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View Full Version : Whats your favourite mouse / trackball / tablet?



QwUo173Hy
June 4th, 2007, 08:14 PM
I've just built an setup a new Ubuntu machine for myself. Because I will be mostly doing graphics work, I use a graphic tablet, but I'm finding I get shoulder pain if I use it as a complete mouse replacement.

I've used a trackball and I'm seriously thinking of getting one, as I don't like mice. It's like buffing the bonnet of my car using those things.

I'd love to hear what what Ubuntu users use we abviously think about what we want in our system more than the average computer user. If anyone has advice for my situation too, that would be great.

Thank you for listening!
Jarlath

jgrabham
June 4th, 2007, 08:16 PM
I get tennis elbow from laptop pad things (in all fairness I'm on laptops for ten hours straight sometimes)

Dragonbite
June 4th, 2007, 09:16 PM
I usually use my mouse, even though it's getting a little worn and doesn't work the best anymore. Since we have only one KVM for the kid's computer and the parent's computer I'm not planning on replace it anytime soon. I'll probably get another mouse (wireless?) when I get another monitor and network the computers so they go into separate rooms.

I have a graphics tablet, but it's and Adesso and Ubuntu treats it like a mouse, not like a tablet.

I like using it when I'm doing something with graphics (in Windows) but it isn't as comfortable to use mouse-like in Ubuntu.

reclusivemonkey
June 5th, 2007, 12:27 PM
I get tennis elbow from laptop pad things (in all fairness I'm on laptops for ten hours straight sometimes)

Increase your keyboard-fu! ;-)

GoneWithTheWind
June 16th, 2007, 03:08 AM
My favorite was a MacAlly trackball that I used on a Macintosh for 7 years before getting this PC.

Since then I've used a Kensington Orbit trackball which worked well but one of the rollers came loose this morning and I'm temporarily using a mouse... yikes...

I'd love to use the MacAlly again. Is there any way to run the MacAlly trackball on PC?

RedSquirrel
June 16th, 2007, 03:14 AM
I have been using a Logitech Marble Mouse (it's a trackball, not a mouse!) for about 10 months and I love it. It's not too expensive either.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/156&cl=us,en

Breeman
June 16th, 2007, 03:34 AM
Logitech Trackman Marble FX. I've used mine for years, since it was released god only knows how long ago. It's old enough that they don't make drivers for it any more. I'll cry the day it quits working.

RedSquirrel
June 16th, 2007, 04:02 AM
Logitech Trackman Marble FX. I've used mine for years, since it was released god only knows how long ago. It's old enough that they don't make drivers for it any more. I'll cry the day it quits working.

Its "replacement" is the Trackman Wheel, which is awful in my opinion. I tried it for a few days and it was painful. I returned it and ended up with the Marble Mouse a little later on...

Bachstelze
June 16th, 2007, 04:04 AM
I'm usually not very picky about my mice. I have a Logitech G3 and two MS IntelliMouse Opticals and I'm very happy with both, though if I had to buy another, it would surely be a G3.

John.Michael.Kane
June 16th, 2007, 04:16 AM
Logitech Trackman Marble FX. I've used mine for years, since it was released god only knows how long ago. It's old enough that they don't make drivers for it any more. I'll cry the day it quits working.

You may want to see what folks are asking for that Trackman.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/offer-listing/B00000JBUI/ref=dp_olp_1/102-4634927-5454525
http://cgi.ebay.com/Logitech-Trackman-Marble-FX-Trackball-Mouse-T-CJ12_W0QQitemZ170117461478QQihZ007QQcategoryZ11193 QQtcZphotoQQcmdZViewItem?refid=store
http://cgi.ebay.com/LOGITECH-Trackman-Marble-FX-T-CJ12-Trackball-Mouse-PS2_W0QQitemZ220122467539QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item2 20122467539
http://cgi.ebay.com/Logitech-Trackman-Marble-FX-Computer-Mouse_W0QQitemZ280124633494QQcmdZViewItem?hash=ite m280124633494
http://cgi.ebay.com/Logitech-Mouse-Trackman-Marble-FX-Great-Condition_W0QQitemZ190122398860QQcmdZViewItem?hash =item190122398860


As to the topic I'm using a logitech LX7.

daynah
June 16th, 2007, 12:44 PM
I truely love the Logitech media play mouse. It's like a remote for your computer. I often S-Video out and have marathons of tv shows and it's just great. :)

It has something like 16 buttons. It worked on feisty for like a few hours and then I tried to fiddle to make it work more and now it's a plain old mouse again. Sigh. But on windows, it's the bom.b

Spr0k3t
June 16th, 2007, 12:58 PM
Years ago my favorite was the Wizard Mouse:
http://www.ianstedman.co.uk/Amiga/amiga_hacks/Amiga_mouse_repair/wizard-mouse.jpg

This has since changed... My new favorite is the Logitech MX518.
http://www.itreviews.co.uk/graphics/normal/hardware/h774.jpg

That's one hell of a mouse. I've got four of them.

QwUo173Hy
June 16th, 2007, 08:33 PM
I like that one too RedSquirrel. I've been looking at a wireless version http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=112424 but it doesn't charge in a cradle - it takes batteries which is a bit too fussy for me. So I might get the one you linked to.

Ideally I'd like the ones that SD-Plinken linked to. My house mate has one and it's very comfortable. Can't understand why they don't still make them. They are PS/2 as well so it's obviously been a while since they were available. $400 on Ebay for that is crazy unless you use a mouse intensively. Then I can probably understand.

Al Fairclough
June 16th, 2007, 09:03 PM
MX518 for me too. It's the best mouse I have ever used.

starcraft.man
June 16th, 2007, 09:08 PM
I think the best mouse I've ever had is the current one. It is awesome. Logitech G5, its custom weighted, a nice grip, a few extra buttons and 3-5 programmable sensitivity settings.

Just awesome!

G5 pic with weights. (http://www.mrgadget.com.au/uploaded_images/logitech_g5_laser_mouse_blog3-768005.jpg)

RedSquirrel
June 16th, 2007, 09:37 PM
I like that one too RedSquirrel. I've been looking at a wireless version http://www.komplett.ie/k/ki.aspx?sku=112424 but it doesn't charge in a cradle - it takes batteries which is a bit too fussy for me. So I might get the one you linked to.

I recently tried out the one you linked to at a store nearby and the ball motion seemed kind of stiff to me, but that might have only been the case with that display model. Perhaps a new one would be better (??).

In my quest for a comfortable pointing device, I also tried this Microsoft one (http://www.microsoft.com/hardware/mouseandkeyboard/productdetails.aspx?pid=008).

I got it for something like 60% off since it was reduced and then placed on a clearance table for another 25% off. In spite of the savings, I returned it because the cord was too stiff (so stiff, in fact, that the mouse would move on its own once I let go of it, sort of like an "elastic" effect... very annoying).

I also tried a Kensington TurboRing (http://www.amazon.com/Kensington-TurboRing-Trackball-USB-Mac/dp/B00004YMY3). They don't make that one any more, but you might still come across it now and then. It's not optical and it's poorly constructed. Parts of it broke when I removed the ball. Fortunately, the store I was dealing with allowed me to exchange it for the Marble Mouse and I've been happy ever since. :)

[The ball on that TurboRing reminded me a lot of the blue off a snooker table, which is one of the few good things I can say about it. :D]

EDIT:

Just thought I'd add: I used something very similar to this cheap Logitech mouse (http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-930495-0403-Corded-Optical-Wheelmouse/dp/B00004VX3T) (mine was not optical though) for about 6 years and it worked very well. However, I started to get a pain in my wrist from too much mousing, so that started my quest for something more comfortable that didn't cost and arm and a leg. ;)

GoneWithTheWind
June 16th, 2007, 09:39 PM
I have been using a Logitech Marble Mouse (it's a trackball, not a mouse!) for about 10 months and I love it. It's not too expensive either.

http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/mice_pointers/trackballs/devices/156&cl=us,en

A spring had broken inside the Kensington Orbit. I twisted it around with pliers, put the trackball back together and it works!

If it goes out again I'll look for another spring or else look at the Logitech Marble. Thanks for the link. Strange the page says 19.95 but when you click it says 38 bucks. Or else I'll get the Kensington Orbit Optical.

RedSquirrel
June 16th, 2007, 10:18 PM
Strange the page says 19.95 but when you click it says 38 bucks.

That is strange. It would be nice if it was $19.95. Amazon says the list price is $29.99, which is about what I paid (no shipping).

GoneWithTheWind
June 16th, 2007, 10:25 PM
PC Universe has the Marble for $15.00 plus 6.74 shipping.
http://www.pcuniverse.com/product.asp?pid=26079&m_id=

Electronica Direct has it for $15.50 plus free shipping through Paypal.
http://www.electronicadirect.com/products/Logitech/Input/Logitech-Marble-Mouse-2-Button-USB-PS2-904360-0403-1003285.html

Not confirmed yet.

Looks like I'll be getting one though. :)

Update: Order Processed. ;)

bclark
June 17th, 2007, 02:57 AM
oh logitech bluetooth mx1000, that mouse is MONEY!

thisllub
June 17th, 2007, 03:26 AM
Logitech MX5000 kb and mouse + a Marble mouse trackball simultaneously.

After 25 years of this I am very careful to balance left and right hand actions where possible.

init1
June 17th, 2007, 03:46 AM
I like trackballs, but I don't usually get to use them. Now I am using a Microsoft mouse, but most of the time I use the touch pad on my laptop.
This mouse looks like the one I am using now.
http://prohardver.hu/html/mouse/optical/ms_optical4.jpg

carlossousa
June 17th, 2007, 11:41 PM
As long as its made by logitech, i'll use any variant of the input ...

Naci Sey
July 31st, 2007, 04:00 AM
With a bad wrist, I had to find an alternative to a regular mouse and found it with the Logitech Optical Trackball. Alas, in switching to ubuntu, I've been unable to get back all the neat things I"d configured it to do in Windows! And all those neat tricks mentioned in this forum community don't apply to this particular device and I'm too inexperienced to adapt that info to this case.

At any rate, here is my gorgeous trackball which now has no more functionality than a regular mouse. (E.g., I used to have copy/paste functions assigned to those two silver buttons on the left, which was REALLY handy.)

http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q211/nacisey/LogitechOpticalTrackball.jpg

handy
July 31st, 2007, 04:44 AM
From experience with wireless, I have found that a keyboard's batteries last a really long time & mice chew through batteries, so for anyone looking at a wireless mouse I would suggest that they spend a bit more & get one that recharges in a cradle or whatever, when not in use.

I use the first M$ intellimouse explorer, it is huge, which suits my hand far better than a tiny mouse. I have had to repair it's cable where it comes out of the mouse base once, & it requires a regular spray with silicon to stop the lmb from sticking. All in all I would not call it a good quality mouse, but it is still going after all these years of high use.

Spr0k3t
July 31st, 2007, 04:45 AM
I'm a mouser... but I like the oversized mice so I really use moose. The main key to use a moose for me is to keep my hands off of it and stay focused on the keyboard. The other component I must have of all my input devices... corded.

GoneWithTheWind
July 31st, 2007, 05:06 AM
http://201.134.190.27/productos/data/upimages/MarbleMouse_01.gif

$15.50 and corded.

handy
July 31st, 2007, 05:43 AM
http://201.134.190.27/productos/data/upimages/MarbleMouse_01.gif

$15.50 and corded.

What is it's scroll technique?

Taum
July 31st, 2007, 05:48 AM
Worst mouse evar!


http://www.theapplecollection.com/iMac/images/amtk_mouse.jpg

lisati
July 31st, 2007, 05:58 AM
Years ago my favorite was the Wizard Mouse:
http://www.ianstedman.co.uk/Amiga/amiga_hacks/Amiga_mouse_repair/wizard-mouse.jpg

This has since changed... My new favorite is the Logitech MX518.
http://www.itreviews.co.uk/graphics/normal/hardware/h774.jpg

That's one hell of a mouse. I've got four of them.

I haven't seen one of these for a few years!

I don't like the way some mice. the sort with the little ball in them, get clogged up with dust after a while and have to be clean out. Other than that, your regular mouse two-button, wheel/third button useful but optional. Correction: I use a two-button mouse recently and missed the centre wheel.

GoneWithTheWind
July 31st, 2007, 06:19 AM
What is it's scroll technique?

Move the arrow past the bottom or the top of the page in the direction you want to go. Or move the scroll bar up and down.

Windows has programmable functions but I'm always on Linux.

handy
July 31st, 2007, 08:00 AM
Move the arrow past the bottom or the top of the page in the direction you want to go. Or move the scroll bar up and down.

Windows has programmable functions but I'm always on Linux.

Thanks :)

Turboaaa2001
July 31st, 2007, 08:07 AM
I have used a Logitech M-BT96a optical mouse for years now. Mostly because it hasn't broke on me yet. The resolution is low in today's standards and has problems sometimes when I use it on the carpet (I use my TV as my monitor and haven't sprung for wireless yet)

This mouse has been a good friend and shows plenty of worn areas.:)