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Re^2: Better keyboard-driven navigation, any?

by blazar (Canon)
on Jul 22, 2008 at 22:28 UTC ( [id://699442]=note: print w/replies, xml ) Need Help??


in reply to Re: Better keyboard-driven navigation, any?
in thread Better keyboard-driven navigation, any?

I now use a Trackball I have both Kensington and Logitech.

I personally believe that they're not very popular in Italy: I've seen them in shops but never met or heard anyone actually using or having used one. It was much more a matter of tracking mechansim vs keyboard, than some other (possibly better) tracking mechanism, however you got me intrigued: certainly the "not moving arm" bit is obvious once somebody makes you notice it, but one probably can't value the advantage without thinking of it a little bit, and possibly trying. Maybe one day I'll do!

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Re^3: Better keyboard-driven navigation, any?
by Gavin (Archbishop) on Jul 23, 2008 at 11:20 UTC

    "I personally believe that they're not very popular in Italy:"

    blazer

    I don’t think trackballs are very popular in the UK either, but I don’t know what I would do without mine now.

    To start with I did find that my fingers went into a cramp after a couple of hours, but after a quick break and a rub I could resume again, after a couple of weeks I found that I could work for much longer without discomfort, and now brain tiredness stops me before physical discomfort.

    Logitech make a Trackman which is cordless and has scrolling and other customisable buttons, I think this would be ideal for you.

    People told me to start with that trackballs are ok but are not so useful for drawing (if you don’t have a graphics tablet). Again I found the trackball difficult to use for graphics, but very quickly I found that it was easier for me to draw complex shapes, for example this. drawing was done for a project using Freehand and Photoshop as was this

    I have a small Home Cinema which I can control with a trackball and Virtual Keyboard only using the keyboard when necessary.

    In the UK we have a great many resources for disability aids, both from local authorities and the private sector for example this organisation lists both software and hardware solutions including trackballs of various styles.

    I’m sure Italy is no different, try contacting your local Social Services Disability section, often these aids can be had on approval for suitability before buying.

    Gavin

Re^3: Better keyboard-driven navigation, any?
by Argel (Prior) on Jul 22, 2008 at 23:35 UTC
    Trackballs never really did it for me, though it's been over a decade since I last touched one. I know I would have to go through a lot of pain just to get my hand muscles, etc. used to a trackball. But beyond that, I think it would be hard mentally to make the transition from mouse to trackball. I'm so used to using a mouse that it would feel very awkward for a very, very long time. Not to mention that there are things a mouse is clearly better at, such as gaming (especially First Person Shooters).

    Though with you being more of a keyboard person you might find a trackball more agreeable. If you want to give one a try though make sure you spend the extra money to get a really good one -- I don't think a cheap one would be a good test.

      But beyond that, I think it would be hard mentally to make the transition from mouse to trackball. I'm so used to using a mouse that it would feel very awkward for a very, very long time.

      I personally believe that I will second that: just like with programs, "one's best tool is the one she's already used to." (Sorry to quote myself... ;) But then again (you all) do not misunderstand me: I'm perfectly fine and at ease with my shiny and polished black Logitech cordless mouse! Only, I factually consider myself a person who uses the keyboard, compared with the former, much more than quite about anybody else I know. (Of course around the world there must be someone who is far better/worse than me...) And then again, the situation described in the root node somewhat increases the keyboard/mouse ratio of my needs.

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