Mouse Alternatives?

[Eli]

I've tried a couple of different mouses (mice?) over the past couple of months, but all seem to hurt my wrist and forearm. Is there any way to use something like a gamepad through the game port for controlling the cursor? I've tried using the numerical keypad but that's just not practical. Thanks for any advise.

[SoopaStar]

Well, windows has a builint in mouse you canuse with the keyboard. its in teh accesability area. howeve,r I had the same problem as you did. So I tried a touch pad. It helped me out alot. I used my thumb and pinky for the clicking--sometimes my finger on the pad too. My pains went away. I then got annoyed with it because the size of the pad was very limited.
You can use a joystick. I have seen software that allows you to use this. However, I can't remember the page. Sorry. I will look for it though. I also have switched mice now. I used to have an MS Wheel mouse...now I use one that looks more like a logitech. its a generic mouse that came with a Tiger Computer (www.tigerdirect.com). has a wheel too (would die w/o that wheel). I have yet to have pains. you may also want to consider an ergonomic keyboard. or at least a wrist rest for eaither you KB or you mouse. they make em for both.

SS

[Ed_S]

Try a good trackball. A friend of mine has had both wrists operated on for severe carpal tunnnel, he can't use a mouse, so went with MicroSpeed trackball & has had no problems. I tried his & liked it enough to buy one myself.
Have had about 3 years now, still working great. Don't use it for everything, but great for many things, particularly CADD apps.
Have mine on COM port with mouse on PS2 port - both always active this way, just grab one & go to it!

[Steve R Jones]

More important than what type of mouse you use is the height of your chair etc...Theres a bunch of sites with info on this..

[Glytzhkof]

How about the new "vertical mouse" (gotta love that name http://www.sysopt.com/forum/smile.gif ). Here is a link: http://www.animax.no/anirmousepro.html .

[800XL]

I was using a Glidepoint pad for a while. http://www.cirque.com/ Fairly easy on the wrists, but takes some getting used to.

If you look into a trackball, go for a good one. A friend of mine swears by using a trackball, and the only one that has lasted was made by http://www.kensington.com/ . Cheap trackballs tend to wear our and get dirty easily because they are like a mouse with the business end facing up to collect dirt.

I use a Microsoft Intellimouse with the wheel now. I would recommend you use some kind of wristpad for a mouse. The one I use is basically a cut down keyboard wrist pad. It helped my wrist problems greatly.

[Comtech]

I had occasion to set up a "handless" mouse for a disabled client.
It works from a small headset, and moves with the users eyes to track the mouse around the screen. One blink for click, or two for two etc, or it can be set up for right and left blink=right/left click, or both (without active desktop).
Automatically detects "accidental" blinks, as they are much faster than "purposeful" blinks.
Available for standard serial, or PS2 port, even USB.
An IR version is available too, so you aren't "wired" to the computer.
What a joy to use! Just setting one up for myself if I can find the hardware cheap enough. Right now it's specialty stuff, and fairly expensive, but available through most "disabled persons" agency if you look hard enough.
I'll never go back to a "hand" mouse of any sort.

[LordLocksley]

I swear by my Logitec Trackman marble w/ wheel... I had problems w/ my wrist a while back also...I had gotten a hold of the trackball...after the initial pain went away and now I have a job that won't let me use my track ball but I am not having probs anymore....use the marble @ home...

[Eli]

I was thinking about a trackball, but that would be terrible for games like Warcraft 2, Starcraft, and Quake I'd imagine... Anyone know how I can use a gamepad or a joystick through the gameport? Might as well use the hardware I already have... Thanks for the info.

[AuraEdge]

hey comtech...
Sounds real intresting! Hows it work and how much its cost (cost is always the groaner for new age technology)
can u quake like that?
cuz that would rock

[LordLocksley]

The trackman marble I was talking about in my earlier reply is great gor games...

[800XL]

The Kensington trackball rocks for real time strategy games, and the aim in Quake/FPSs is very fine. Any big balled trackball is quite nice for FPSs. I hate that trackman marble though. My thumb just cant be precise enough.

[mudoggy]

One of the ergonomic/safety people here (professional) HIGHLY recommends trackballs, especially Kensington, but frowns upon those that you use the thumb to steer the ball.
Just what I heard.. thanks!

[grandslammer]

well, here's my .02 worth...

I use a micro tech dual wheel nouse. Best toy I ever bought. two buttons on top, with the up and down wheel between them, mush like ms's intellimouse. However, just below the buttons, there's a second side to side wheel. I just love that! And the third button is programmable, and positioned for thumb use. Nice feel to it too, fits hand well. Don't know if they make a lefty or not...
Bought it at office max, i think - for 30 bucks

Good Luck In All,

Mike P.

[Comtech]

Right now, the software is relatively cheap (about $200) and the hardware is around $400, except for the laser. It alone runs around $250, so total cost will run about $850, although that's coming down FAST.
One quote from a company in Canada, is $250 complete for "qualified" purchasers. Those being the disabled. Us regular joes have to pay full price, which is still quite reasonable at $495 CDN (about $400US).
The way to go here, is to find a "qualified" person, and get them to buy two.

Yes, it works with all Windows applications.
No, it does not work with some DOS applications, although I'm not sure why not.

Quake et al, should be super quick with this and an ADSL connect!
Imagine your mouse moving exactly to where you want it, without moving your hand, just your eyes, then one blink, and POOF! There is no faster interface available at this time. The mouse moves as fast as your eyes (well, almost).

[KillerBug]

I use a chair where there is a mouse pad at the end of the arm, it is specialy reclined, so my arm is almost flat on the armrest from elbow down, the mouse pad is lowered a tiny bit, and the eurgonomic mouse is the perfect fit, perfect for everything but Q2.

[IRED]

Eli, Quake is unreal with a track-ball.Think about 360 degree control with just your thumb.It gave me a headache while I was first getting use to it.I had to turn the mouse speed down till I got use to it.
Now it's Rock an Roll.

[AuraEdge]

lol Comtech
Its wacky looking at someone and then railing at em, just with a quick eye sway
its like
GLANCE
BLINK
dead
lol
too weird

[LED]

I like switching over to my touchpad when I get tired of the mouse http://www.sysopt.com/forum/wink.gif

[Eli]

A trackball is probably the way to go, but that involves spending money I can't spare. Any idea how I can get my joystick or gamepad to work? Thanks for the info everyone.