Non-Apple Buttonless Mouse

MX pointed us to a story about a new buttonless mouse. It's visually quite unique, but they say it's not the ideal gaming device for you real-time-gaming folks. But hey, points for style. I've been using this optical cordless logitech (Blatant ThinkGeek linkage) on my desktop for awhile, although I'm not sure how well it'd work for gaming. When I play, I still use a MS Optical mouse. Whatever anyone thinks about their business practices and operating systems, they sure seem to always sell good mice.

Comments

Microsoft Hardware

[neema]

"Whatever anyone thinks about their business practices and operating systems, they sure seem to always sell good mice."

Difference being is this. Microsoft software is made, mostly, within Microsoft. Microsoft hardware is hardware someone else makes and they just slap on a label onto it.

Microsoft hardware is actually really good, and the support for it is amazing. My optical mouse was tweaking out for some reason, so I called them and they sent me another one by the next day. They didn't require me to send in my old one. It probably didn't cost them much anyway, but it was still a cool gesture.

Re:Microsoft Hardware

[grumbly]

Difference being is this. Microsoft software is made, mostly, within Microsoft. Microsoft hardware is hardware someone else makes and they just slap on a label onto it.

Ohhh.. SO close. You are almost correct in saying that someone else makes but what you really mean is that someone else manufactures it. MS does all its hardware design in house (mice, keyboards, joysticks, games pads...) and then subcontracts out the manufacturing.

MS Makes a superior Mouse & Ergonomics

[penguin_nipple]

Ever since I first saw them, I have oned a few MS Optical Mice. For some reason, MS Hardware is damn fine division. I had a faulty Intellimouse Optical, got a new one replaced, no charge. Had the smaller white one faulty, replaced, no charge. I now own 2 of the small, one of the large Grey ones...love my technical referrals? I also own the Logitech cordless optical mouse and cordless keyboard. First off , Optical is the way to go. Secondly, MS is good at hardware. Thirdly, Support is great for both W2K and Linux, no hassles anywhere. Except for programming those extra buttons for the logitech keyboard in Linux. Oh well, maybe someday I'll figure out the keycodes and write a little hack to make the buttons work.

I would like to try this no button mouse, when I am working (coding) I occassionally get serious serious hand pain (no jokes..lol).

It will last for days and is quite painful. All of us in tech jobs, spending long hours at computers should take a serious look at ergonomics. Also, your employer should pay for upgrading your chair, keyboard and mouse if you feel pain with your current setup. It's your health, your future, hell, go out and buy what you want and throw the bill at your boss if you're in pain (not literally throw it, figuratively). I would in fact suggest sitting down with your employer and going over ergonomics and how it can effect employee productivity.

Maybe some of these links would be helpful:

Design/Layout
Ergonomics - A Practical Guide
Carpal Tunnel Syndrome and Computer Related Repetitive Strain Injuries

I am gonna buy one, the tiny little muscles used in your hands to click the mice buttons place a huge strain on your arm over a period of time. It may not bother you now, but let's talk in 20 years....

Re:MS Makes a superior Mouse & Ergonomics

[IceFox]

Before you blast me, here me out. I had wrist problems and tried a number of different mice. I have a little collection of mice in storage now. You know what one did more (for my wrists that is) then any other one? A trackball. And when you think about it you can relize why. With a normal mouse you mover your wrist all around, but with a trackball you use your thumb for everything. This drematicly reduces the amount of stress on your wrists. Granted it took me two weeks to be able to master it and another month to get my gimp skills back, but it was worth it. Unfortunetly for you lefties it is a little harder to find a trackball, but give it a shot.

As for keyboard I ended up getting a Kinesis, but that is for another post.

As for desk I built my own to match my height so my wrists are in the least amount of pain. (90 angle at elbo)

-Benjamin Meyer