RollerMouse Aims to Replace the Traditional Mouse

ThinSkin writes "Over at ExtremeTech, we have reviewed the RollerMousePRO, an ergonomic input device that claims to reduce pain and discomfort associated with repetitive mouse use while also increasing productivity. The idea behind the product is to have a fully functional docking station for your keyboard that allows you to navigate a cursor without much hand movement. There is an interesting Flash demo that illustrates how this works." Using a roller-bar beneath the keyboard may remind some people of the Outbound Macintosh-based laptop.

Comments

ermm...

[grub]

How do I connect it to my VT-100?

crappy name

[Anonymous Coward]

not catchy enough, how about a farm animal? the horse, yeah that's it.

And in other news...

[andy55]

And in other news, the makers of the roller ruler aim to replace the ruler.

My optical mouse isn't going anywhere

[hsmith]

Until they have a screen that can figure out what i am looking at and want to "click". Small things like that are as bad as the "eraser" and touchpad mice.

Re:My optical mouse isn't going anywhere

[PepeGSay]

what you want already exists: http://www.naturalpoint.com/

Reinvent

[DigiShaman]

Everyone is trying to reinvent the (mouse) wheel these days.

Thank thank you. I'll be here all week.

What pain and discomfort?

[duckpoopy]

I sit at the computer no less than 40 hours per week, sometimes 12 hours in a day. I use the mouse very frequently and have never had any of these problems. Are they trying to create a market where none exists, or do some people really get a sore wrist from mousing?

Re:What pain and discomfort?

[WhatAmIDoingHere]

You've never heard of this?

Re:What pain and discomfort?

[Tenebrious1]

I sit at the computer no less than 40 hours per week, sometimes 12 hours in a day. I use the mouse very frequently and have never had any of these problems. Are they trying to create a market where none exists, or do some people really get a sore wrist from mousing?

It really depends on the ergonomics of the desk. Me, I've got my seat adjusted low enough so my forearms just lay on the desk surface; with my elbows on the desk, the shoulders are comfortably at ease since there's no weight on them. When I move my mouse, the only thing that moves is my wrist so there's no shoulder strain.

I see others with their chairs really high or desks low so their arms are basically hanging all day, or those who use those retractable keyboard racks under their desks; they have to hold their arms at a certain level all day, I can see where they might develop strains and aches.

Re:What pain and discomfort?

[the Dragonweaver]

I used to have a lot of wrist and shoulder strain from using a mouse. That strain was completely eliminated by doing two things:

1. Replacing the flat, single-level table with a computer desk, and
2. Buying a good chair with back support that actually cost more than the desk.

Seriously, folks, if you are hurting, figure out what you need to do to fix the problem. This product might well help you, but please look into getting better furniture. Sure, good furniture is expensive-- but it's almost certainly cheaper than your health.

And if you are having the problem at your company, and they refuse to improve the ergonomics, look into such simple things as support cushions.

Looks useless.

[GeorgeMcBay]

Looks like yet another high priced gadget to replace something that doesn't need replacing. Given people's various abilities (RSI, paralysis, whatever) I suppose there is a chance there is some population of users who might do better with this than a mouse, but just by looking at the thing and reading the review, I'll be damned if I see the usefulness to the vast majority of users. Especially given that it costs about 3 times as much as a really good mouse and 20 times more than the el cheapo ones.

How is this better

[Nept]

than the thinkpad pointing device? (the small red joystick between "G,H,B" keys)

Use the TouchStream, instead.

[Linurati]

I love/use the TouchStream LP keyboard and iGesture pad from FingerWorks(.com). Not only does the Touchstream eliminate the reaching entirely, but it includes gestures which allow you to do simple things like cut, copy, paste, scroll, and many other things by doing finger motions. I got used to the gestures in minutes. The iGesture has the same gestures, but is a mouse-pad sized touchpad. Both recognize various gestures performed with multiple fingers at the same time, unlike any other touch device. The only downside (aside from the price), is that getting used to typing on the flat surface with no tactile feedback was tricky. After a couple of weeks, I was pretty much back to normal. I'd advise anyone to check out their forums and ask questions. You'll learn the good and the bad. For the most part, the users think it's the best thing since the study of ergonomics was invented. Yes, I RTFA. But I didn't like what I saw. Compared to the FingerWorks devices, this is like 20-year-old technology. Shawn

Supermouse

[po8]

...while also increasing productivity.

One way to tell it's time to change jobs: Increasing your mouse speed and accuracy noticeably improves your productivity.

Sore shoulder

[Anonymous Coward]

Anatomy varies between individuals. Some people have an extra rib in the neck. Others have different clavicle widths than you do.

Depending on precisely where you mouse is, how you work, and how your body is built you can irritate the cushioning pads in the shoulder or compress the nerve bundle that controls the arm, leading to pain and numbness.

The conditions are startlingly serious. It's possible to completely lose the use of the arm. There's also a certain stigma, because externally the arm looks fine. People float somewhere between thinking the victim must be faking it to hoping they are because otherwise, you might be next.

The prognosis is pretty good if the victim takes it seriously right away. Unfortunately, the attitude tends to be "Oh, yeah, Sam. My arm gets tired too. Go home and ice it," rather than, "Hey Sam, I wonder if you might be doing permanent nerve damage. Do you think you should talk to a doctor about physical therapy?"

A related complaint that people often don't take seriously is ulnar nerve entrapment. Habitually leaning on one's elbow can incapacitate the ring and pinky fingers permanently, curling the hand into a half-useless claw. These nerve bundles are almost as crucial as the spine, but not so well protected.

Obviously not for 3D gaming

[Alwin Henseler]

Looks like yet another high priced gadget to replace something that doesn't need replacing.

Had to read into the review to grasp how it actually works. The idea: for up & down, you roll a bar, and for left & right, you slide same bar left & right?

I can tell you right there why that won't work: for vertical and horizontal directions, you use different methods to move.

Maybe for some DTP applications or WWW browsing that some people find this handy, but imagine doing freehand drawing or better, 3D games with this. Can you imagine sliding AND rolling a bar at the same time, and make accurate headshots? No way.

And then it's a mechanical device. Okay, maybe it doesn't get dirty as quickly/easily, or uses optical sensors, but weren't optical mice invented to do away with moving parts? I sure know I'd never wanna go back to a ball mouse.

Oh yeah, and it's expensive. Very. 'nuff said.

Advertisement

[crnbrdeater]

I think it is high time for an advertisement category.

For those of you considering using slashdot for your company's amazing new product's free advertizing, knoock it off. It is annoying.

~crnbrdeater

Give me a break

[wigle]

For each new so-called innovative input device, whether modifications to a mouse or an obscure headset, are any of them necessary or practical? First, what is this "awkward stretch required for using a mouse"? I've been at my computer for 10 years straight and I've never experienced this phenomenon. The last time I checked, productivity at a computer is mostly a mental state, so having a special mouse/keyboard won't help you at all. If you're really experiencing strain problems at your computer, you might want to change hobbies.

Re:Hypochondriacs and malingers

[Ed_Moyse]

Erm. No.

When I was writing my thesis I had severe problems with my wrist(s - I swapped hands after my right wrist became too painful). I developed three ganglion cysts (big lump on the wrist - big enough that people would point at it and ask what it was) which had to be drained by the doctor.

I work way saner hours now, but if I start putting in hours like that again, I start getting twinges. I would pay a *lot* for something that stopped that happening again.

And for the record, since I was working (effectively) for myself malingering wouldn't really make much sense, and not only was it fucking painful, but I had a big offensive swelling on my wrist. Hopefully this would convince even the most harden cynic that something was wrong.

Re:What'e the matter...

[jacksonj04]

Mouses. Mice is the plural of the rodent, mouses of the pointing device.

Re:Love the thinkpad nipple

[pv2b]

Does anybody know where I could find a standard layout keyboard with a touchpoint?

Yes. I know where to find one! :-) ...

What's that? I'm overdoing the smartassitude?

Bah. Okay.

I'll be nice. :-P

Unicomp sells a keyboard called "On the Stick", which is a 101-keyboard with trackpoint goodness. Here's a link to the catalogue page.

As an added bonus, it will give you buckling spring goodness, as previously seen on keyboards like the IBM Model M.

I haven't tried the keyboard myself (I hate trackpoints, I'm a touchpad person myself), nor have I tried their specific implementation of the buckling spring mechanism, but my PC does have an IBM Model M keyboard connected to it. Type hard or go home! ;-)

Hope this helps.