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From: jmccombi@bbn.com (Jon McCombie)
Newsgroups: comp.human-factors
Subject: Re: Track ball on a keyboard?
Keywords: trackballs pointing devices Isopoint Outbound
Message-ID: <64632@bbn.BBN.COM>
Date: 12 Jun 91 19:42:18 GMT
References: <91163.083144CJS@psuvm.psu.edu>
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Reply-To: jmccombi@BBN.COM (Jon McCombie)
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Organization: Bolt Beranek and Newman Inc., Cambridge MA
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In article <91163.083144CJS@psuvm.psu.edu> CJS@psuvm.psu.edu writes:
> ... [regarding trackballs as pointing devices] ...
>
>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?

Outbound Systems, Inc. makes a laptop computer which is a "clone" of
the Macintosh (it uses the Apple Macintosh ROMs).  It is commerically
available right now.  The Outbound has a pointing device called an
(made by?) Isopoint.  It is a long narrow bar mounted just below and
parallel to the space bar.  The bar is slid parallel with the space
bar and/or rolled perpendicular to the space bar.  Mouse clicks are
performed by pressing either side of the Isopoint.  The user
manipulates the Isopoint with either or both of her thumbs.  The user
controls Isopoint tracking speed in a manner similar to the software
control for mouse tracking speed (a Macintosh "Control Panel"
setting).

Does it work well?  After spending some time getting used to it, I've
become rather adept with the Isopoint and I like it.  I enjoy being
able to "mouse" around the screen without having to move my hands.
Others do not like it, and in a big way.  It's a matter of taste, I
guess.  All agree that it takes some getting used to.

Jon McCombie

Disclaimers: All opinions are personal opinions of the writer only. I
have no affiliation with Outbound Systems or with Apple, except as a
satisfied customer of both companies.