As developers, we spend a huge amount of time using our keyboards and mice. A keyboard/mouse combination can either help us get our work done quicker, or annoy us to no end... I'm kinda curious-- does anyone have any special keyboard/mouse hardware that they use to help them beyond the basic flat keyboard and standard scroll mouse that come with most computers these days?
Personally, for the past 5-6 years, I've been using the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro: http://www.dansdata.com/nkpro.htm I don't think they still make this model. I switched to the ergonomic keyboards, as I started developing carpal tunnel from typing at the young age of 19!! These keyboards made the symptoms go away. I like this specific model, as the keys are in the correct position-- the insert/delete/pgup/pgdn block and arrow keys, particularly. I don't use the programmable keys much, except for one for the Windows calculator, one to bring up Windows Explorer, one for mute occasionally, and I re-program the top middle one as a quick button to lock my workstation(sure beats ctrl+alt+delete, enter). For a mouse, I've used trackballs since about 1998. Until recently, I was using the Logitech Trackman Marble FX: http://www.amazon.com/Logitech-TrackMan-Marble-FX-Trackball/dp/B00000JBUI This is no longer made, and is considered by many to be one of the best pointing devices ever made-- the resale value of these on Ebay is very, very good. Thinking of which, I need to sell the two I have still... ;-) Recently, I really started wanting a scroll wheel which the device above lacks. I ended up with the Cordless Trackman Optical: http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm/products/details/SE/EN,CRID=2150,CONTENTID=5006 This gave me the finger-operated wheel that I prefer(I get symptoms of trigger finger in my thumb with the thumb operated trackballs). It includes the scroll wheel, and includes a few extra buttons. I had to get used to a slightly different layout for some of the buttons, but now that I've adapted, I wouldn't want to go back. I've re-programmed a few of the buttons-- the button originally programmed as a browser 'forward' button(why would anyone need that?), changed to double-click. There's also a button near the scroll wheel that I use as a 'minimize current window' button, which saves a considerable amount of time when juggling windows around(or rather getting specific ones out of my way)... Anyone else want to share? -- Derek _______________________________________________ Post Messages to: [email protected] Subscription Maintenance: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profox OT-free version of this list: http://leafe.com/mailman/listinfo/profoxtech Searchable Archive: http://leafe.com/archives/search/profox This message: http://leafe.com/archives/byMID/%(messageid)s ** All postings, unless explicitly stated otherwise, are the opinions of the author, and do not constitute legal or medical advice. This statement is added to the messages for those lawyers who are too stupid to see the obvious.
