PC Pointing Devices:
We've typically considered a Mouse, the Pointing
Device of choice. For some time we've had alternative choices.
IF a Mouse is where you're thinking, have you
considered a stationary roller ball / trackball? OR an optical device?
Roller Ball mice have become tedious and obsolete when contemplating
upkeep & cleaning. Ever tried cleaning more than 100 Mice in one
setting?
And the BIG difference we've seen in the past
comparing Retail vs. OEM Roller Ball Mice consisted of lesser quality
nylon or plastic components in OEM Mice as opposed to Retail Mice which
usually have Metal Rollers for 'X-Y' coordinates. Next time you open a
Ball type Mouse to clean it, take note of the components inside. Also take
note - Genuine Microsoft Retail Mice have a smoother texture than their
Genuine Microsoft OEM counter parts which have a grainy textured finish.
Why buy Genuine Manufacturer's parts? Get what you have paid for, not what
someone may be trying to sell you - Junk! Your customers will thank you
later too!
When Optical Mice first came to market, they were
rough to manipulate and required a special pad to be used for optical
sensing. Then Optical Mice went padless which was a major improvement with
higher resolution manipulation. Now, an Optical Mouse allows greater
dexterity whether tethered, wireless or stationary Roller Ball Optical
type.
Another often overlooked Pointing Device would be
a Graphics Tablet. Wacom Technology
leads the field in Wireless Pen Tablets. WACOM now has their Wireless Pen
& Optical Mouse combo. The Tablet hooks up to your USB port. Yes, the
old WACOM serial Tablets still work and you can still get drivers from
WACOM for them - Quality! Anyone whether a graphics aficionado or Business
User can benefit from using a Graphics Tablet. Try one when you get a
chance! Be careful though - You may decide you like it!
Our preferences for each will be listed below.
STIM
- MouseSite - A resource for exploring the history of human computer
interaction beginning with the pioneering work of Douglas Engelbart and
his colleagues at Stanford Research Institute in the 1960s.
Audio Control
Surfaces:
Tools for controlling audio, video,
graphics or animation software. We expect this List to grow since new
Technologies such as Contour A-V Solutions allow us to bridge PC / Audio
boundaries.
- emusician.com -
Control Surface Reviews and Tutorials: (7/9/2003).
- HID
Audio Controls and Windows (1/2/03).
- audioMIDI.com
- Computer Control Surfaces: Source to purchase from.
- Contour
A-V Solutions: USB ShuttlePro
- Cakewalk.com:
Contour AV Solutions, USB ShuttlePRO
- Has 13 buttons, and a jog / shuttle wheel for augmenting workflow.
- Other Cakewalk Control Surfaces
(Audio Mixer Control Surfaces) Link Removed!
- Griffin
Technology: PowerMate, USB
Multimedia Controller & Input Device
- PC:
Configuring PowerMate in Windows
- Mackie - HUI: Human
User Interface for DAW's!
- Mido I/O; 2 MIC Preamps + Jog Shuttle!
- Mackie - Baby HUI:
Compact Touch-Fader Master Controller (Human User Interface)
- Midi I/O; No MIC Preamps & No Jog Shuttle.
-
Mixed Logic
Control Surface Audio Mixer:
Cakewalk Sonar M24 control surface plug-in version 2
and manual now available for D/L from: www.cakewalk.com.
-
1394 - mLAN: harmony-central.com
- 01X mLAN Music Production System: Yamaha Introduces World's
First mLAN Music Production System - "01X is the first product to
feature Yamaha's new generation mLAN technology and guarantees
high-speed audio and MIDI networking between computers, synthesisers
and other mLAN compatible devices." (3/6/2003).
-
YAMAMA 01X: www.01xray.com
Digital Media Control Devices:
- Keyspan
Digital Media Remote
Graphics Tablet:
- Wacom
Technology
Tired of mousing around? Sure there are
others. Why mess with anything less than the very best? After all, you
deserve it! No, we Do NOT work for nor do we receive compensation from
WACOM... Not yet anyway! ;) Enjoy!
Optical Mouse:
- AOpen
O-35G Dual-Wheel Optical Mouse - Slick! For the price - Value @
$8.88 Retail! Since Acer is changing their name, this may be a short
term deal from AOpen, too early to tell yet. We've seen this @
MicroCenter in Houston, TX. Get 'em while you can! (7/3/2002)
- Gyration.com:
Makers of GyroMouse Wireless Mouse, GyroRemote, and Wireless Keyboard:
Gyration - NEW Ultra Cordless Optical
Mouse. Available in
August for $79 (7/3/2002).
- Logitech
- Products By Feature Optical Precision - For Logitech Fans!
- Microsoft.com:
IntelliMouse Optical - 4 Button Optical.
Optical Roller Ball:
- Logitech
- Products By Feature Optical Precision
- Microsoft
Pointing Devices
Wireless:
- Logitech.com:
Cordless Optical, with KB. This is the BEST Wireless Optical
Solution! (As listed on our BuildOrBuy PC Specs by Joe Whinery).
- Microsoft DOES have a wireless Mouse &
Keyboard solution. We tried the OEM version, it stinks! The Mouse is a
Roller Ball, NOT Optical Roller Ball Mouse! And since it's OEM,
the Mouse has nylon instead of metal rollers for sensing 'x' & 'y'
coordinates. PASS!
Pointing
Device News & Information:
- www.wireless-computing.com:
New Simplified Remote... RF-100 Remote Control Pointing Device
is designed for delivering electronic slideshows, with buttons for
slide-forward, slide-back and blank-screen allows Presenters to stay
focused on the message! (5/27/2003)
- Keyboards: www.extremetech.com
- Keyboard Kraziness & Mouse Madness A Week of Wacky Input Devices:
(4/22/2003).
- X-Arcade Trackball
Mouse For Authentic Arcade Gaming On Golden Tee Golf And Arcade
Classics (4/12/2003).
- IOGEAR
GME321R - Phaser Mouse: Hand-Held RF Wireless Mouse with Laser
Pointer. This product was pointed out to us from a BuildOrBuy Reader
(2/18/2003).
- ExtremeTech.com:
Logitech MX700, A Cordless Mouse For Everyone, Even Gamers
(10/12/2002).
- Alternate
Pointing Devices (Trackballs & Other) - Vendors
- vnunet.com
Acecad Acecat Flair USB Graphics Tablet
- Before
You Buy a Graphics Tablet - Features to Consider
- ConsumerGuide.com:
Graphics-Writing Tablets Review, Rating, Prices Consumer Guide
- Graphics
Tablet Solutions - Book Info
- Iril
C. Kolle - graphics tablet solutions - Book
- pspPower
November 2001 Drawing Cartoon Characters with a Graphics Tablet
- Microsoft
Mice and Keyboards Upgrade Computing Experience with More Comfort and
Efficiency
- Microsoft
Hardware Web Site
- On
Magazine.com -- Reviews -- A Great Graphics Tablet for $70
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