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http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=3,CONTENTID=9508

... I had to buy the new laser / keyboard combo because I didn't want two RF adapters on my desk. Can't logitech figure out a better way to deal with this?

They did. It's called Bluetooth. Seriously. Bluetooth the best standardized way to replace wires attached to periferals and Logitech does have a bluetooth mouse and keyboard that are pretty good. You shouldn't have to switch RF adapters again for some time to come.

Problems? There were some configuration problems earlier with Bluetooth due to device manufacturers that did a poor job following the standard. Nokia was particularly bad about this. That has largely (if not completely) been resolved and the most recent versions of WinXP and OS/X have solid support and there is some support in linux too. I'm using bluetooth with my Thinkpad laptop between my cell phone, PDA and mouse and it works great. Nokia used to have a non-standard implementation on my phone (6310i) and I had to get a firmware upgrade for my phone (free under warranty) to make it work. The other devices required no configuration.

... I had to buy the new laser / keyboard combo because I didn't want two RF adapters on my desk. Can't logitech figure out a better way to deal with this?

They did. It's called Bluetooth. Seriously. Bluetooth the best standardized way to replace wires attached to periferals and Logitech does have a bluetooth mouse and keyboard that are pretty good. You shouldn't have to switch RF adapters again for some time to come.

Problems? There were some configuration problems earlier with Bluetooth due to device manufacturers that did a poor job following the standard. Nokia was particularly bad about this. That has largely (if not completely) been resolved and the most recent versions of WinXP and OS/X have solid support and there is some support in linux too. I'm using bluetooth with my Thinkpad laptop between my cell phone, PDA and mouse and it works great. Nokia used to have a non-standard implementation on my phone (6310i) and I had to get a firmware upgrade for my phone (free under warranty) to make it work. The other devices required no configuration.

I designed a very low-cost and effective solution that I teach in several times a week.

1. Put up a whiteboard at one end of the conference room. This will double as your screen for the LCD projector. There will be some glare, but I like being able to write on top of what's being projected. A pull-down screen mounted on the wall above the whiteboard is an option if the glare is a problem.
2. Make sure the projector is at least 1800 ANSI Lumens (the more, the better) and that it comes with a good wireless mouse. Any decent projector comes with a remote control that doubles as a wireless mouse by connecting the projector to a computer's USB port. I like Philips' projector models because they come with trackballs on the wireless remote/mouse pointer, which are far superior to joystick-type pointers that most remotes come with.
3. Get two or more free AIM accounts. One for your conference room and the rest for people at the other end (to save them the bother of having to sign up at meeting time). Install the AIM software at each remote location, or (even better) use Macs with iChat AV (AIM compatible).
   • Go here to register for the AIM accounts.
   • Go here to download the AIM software or just use iChat AV if you have Mac OS X 10.4 or later (recommended).
4. Get a couple of webcams with omnidirectional microphones (Logitech makes decent stuff). If the webcam and/or computer mic sound is crap (it probably will be unsuitable for a conference room), then buy a separate, PA-quality mics and plug them into the sound cards.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/partners/details /CL/EN,CRID=1389,parentCRID=925,SCRID=960,contenti d=7440,detail=2

Small, but with a nice heft for its size. It doesn't have too easy a click (like those awful Dell and Apple mice), it has a nice solid construction, it is optical so my fingernails stay clean, and it has a cord so no computer-side dongle to lose.

And swanky, but not too bright, colors.

Of course they discontinued it. Which means you can get them for less! I got one for my wife so she'd stop 'borrowing' mine.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/downloads/softwa re/CA/EN,CRID=1792,contentid=5276,OSID=12

I'm still in love with the Marble Mouse trackball from Logitech. I've been using it about 5 years I guess. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2150,CONTENTID=5003 $19.95

I can't stand the trackballs that make you use your thumb to point at things, that isn't how you're fingers are supposed to work! :P.

It also seems pretty well suited for gaming, I do pretty well on UT2004. For some reason, when I game with it, I use inverted mouse and use right-click for forward (middle click secondary fire) compared to normal key setup I use with a regular mouse.

Logitech has a couple-- On this page

Check the Marble Mouse and the Cordless Optical-- they look to be about what you're looking for.

I think the Logitech MX900 Bluetooth Optical Mouse is the best, but it's also the most expensive at $150 Canadian.

I love Logitech mice and keyboards, they made damn good peripherals.

I've been using a Logitech Elite Keyboard (Elite keyboard! hehe) for over 2 years now and it's by far my favourite keyboard ever.

As for mouse, I use a Logitech® MX(TM)518 Gaming-Grade(TM) Optical Mouse, since i'm a first-person shooter addict.

A few years ago, I bought one of the first cordless Logitech mice, but I grew tired of replacing the batteries every few weeks. I had to buy a battery recharger just to deal with it, ugh what a money sink. Since then, I've stuck to good old corded optical mice.

I love Logitech mice and keyboards, they made damn good peripherals.

I've been using a Logitech Elite Keyboard (Elite keyboard! hehe) for over 2 years now and it's by far my favourite keyboard ever.

As for mouse, I use a Logitech® MX(TM)518 Gaming-Grade(TM) Optical Mouse, since i'm a first-person shooter addict.

A few years ago, I bought one of the first cordless Logitech mice, but I grew tired of replacing the batteries every few weeks. I had to buy a battery recharger just to deal with it, ugh what a money sink. Since then, I've stuck to good old corded optical mice.

I always use the Logitech Trackman. I even purchased one for work. Since I am on a PC all day, these have saved my wrists. My wrist used to get sore for days when I was using a normal mouse full time. Since I switched to the trackman, I haven't had any soreness since.

The Trackman fits your hand like a glove, and your thumb sits right on the ball and is super easy to use. My only gripe is that I wish it had another button or 2. That would make it much nicer for gaming. I use this for WoW, and it is good enough, but for an FPS game it's not perfect.

Or, you could try Logitech's Digital Writing System here:

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/feature s/digitalwriting/US/EN,crid=1545

I don't have one, but a co-worker of mine does and he uses it all the time.

I just bought a few optical/usb mini mice from ebuyer (2 quid each) to make myself a 3DOF trackball. I am using a marble mouse shell and was hoping I could put in the mice guts inside... that's going to take a bit of thinking, eventhough the mice are "mini", the optical bits inside are quite big. Good news is that the mice have no problem detecting the black dots on the ball.

I first tried the trackball as a 2DOF device and I can see it working quite well with 3DOF (when I'm done with the glue gun ;). The way you manipulate the ball in a trackball is quite different from a space ball: you keep rotating the ball until you're done. From what I gather, the spaceball acts more like a joystick (push - wait - stop pushing).
This is for a medical application, so I don't care much for the 3 translations, just the 3 rotations (and as I say, I did get away with 2).

With 3 rotations though, you can do something quite cool.
Glue a little disk on the ball for your index finger to rest on and you get something in between a joy and knob: the index finger gently controls the axis of rotation while your other fingers do the rotation around the locked axis. If this were a professional bit of kit, you could have a ball with a few evenly spaced dips and your finger would rest in one of the dip (you would then reset the rotation axis with the main mouse).

Well, you're pretty lucky because logitech says the controller you have lasts 50 hours with 2 AA batteries. That's pretty good, but the info I've read about the PS3 controller mentionned inductive recharging, meaning you could play from 6AM to 11PM, put your controller on a pad without plugging anything in, wake up the next morning, pick it up for another 17 hours, every day of the week, for months. 50 hours seems about right for 2 AA batteries on your controller, my i-river 790 lasts about 40 hours on a AA battery.

Worst case scenario if you gotta play for 40 hours in a row, you'd probably plug in your controller to charge it via USB for hour 24 to 28 and then unplug it. Like I said, I'm unclear about how these will recharge.

I think it looks like a derranged wingman. Although, some of the are strikingly similar.

I'm also disappointed that they used the "Spiderman" font for the system's logo, really.

I haven't used the Bluetooth versions but I know the RF mice drive me nuts trying to aim in 3D shooters.

According to one thread though, it seems that the Logitech Desktop MX doesn't have this problem.

I hate cheap keyboars. My current keyboard I've had for over 2 years.

Logitech Elite Keyboard

It's probably one of the best keyboards i've used, but for $60 CAD, I wouldn't call it a disposable item.

I love the Media Controls (back, forward, volume, play, pause, mute) at the top-center of the keyboard, works with every audio/video playing software i've tried.

Well, I'm going to pretend you weren't rude and give you a legitimate answers. Take a look at this page. You see that wheel looking thing between the left and right mouse button? That's called a scroll wheel. I, and my others, have found that with FF 1.0, and it's subsequent releases, that that wheel does not work for the OS X version of said software. Now, if we look in Bugzilla for this bug we find it's there! I'm not pulling things out of my ass! Here, and here.

Lesson of the day Mr. Coward: Next time before you're rude because you think someone doesn't know what they're talking about, why don't you ask them to clarify themselves first?

You mean something like this: Iwill ZPC 64 (Athlon 64, Nforce 3, Firewire, 6ch sound...), or maybe this: Iwill ZMAXdp -- Dual Opteron workstation in SFF case?

Rough calculation shows that first one would cost about $750 (3.0Ghz CPU, 512MB DDR, 80GB 2.5" HDD, slim 8x DVD+-RW DL). Add 30-40$ for Bluetooth or WLAN dongle or MiniPCI card if you really need it... (or buy Logitech DiNovo Media Desktop and you'll get one for "free" ;))

I'm not talking about the general look of a generic mouse that looks like a bar of soap here. The basic MS mouse looks like every other basic mouse but not all mice look the same. Certainly the Logitech MX 1000 does not look the same as the Intellimose Explorer. The MS Intellimouse Pro was supposed to be an ergonomic mouse. Coincidently it had almost the same contours and curves as the Goldtouch design.

Nothing beats playing my favorite EA games over my SBC Yahoo! DSL connection using my D-Link DGL-4300 Wireless 108G Gaming Router with a cool, refreshing Pepsi in one hand, my Logitech mouse in the other, wearing my Nike clothes and blasting a ClearChannel affiliate, my source for great new hits from 50 Cent and A Simple Plan.

Whoops, I meant to post that as an article.

are you using the WASD keys or the arrow keys?
make sure to use WASD, it improves comfortability, but you're right, it still doesn't match the comfort of console-style controller.

also, I believe that logitech makes some controllers for the PC.
yup, they sure do.

Now where is the Linux driver for the QuickCam Pro USB (dark focus ring), so that I can actually, you know, use Mimic?

Also, games like Locomotion and Worms are far easier to play on a crisp screen with mouse control than they would be on a handheld controller.

That's a good point - I've made that argument myself. I understand the next generation of consoles will have 720p HD output.

So give me a game console I can plug into my DVI monitor, and that I can control with a keyboard and mouse, and I'll be good to go.

Looks like it's getting there.

I have to agree with you on that one. XboX controllers pretty much suck the big one. Every time I pick it up I feel like I'm holding a fisher price remote control for a 5 dollar toy.

I typically don't play XboX but when I do I try to use the Logitech controllers for it.

I'm pretty sure that's what they use on the Big Brother TV series to film people in the bedroom after the lights have gone out. It was possible to identify people because they were using professional cameras and I was familiar with the people already. With a webcam (especially my one), you might not get enough detail to identify someone you didn't know previously.

I know one of the shots is of it sitting in its charger, and maybe its the grass, but that particular collection of images doesn't clarify too quickly what that thing looks like :-)

Personally, i like v500. Phasers on stun, and all of that, i suppose. I've been thinking about picking up a wireless. I notice that they gush about its 30 ft. range. Can anybody give me any insight into whether this could be controlled (minimized) or not in linux/os X? 30 ft. seems a tad more than i think i'll need (cue Gates RAM joke). It might save a bit on batteries as well, i suppose.

2 years from now, it'll probably be quite normal to ask someone to please turn down their mouse (/horse).

Eight years ago, I used an old two-button ps2 ball-mouse. Then my father got a new computer, and there was a new sheriff in town - a logitech trackman. Comfortable, smooth, and THREE BUTTONS!!!! Wow! when I got my own computer in 2001, I bought the next version - a Logitech trackman wheel. It's even availible in a cordless version! What I like best about this mouse is when I'm at a packed lan party, I don't need any space to move my hand!

Eight years ago, I used an old two-button ps2 ball-mouse. Then my father got a new computer, and there was a new sheriff in town - a logitech trackman. Comfortable, smooth, and THREE BUTTONS!!!! Wow! when I got my own computer in 2001, I bought the next version - a Logitech trackman wheel. It's even availible in a cordless version! What I like best about this mouse is when I'm at a packed lan party, I don't need any space to move my hand!

Top secret Logitech space equipment?

You mean like some sort of zero-gravity USB mouse based on alien tech from Area 51? Or a special force-feedback joystick for operating orbital mind-control lasers?

I can (and do) grip my logitech MX1000 in a way that looks like what they're trying to accomplish... Fingers bent a bit, hand relaxed over the top arch. Its buttons extend quite far along the body of the mouse, it's very comfortable.

Runs on 2 AA batteries, and I can attest to the 50+ hours of life that they mention on the site. Plus with rechargeables (say, a couple pairs), you're in good shape, and the "power pack" is non-proprietary and user-serviceable.

Logitech currently makes a controller for XBox that they claim gets 50+ hours on 2 AA batteries WITH vibration. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2311,CONTENTID=8182

I have the previous version which used 4 AA batteries. I use it to play while I'm on my exercise bike, since the cable on the regular controller would get caught in various moving parts of the bike.

that would be cool to be able to plug your controller into the wall while you are playing it...that way you are only bound by your outlets, and most people have one near their couch ;) I hope they put a battery life indicator on it like this one...

Or the laptop QuickCam.

They are extremely good in low-light.

I bought a Logitech QuickCam Zoom, which has worked perfectly with the Philips chipset driver available here. Unfortunately, due to political differences between the Kernel developers and the developer of this module (who provided a source provided low-quality driver, and a binary only higher-quality driver), the module is no longer actively maintained. :-( This was already covered here on Slashdot.

Has anyone used one of these Logitech MX1000 Laser Cordless Mice? http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2135,CONTENTID=9043 I'm thinking about one of these when my current RatShack mouse dies. But 5 years later it's not giving up...

Bah, just do what other "professionals" do -- supply your own tools! I've got a Unicomp keyboard and a trackball that I take with me whenever I get a new gig. Keep the keyboard in your lap and all will be well. Now if I could only find a decent chair...

Exactly. Because *no one* makes steering wheel/pedal controls for consoles.

Ah well, the consensus i seem to read from other people indicates otherwise.

I'm not even saying my idea is better than the ipod, but i bet you its better than anything other than the ipod. Just talking about the hardware part.

I mean something like the wheel at http://www.logitech.com/lang/images/0/750.gif in the top center. Except maybe flush.

Basically you gotta have a wheel/knob to turn wihtout lifting your finger.

Okay, I have been looking around for a good keyboard/mouse combo to allow me to use a Mac mini as a Media Center computer for PVR/iTunes.

I am wanting something inexpensive, preferably rugged incase it is dropped. Must be wireless, preferably bluetooth, and perferably a single unit.

I want to be able to sit on the sofa with a keyboard in my lap and use OS X for launching/navigating iLife applications. I am not trying to have a workstation for cutting iMovies, just want to be able to manage an iTunes playlist or import some digital photos. Nothing too fancy.

Please offer your advice/experience/opinions!

Thus far, I have found the following:
Wireless Mobile Keyboard - Developed by Motion Computing and offered at $150, this bluetooth all-in-one keyboard/mouse is meant for TablePC users, but looks like the best offering I have found thus far for my purposes.

Media Center Remote & Keyboard - a $180 offering by Gyration is not Bluetooth but includes an interesting pointing device that looks like a large remote control and uses a gyroscope to point the mouse on the TV. This offing is specifically for media centers.

diNovo Cordless Desktop - This $250 Logitech 'system' does not have an integrated mouse but apparently the detached calculator pad functions as a remote control and has an LED screen. I believe much of the functionality may be Windows Media Center/XP only.

Get this, it rocks. It's a wireless keyboard and mouse that has both mac and PC keys so you can KVM across both platforms with no problems. I've had one for about 2 weeks and am doing this with no hassles. http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details /US/EN,CRID=2162,CONTENTID=6831

They can make it. This is nothing more than a Logitech io Pen that has a new case, speaker, and software.

really??

then what is this?

the lumpster is right, it looks like the 1st gen of the io pen... and yes, it did suck.

This Leap frog gizmo is essentially the same as THIS device from Logitech.

Does anyone else think it was inspired by Logitech's product?

I personally wouldn't have needed that as a child. I went to a Catholic school when I was learning to write. The feedback I got was from a nun with a yardstick. No talking pen needed.

Yard sticks is mightier than the sword

Already done.

Logitech beat them to the punch it seems; 'special paper' & all. Hell, maybe Logitech's liscensing this to Leapfrog.

Mid Jan, my parents wanted to buy me something nice for my PC, since I am here so often, I really wanted the "Logitech diNovo"
http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/product list/NL/EN,crid=2155

but would feel guilty forever....so I found a place that sells their normal bluetooth desktop, but those diNovo's look pretty stylish, what you need is a matching flat screen and there you go.