Best Mouse For Programming?

LosManos writes "Which is the best programming mouse? Mandatory musts are wireless, and that it doesn't clog up like old mechanical mice. Present personal preferences are for: lots of buttons, since if I have moved my hand away from the keyboard I can at least do something more than move the pointer; sturdy feeling; not too light, so it doesn't move around by me accidentally looking at it." What would you recommend?

Comments

Mouse?

[gameboyhippo]

Since when can you use a mouse in Emacs or VI?

Re:Mouse?

[Z34107]

I second the logitech G5. They're cheap, I love the adjustable weights, and just enough buttons for my taste. Middle-click for opening and closing tabs, and two side buttons for forward and back.

But, mousing in an IDE? Even in Visual Studio, the only button that gets any use is the left mouse button, and maybe the middle-click scrollwheel button for opening and closing tabs. Everything has a keyboard shortcut.

I'd recommend a good keyboard instead - I have an IBM Model M I whip on for nostalgia, but I'm very happy with my Das Keyboard II. THAT will make more difference in programming! Unless you're using Lego Mindstorms :P

Programming + Mouse ?

[DriedClexler]

Isn't this kind of like asking, "What are the best training wheels to use on the Tour de France?"

Elite programmers should be using an environment where they don't have to use the mouse at all, or use it minimally. They know key commands for everything, except maybe when you want to test out a mouse feature, in which case you can't assume the user has a cool mouse anyway.

Re:Programming + Mouse ?

[rm999]

"Elite programmers should be using an environment where they don't have to use the mouse at all"

Programming is 90% thinking/planning, and 10% typing. The idea that using a mouse makes you a worse programmer in any appreciable sense is about as stupid as the idea that the mouse you use matters.

Wireless? You've already ruled me out

[mdarksbane]

I never want to have to worry about replacing batteries, recharging, or waiting for the mouse to make up from sleep on anything as core to my workflow as a mouse.

Personally I think that any good gaming mouse works well for coding. You've got your extra buttons (which mostly just give you an extra forward/back in your browser) and good accuracy. I'm a fan of my Razer Diamondback, although by this point the grippy paint they put on it is coming off so it looks a bit shabby.

I would say with 100 certainty that your keyboard is ten times more important than your mouse for programming. The mouse just has to not get in your way.

Re:Huh? WTF is a programming mouse?

[MpVpRb]

I have been programming since 1971.

Back them I used punch cards.

Then, teletypes.

Now, I use a mouse and keyboard.

I definitely consider myself a "real" programmer.

Times change, so do tools.

Are you bored?

[iamapizza]

Quite possibly the worst ask-slashdot question ever. While we're at it, let's also discuss the best mousepad for programming as well as the best type of wood for desks for programming.

Re:Huh? WTF is a programming mouse?

[immakiku]

While mildly funny, this reeks of elitism and untruth. You are associating memorization of esoteric editor commands and customization options with programming skill. While there's likely a good correlation, one can have one without the other.

On a separate note, modern IDEs, such as Eclipse, require the use of the mouse. I would argue that this streamlines the coding process, leaving the developer to focus on the actual design and logic.