On Thu, 17 Aug 2000, Bill Freeman wrote:
> I've grown to hate the touch pad mouse on my laptop because of the way
> that my thumb tends to inadvertently brush it while I'm typing ...
Yeah, I hate those touchpads, too. However, the better ones have a "Control
Panel" option in MS-Windows which disables the touchpad while you are typing,
preventing accidental wrist/thumb activations. Anyone know if this is
possible under Linux/XFree?
> Today that seems to leave the force joystick nub between the "G" and "H"
> keys (I believe).
The pointing stick, AKA eraser, AKA "nipple mouse"? I prefer that myself.
It takes a little getting used to, but you can keep your hands on the
keyboard, and it requires very little finger movement. I even went so far as
to buy a full-sized keyboard with one for my PC at home.
> My daughter doesn't like them, claiming, among other things, that they
> break easily (though she has never owned one either).
I think that's bogus. I imagine anything that would damage the pointing
stick would also damage the keyboard.
The eraser tip itself can wear out, but they are easily replaceable (you just
pull off the old one and stick on a new one).
Some laptops (some Dell models, e.g.) have both systems: An eraser mouse
*and* a touch pad.
I've also seen a variation of the pointing stick. It was a small disc,
about the size of a dime, mounted below the keys, about where a touchpad goes.
Other then the different position and larger size, it worked just like an
eraser mouse. The larger size gave you a little better control, though.
--
Ben Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Net Technologies, Inc. <http://www.ntisys.com>
Voice: (800)905-3049 x18 Fax: (978)499-7839
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