QOTW #2: Mousing History
Here's the second question of the week. Feel free to give your answer in the comments, if you'd like.
What type of mouse/trackball/touch pad do you use to control the cursor on your computer? What past mouse devices have you used? Did you like them better?
For the most part, I use a Logitech MX700 wireless optical mouse. It's a really nice mouse that has great battery life and very good precision. I have it hooked up to my KVM, so I can use it to control my Mac as well as my PC's. I also use an Apple Pro Mouse on my Ruby iMac.
I've used a lot of mice. I started off with a “Z-Nix” mouse that came in a bundle with Windows 3.1. It was a simple little square, glossy mouse. I think my next mouse was a brightly colored mouse that I was given (it was a review unit from a company that a family member worked at). After that, I had a three button el cheapo mouse (even cheaper than the others). Then I switched to an Alps touch pad… that was back when touch pads were new and so they were selling a stand alone one for desktops.
From there, I went to a Microsoft IntelliMouse I received with a Dell computer. Then, I bought an IntelliMouse Pro (from Big Lots for only $9.99). After that I switched to the Logitech iFeel mouse (also from Big Lots) — I never installed the software to make it “feel,” I just liked its design (very comfortable). After that mouse — which I still use for various purposes — I was given a “water mouse,” a little mouse that had water and little plastic fish swimming in it. That was amusing for a summer, but I soon switched to the MX 700, which I am still using. I also have a mouse that came with my Wacom tablet, but I rarely use it.
On occasion, I also use an Apple Mouse (which is clear and white and is the current Apple mouse, not to be confused with the clear and black Apple Pro Mouse that no longer available), but for the most part, it just sits here.
The MX 700 is my favorite by far. Logitech makes great mice.
How about you?
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RE: QOTW #2: Mousing History
At work, went from a stock roller ball MS mouse with middle button roller, to an IBM optical push/pull middle button which is illuminated blue.
At home I am still using the mouse that came with the PC I ordered many years back from Dell. Logitech rollar ball with a scroll wheel for the middle button.
For ease of use, the IBM mouse is the best but I still like the Logitech.
RE: QOTW #2: Mousing History
Currently using a Logitech Optical Wheelmouse, with cord. It’s the first USB mouse I’ve had that worked well with Linux/Unix. Having played with cordless, I currently hate them. Back when I first got a PC, my brother gave me a unique item he stumbled across: an IBM track/mouse. It worked fine as a mouse, but turn it over and snap the base upward, and it became a trackball. The four stabilizer “feet” became buttons. Two of them were “lock” buttons that allowed dragging without holding the buttons down. It was a featured wired into the mouse, not the software. If there was anything like that available in a 3-button, I’d gladly save up $100 (US) to have it. Us clumsy oafs need all the help we can get.
RE: QOTW #2: Mousing History
I am using the Logitech wireless optical mouse that came with the keyboard. I would like to get the newer version that has the rechargable batteries. In the past I have used the mouse that came with the computer and the Microsoft Optical Explorer, or something like that.
The more buttons the better.
RE: QOTW #2: Mousing History
Ed: I wasn’t ever that intrigued by cordless until I saw the MX 700. It’s really well implemented. It has very long battery life, a recharging cradle and great range. Plus lots of buttons and the MX optical system that makes Logitech optical mice so acurate.
I’ve never seen a “track/mouse” although it sounds like a really smart idea… if I ever see one, I’ll let you know.
Christopher: I’m with ya on buttons!
RE: QOTW #2: Mousing History
If I had a standard desk setup and used my computer in the same place, I would be using my MX700. I love that mouse. But, the base is too large to fit in my laptop bag, so I don’t carry it around with me.
Instead, I now use an MX310 corded mouse. With a laptop, the cord isn’t nearly as troublesome as it is with a desktop, where you’re having to wind it around a desk and hope it’s long enough. Plus, I really don’t like having to worry about 2 separate things to carry around (mouse plus base). With my powerbook, I used a kensington wireless mouse that had a little USB thingy that stowed away inside the mouse. That was pretty nifty. But, it didn’t play nicely with WinXP, so I no longer use it on this laptop.
The laptop also has a touchpad. As far as touchpad’s go, this one is pretty nice. It’s set so the bottom and right edges of the pad act as scroll wheels. The best part, though, is that there is a nifty little button to turn the touchpad off so that I don’t keep bumping the cursor around with the base of my hand while typing.
Once upon a time, I used a trackball (the thing where you move the ball with the thumb). For general computing, it worked nicely. It was nice to keep my hand in one place. But, I just didn’t have enough fine control with it for serious graphics work. Plus, the thing is just huge.
RE: QOTW #2: Mousing History
I use a optical mouse