David and Evan,
I do not know of an auto-click program (though one could probably be
programmed pretty easily), but I do have a lot of experience with heads-up
digitizing in Mapinfo. We have done thousands of maps over the last few
years.
The tricks are (all ergonomics really and these tricks apply to all people
who use computers a lot):
1. Use a really good mouse and mouse pad. There should be no friction when
moving the mouse, and clean those Microsoft mice often. Use a mouse that
works well for you. You may have to experiment with a few kinds.
2. Your keyboard and mouse should be right above your thighs which is lower
than most desks. Preferably you have a keyboard tray with built-in mouse
tray - and don't skimp on wimpy keyboard trays, we spend nearly $200 a piece
on ours.
3. Your wrist should be in line with your forearm - not bent up or down. You
can use a gel-type (NOT THE STIFF FOAM TYPE!) wrist rest on your mouse pad
to help with this. Your elbow should be at right angles with your upper arm
should be as straight up and down as possible. You should be at complete
rest with your hand on your mouse - relax.
4. Move your mouse with your finger tips, not your wrist or shoulder. This
is very difficult without the wrist wrest.
5. Take regular breaks.
Use whichever of these tricks work for you - each person is different. In
over 3 years of doing this we have never had an employee get repetitive type
injuries.
Brad Mathews
Technical Director
VISTAinfo Property Disclosure, e-risk.com
a division of VISTA Information Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq VINF)
(408) 261-6450x206
(408) 261-6454 (fax)
> -----Original Message-----
> From: David Reid [SMTP:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]
> Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2000 1:00 PM
> To: Macdougall, Evan 1065; [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: MI How can I digitize easier using MapInfo?
>
> I too would be interested in part of this topic, the "timed mouse click"
> or "free handing" ability. If you happen across further info, I'd
> appreciate your passing it along.
>
> I use an Acecad 12x12 digitizer and it works beautifully with Mapinfo. But
> it would be oh so nice while digitizing from a raster, to more-less "draw"
> a road rather than "punch drag punch drag".
>
> David
>
>
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: Macdougall, Evan 1065 <mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> To: '[EMAIL PROTECTED]' <mailto:'[EMAIL PROTECTED]'>
> Sent: Wednesday, July 26, 2000 1:05 PM
> Subject: MI How can I digitize easier using MapInfo?
>
>
> I am currently digitizing maps by hand directly in Mapinfo
> using a mouse and my own best visual judgement. However, using a mouse to
> draw polygons and lines in MapInfo requires that I drag my mouse around
> while clicking away. Thanks to this I am beginning to suffer from carpel
> tunnel which is severely unpleasant. From what I have seen, MapInfo does
> not support timed drawing where the user sets the rate of speed at which
> the computer will automatically register a mouse click `n' times every
> second while i just move the mouse around attempting to copy the shape of
> the objects as closely as possible. Are there add-on programs that allow
> MapInfo to support this technique? Is there other hardware out there that
> I can use with MapInfo that will allow me to use this technique? Does
> MapInfo support the use of a digitizing table and lazer pen? If anyone
> can help me out, or at least point me in the right direction, my wrists
> and hands and I will be eternally grateful.
>
> - Evan MacDougall
> - [EMAIL PROTECTED]
>
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