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"The 18 programmable "G Keys" allow you to execute macros--like casting spells in World of Warcraft--with a single button press, and the backlit keys are great for lights-out play. The G15 also features a switch that turns off the 'Windows' key, so hitting that button accidentally won't end your game."

The Logitech G15 keyboard is great. Besides it having a cool and hackable LCD monitor on the top of the keyboard, or backlit keys, it has programmable "G" keys.

If you admin a public gaming server, you'll find the programmable keys very helpful. You can easily execute RCON functions with the pressing of a key. I've got my favorite maps and gametypes mapped to G keys (as well as the boot player X screen). :)

G15 modding for extra LCD apps:
http://www.g15forums.com/
http://www.g15mods.com/

G15 on Logitech.com:
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2288,CONTENTID=10717

your TOS does not say anything about using such keyboards. Even manufacturers say that their keyboards are usable for World of Warcraft; see the Logitech page for their G15 keyboard for example ( http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2166,CONTENTID=10717 ). However, I have not even gotten an explanation for why I have been banned. All it says is "Witnessed and confirmed use of third party software".

This is a joke, right? Mod funny? Because there are no end to iPod speaker accessories. None.

Just get one of these keyboards: Logitech G15
And create a macro that repeats that keeps your toon from going AFK. Then login as soon as you get home, head to instance gateway and activaet the macro. You will be ready for when you are done dinner/etc.

Not exactly but similar, but black and whiteish and not keys but a display -

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2166,CONTENTID=10717

using:

http://www.g15mods.com/downloads.html

http://www.lcdstudio.com/site20/download.php?PHPSE SSID=2857dcccf90732fe2a0b6241b7b1e1c7

http://g15forums.com/

Of course, I splashed out on a Logitech MX1000 Laser, which has, IIRC, near infrared laser, rather than LED. And it works... surfaces which just through my optical into a fit are no problem... i've even used it on a mirror.

I would add a decent remote control, like the Logitech Harmony 890 for about $400 (that's right!), merely 10% of the total cost. ;-)

Recently started using the Nostromo 52 here and I haven't noticed any difference with or without the driver loaded (the machine has 1GiB of RAM though which might make a difference).

I just got it last week but having the keys lined up is indeed more comfortable than the standard "diagonal" keyboard layout. I did have to grab an updated driver because the one that came in the box wouldn't repeat the keypresses (not good in a FPS).
Creating the profiles then takes quite a bit of time. Luckily Battlefield 2 (which is what I currently play) allows Alt-Tabbing to the desktop which makes things a bit less tedious. I still haven't things setup quite right but it already feels better than my plain keyboard (Logitech UltraX)

In Linux, the Nostromo aparently just duplicates whatever keymap is currently loaded (OTOH, it might well be doing the same thing in Windows, I didn't really investigate). I haven't really found a use for it there anyway, unless I manage to create Blender bindings maybe... ;)

I was looking for the same thing you were, except also cheap. I found http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2282,CONTENTID=6636 this Logitech NetPlay Gkeyboard at a Gamerz store, and finally bought one when I saw it at a Best Buy for 19.95. It recognizes as a standard USB HID keyboard, feels like a laptop KB, and has an 8 foot cord. Most of the keys are normal sized, except for the top 2 rows (number keys and Function keys). Also, not being a "windows" keyboard, there is no "menu" button between the right hand Alt & Ctrl. The most important feature for me is a native Delete key, for getting into BIOSs.

I remember seeing these things about 8-10 years ago in high street stores (I bet there are some old dupes for this one... ;-)

In other news, the Logitech G15 Gaming Keyboard (with backlit keys, macro buttons and a programmable backlit LCD display) finally started shipping today (after being hyped last year) - an update on the Optimus is due out on the 1st of February too.

So you want a programmable keyboard for gaming? One that's ergonomically shaped for your left hand? One that works on PCs and Macs via USB? One that also comes with a mouse-wheel-like device that's also programmable? And has a d-pad positioned correctly (under your thumb), which is itself also programmable?

And costs around $30? And lets you keep your existing keyboard for, you know, typing text?

Then you want a Nostromo N52 from Belkin. Pure gaming heaven.

Between it and my Logitech MX510 mouse, a Mouse Bungee, and LogiGamer, I'm in gaming heaven, and I get to keep my 15-year old IBM Model M keyboard and 15-year old Apple Extended I keyboard for thumping out articles.

My Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro was 5 years old and was quite dirty, so I decided to replace it. I have been gaming for a long time, so I was trying to decide between the Zboard and the Logitech G15. I decided to go with the Zboard because I thought the idea of a customized keyboard for a particular game was a good idea. I picked up the Zboard, plus a Doom3 Keyset and a Battlefield 2 Keyset.

After setting up the software, I tried playing games with it. After about two weeks of using the keyboard exclusively for gaming, I realized that I'm too used to the way WASD is layed out on a typical keyboard. In the end, I'm spending more time making sure I'm hitting the correct key, rather than the one I've been used to for all these years.

I think the Zboard is great for people who are new to computer gaming, maybe console users coming over who are used to joypads. Give them a Zboard so they have easily identifiable keys to use and get used to the idea of a keyboard/mouse combo. However, if you've been PC gaming for a long period of time, you're better off skipping this one and going for a G15. The integrated LCD is beginning to get useful plug ins which can be found at either G15 Forums or G15 Mods.

I had the same problem, i wanted the narrower keyboard so it would leave more room for making those deft mouse moves in Quake. I was looking for a good one for a long time but found it totally by accident. I was at Circuit City looking for something else entirely, when I happened to stroll through the console games area. There it was on the shelf, a tiny keyboard made by logitech for the Playstation 2. It has a standard usb cable and works perfectly on my pc. It even has the WIN key, which has a picture of the Logitech logo instead of the windows emblem, but it works the same in Windows. Here's the website: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /CA/EN,CRID=2282,CONTENTID=6636 or do a google search on "logitech playstation keyboard". It's the first search result. The website or the box doesn't say anything about it working with a pc, but I can assure you it works 100% like any other keyboard on a pc. I've been using mine for about a year without a single problem. Plus it's cheap, ~$20, a lot cheaper than most of the previous suggestions. See: http://www.dealtime.com/xPC-Logitech_LOGITECH_9671 99_0100_USB_KEYBOARD_FOR_PS2 Give it a try, it's a real gem.

I've bought this one 2 months ago, for exactly the same reason.I like it a lot although it could have been better if it had been in the natural design. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /NL/EN,CRID=2158,CONTENTID=10777

If this other article I found can be believed, the mouse is going to go for $49.

Why that much? It does nothing new, it's not even a laser, and frankly, it just looks plain ugly. I can pick up a Logitech G5 for the same price now, and it has all the features of this Fatal1ty mouse, plus it's a laser. I own a G5 and it's accurate on any surface, and it's a noticeable improvement from my now deceased optical mouse.

Really, I'm mystified. How do they hope to justify that price tag?

Logitech already sells a mouse with all these things, plus it's got a frickin laser on it's forehead.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2464,CONTENTID=10715

Yeah, the Logitech G5.
More Logitech G-series schwag.

Yeah, the Logitech G5.
More Logitech G-series schwag.

The Logitech G5, for one, comes with a set of weights that you can add to your mouse to suit your needs.

I think he means iFeel mouse

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details harmony/US/EN,CRID=2084,CONTENTID=8747

God's gift to mouse users.

It is a shame that the mouse hit the tipping point and took over.

I used a mouse since the first Macintosh. Earlier this year my right shoulder started to have some serious problems... pain that wouldn't go away for months. I switched to the trackman.

Pain gone. I now find mice a bit clumsy. I mean, I have to move my whole arm?? Crazy.

The Logitech QuickCam Chat works on Linux, and works great with aMSN.

Here's the QuickCam Chat

And, the kernel module (2.4/2.6) for it: http://mxhaard.free.fr/download.html

Make sure you recompile ('make menuconfig') the kernel for Video On Linux support.

After you compile the kernel module for your box, just modprobe it in before you start the webcam feature on aMSN.

I'm sure the way this would work would be through two things: a mouse with a buttload of buttons, or a redesigned interface (or both!)

I know Logitech has some gaming mice with quite a few clickies to choose from -- for example,
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2150,CONTENTID=5006

I've never actually played the game, so I don't know what the UI is like, but perhaps the designers might tweak the interface a bit to allow even functionality for a disabilities. ::shrugs:: It's just a suggestion=)

The Logitech DiNovo is the right size and has an excellent feel, but it's wireless. Perhaps you can hold out for the Optimus?

That's not one of the mobile specific mice. Like these: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/product list/US/EN,crid=2140,categoryid=415

Under my grubby paw sits a 2 or 3 year old Logitech optical scroll mouse for notebooks. It was the only one I could find with a power switch at that time but now almost all of their notebook mice have a similar feature. Some have a storage compartment for the USB dongle which cuts the power when stowed.

Personally, I love the Logitech Cordless Trackman Wheel mouse http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/de tails&contentid=5001&crid=6&detail=2&countryid=19& languageid=1 I had some discomfort using a standard mouse and love the trackball mechanism. Very comfortable.

They're not bluetooth, but Logitech has two wireless trackball mice: [1] [2]

They're not bluetooth, but Logitech has two wireless trackball mice: [1] [2]

Yup. I bought two of them back when they were in production, one for work and one for home. I wish I'd bought three or four. Be sure to add your post to the Logitech Forums asking them to bring it back.

It's completely beyond me why anyone with the option not too should continue to use a mouse in the first place. Trackerballs are far superior as there's no arm movement involved and with most designs the left click is done using the thumb, which has stronger muscles than the index finger. Plus trackerballs are more flexible than mice for FPS's :-)

I try to mix designs between computers on my desktop. Both the Logitech and Microsoft trackerballs are nice. I like the Logitech Marble Mouse (http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/detail s/GB/EN,CRID=2150,CONTENTID=5145) but it doesn't have a scroll wheel, which can be an issue in some cases. Unlike some trackerballs it's quite small, and I find it's quite feasible to carry one around for my laptop.

For anyone whose having twinges or RSI and is still using a mouse I'd highly recommend trying a trackerball for a few days. They can take a few hours to get used to, but stick with it. I never get any problems at my own computers even after multiple days of 12+ hour sessions, but if I'm forced to use a mouse for an 8 hour day on a clients computer then my joints really know about it afterwards.

Finally, just about ANY mouse is going to require this software to make use of the fourth and fifth buttons, because mouse makers don't make their own Mac drivers.

Well, it's true that some mouse makers don't make their own Mac drivers, but the big ones do: Microsoft, Logitech, Kensington.

That said, you're right that these "drivers" are pretty much unnecessary. Any USB mouse will work fine on a Mac; the only real issue is that in Mac OS X, buttons 4 and higher can only be used for Exposé and Dashboard commands. These drivers (or something like USB Overdrive) let you assign other commands to those buttons.

I've tried technology similar to the Nintendo Revolution controller, and while I have to say that the usability of the device was surprisingly good, it still seemed too imprecise and laggy to use in an actual game.

Perhaps Nintendo can refine it further, but this is a $200 device I was testing out. I'll wait for preliminary reviews before making a purchase.

Enterprise class means it's designed to be deployed across an entire enterprise/organization with centralized management, out of the box.

You're awfully generous to the vendors out there. Let's take a look:

Seagate sells "enterprise class" Cheetah hard drives. How one would deploy a hard drive across an entire organization with centralized management does not immediately jump to mind.

Intel makes "enterprise class" chipsets.

Logitech's V500 Cordless Notebook Mouse is apparently a true enterprise-class wireless solution.

I just chose three companies at random and plonked in "site:companyname.com enterprise-class" into Google.

Parent poster was merely saying that, IF the Revolution fails and Nintendo is left without a "home console" system, that they should continue game development on the Xbox360 or PS3. The alternative would be to stop developing home console games at all, you see.

Could this ever happen? Sure. I've tried one of these babies, and while it was lightyears ahead of the Power Glove, I still couldn't imagine playing a game with it.

"Let's start off with the most obvious implementation: FPS. A genre that drives the PS2 and XBox (and dominates computers) will thrive on the Gamecube. Gone is the fiddling with the joystick. A quick flip of the controller, and you've completely turned around. Aiming is no longer tense; your hand eye coordination will allow you to better attack your enemies using a 3d mouse than with a regular controller (think about how many people are about FPS on the computer.)"

Yep, that's why you get owned in FPS by people using a presentation remote control instead of a mouse. Oh, wait, except you don't.

Trust me, this is one use that's been tried to _death_ before. If there actually were some inherent advantage in it, we'd have known it already. (We've had no problem switching from keyboard to joystick, or then from joystick to mouse when it actually offered better tracking. These things just don't.)

If Nintendo wanted to do something that actually works in FPS, they could have just replaced the right stick on a normal controller with a trackball. That actually works.

"Want to control how tense your bow string is? Pull out the bow and arrow, go into first person mode, and extend your arm. Press a button to lock the start position, and pull back as far as you want."

Actually, I don't. I just want to point and click, and have the arrow go that-a-way. If I want it to go farther or closer, I'll vary the angle I shoot it at, thank you very much. So that's one gimmick I can live without quite easily.

"Don't like FPS? Let's ignore that and move to a love of the Nintendo community: Zelda. Want to see Link do more than just two directions with his sword? No problem, since you will be controlling his sword. When you swing your arm, Link swings his. When you jab, so does he."

Actually, if we're talking Zelda-type games, that's the least of my concerns. A story that's not for pre-schoolers would be right at the top, on the other hand.

Not meant as an offense or anything, but that's really why I'm playing my story-driven RPGs on the PS2, PC or XBox. Not because of the controller, but because of the "story-driven" part. Adding more kinds of ways to swing a sword is just about irrelevant there.

"And the accessories for the controller; you can be sure that these will be fairly inexpensive, meaning that companies can throw in their own little controller to add more depth to the game. How about hooking up the headphone set to talk to your buddies in online games to the controller instead of having to have an entire other attachment to the Revolution?"

Accessories always tended to be the part where you pay three times what it's worth. And if we're talking Nintendo, we're talking the company that made you pay extra to get a lightbulb for the original GBA's dark screen, or various other such gimmics. So, umm, I'll wait and see there. I wouldn't take it for granted.

"Now imagine that you hold the controller vertically. You're playing Star Fox. You move the controller, just like in a real jet fighter, and the plane moves with you."

Except in that case I'd rather use a good self-centering force-feedback joystick than wave a wand around. Because that's what you're really pretending to do there: pretending that a silly wand without all that is a substitute for the real thing.

The advantage of Nintendo's controller over that is...? I'm drawing blanks here.

" Your arm swing is its arm swing."

So it can get uncomfortable real fast?

"Your aim is its aim."

And a piss-poor one, compared to using a mouse with your fingers.

Monitor: Dell 2005 FPW 20.1" Widescreen LCD
Totally awesome. Run it at its native resolution, of course, and no blurriness. I don't even get ghosting in FPSs. The monitor is beautiful and rock solid.

Mouse: Logitech MX610
Awesome mouse.

Presumably cordless mice last around a month, and Logitech figures the average user would only have their PC on for 8 hours a day (*cough* *cough*), and so they'll now get 3 months of life out of the same charge.

On another note about other complaints about this mouse being feature ridden, it is important to realize that the features probably came about like such:

1. Logitech wanted to be able to save power by knowing the power status of the PC, so they implented two way communication

2. With 2 way radio in place, some geek figured it would be cool to wire(less) a couple lights on the mouse to be software controllable. (and of course, 3. Profit!)

In actual fact, it's not really a total waste of effort. There are two lights, one for email, one for Instant Messaging and you can (no doubt limited software support) have them light up when your friends' contact you. IE. You can select who would trigger the lights.

So... you're talking with someone with the screen off to be polite... and you discretely notice your email or IM light is on the mouse... having not drawn the attention of those in attendance by having your screen on or having all hear an email received noise, you can now discretely exit and transform into your superhero clothing. Identity still unknown.

Okay, so maybe the lights at aren't all that useful. But... who cares, maybe something more useful will come out of it, and besides, you know someone will buy the mouse solely for the lights. And... no, it's no reason to upgrade if you already have a laser mouse, as someone mentioned. Logitech never claimed otherwise. But if you had a choice between the two, why not get the one with the kitchen sink^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^H^Hlights.

PS: Product page http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2135,CONTENTID=10917&ad=hpb_mx610

Well, I ordered a DAS Keyboard from Thinkgeek a couple of weeks ago and thankfully the hoop jumping I was subjected to, to verify my billing address, gave me time to think, and discover, that Logitech G15's will be available shortly, and for the same price.

I know what i'd rather spend that sort of money on, and at the end of the day, it wasn't a Das Keyboard. ;)

But I agree, 3-5 buttons is plenty; beyond that you run out of fingers and forget what the buttons do.

what was wrong with bluetooth, use encryption too, problem solved!?

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/technol ogy/documents/US/EN,CRID=1762,parentCRID=810

About the other features, while the new buttons are ... discusable (even though they pave the way for more interresting features, it's probably the first cordless mouse featuring 2ways communication)... such thing as the buttons, computer' power check (to go in standby or off mode), laser tracker (instead of the classical optical one) and BT-like range from the 2.4GHz band (Logitech's FastRF range was around 2 meters) are what i'd consider "useful" features. If you have never tried that kind of things on a mouse, stick to the 2buttons + wheel and shut up.

Totally useless for anyone left handed? check

I'm annoyed at the bias as well. Being left-handed (and in the apparent minority of lefties who actually mouse with my left - most lefties I know have given up, mouse with their right and wonder why they suck at 1st person shooters), there are two input devices that I've found to be particularly friendly to lefties:

(1) The Logitech Marble Mouse (which is actually a trackball) is a symetrical design which works identically for left or right-handed use. I actually have four of these: two of the old 2-button design, two of the new 4-button design - 1 at work, 2 on my computers at home and 1 for my Apple notebook. They're about $20:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2150,CONTENTID=5003

It's the best pointing device I have ever used, in some ways a little basic. It's low on flash but extremely functional, easy to clean and I've had 100% reliability from mine in the six I've owned one. I'd still own mine even if I was right-handed. (Clue: I didn't bother with Logitech's software on Windows - it seemed excessive, but had to install it on my Mac to swap the buttons.)

(2) The Saitek Cyborg joystick line - I have a Cyborg 3D for flying aircraft in games like Battlefield 2. Their Cyborg models all screw apart (with the included tool) to be converted for left or right handed use. It's amazingly brilliant, I have 2 of them (1 at home, 1 at work). (And the Cyborg 3D has been replaced by the Cyborg EVO line - it's still a fairly similar design though and is about $30):

http://www.saitekusa.com/usa/prod/pcgc.asp

Again though, I avoided the software they include with it. Standard Windows XP drivers -> good to go.

I 3 good, cheap, southpaw friendly input devices...

One thing that I like is the auto-power off stuff. I have a wireless laptop mouse from Logitech, and the power switch on it is probably the best feature on it; batteries seem to last forever when compared with a regular wireless mouse.
I hope the auto-poweroff stuff is just as good -- then I don't have to remind everyone to turn my mouse off if they stop my pc.

Meh, is it as funky as their Remote Control? Just got one of these babies, and it is, and I quote my mother, the rocksaw (hehe, she tries, she tries).

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/news/GB/EN,conte ntid=10961,crid=34

Featuring this gem:
"This changes the very concept of a computer mouse, because it is no longer simply an input device"

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=3,CONTENTID=9043

You are correct. This is just like the Logitech IO pens here: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?page=products/fe atures/digitalwriting&crid=1545&countryid=19&langu ageid=1.

The Music application is really interesting. Have Anoto paper with the music bars, and then in writing on the paper, you can then sync and get a midi file. Also there is just something very tactilely pleasing about pen to paper. I use an IO for all my notes for work. I have a paper copy then and also an archive.

Many hospitals use the techology for forms as well. A Dr. or nurse fills out an Anoto enabled paper form with a pen, then when it is put in the cradle, the form is sent to whereever it needs to go.

Read about the Anoto technology, it is pretty interesting.

No it doesn't - it's optical too... now the MX1000, G5 and G7 are indeed laser mice...