can pick up the mouse (and it's easier to move this way), my other fingers are somehow diagonal to the buttons. The problem I think is in the small bump on the right rubber pad, which doesn't let me keep my little finger parallel to the surface while keeping my other fingers parallel to the buttons. After a few years of use there is a worn-off area of plastic just to the left of the upper half of the wheel, and one to the right of the lower half of the wheel, just at the right edge of the button. Anyway, I wonder if anyone has opened it, and if it is easy to put back together, cause I'd like to clean it. ;)

Logitech makes a pen which records your notes as you write them. Product info can be found here.

Logitech makes a digital pen and paper thing, using Anoto paper. A very cool concept, not mature yet. A colleague has one, its cute. Notebook and paper is still superior, IMHO.

And if you want a copy of your data on your PC, you can look at one of the Logitech io Digital Pens, which basically track what you write on paper with a special pre-printed background pattern.

They range in price from $160-200, and apparently are good for 25-40 pages before they need to be recharged (depending on battery and memory). I believe Logitech just came out with a slightly updated model, so you might want to look into their forums and find out what to be looking for before plunking down your money.

Notebooks, post-it notes and the like are available for them and while I'm sure they're more expensive than standard notebooks even if they're twice the price they're still probably less than any drink at Starbucks. One drawback of the notebooks as far as I'm concerned: every page is numbered, but every notebook has the same numbering - you tap an area on the inside of the front cover to indicate that you're starting a new notebook, but unless someone's started selling notebook identifier labels with specific background patterns there's no good way to specify that you're in the notebook for Quantum Physics vs. the notebook for Molecular Biology.

You don't even need an expensive Logitech MX type mouse to play FPS.

I've been using THIS MOUSE for the longest time and I have had no problems. It's been with me from CPL to Quakecon, from Quake 3 to Unreal 2k3. I've modded it and changed the LED from red to superbright blue and had no problems with it. It may not have a higher resolution like the newer mice but it definitely has what it takes to play FPS plus it's inexpensive.

Polished porcelain floor tile with high resolution speckled pattern: $8.50.

Can of Pledge: $5.99.

Accuracy so high you constently get accused of using an aimbot and banned: Priceless.

There's some things money can't buy, like skill. But superior technology can sure go a long way towards making up the differrence. ;)

and for the PC world, logitech is your friend (compatiblity matrix)

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and for the PC world, logitech is your friend (compatiblity matrix)

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I bought it specifically so that I could control DVD playback on my laptop while sitting on the couch. And this one in particular because it's suitable for left-handers, which is nice.

If I were to need another one now, I'd definitely opt for one with a less bulky base station - my housemate's mouse has a neat USB thumbdrive-sized receiver. Much less range than the Logitech monster, but sufficient for the sort of TV-to-couch range in question.

Then Logitech diNovo Media Desktop is THE thing for you. It's MX900 mouse (same as MX700, only Bluetooth instead of radio) plus one of the best looking and most inovative keyboards and accompanying software. Oh, and it is only like, 250$ ;)

I would have to say that the Logitech MX700 is the best mouse I've ever used hands down. I know a lot of people don't like heavier mice, but I like one that doesn't feel like it is going to fly away. The response time is excellent, and I can let it sit on the desk for a few weeks without having to charge it(thanks to NiMH batteries).
The only problem I had was with the accompanying keyboard. Talk about wasted plastic. They could have gotten away with making smaller media keys.
I eventually ditched the keyboard in favour of the smaller, laptop-style keyboard by Gyration.

I would have to say that the Logitech MX700 is the best mouse I've ever used hands down. I know a lot of people don't like heavier mice, but I like one that doesn't feel like it is going to fly away. The response time is excellent, and I can let it sit on the desk for a few weeks without having to charge it(thanks to NiMH batteries).
The only problem I had was with the accompanying keyboard. Talk about wasted plastic. They could have gotten away with making smaller media keys.
I eventually ditched the keyboard in favour of the smaller, laptop-style keyboard by Gyration.

" found out the bluetooth that comes with the less expensive Logitech set [...] can hardly be called bluetooth.
"

I can't speak on the expensive Logitech set because I haven't tried it."

BTW, there's no 'cheap' or 'expensive' bluetooth adapter made by logitech, just one.

What about this page which describe the compatibility of the logitech bluetooth adapter ?

This and this are more or less the interface I've been using for the last 3 years (I've been using the keyboard longer, but a different trackball before I found that one).

I generally find that I can't use a mouse (instead of a trackball) or a straight keyboard for more than a couple of hours without having problems with carpal tunnel/RSI, but I can use these almost indefinitely without a problem. As both a gamer and a programmer I can sometimes find myself in front of a monitor using a keyboard + mouse for upwards of 12 hours a day, and since I also play bass & guitar my wrists and hands don't get much rest.

My FPS performance isn't legendary, but it was good enough for a couple of years to put me among the best offensive TFC players in the US. How you interface with the computer doesn't matter, as long as it's comfortable for you, and many people have different physical responses to different interfaces. Someone with smaller hands and narrower shoulders may have no problem with a standard keyboard, and perhaps different methods of using a mouse would be more productive and less harmful to other users. Hell, some people can use those thumb-balls with some accuracy.

And yes, I am a whore for MS mice and keyboards. I used to use Kensington trackballs, but they seriously lagged behind on optical trackballs, and followed that lag up with some horrid designs when they finally went optical. Logitech finally has a trackball I might be able to use, and I might consider giving it a try since MS seems to be lagging on the cordless trackballs.

In particular, I'm looking for stereo, not surround sound - for playing CDs, mp3s and oggs. I'm also looking for speakers that have excellent audio fidelity when played softly.

I asked about this on alt.music.mp3 and so far the best recommendation is I think the Logitech Z-2200. But these are very high power speakers (200 watts) - I will never turn them up that loud.

The other suggestion that makes a lot of sense to me is to use regular stereo speakers hooked up to a conventional audio amp. That's what I'm thinking of doing now, as I have a good amp that I'm not using right now.

I was looking for a pad for just the same purpose. Everyone keeps hyping USB console pad adapters, but I personally like keeping my console pads and my PC pads separate. The only thing I use my PC gamepad for is emulators, so that was critical in buying one. I have to recommend the Logitech Dual Action out of the ones you listed - cheap, durable, easy to set up, feels great, durable (I throw mine around a lot)... did I mention durable? The included software is teh suck so I didn't bother with it. XP found it fine without them. Pick up a few of these and enjoy. EB had em for $10 last I checked.

I must first admit that I haven't paid much attention to any wireless controllers for the PS2 that have come out since.

But check out Logitech's Wireless PS2 Controller. Its uses the 2.4ghz spectrum, not infra-red. My receiver for the unit is always behind the 1/2" oak doors of my entertainment center. The reach is more than sufficient.


In fact, here's a quick little review:

It comes with all the features of your standard ps2 controller -- same button config, vibrations, and analog/digital controls. The controller itself is slightly larger than the normal ps2 controllers, and once in your hands feels horribly large and heavy (due to the 4 AA batteries in it). But you get accustomed to it pretty quick. In fact, because its wireless, its more or less all I use now. Its shape is slightly more open than the ps2, as well.. it kinda feels more comfortable to me now.

The fact that it uses 2.4ghz instead of 900 mhz makes a HELL of a difference in lag (push button, a second later something happens). I refused to buy a wireless controller (such as the Mad Catz controller) until something came out running at least at 2.4g. That said, there is still some lag. Nothing as bad as the 900mhz controllers I've tried, but laying fighters like DoA, Guilty Gear, etc will bring notice to the slight lapse immediately. Rythym games, some racers, and anythign else requiring spot-on reflexes are also subject to the occasional problems. It really depends on the game. I can play Robotech: Battlecry with no noticeable lag, but I have issues in REZ. Fresh batteries can sometimes help.

For all other games, it works great. Your typical platformer's are fine. I've used mine all the way through half of the Legacy of Kain games, Jak and Daxter, Devil May Cry, etc without a hitch. RPG's, of course, are fine as well.

Don't let the advertised battery life (50 hours, for the lazy) fool you. That's with EVERYTHING turned off. Analog, and vibration, and assumes you are playing a lengthy-dialogued RPG. I've change my batteries at least 5 times this past year, with RPG's accounting for about half of the game time. Playing something that involves a lot of button mashing will obviously suck the life from the controller.

In fact, that's my biggest gripe. Why oh why Logitech couldn't put Lithiom Ion batteries in this thing, and give it a cradle to recharge in every day is beyond me. Wouldn't that be perfect? Just like your modern day cordless phones. Again, playing with a fresh set of batteries makes all the difference. I know switching them out 5 or so times a year doesn't seem like much, but that's only because I am cheap and sacrifice some lag on the controller response for extra battery life. I also NEVER have the vibration turned on (I don't miss it much, but if it were fully charged every day via a cradle, it would definitely be on). Its really just a nuisance.

Mind you, keeping an eye on your battery life is no where near as annoying as cables everywhere.

I just wish I could find something as good for my beloved Dreamcast, whose controllers cables are the shortest in the world.

I must first admit that I haven't paid much attention to any wireless controllers for the PS2 that have come out since.

But check out Logitech's Wireless PS2 Controller. Its uses the 2.4ghz spectrum, not infra-red. My receiver for the unit is always behind the 1/2" oak doors of my entertainment center. The reach is more than sufficient.


In fact, here's a quick little review:

It comes with all the features of your standard ps2 controller -- same button config, vibrations, and analog/digital controls. The controller itself is slightly larger than the normal ps2 controllers, and once in your hands feels horribly large and heavy (due to the 4 AA batteries in it). But you get accustomed to it pretty quick. In fact, because its wireless, its more or less all I use now. Its shape is slightly more open than the ps2, as well.. it kinda feels more comfortable to me now.

The fact that it uses 2.4ghz instead of 900 mhz makes a HELL of a difference in lag (push button, a second later something happens). I refused to buy a wireless controller (such as the Mad Catz controller) until something came out running at least at 2.4g. That said, there is still some lag. Nothing as bad as the 900mhz controllers I've tried, but laying fighters like DoA, Guilty Gear, etc will bring notice to the slight lapse immediately. Rythym games, some racers, and anythign else requiring spot-on reflexes are also subject to the occasional problems. It really depends on the game. I can play Robotech: Battlecry with no noticeable lag, but I have issues in REZ. Fresh batteries can sometimes help.

For all other games, it works great. Your typical platformer's are fine. I've used mine all the way through half of the Legacy of Kain games, Jak and Daxter, Devil May Cry, etc without a hitch. RPG's, of course, are fine as well.

Don't let the advertised battery life (50 hours, for the lazy) fool you. That's with EVERYTHING turned off. Analog, and vibration, and assumes you are playing a lengthy-dialogued RPG. I've change my batteries at least 5 times this past year, with RPG's accounting for about half of the game time. Playing something that involves a lot of button mashing will obviously suck the life from the controller.

In fact, that's my biggest gripe. Why oh why Logitech couldn't put Lithiom Ion batteries in this thing, and give it a cradle to recharge in every day is beyond me. Wouldn't that be perfect? Just like your modern day cordless phones. Again, playing with a fresh set of batteries makes all the difference. I know switching them out 5 or so times a year doesn't seem like much, but that's only because I am cheap and sacrifice some lag on the controller response for extra battery life. I also NEVER have the vibration turned on (I don't miss it much, but if it were fully charged every day via a cradle, it would definitely be on). Its really just a nuisance.

Mind you, keeping an eye on your battery life is no where near as annoying as cables everywhere.

I just wish I could find something as good for my beloved Dreamcast, whose controllers cables are the shortest in the world.

They do. Unless youre left handed and thats a sly moan about there not being enough left handed mice.
check out this page

Or if you are left handed and do want a button under your thumb:
Check here

Logitech Cordless Trackman Optical is the closest you'll probably get ATM - different styling than the FX and it is radio, rather than IR, cordless.

While I consider myself a pickier sort of computer (and computer equipment) user, I honestly have no complaints with using the scroll wheel as a middle button. When I had an IBM PS/2 (8086) I had a Logitech Mouseman with the 3 buttons (and an ergonomic slope). Anymore I am more than happy with using the scroll button as a 3rd button. As I said, being a picky computer equipment user, I really like my Logitech MX500 I think it treats me about as well as any mouse has.

While I consider myself a pickier sort of computer (and computer equipment) user, I honestly have no complaints with using the scroll wheel as a middle button. When I had an IBM PS/2 (8086) I had a Logitech Mouseman with the 3 buttons (and an ergonomic slope). Anymore I am more than happy with using the scroll button as a 3rd button. As I said, being a picky computer equipment user, I really like my Logitech MX500 I think it treats me about as well as any mouse has.

IMHO, yes, 3 button mice without wheels are dead.

Why? Wheels are just too handy for browsing the web to not have one. And since quite a few million people tend to use teh interweb on a regular basis, wheels are quite popular. So it only makes sense that you'd find them on every product out there - consumers want, producers give. Hell, i've got a scroll wheel on my keyboard! (Logitech Elite)

For most people, theres just no good reason NOT to have a wheel on their mouse. The third (middle) button function is built right into the wheel (wheel-click), so you loose nothing while gaining extra functionality. Whats not to like? :)

PS: I use a Logitech MX500, and its awesome. Two thumbs up (just beware of Logitech's drivers :P)

IMHO, yes, 3 button mice without wheels are dead.

Why? Wheels are just too handy for browsing the web to not have one. And since quite a few million people tend to use teh interweb on a regular basis, wheels are quite popular. So it only makes sense that you'd find them on every product out there - consumers want, producers give. Hell, i've got a scroll wheel on my keyboard! (Logitech Elite)

For most people, theres just no good reason NOT to have a wheel on their mouse. The third (middle) button function is built right into the wheel (wheel-click), so you loose nothing while gaining extra functionality. Whats not to like? :)

PS: I use a Logitech MX500, and its awesome. Two thumbs up (just beware of Logitech's drivers :P)

if you want a good mouse for gaming.. check out Logitech mx700 you can't beat logitech for mice. and they will soon have that mouse in bluetooth w/ a sweet keyboard combo. Logitech(R) diNovo(TM) Media Desktop(TM)

if you want a good mouse for gaming.. check out Logitech mx700 you can't beat logitech for mice. and they will soon have that mouse in bluetooth w/ a sweet keyboard combo. Logitech(R) diNovo(TM) Media Desktop(TM)

Yeah, Expose is money. I bought a new mouse for it. A Logitech MX 500. I used to be content with a three button mouse, but I wanted the extra...what...five...buttons this thing has got so I could map some of them to Expose commands. Now I just hit the thumb button, and I get the "view all windows" expose command. Awesome.

However, I also must say that I still have no idea why Apple is sticking with the "one button mouse" thing. I mean, no scroll-wheel even. Is there anyone on the planet who doesn't immediately throw away the one-button mouse that comes with their new Mac?

4-inch range?
More like four meters. Of course, for uber-sensitive military-grade antenna this is not a limit.

directional aerial?
Nope.

encryption? (yeah right!) Is there anything to stop your keyboard becoming a transmitting keylogger for anyone in the neighbourhood to receive?
Yes, there is encription. I don't know how secure it is or what algorithm is used, but there is a secure mode. You are shown a 16-digit code on the screen, you type it on the keyboard, press OK and it uses this key to encrypt all transmissions. I don't know if snooping on the keyboard while the key is transmitted compromises security, if Logitech engineers have done their job, it doesn't (public key encription can be used).

After a bit of searching, I found a link to a description of Logitech security technologies for cordless devices. Logitech claims it is the only company making cordless keyboards secure from even professional eavesdropping equipment.

So may be you can use these babies in your company. So far I am satisfied with my cordless setup. I bought the cheapest combo (@~$60) and I am not completely comfortable with the keyboard (I liked old-school keyboards more and have used them for years) and the mouse is not as accurate as I would like it to be (a wired Logitech mouse I used before was better), but these are minor annoyances and are more than compensated with additional mobility and lack of wires. And another model might have solved these problems all together.

LogiTech brought a out a cool geek toy, the diNovo. Blootooth keyboard and optical mouse, brusehd aluminium and the keypad can ba seperated from the keyboard and used as TV remote controll.

If anyone does feel the need to bitch about lack of buttons in a Bluetooth mouse, they can consult the evil empire who is currently manufacturing one. Five buttons and a wheel. You can get it in a mouse or mouse / keyboard combo.

Additionally Logitech is onboard if you don't want to go the way of Apple or Microsoft. Their mouse has more buttons (:

If anyone does feel the need to bitch about lack of buttons in a Bluetooth mouse, they can consult the evil empire who is currently manufacturing one. Five buttons and a wheel. You can get it in a mouse or mouse / keyboard combo.

Additionally Logitech is onboard if you don't want to go the way of Apple or Microsoft. Their mouse has more buttons (:

I have to disagree with you there. OEM-supplied components *are* quite flimsy, since they compete on essentially nothing but price (well, perhaps extra volume buttons on the keyboard might be a selling point).

There are a number of manufacturers that produce more highly-price, nicer input devices. Among them, Logitech,
which sells a whole line of wireless keyboards, PCKeyboard, which has among its offerings modern versions of old-IBM-Model-M style buckling-spring mechanism keyboards (CLICK CLICK CLICK...), Fingerworks' unusual offerings, the expensive-but-ultimate-RSI-avoidance Kinesis keyboards, and Goldtouch's ergo products.

This is why I love my Logitech MX700, which came with NiMH batteries and a charging cradle.

The Cordless Elite Duo (Cordless Elite Keyboard and MX700, both are very good products) runs $99.50 on the Logitech site. Cordless Elite Duo Product Link

Other than the fact that the cordless Mac keyboard is Bluetooth, why would it be so much higher? I can think of nothing.

I do. I live in a college dorm room the size of a walk-in closet. My 20" computer monitor already dominates my desk; I don't have room anywhere else to put a television. The monitor is large enough to be watched from my bed across the room when tuning cable. Accessories like wireless keyboards and remote controls makes this feasible.

I agree (mostly) ... but, instead of the Cordless Optical mouse, I use the Cordless Trackman Wheel. I've used the Cordless Trackman ever since it first came out, back in 1997 (IIRC). I find that the thumb trackball is a lot more precise even than the Wacom tablet w/pen that I have, possibly because years of caffeine ingestion have made the muscles in my forearm twitch like a disembodied lizard's tail.

The best thing is its weird apperance, it always draws comments from people. It is quite small though, so some people don't like to use it.

Movement is ver precise, even when they are very dirty it is easy to move the pointer where you want it on the screen. It uses a laser to track the movement of dots on the surface of the ball instead of any physical motion device. I bought my first one for $99 about 5 years ago and it is still going strong. The only problem I have is that they are hard to find in stock. But the logitech store currently has them for $29.

Movement is ver precise, even when they are very dirty it is easy to move the pointer where you want it on the screen. It uses a laser to track the movement of dots on the surface of the ball instead of any physical motion device. I bought my first one for $99 about 5 years ago and it is still going strong. The only problem I have is that they are hard to find in stock. But the logitech store currently has them for $29.

Ah yes, I too have the fond memories of old Apple mice, although my first was on an Apple IIE it did also come with "mousepaint" which -- looking back -- couldn't have been much fun on my 13" television screen and Epson MX-80 dot matrix printer.

As for right now, both at work and at home, I use the Logitech Cordless Optical Trackman . It has neat "forward" and "back" buttons for web browsing that even work fine in Linux. But of course I've always been a bit of a trackball fan. Several case studies claim that trackballs may be slightly more ergonomic because of "hand fit" issues and "reduced arm movement." I wonder what everyone else thinks about the whole trackball vs. conventional issue?

world's oldest currently operating college webcam

My favorite is actually a trackball. No un-necessary wrist movement avoids carpal-tunnel nicely. My preference is the Logitech TrackMan Marble Wheel, which has a scroll button as a third button. It's sort of the older version of this. Mine is a bit 'wider' left to right, and is white rather than silver/gray.

My favorite mouse is also my current mouse, a Logitech Optical Wheel mouse

Any real geek could have a Dual Optical Mouse. Also available at Thinkgeek. That is definately my favorite mouse.

" All keyboard makers have products with silly add-on buttons for media, internet, etc but I've never noticed one needing to press a button to use an Fxx-key."

I've got one too. It's a pain in the ass IMO. The function keys have other functions assigned to them (like skip to next track) so if I actually want to use the function keys as function keys, I have to hit the F-Lock button first.
I guess someone at Logitech decided the average user has little need for a Function key compared to the other special functions they provide and I suppose they're probably right.

bring one with you!

get this bad boy, and tote it along.

since it's a playstation accessory, it's far easier to get internationally, but it's usb, so compatibility is guaranteed.

I hope somebody invents a better mouse (or whatever it might be called) ;).

You mean something like this?

I hear chord keyboards are nice too.

Wouldn't it just be easier to use a trackball?

I mean, with this new mouse you still have to move the thing around in order to move the pointer. You get full X and Y axis movement using a trackball now and it remains in the same place on your desk. You don't even need to clear your collection of empty RedBull cans in order to use it.

Plus, its easlier to play FPS using a trackball.

The usefulness of searchable notes really depends on the class. If you're inputting code, then it makes sense to use a computer. Though if it's a spoken lecture, I think that the process of note-taking, which involves attentive listening and interpretation, is more important than the note itself. They're good for review, but the majority of the advantage that note-taking creates should come more from the creation of the note than from that later review.

This makes sense, since a properly taken note will not be a word-for-word copy, but an interpretation of the lecture in such a way that it is both meaningful to you and ties in your existing knowledge. A full-fledged PC would most likely be distractive since you have to deal with formatting and everything. A tablet designed specifically for note-taking would have the advantages of both methods, though there are other solutions that seem more elegant, at least for now. Until tablets become more compact and ubiquitous, I think that I'll stick to my pen and paper note-taking.