Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP
Posting-Version: version B 2.10.1 6/24/83; site brl-vgr.ARPA
Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!seismo!brl-vgr!wmartin
From: wmartin@brl-vgr.ARPA (Will Martin )
Newsgroups: net.works
Subject: Re: mice
Message-ID: <3233@brl-vgr.ARPA>
Date: Wed, 4-Apr-84 16:54:54 EST
Article-I.D.: brl-vgr.3233
Posted: Wed Apr  4 16:54:54 1984
Date-Received: Thu, 5-Apr-84 02:33:21 EST
References: <17625@sri-arpa.UUCP>
Organization: Ballistics Research Lab
Lines: 16

The only mouse I have used has been the old NLS/Englebart/SRI type
which didn't use a ball but used two potentiometers set at right
angles to each other, with wheels mounted on the shafts. Moving the
mouse turned the wheels and the circuitry in the terminal measured
the resistance changes in the pots to move the cursor. It had some
drawbacks -- you reached the end of the limits of movement and had
to roll it back to the center settings. But it worked on anything --
grungy desktops, pants legs, the pile of junk on the desktop, or
in midair, if you tuned the wheel with a thumb or spare finger.
(A smooth projection provided the third point for a stable support.)

I guess it was heavy and bulky compared to the ones that have been
discussed here, but it was sturdy and never needed cleaning. Maybe
improvements aren't always progress...

Will