Talk:Trackball

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This article was originally based on material from the Free On-line Dictionary of Computing, which is licensed under the GFDL.

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[edit] Ball size (seriously)

This article should mention something about trackballs with different ball sizes. There a re trackballs with balls that can be operated with the thumb. Other trackballs are meant to be operated with the middle three (or sometimes even more) fingers. While logitech has the small, thumb-operated trackballs, compare with the big and really big models of Kensington. Anyway I think the article should consider this somehow. Also, the section on computer games and trackballs is completely uninteresting, as trackballs are meant as mouse alternatives and more precise, this all already implies what this means for gaming. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 133.27.247.163 (talk) 09:18, 2 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] Trackballs as less damaging than Mice

I've often heard of trackballs as being used on the grounds that they are less damaging to users (carpal tunnel syndrome) than mice. Is this true? if so, perhaps a section noting this? (MarkG)

I personally switched away frome mice because my wrist was starting to hurt, but thats hardly evidence nor a believable source. (MindTwister)

Regarding which is better for you, the best I can find on the web (besides vendors' own promotional matter) is from the US Center for Disease Control, which says basically that it varies from person to person, and that one should try out different devices. I'll try to fold that into the article. -- Tomlouie | talk 21:11, 12 August 2006 (UTC)

I've made a switch to trackball around year 2000 after reading a discussion regarding the solution to aching wrist after long period of gaming. Back then I was still using the mice weren't so ergonomically designed and after extensive period of continuous mouse movement it indeed made my wrist ache. (I am talking about something like 8 hours or more, almost non-stop mouse movements) less than that it wouldn't develop into wrist-ache. The problem had haunted me since I've started to play online games. With the switch to the trackball, my wrist stopped aching. It only makes sense that, while using mice for gaming, the users often have to lift their wrist into the mid air. If done continuously for a prolong period of time, it would tire their wrist and the arm muscle thus, making them ache. Yet while trackball would solve the problem of mouse induced wrist-ache for me, it created another similar condition - thumb-ache. Same old deal in all aspects, just my thumb aches instead of my wrist. (Lanceton)

[edit] unify naming

Trackball, Tracker ball, etc.: be consistent. --Jidanni 2006-04-15

The device fitted to Type 22 Frigate Sonar consoles were definately "Trackerballs" MalFarrelle 16:19, 21 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] History of...

This entry needs some more history of the invention and development of the trackball. Who invented it? --Navstar 23:35, 16 June 2006 (UTC)

The changes that that have occurred in trackball designs should also be mentioned, such as the movement from mechanical to optical technology for tracking. (Logitech says they were the first to introduce optical tracking to trackballs but...) Adding of more buttons, as well as scroll wheels to some designs should also be mentioned (possibly in response to similar changes to conventional mouse designs?).
On another note, the image should be replaced with a free image.... I have three trackballs at my house (a Logitech Cordless Optical TrackMan, a 4 button Logitech Marble Mouse, and a Kensington Expert Mouse), so maybe I can take a picture of them and upload it here. -Aknorals 00:55, 27 September 2006 (UTC)

[edit] Security risks of wireless trackballs

We all know the risks of using wireless keyboards (if you don't, find out now!). There is also a smaller risk in using wireless mice. What I don't know is the comparable risk of conventional mice over trackballs. Does anyone know if wireless trackballs are safer? 86.7.209.101 11:49, 13 August 2006 (UTC)

There isn't any reason to believe that wireless risks are any different whether the input device uses a conventional mouse or trackball design. The wireless vulnerabilities of a mouse/trackball input device would be in the communication between the computer and the input device, which is independent of whether it is a trackball or conventional mouse. -- Tomlouie | talk 15:16, 13 August 2006 (UTC)
What risks? Wireless interception of typed keys? Prolonged exposure to radiation? -- JimQ 19:22, 7 September 2006 (UTC)
Posture. People tend to go crazy with wireless keyboards and hold them on their laps or in other decidedly un-ergonomic positions. Anyone concerned or at high risk should in any case first go with a professional 'natural' (ergonomic) keyboard and should definitely pursue proper placement and posture. Typing dozens of pages of text daily on laprops, ill-placed conventional keyboards, or wireless keyboards not on a hard surface in a proper position is simply crippling. Proper scientific evidence that I know of? None. The personal experience of a translations professional (myself) and one of my subordinates, both of whom suffered greatly from wrist cramps before switching? Yes. Hardly citable, but an improvement that reaches quality-of-life magnitude nonetheless. Back to the topic, trackballs do seem to help some individuals who primarily use pointing devices. My mother, whose work requires lots of research on the Internet yet little to no typing on a daily basis has seen significant improvement with a trackball. However, the fact that she had had unrelated surgery on a tumor in her right hand that left her with a large scar and possibly muscle damage may have something to do with her preference. In any case, such anecdotal evidence, while not proving anything, certainly suggests that people who suffer from computer-use-related pain, discomfort, or risks should certainly investigate alternative input devices and find whatever suits them best, although I believe that the impact of posture is even more significant and cannot be eliminated by any device whatsoever. Sufferers should take a good look at what they are using and how they are using and ought to try various solutions until near-absolute comfort is achieved (muscle fatigue after a dozen hours is inevitable, but there should be no pain).
As to radiation? Go sue the bloke in the next cubicle or the bluetoothing teenager next to you on the bus. Oh, and do check that your neighbours aren't using WiFi - if you live in any sort of apartment building or work in an urban area, you're constantly exposed to it 24/7. It might or might not have a significant impact, but exposure to it in a technological society seems inevitable at this point in time. Aadieu (talk) 00:20, 4 June 2008 (UTC)

[edit] FYI all you trackball fans

<removed information that could be used to spam>

And no, it means you manufacture someone else's design. - Denimadept 16:29, 10 September 2007 (UTC)

[edit] Chopper wheels?

What are they? Please add definition before using the term.

The previous generation of mouse / trackball used slotted wheels that rotated between an LED and sensor. The slots in the wheel periodically broke the light path between the LED and sensor. Counting interruptions told you how fast the mouse is moving in that axis. Using two sensor cells spaced 90° out of phase told you which direction. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 24.80.7.88 (talk) 17:38, 31 October 2007 (UTC)