Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!rpi!think.com!paperboy!osf.org!flowers From: flowers@osf.org (Ken Flowers) Newsgroups: comp.human-factors Subject: Re: Track ball on a keyboard? Message-ID: <22833@paperboy.OSF.ORG> Date: 13 Jun 91 13:47:40 GMT References: <2909@sumax.seattleu.edu> <1991Jun12.181324.12617@den.mmc.com> Sender: news@OSF.ORG Distribution: na Organization: Open Software Foundation Lines: 45 In article , yee@osf.org (Michael K. Yee) writes: |> |> In article bmo1@Isis.MsState.Edu (CrayDeath) writes: |> > Also, you have the problem with what the mouse is going to do while you let go |> > to work at the keyboard. With gravity, the mouse stays right where it's |> > supposed to and leaves the pointer alone. In zero-G, the mouse might decide |> > to do some exploring on its own, moving the pointer, and possibly floating |> > somewhere out of reach. |> |> A mechanical mouse would have all of those problems in zero-G, but an |> optical mouse would not. There are no mouse balls to float around, |> and with the help of some magnets, the mouse would stay put (i.e. |> won't go wandering off 'exploring on its own'). |> |> =Mike Hi Mike, (I work in the office right next to him) Some random musings from a ME. First, it would be very simple to put a spring loaded follower wheel to force the mouse ball into contact with the rollers in the mouse. The spring constant could even be set to match the feel of earth gravity. Second, magnets next to your computer...shame on you. Oops, the mouse got loose and is bumping into the guidance computer. How about using something like a modified graphics tablet. Sort of a reverse pen plotter. The mouse slides freely on two posts, constrained in an area that represents the screen real estate. Of course, you loose the ability to accelerate the pointer, but there are always trade offs. | ------------------------- | | | | | | | | | -|--------------O--------|- | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | ------------------------- | Ken Flowers