Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!clyde.concordia.ca!uunet!decwrl!sgi!zok!wattres!steve From: steve@wattres.UUCP (Steve Watt) Newsgroups: comp.misc Subject: Re: the Trackman botch (Re: Left Handed programmers) Message-ID: <596@wattres.UUCP> Date: 26 Aug 90 20:38:14 GMT References: <10401@stiatl.UUCP> <1990Aug16.080332.1572@ste.dyn.bae.co.uk> <1488@chinacat.Unicom.COM> <1990Aug21.001217.28123@ico.isc.com> Reply-To: steve@wattres.UUCP (Steve Watt) Organization: Steven Watt, Consultant Lines: 45 In article <1990Aug21.001217.28123@ico.isc.com> rcd@ico.isc.com (Dick Dunn) writes: >chip@chinacat.Unicom.COM (Chip Rosenthal) writes: >> ...I'm tired of bozo programs which expect >> you to have a right hand on a mouse and a left hand on the keyboard... > >And now is about right for a brief-but-intense flame against Logitech's >"Trackman". Somebody finally figured out how to make a pointing device >that really works. It doesn't need a clean desk to be able to wander >around; it just sits there. Unlike other trackball devices, they figured >out that there are uses where you have to be able to hold one or more but- >tons down while you move the pointer, which is at least clumsy with most >other devices and a two-handed or impossible operation with others. It's >a great idea, but... > [ justified flame removed ] The other problem I have with the TrackMan is that I don't use my THUMB on any trackball! My index fingers (either hand) are much more agile than my thumb, and don't tire nearly as quickly! On the other hand... (pun somewhat intended) The new FasTrac (I think) by MicroSpeed is *very* well laid out for doing drags, using index fingers, and using either hand! The layout looks something like this: llllll dddddddd rrrrrr d,^ = drag/lock button lllll d^^^^^^d rrrrr l = left button llll bbbbbb rrrr r = right button lll bbbbbbbbbb rrr b = trackball lll bbbbbbbbbb rrr llll bbbbbb rrrr If you press the drag/lock button, then lllllll rrrrrrr one of the left or right buttons, that lllllllllllrrrrrrrrrrr button is effectively held down until any button is clicked. After that, pushing the drag/lock button is the same as holding down whichever button you last activated it with. It works *very* well! (They also have an Amiga version, which I am using!) No, I don't work for them, just a satisfied customer. -- Steve Watt ...!claris!wattres!steve wattres!steve@claris.com also works Don't let your schooling get in the way of your education.