Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!uunet!bu.edu!m2c!wpi.WPI.EDU!dmorin
From: dmorin@wpi.WPI.EDU (Duane D Morin)
Newsgroups: comp.human-factors
Subject: Re: Track ball on a keyboard?
Message-ID: <1991Jun12.155623.15673@wpi.WPI.EDU>
Date: 12 Jun 91 15:56:23 GMT
References: <91163.083144CJS@psuvm.psu.edu> <1991Jun12.142307.210@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu>
Organization: Worcester Polytechnic Institute
Lines: 55

In article <1991Jun12.142307.210@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu> klefstad@ux1.cso.uiuc.edu (Sue Klefstad) writes:
>CJS@psuvm.psu.edu writes:
>
>>I understand that users of track balls find them superior to mice.
>>They are now readily available as mice replacements.
>
>>But I would like to see keyboards with track balls built-in.  I'll bet
>>there are some now or rsn.  Comments?
>
>>It seems to me that it would be nice to reach the ball without moving
>>your fingers from the home row of the keyboard (unlike most cursor keys
>>and function keys).  I wonder how a location right below the space bar,
>>reachable by either thumb, would work.  Comments?
>

As a user of a trackball (more specifically, a "thumb ball") I have to agree
with an earlier post that says they're not as accurate or as fluid as a 
mouse.  Then again, my use of the ball is limited to rare occasions when I
forget a function key sequence in Wordperfect, or whatever.  In cases like 
that, I can take the time to line up my cursor where I want it to be, since
Im only dealing in text modes.  I wouldn't wish it on anyone doing anything
remotely graphic, like CAD.  Although I've heard that it can be used rather
well in a Windows 3.0 environment.

I've seen keyboards with trackballs built in, but, as you point out, they are
little more than extensions to the right hand side of the keyboard, past the
numeric keypad, making an even longer reach for your hand.  (Well, my track
ball sits on my desk next to my keyboard anyway.  Six of one, half dozen of
another...)

A location right under the spacebar seems feasible, provided that:
	1) Its NOT in a location that can easily be bumped by your hands.  
	   Some applications have auto activating windows or menus that 
	   simply need to be pointed at to come alive, and a rogue pointer
	   wouldn't be good here.

	2) It should have some sort of design that makes the use of the thumbs
	   comfortable and natural.  Look at the placement of your hands on the
	   keyboard right now.  Move your thumb around a little bit.  Now try
	   and move it, fairly accurately, in each of the four compass 
	   directions without getting a cramp or moving the rest of your hand.
	   The joint simply doesn't want to move like that.

Take the idea of having your hands never leave the home row one step further,
 and equip people with a simple headset that they can don while at the 
 terminal.  Just look at the screen and move the cursor wherever you want it
 to go.  Unfortunately, this is in direct violation of rule (1) that I just
 listed.  How do you know when to turn it on or off?  A hot key sequence?
 That defeats the purpose, somewhat.  It could be argued that a "keyboardist"
 as opposed to a "typist" can manipulate the function keys just as rapidly
 as a traditional typewriter, and therefore could hit F10 or something without
 much problem.  The technology to do this certainly isn't unrealistic - if
 Nintendo can mass produce such a monster, anyone can.

dmorin@wpi.wpi.edu